Show All Answers

1. What is the speed limit when there are no speed limit signs?

Motorists within the City of Allen should assume the speed limit on any street is 30 MPH and on any alley 10 MPH. If the traffic warrants a speed other than 30 MPH, a speed limit sign will be posted.

Regardless of the speed limit, motorists should proceed in a reasonable and prudent manner.

2. Is it possible to change the speed limit on a particular street?

In the City of Allen, the City Council sets all speed limits and school zones based on a recommendation from city staff. The traffic engineer is responsible for conducting speed studies and traffic surveys to determine the reasonable and safe maximum speed recommendation. Requests to change the speed limit should be directed to the traffic engineer.

3. How would I make a request to have a traffic signal or stop sign installed?

The State Law, Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), states that a traffic signal or multi-way stop sign can be installed only if the intersection is warranted by an engineering study. There are particular guidelines in MUTCD specifying the warrants, such as traffic volume, nearby schools, accident experience, etc. If you feel that a traffic signal or multi-way stop sign is necessary, make a request by calling the City's Engineering Department at 214.509.4576 for a study at the location. Typically, the average cost of a signalized intersection is approximately $150,000.

4. Can I ask for a speed limit sign to be installed in alleys?

Yes, the City will install an "ALLEY SPEED LIMIT 10" limit sign at the neighborhood entrance(s) inside the City. If you do not see an "ALLEY SPEED LIMIT 10" sign at the entrance, one may be requested from the Traffic Engineer.

5. Who fixes the streetlights in our community?

Unfortunately, there is not a simple answer to that question, because “It depends.” Three different areas of our community are served by different electric companies (GCEC, CoServ and Oncor). Over time, the development of the City has experienced streetlight installations by all three, of which only Oncor and CoServ now fix lights.

In addition, there are some street lights that the City of Allen has installed ourselves and maintain ourselves. Of those we installed, for uniformity of appearance and efficiency in maintenance, the City of Allen uses only a few “City standard” poles and light fixtures (e.g. square poles with square heads). This reduces the number of poles and fixtures we need to stock and simplifies maintenance costs over time for the entire community.

The majority of streetlights were installed by the developer of the neighborhood, before homes were built. City standard poles and lights were customary in the past and the City accepted maintenance of those poles and fixtures when the homes were built. However, in recent years (approximately since 2011), developers opted for more decorative lights of various brands and styles. Since those lights do not match the “City standard,” the City of Allen will only perform routine or customary maintenance limited to wiring repair, photocell replacement, or ballast/lamp replacement (note: for older high pressure sodium or metal halide lamps only, not LED).

In the event of more complicated repairs, aesthetic/cosmetic improvement (i.e. painting) or outright replacement (i.e. from a ‘knock down’), repairs are the responsibility of the homeowners association. In those instances, the Engineering Department will often assist the HOA in getting a quote from our City-contracted electrician for services that the HOA desires, but the HOA has the option to shop around and hire a qualified electrician of their choosing, since the HOA is ultimately responsible for the cost. As a last resort, in the case of HOA refusal, the City always has the option to remove the non-conforming light and replace the malfunctioning light with a City standard (square pole/fixture).

6. How does a signal operate? Is a specific signal operating correctly?

Most signals in the City of Allen are controlled by traffic-detection cameras. Fog may affect the traffic detection, but the signal will correct itself as the fog lifts. The proper operation of signals can be checked remotely by computer, or in the field by traffic signal personnel. For specific questions about signal operations please contact the City's Engineering Department at 214.509.4576.

7. How are signals synchronized?

Factors to consider when synchronizing signals are the spacing between signals, the volume and speed of traffic and the cycle length. Signals along main arterials are generally synchronized during heavy traffic times. It is not always possible to synchronize cross traffic. When two-way progression is not possible, the City often uses computerized traffic modeling to find coordinated timing plans that maximize traffic flow. Specific questions about signal progression should be referred to the City's Engineering Department at 214.509.4576.

