Traffic Changes in Troy

Who makes the call on how traffic flows in our town?

In our daily lives, we often fall into patterns and routines, especially when it comes to driving. Most of us travel to a limited number of destinations, following the same routes day after day, year after year. This repetition allows us to navigate familiar streets with ease, knowing the locations of stop signs, traffic lights, and right-turn rules by heart.

This came to mind the other day, I was driving to work, and it felt like it was a particularly challenging day behind the wheel. I had met up with road work being done with the impact of students leaving the high school after the first day of school. For a town that has the perspective of being quiet and quaint, a multi-block backup comes as a bit of a surprise. It made me think about how traffic decisions in our town are made.

The Impact of Change

When changes occur in our familiar driving environment, it can significantly disrupt our routines. The West Main Street reconstruction project in Troy is a prime example, with its constantly shifting traffic patterns. While these changes are necessary and potentially beneficial—encouraging drivers to stay alert—they can be disorienting.

Recently, the city has spent some time upgrading the traffic signals on the West Market Street corridor from Grant Street to the Five-Way Intersection just east. City workers have been tinkering with new wires and improving traffic control boxes, all with the goal of improving traffic. Much of this work is the end product of some of the traffic signal changes that occurred last summer.

A Significant Shift

The biggest change with last year’s traffic change impacted northbound traffic on South Market Street entering the five-way intersection. Previously, two right-hand lanes could proceed straight, but now only the middle lane can go straight, while the right lane must turn onto East West Street.

This alteration has had both a positive and negative effects. From a positive perspective, it seems that traffic doesn’t back up on West Market Street as it tended to in the past. As for the not so positive, the change has lead to increased traffic accumulation at red lights, especially for north and south bound traffic at certain times, preventing all vehicles from passing through in a single green-light cycle.

Troy's Code of Ordinances

Like all communities, Troy has a Code of Ordinances—general rules adopted by the City Council that everyone is expected to follow. These codes cover various aspects of city life, including land use, zoning, prohibited criminal activities, and traffic regulations.

Chapter 305 of the Code of Ordinances assigns responsibility for traffic control devices, signs, and pavement markings to the Director of Public Service and Safety. This authority was granted by the City Council on November 11, 1966:

305.01 POWER TO PLACE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES; CONSIDERATIONS.
Pursuant to Ohio R. C. 737.021 and 737.022, a Division of Traffic Engineering and Safety is hereby created and the Director of Public Service and Safety shall be the executive head of such Division. The Director of Public Service and Safety is hereby authorized to place and maintain traffic control devices upon any street or highway under his jurisdiction as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Traffic Code, or to regulate, warn or guide traffic, and such other traffic control devices as he shall deem necessary for the proper control of traffic.

The code outlines specific considerations for the Director, including safety, traffic conditions, accident frequency, recommendations from Police and Fire Chiefs, transportation efficiency, public convenience, and budget constraints.

The Director of Public Service and Safety has broad authority in traffic management:

305.03 POWERS ENUMERATED NOT EXCLUSIVE; RECORD AND VIOLATION.
The Director of Public Service and Safety is hereby empowered to:
(a) Designate any street or highway as a through street or highway and require that all vehicles stop or yield the right of way as may be required before entering the same.
(b) Designate any intersection as a stop intersection and require all vehicles to stop at one or more entrances to such intersection.
...
(i) Install traffic control devices, signals and signs at any location to regulate traffic.

These powers extend to various aspects of traffic control, including designating one-way streets, marking lanes, erecting signs, and regulating parking.

Council's Reserved Power

While the Director has significant authority, the City Council retains some oversight:

305.04 RESERVATION OF POWER TO COUNCIL.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 305.01 to 305.03, inclusive, Council may override any decision of the Director of Public Service and Safety made under the provisions of Section 305.03, and may assume any of the powers delegated to the Director of Public Service and Safety under the provisions of Section 305.03 by resolution adopted by a vote of a majority of the members duly elected thereto.

This provision allows the Council to intervene in traffic decisions if necessary.

The Changing Role of Public Service Directors

When this code was enacted in 1966, Directors of Public Service and Safety typically had civil engineering backgrounds. They were trained in designing and maintaining critical infrastructure like streets, water systems, and sewers.

However, the role has evolved. Today, these positions are often filled by generalists with expertise in areas such as public finance, parks and recreation, or economic development. Instead of civil engineering degrees, many now hold advanced degrees in Public Administration.

Decision-Making Process

It's crucial to understand that traffic-related decisions in Troy are made by the Director of Public Service and Safety, not the City Council. The council is not typically consulted for input on these matters.

By understanding the mechanisms behind these decisions, we can better engage with our local government and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about our city's development and infrastructure.

What Do You Think?

How do you like the traffic changes in our community? What has worked? What hasn’t worked? Where are some traffic hot-spots that need to be addressed? Our paid subscribers are welcome to leave their ideas and insights in the comment section!

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