Traffic SignalsTo report a traffic signal not working, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, contact Traffic Operations at 221-6630. After hours and weekends hours, contact the City of Fort Collins Police Department at the non-emergency number, 221-6540.
2007 Data (March)
Energy EfficientIn 2001 Traffic Operations replaced 3, 300 Red and Green incandescent lamps with Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s). The 61% energy usage reduction was significant and resulted in a $71,000savings per year in electric costs. In 2006, Traffic Operations upgraded 75 intersections to LED Walk and Don't Walk indicators and LED Count Down Pedestrian indicators. Preliminary calculations are showing a 44% decrease in energy usage and a costs savings of $15,000 per year. LED's are used for any new traffic signal installation. EquipmentAs part of creating the Advanced Traffic Management System, Traffic Operations installed new equipment at all signalized intersections beginning in 2001. The equipment includes model 332 & 336 traffic cabinets, Naztec 2070 controllers, 33 miles of fiber optic cable and radio communication in outlying areas. 2008 Traffic Signal Construction
The History of the Traffic Signal
Traffic Operations Art in Public Places statue. Artist James Haire 626 Linden St. Fort Collins Colorado 80524 The origin of traffic control signals can be traced back to the manually operated semaphores first used in London as early as 1868. The first electric signal in the United States was developed by James Hoge and installed in Cleveland Ohio in 1914. Some of earliest signals were manually operated. Police officers used switches to change red and green lights. This was followed by the introduction of interconnected signals in 1917 in Salt Lake City, Utah. By this time, automobile ownership and usage was expanding rapidly and effective vehicular traffic control was recognized as a growing problem. The evolving need led to the development and implementation of actuated signals in 1928. From these modest beginnings, traffic signal technology has greatly expanded and has become a critical element in the safe and efficient control of traffic on our streets and highways. By providing alternate right of way to various traffic movements, traffic signals are used to control the assignment of vehicular or pedestrian right of way at locations where potentially hazardous conflicts exist. The use of traffic signals throughout the United States and the technology available for traffic signal equipment has continued to change and provide more tools for traffic engineers to better meet the needs of the traveling public. More sophisticated traffic control equipment, the use of computers and data gathering techniques has continued to evolve the role that traffic signals can play in managing the safe and efficient use of the traffic system. In Fort Collins, a similar pattern has developed over the last 18 years. The City of Fort Collins has continued to upgrade the traffic control equipment it uses at traffic signal locations throughout the community. It has also installed and continues to operate a computerized traffic control system that links all traffic signals to a central location, providing system wide operating control of traffic signals.
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