Transportation Engineering

Public Works' Transportation Engineering Division is responsible for making sure that vehicles and people move safely and effectively throughout the City. This is accomplished through design of travelways, proper use of regulatory controls and collection and analysis of data that helps identify problems and potential solutions.

Traffic maintains the City's traffic signals and determines placement and usage of regulatory signage, such as stop, yield, and speed limit signs), as well as street name signs. Residents and motorists can help by reporting problems with equipment or signs to the City's Customer Care Center at 3-1-1.

In addition, we work with citizens, developers, and contractors to assist in planning of new subdivisions, location of driveways, and design of road improvements, as well as working jointly with communities to develop solutions to traffic problems.

Other Traffic Information

Here are some other frequently asked questions:

I need to temporarily work in the City streets. What approval is needed?
You will need to apply for a work-in-street permit. Applications are available in Room 110 of City Hall. Bring a drawing of the improvements with the application. Fees for the permits range from $20 to $100.

How can I get a loading zone established or removed?
Call 804-646-0999 and ask. We will need the location and information about the nature of the businesses in the area. We will review the location in the field and make a recommendation that will benefit the area.

The parking meters are broken. Who do I call?
Call 3-1-1 to report such problems. Please have the street address if possible so we can find it quickly.

I need a hauling or moving permit. How do I apply for one?
The Bureau of Transportation Engineering handles the hauling permits. Call 804-646-3840 for information. An application form can be printed from here and sent with your payment of $25 to the following address: Department of Public Works, 900 East Broad Street (Room 701), Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone: 804-646-3840 / Fax: 804-646-6629

I would like to close a street to hold a special event. What do I need to do?
The Police Department handles the street closing requests. Call 804-646-1343 for more information.

Things you should know about the Transportation Engineering Division

• We promote transportation harmonization - This combines proven traffic engineering safety and efficiency methods in a manner that supports neighborhood/business area livability and viability. This often is in the form of enhanced landscaping which promotes more positive guidance of traffic flow and increases street aesthetics. Examples include roundabouts, residential traffic circles, and landscaped medians.
• The City will continue building more roundabouts - Modern roundabouts efficiently move traffic, but their greatest benefit is their ability to reduce the number and severity of accidents. Properly landscaped, they can serve as community gateways.
• We have an active traffic calming program - Chokers, circles, speed cushions and humps, and splitters are the more common traffic techniques promoted in the City. As an important part of the transportation harmonization program, most traffic calming options rely on landscaping to reinforce their presence and traffic direction focus.
• Much of our infrastructure is paid for with safety grants - The City has been successful in obtaining in federal and state funded safety grants for many of the traffic signal modernization and intersection geometric upgrade projects. These grants have totaled over $16 million over the past 15 years; money that otherwise be paid by Richmond taxpayers.
• We have a comprehensive pedestrian safety program - To promote pedestrian safety, a variety of measures are used including:
  • Enhanced pedestrian crossings (pavement markings and textured crosswalks)
  • Pedestrian WALK/DON’T WALK signal heads and pedestrian count-down indications (these show time allotted to cross the street)
  • Reduced intersection road width (i.e. reduced pedestrian exposure) through intersection chokers
  • Controlling vehicle speeds through the traffic signal timing (for example, signals in downtown Richmond are optimized for 25 mph vehicle speeds)

Our program has been a success. In 2000, there were 181 pedestrian accidents in the city; compared to 77 in 2007. This is a 57% reduction!

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