Traffic signals on the state highway system are owned by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT), but are normally maintained by local government entities. Currently, the SDDOT does not have a database containing the inventory of traffic signal components or equipment, nor does the Department have any reliable means to verify, track, review, and record an inventory of traffic signal maintenance along state routes. The SDDOT has determined the need to implement a traffic signal management and maintenance system to address the deficiencies that currently exist in regard to maintaining an equipment inventory and the tracking maintenance activities.
A recently completed research project, SD2003-01, "Improved Traffic Signal Maintenance & Management", basically redefined the policies, agreements, and procedural standards surrounding traffic signal management and maintenance activities at the Department. The development of new traffic signal maintenance and management documentation, including maintenance inspection checklists and signal inventory items, have essentially provided the system requirements for a traffic signal management and maintenance system at the SDDOT.
It is anticipated that there will be approximately 6 primary users of the traffic signal maintenance and management system at the SDDOT. This includes 4 Region Traffic Engineers at the Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre, and Rapid City Region offices, a Traffic Engineer in the Central Office - Operations Support, and a Traffic Design Engineer in the Central Office - Road Design. Local Government Agencies (LGAs) will be responsible for supplying much of the signal maintenance data since they are responsible for the actual maintenance activities on traffic signals. It has already been defined that LGA data can be submitted, and treated in a wide variety of formats according to community size, number of signals, communication capabilities, etc. Essential system testing activities will be focused on maintaining an inventory of equipment and components for all traffic signals on the state trunk highway system (totaling approximately 270 traffic signals), as well as tracking and keeping records of all traffic signal maintenance activities as defined within the newly developed "SDDOT Traffic Signal Annual Maintenance Inspection Checklist."