How do I report flashing traffic signal lights?

New traffic signals are set to flash before the normal sequence of signal operation is put into effect. Also, some traffic signals are set to flash during parts of the day when there are lower traffic volumes. If the traffic signals are flashing during a time of day when they should have normal cycling operation and you are located in the City of Albuquerque, call the Traffic Engineering Dispatcher at (505) 857-8028. Consider the following questions:

• Where is signal located?
• Are all of the traffic signals flashing? If not, for what directions of travel are they flashing?
• What are the street names (including St. or Blvd. or Ave.)?
• Is this a City intersection?
  • If the signal is in Rio Rancho, call (505) 891-5016.
  • For county intersections, call Bernalillo County at (505) 848-1540 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. After hours, call the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department at (505) 798-7000.

Traffic Signals

The City installs new traffic signal equipment and modifies existing equipment.

Operation and Maintenance

The City operates and maintains approximately 500 signalized intersections throughout the city. This includes:

• Repairing and/or replacing signal equipment that has been damaged or destroyed.
• Performing preemptive maintenance of signal equipment in order to reduce the probability of signal failures and annual inspection and testing of equipment to ensure reliability.
• Improving signal timing. A concerted effort has been made to increase the number of signals that are interconnected and controlled by a central system capable of adjusting timing automatically in order to reduce traffic delays and allow for efficient traffic flow.

Rehabilitiation Efforts

The City rehabilitates approximately 50 signalized intersections per year. These efforts include:

• Installing new cable and wiring of intersections to a standard color code. Color coding improves the efficiency with which modifications and repairs of existing signal installation can be carried out.
• Ensuring public safety and maximizing protection of the electronic signal equipment from damage caused by static electricity, lightning, and electrical noise.
• Rehabilitating school flashing beacons.

Signs and Markings

The City manufactures, installs and maintains approximately 300,000 traffic signs within the city. The responsibilities of this section include:

• Replacing faded, damaged and/or vandalized traffic signs.
• Maintaining pavement markings throughout the city. This includes the pavement markings and crosswalks/legends used at major intersections.
• Keeping an inventory of existing installed traffic control signs and updating our signs and markings material inventory, in order to better meet maintenance and installation needs. This entails reviewing existing methods and materials to achieve more efficient, effective, and safe traffic control signs throughout our community.
• Installing temporary signs for special activities at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds and at UNM.

Traffic Analysis

The City participates in the investigation of traffic safety issues and the issuing of permits for restricted parking and Oversize Load transportation.

Investigations are conducted to insure compliance with City ordinances regarding visibility and sidewalk obstructions. This includes field investigations of locations, property owner notification, and follow-up procedures.

This section also performs various traffic volume counts and radar studies to determine the need for placement of traffic signals, signs, or pavement markings.

Parking permits for on-street parking areas and for Oversize Load transportation are issued through this section, including University of New Mexico on-street parking areas. Temporary parking permits for the New Mexico State Fair are also the responsibility of this section.