Traffic Engineering
What is Traffic Engineering?
Traffic engineering focuses on planning, designing, and operating streets and traffic systems to improve safety and mobility for all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and emergency responders. This work helps ensure roads function in a predictable and efficient manner.
Traffic engineers rely on objective data-such as traffic speeds, volumes, and collision history-along with State and federal standards to guide decisions. Their responsibilities include evaluating and maintaining signs, pavement markings, traffic signals, crosswalks, and other traffic control devices to reduce crashes and improve roadway safety.
In Stanislaus County, the Traffic Engineering Division manages traffic systems on unincorporated County roadways. Staff evaluate roadway conditions using documented data and engineering analysis, not perception alone. By applying consistent standards and prioritizing projects based on safety needs and available funding, the County works to invest public resources where they provide the greatest benefit to the community.
Report A Concern
The GoGov complaint system is an online tool that allows residents to submit concerns or requests related to County traffic issues, such as speeding, signage, traffic signals, or pedestrian safety. Using GoGov helps the Traffic Engineering Division track, prioritize, and respond to requests efficiently.
When you submit a request:
- Select the type of concern – Choose the category that best matches your issue (e.g., speeding, stop sign request, signal problem).
- Provide location details – Enter the street address or use the map tool to pinpoint the exact location.
- Include supporting information – Add photos or comments if available to help staff understand the situation.
- Submit the request – You will receive a case number to track the progress of your concern.
Traffic Engineering staff review each submission using data-driven and State-standard procedures. Not all requests result in immediate action; some may require further study, coordination with other agencies, or grant funding. The system ensures transparency and keeps residents informed about how traffic concerns are evaluated and addressed.
Tip: Before submitting, check the County interactive map to confirm jurisdiction, as the Traffic Engineering Division manages unincorporated County roadways, while cities and Caltrans maintain their own roads.
What we do
Traffic safety focuses on reducing the frequency and severity of crashes on County roadways. Traffic engineers analyze collision data, traffic speeds, volumes, and roadway conditions to identify safety concerns and determine appropriate countermeasures. Improvements may include enhanced signage, pavement markings, signal modifications, or other engineering treatments designed to improve visibility, driver awareness, and predictability.
Traffic signals and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) help manage traffic flow and improve safety at intersections and along corridors. This includes the design, operation, and maintenance of traffic signals, flashing beacons, detection systems, and communication equipment. Traffic engineers monitor system performance and adjust signal timing to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and respond to changing traffic conditions. If you have any concerns about certain signals, please let us know using the GoGov app.
Signs and pavement markings provide critical information that helps road users navigate safely and consistently. Traffic engineers evaluate where signs and markings are needed based on roadway conditions, driver expectations, and State standards. This includes stop signs, warning signs, speed limit signs, lane markings, crosswalks, and roadway delineation. All installations follow the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).
Stop signs are important traffic control devices, but they are not installed everywhere someone requests one. Their purpose is to assign right-of-way at intersections where it is needed to reduce conflicts and improve safety---not to control speed or address general complaints.
The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) sets the statewide rules for when a stop sign is warranted. Traffic engineers use these rules to make consistent, data-driven decisions. The evaluation considers factors such as:
- Traffic volumes – How many vehicles approach the intersection from each direction
- Collision history – Whether the intersection has a pattern of crashes that a stop sign can help prevent
- Sight distance – Whether drivers can safely see oncoming traffic
- Pedestrian activity – Especially near schools, crosswalks, or other areas with foot traffic
If an intersection meets the CA MUTCD criteria, the County may install a stop sign but is not required to and the Traffic Engineering Division will use engineering judgement to determine if one should be installed. If it does not meet the criteria, installing one could actually increase crashes and reduce compliance, because drivers expect stop signs to follow uniform rules.
Traffic Engineering staff review all stop sign requests carefully, and residents will receive a written explanation of the evaluation and any alternative safety measures that may be considered. If you have a location you believe a stop sign should be installed to help traffic safety please submit a request on GoGov.
Speed management addresses how fast vehicles travel in relation to roadway design and surrounding land uses. Traffic engineers use speed studies, collision data, and roadway characteristics to evaluate speed concerns and determine appropriate responses. This may include speed limit evaluations, enhanced signing, roadway design modifications, or coordination with law enforcement. Speed limits and treatments must meet State requirements and cannot be based on perception alone.
School and pedestrian safety focuses on protecting people who walk or bike, particularly near schools and community destinations. Traffic engineers evaluate crossing locations, traffic volumes, speeds, sight distance, and pedestrian activity to determine appropriate safety measures. Improvements may include school zone signage, high-visibility crosswalks, flashing beacons, and other treatments that meet State and federal guidelines.
Development review ensures new development projects are designed to operate safely and efficiently within the existing transportation system. Traffic engineers review traffic studies, access points, and roadway improvements associated with proposed developments. This process helps identify necessary mitigation measures, ensures compliance with County and State standards, and confirms that new development does not create unsafe or inefficient traffic conditions.
On-street parking is provided on some county maintained roads. On-street parking is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and is available to the public, subject to the limitations described below. As such, no one can "reserve" an on street parking spot or claim exclusive rights to the parking lane in front of their home. In addition, on-street parking is one of the lowest priority uses of the right of way and may be eliminated in the future to better utilize the right of way for transportation uses, which is a higher priority use than the parking of vehicles. Parking may be temporarily prohibited by law enforcement or due to road construction.
Traffic volumes tell traffic engineers how many vehicles use a road or intersection over a given period, providing essential information for safety, operations, and planning. High or unbalanced traffic volumes can create conflicts or congestion, so engineers use this data to determine where stop signs, traffic signals, lanes, or other safety improvements are needed. Volume data also helps prioritize projects, guide signal timing, and ensure roads are designed to handle current and future traffic safely and efficiently. By relying on objective traffic counts rather than perception alone, the County can make consistent, data-driven decisions that improve safety and mobility for everyone.
A roundabout or traffic circle is a type of circular intersection in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island, and priority is typically given to traffic already in the intersection. Compared to traffic signals, roundabouts reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions greatly by reducing traffic speeds and minimizing conflict areas. For pedestrians, traffic exiting the roundabout comes from one direction, instead of three at a signal, simplifying the pedestrian's visual environment. Traffic moves slowly enough to allow visual engagement with pedestrians, encouraging deference towards them. Other benefits include reduced driver confusion associated with perpendicular junctions and reduced queuing associated with traffic lights. They allow U-turns within the normal flow of traffic, which often are not possible at other forms of junction. Moreover, since vehicles that run on gasoline typically spend less time idling at roundabouts than at signals, using a roundabout potentially leads to less pollution.
Should you have any questions, please contact Public Works
The Stanislaus County Traffic Engineering Division helps manage safe and efficient travel for trucks on unincorporated County roads. This includes designating truck routes and identifying safe locations for truck parking, which supports commerce while reducing conflicts with residential areas, schools, and pedestrian traffic.
County Ordinance - Truck Routes
County Ordinance - Truck Parking
Please contact the Traffic Engineering office with any traffic related recommendations, comments, or concerns. You may use the Stanislaus County online help website at: https://www.stancounty.com/crm/ or call us at (209) 525-4130