8. Why do I have to wait so long after I stop at a specific signal?

At most traffic signals, different timing plans are used throughout the day for varying levels of traffic demand. Cycle lengths must be longer at larger intersections to accommodate higher volumes of traffic, increased directions of traffic and much longer pedestrian crossing times. Cycle lengths range from 60 seconds to 160 seconds in the City. As areas develop and traffic increases, some adjustments may need to be made to maximize the efficiency of the signal. Requests for timing changes should be referred to the City's Engineering Department at 214.509.4576. Please provide signal location, direction of traffic and day and time a problem occurs.

9. How do I find how much traffic flow is at a specific location?

The City's Engineering Department counts traffic at all major intersections in the City once a year. Traffic at smaller intersections will be counted as needed, due to special projects or investigations. These counts are stored in a database that is maintained by the City's Engineering Department. Request for traffic volume should be submitted to the City's Engineering Department at 214.509.4576.

10. Are Stop signs effective as a tool for speed control?

No. Stop signs can have the opposite effect on speeds. We found speeds tend to increase within as little as 150 to 300 feet from the stop sign. Drivers try to make up for what they consider lost time.

11. Does the City install Speed Bumps (Road Humps) to control speeding problems on residential streets?

The City of Allen does not install speed humps as a speed control measure. Speed humps have been shown in very specific applications to be a way to deter motorists from using "short cut" routes in lieu of the appropriate roadways; however, they do not effectively reduce speed. Other neighboring cities have tried using humps for speed control, but they removed them due to ineffectiveness. Another consideration is the impact on fire-rescue vehicles and increase in response time because their design and size limit the ability to negotiate such obstacles. Better street design and planning will always be a more appropriate deterrent. If you believe there is a speeding problem in any area, please contact the Allen Police Department (214.509.4200) for assistance. The Police Department can place a temporary Radar Trailer (a device to remind motorist of the appropriate speed) on streets.

12. How does a pedestrian signal work?

Where possible, pedestrian signals are programmed to automatically be served each signal cycle, so that pedestrians do not have to push the pedestrian button. This is often not possible due to site-specific constraints, and it is a good idea to push the button if there is one available.

Once a pedestrian indication starts, there can be some confusion as to the meaning of the signal indications. The first indication is a white walking man. The symbol means the pedestrian can start walking in the direction of the signal. This is followed by a flashing orange hand symbol. The flashing hand does not mean that the pedestrian should stop crossing the street. When this symbol is shown, any pedestrians who have started to cross the street should continue crossing, but pedestrians that have not yet started to cross should not begin crossing. The length of the flashing indication is calculated based on the length of the crosswalk and the nationally recognized average walking speed of pedestrians. A flashing hand terminates with a solid orange hand symbol. Pedestrians should not be in the crosswalk when this symbol is being shown.

Questions about pedestrian signals should be referred to the City's Engineering Department at 214.509.4576.

13. Is the City of Allen working on getting DART rail service?

The City of Allen is extremely interested in moving rail transit further north in the US 75 corridor. In 2005 the North Central Council of Governments studied the regional rail issue in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and the northern extension of DART in the US 75 corridor is the one with the largest ridership potential. At this time we need to resolve three core issues to address the implementation of a regional rail plan for the Cities not within in the DART or Fort Worth transit service areas.

Core issues include:

• Funding: DART requires the dedication of 1 cent of the sales tax dollars generated in the service area for local funding
• Governance: Determination of how the regional system will be integrated into existing systems
• Technical: Determination of the best mode of transportation through DART (light rail, commuter rail, or new technology)

The first step in resolving these issues is to work through the legislative process to provide for the creation of a regional system and to provide a funding mechanism. For funding, a menu of additional local option taxes are proposed on a County wide basis since many of the non DART cities (Allen included) are unable to allocate additional sales tax to be dedicated to transit. The past legislative sessions have not provided a funding mechanism or governance mechanism to resolve the regional rail issues. Consequently, there is no short term out look for the light rail system to be extended to Allen. Please contact our Engineering Department if you need additional information at 214.509.4576.

DART Rail Service