Traffic Signal Policy

The State Highway and Public Transportation Commission (now known as the Texas Transportation Commission) approved TxDOT’s current policy on highway traffic signals under Commission Minute Order No. 85777 dated May 27, 1987. The current policy, as published in the
Texas Administrative Code
 at 43 TAC, § 25.5, states that TxDOT:
  • may install, maintain, and operate traffic signals on the state highway system in unincorporated areas when requested by anyone and provided that the location or locations meet one or more of the warrants for highway traffic signals contained in the current
    Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
    (
    TMUTCD
    ).
  • may install, maintain, and operate traffic signals on the state highway system in incorporated cities of less than 50,000 population (latest federal census) when requested by the city council, mayor, or city manager, and on frontage roads and at interchanges of freeways of the State Highway System within incorporated cities and provided that the location or locations meet one or more of the warrants for highway traffic signals contained in the current
    TMUTCD
     and that the city enters into an agreement setting forth the responsibilities of each party.
  • is responsible for authorizing traffic signals to be installed at locations on the State Highway System other than freeways in incorporated cities of 50,000 or more population (latest federal census) provided that the location or locations meet one or more of the warrants for highway traffic signals contained in the current
    TMUTCD
    . (NOTE: The cost of installation, operation, and maintenance of these signals is the responsibility of the city, except that TxDOT may provide for the installation of traffic signals when the installation is financed in part with federal-aid funds and the city enters into an agreement setting forth the responsibilities of each party. (See the for details.)
  • may install, maintain, and operate traffic signals on state highway frontage roads in all areas, provided the locations meet at least one of the
    TMUTCD
     warrants. (NOTE: The maintenance and operation of these signals may be contracted out to cities.)