Traffic Engineering

About Traffic Engineering

Traffic Engineering provides safe and efficient flow through the use of signage (regulatory, warning and informational signs), pavement markings, and traffic signal system operations.

Traffic Engineering operates and maintains more than 200 signals and powers over 7,000 streetlights throughout the city.

Cars parked at an angle and stopped traffic running through main street

Flashing Left-Turn Arrow

Greenville residents and visitors will now have help deciding when it's safe to make a left-hand turn. Flashing left-turn signals will gradually be installed in the city. This new style of traffic signal head, commonly called a Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA), is designed to improve safety by providing drivers with a visual cue for what to do when making a left-hand turn, and at what point. The goal of using the FYAs is to improve driver understanding of left-turn traffic signal displays and reduce the number of crashes at signalized intersections in the city.

  1. When did this change occur in the state of South Carolina?
  2. Why the change?
  3. Why is it a better left-turn signal?
Flashing Yellow Arrow Primer
Red-Arrow

A steady red arrow means STOP. Drivers turning left must stop.

Yellow-Arrow

A steady yellow arrow means the signal is getting ready to turn to red. Drivers turning left should stop if it is safe to do so.

Yellow-Dot-Arrow

A flashing yellow arrow means left-turns are permitted. Drivers may turn left but must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and then proceed with caution.

Green-Arrow

A steady green arrow means left-turns are protected. Drivers may turn left. Conflicting traffic must stop.

Traffic Calming

Traffic Engineering takes the lead in the City's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, also known as the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. Traffic Engineering also provides technical support for roadway projects funded through the Capital Improvement Program.

Responsibilities

Citizens most commonly contact us to:

  • Get information on street lights or report a street light outage
  • Get information on traffic calming
  • Report a sign or signal that is obstructed, damaged, missing or malfunctioning
  • Report safety concerns, especially in school areas
  • Report traffic operations problems

Traffic Calming Frequently Asked Questions


  1. Are pedestrian signals a guarantee of safety? (PDF)
  2. Are traffic signals really a cure-all? (PDF)
  3. How are speed limits established? (PDF)
  4. How safe are pedestrian crosswalks? (PDF)
  5. Will "Children At Play" signs help slow traffic? (PDF)
  6. Will more stop signs slow traffic on our street? (PDF)
A neighborhood street with a hump traffic sign and a 15 mph traffic sign