Unfunded Signals

Recommended Traffic and Pedestrian Signals

Traffic and Pedestrian signals listed below are recommended based on an engineering study conducted for each location. This ranking list is updated annually, but needs and opportunities for funding are monitored throughout the year. Should funding become available for these signals, they would be constructed in this order, subject to influencing factors described in the Construction Ranking Process below.

Construction Ranking Process:

All things being equal, recommended locations are scheduled for design and construction based on their request evaluation score. However, there are other factors considered when determining what locations move into design and construction.  

These factors include things such as:

• Private funding: Many private developments are required to provide funding for traffic improvements (such as signals) as a result of the traffic patterns and volumes the development will create.
• Other City Funding Sources: Other city divisions or departments may have priorities that differ from those of the Arterial Management Division and may be willing to provide funding for a specific signal. For instance, Safe Routes to School may identify the need for a pedestrian signal at a specific location. This location may not have the top evaluation score but is a priority for the Safe Routes to School program.  
• Facilitated Construction: There could be existing infrastructure that makes installing a signal very cost-effective. The infrastructure could be existing conduit or foundations or converting an existing pedestrian signal to a traffic signal.
• Other Entities: Austin Transportation may install a traffic signal at a specific location to safely facilitate mass transit routes. These types of improvements are typically funded by the transit agency.
• Council Priorities: City Council members may identify funding for a specific improvement that may not have the highest evaluation score.
• Safety Concerns: A location with a lower evaluation score but a high crash score may be constructed ahead of locations with higher evaluation scores in order to reduce potential risks to the community.
• Constructability Issues: The cost to install a signal at a specific location may be cost-prohibitive. These issues could be complications such as right of way limitations, utility conflicts, etc.
• Engineering Judgment: Given the myriad of considerations that impact the decision to construct a signal, engineering judgment is an integral part of the process.