Engineering - Traffic Division

The Traffic Division of the Engineering Department is responsible for the engineering, design, installation, and maintenance of all traffic control devices, including signals, signage, and lane markings. Speed limits are also established by this group, which conducts speed studies in some cases to determine if a speed limit should be changed. Various traffic studies are performed in the planning of future roadway projects utilizing data that is collected and maintained by the Department, including traffic counts and accident data.

Traffic Resources and Information

Below you will find links to many resources, including brochures, traffic counts, and outside web sites with helpful and oft-requested information. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Traffic Division at 513-785-4109 or email us at info@bceo.org.

MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH - MAY 2010 RIDE SMART, RIDE ALERT! - The Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Traffic Safety Office, and Motorcycle Ohio are beginning a campaign to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries on Ohio roadways. Ride SMART is the campaign theme. Ride SMART stands for Sober, Motorcycle-endorsed, Alert, Right Gear, and Trained. The kickoff for this campaign will be held on April 23, 2010 and will run through the whole month of May which is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Our primary message during this campaign will be "Ride SMART, Ride Alert."

PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL * Shared Space - Rules of the road for pedestrian travel. This pamphlet covers the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians in the public right of way.

HAZARDS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING * Distraction.gov - U.S. Department of Transportation launches web site to address the growing problem of distracted driving. * Hazards of texting while driving - Public Service Announcement video here. WARNING: Contains graphic images.

OHIO'S CHILD BOOSTER SEAT LAW CHANGES * Ohio's Child Passenger Safety Law changes effective October 7, 2009. Get the details here.

WINTER DRIVING TIPS * Winter Driving Tips by the Ohio Department of Public Safety * Ice & Snow...Take It Slow link to the Ohio Department of Transportation SUMMER ROAD SAFETY TIPS * Summer Road Safety Tips by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

ABOUT ROUNDABOUTS Traffic roundabouts made their first appearances on major Butler County roads in 2008. Roundabouts were built at the Hamilton Mason Road / Liberty Fairfield Road / Vinnedge Road intersection as well as at the Lakota Drive West and Eagleridge Drive intersection. This alternative to typical at-grade intersections offers improved safety while keeping traffic flowing at slower speeds through the intersection. Some motorists may require a little tutoring on just how roundabouts function and how to best use them. So we've assembled a brochure that explains the benefits of a roundabout and how to approach, yield, enter, and exit a roundabout.   * Guide to Single-Lane Roundabouts * Some feedback from local motorists on our new roundabouts: On the Hamilton Mason/Vinnedge/Liberty Fairfield Road roundabout....."It is SO cool. Good job (Mr. Wilkens)! Only other place I have experienced this wonder of roadwork is in Sarasota FL at St. Armands Circle. Agan, So Cool! Thank you for making my morning and evening commute easier." - Marty S. "Very innovative! I like the roundabouts." - Ann M. "I first had the privilege of using roundabouts in Hilton Head and I love them. Thanks for constructing a few of them here. I have used both the Hamilton Mason and the Lakota West roundabouts and they are very smooth. The landscaping is coming along and should look great next spring. I think these will be great experimental areas to try these and I look forward to seeing more throughout the county. Thanks again." - Paul S. * A bird's eye view of Butler County's new roundabouts: Click on images to enlarge. Lakota Drive West roundabout nears completion (fall 08) Lakota Drive West roundabout nears completion (fall 08) Hamilton Mason / Vinnedge / Liberty Fairfield Rd roundabout under construction (fall 08) Hamilton Mason / Vinnedge / Liberty Fairfield Rd roundabout under construction (fall 08)..

TRAFFIC COUNTS * Traffic counts by township and road * Traffic count map

TRAFFIC SIGNALS The BCEO maintains 70 traffic signals. The timing and operation of these signals are carefully observed by the Traffic Division. * BCEO traffic signal maintenance list * Traffic Signals 101 - A primer for the geek in all of us. Answers questions such as 'What are the parts of a traffic signal?' and 'What is signal timing?' We are often asked why we can't install signals at a dangerous intersection to make it safer. It isn't that simple. Like speed limits, which you'll read about below, there are strict guidelines set forth by the State of Ohio that govern the use of traffic signals. For an in-depth explanation, please see Question 10 on the FAQs page: * FAQ Q10: Why can't you install traffic signals at an intersection or turn it into a four-way stop?

SPEED LIMITS Speed limits are not randomly set. They are strictly determined by the State of Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, per the Ohio Revised Code. Every speed limit change must be approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). A speed study must be performed and submitted to ODOT for approval. There are many variables that are looked at as part of the study. * Speed limit study process * Butler County speed zone map For a more in-depth explanation of speed limits and how they are determined, please see Question 9 on the FAQs page: * FAQ Q9: Why can't you lower the speed limit on my road? How are speed limits determined?

OHIO MANUAL OF UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES and TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MANUAL All signing, speed limits, and traffic control devices are regulated by the State of Ohio. The State has implemented these rules to provide uniformity throughout Ohio which makes driving safer for all motorists. These regulations are set forth in a 900-plus page guidebook called the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (OMUTCD). The Traffic Engineering Manual (TEM) has been developed to assure uniformity in application of ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) traffic engineering policies, guidelines, standards, and practices. The OMUTCD establishes the basic, minimum traffic control standards for all public roadways in Ohio, and all supplemental ODOT traffic engineering design, construction, and operations related information is either contained in the TEM or referenced from it. * Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices - 2005 (Large PDF. File may take some time to download.) * Traffic Engineering Manual - 2008 (Large PDF. File may take some time to download.)

WARNING SIGNS OF INTEREST * Children At Play signs - ODOT guidelines * Hidden Drive signs - ODOT guidelines * Trucks - No Engine Braking - ODOT sign guidelines

NO PARKING REGULATIONS * Regulations for Vehicle Parking - Ohio Revised Code

TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY * BCEO Traffic Impact Study Guidelines, eff. February 2006

ACCESS MANAGEMENT Access Management is the process by which government agencies regulate the location and spacing of driveways, street connections, median openings, and traffic signals. * Why Access Management / safe access is important and good for business * BCEO Access Management Regulations Manual, eff. January 1, 2005

SAFETY Safe and efficient motoring for the transport of goods and people is what the Butler County Engineer's Office is all about -- making our roads, bridges, and intersections safer by easing congestion, upgrading to modern design standards, and eliminating dangerous situations. You the motorist can help too by practicing safe driving at all times. Take our quiz below and also check out our list of safe driving tips. * Driver safety quiz * Safe driving tips

LINKS * Ohio State Highway Patrol Statewide Fatal Crash Maps - by county * Ohio State Highway Patrol - LifeStat: The 24/7 Initiative