 Mission: The Traffic Division strives to manage a safe and efficient flow of traffic in and through the city of West Palm Beach. Assigned personnel initiate and review traffic flow studies to determine the best use of existing roads and initiate actions to improve traffic movement. This Division reviews requests for right of way permits and coordinates road construction between the City, County and the State Department of Transportation. Note: The Traffic Division reports directly to the Assistant City Administrator and is included on this page because of its involvement with Engineering.
 Duties: Traffic engineers determine the installation of traffic control devices. They plan and direct the operation of traffic on the streets of this city; conduct investigations of traffic conditions and coordinate with other municipal and state officials. Traffic engineers make recommendations for improving traffic movement and conditions. They are expected to carry out the additional duties imposed by the city code and other ordinances of this city or as directed by the mayor.
Operations: The flow of traffic through the City is dynamic, influenced by a host of variables such as city, county and Department of Transportation road construction or repair. The Division may be required to re-route traffic to facilitate private construction. The city may be required to install or maintain underground utilities. Special events such as the boat show and the Fourth on Flagler or response to natural disasters such as cleanup after a hurricane requires traffic control. The Traffic Division decides how to best route traffic and uses some of the many devices in their arsenal, such as speed control signs and other devices to do so.
Capacity: There are roughly five hundred lane miles of road in the City of West Palm Beach. A one-mile road with two lanes is two lane miles of road. Both the County and Florida Department of Transportation maintain major thoroughfares.
Florida DOT maintains Forest Hill, Okeechobee, Dixie, Southern, North Lake and the B-Line Highway.
Palm Beach County maintains Australian, Belvedere, Palm Beach Lakes, and 45th Street.
All other streets in the city are maintained by the city
Structure: The Traffic Division is comprised of three functions: Traffic, Transportation, and Project Management. The three units work together to manage traffic studies signage, pavement markings, and right away permits. There is an ongoing need to coordinate with other units throughout the city, county, and state. Additionally, this Division oversees road construction. |
