Traffic Safety
Providing a safe and efficient transportation system for the City of Urbandale involves a number of different initiatives, from traffic signals, to street lighting.  The sections below discuss some of the main components of traffic safety.

Traffic Signals & Signs
The City installs traffic signals and signs in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  This document, produced by the State of Iowa, sets the standards for signals and signs.

Occasionally, the City will be asked to evaluate a street or intersection to consider a change in the regulations.  In this case, the City would conduct a traffic study to determine if a change is warranted under the specifications of the MUCTD.  Please contact the Engineering Division at 278-3950 to request a traffic study.

Pavement Markings
A well-marked street or highway is safer because motorists and pedestrians can easily see where they are supposed to be on the roadway.  Pavement markings include the lines down the middle of the lanes, as well as turn indicators, crosswalks, and stop lines.

The City of Urbandale re-paints all of the pavement markings in the City at least twice per year.

Weather conditions have a great deal of influence over when roadway markings can be applied.  Of course, the roadway must be dry, but it also must be above a certain temperature during the paint application and drying process.  For this reason, it is not possible to re-paint the pavement markings during the winter, even on dry, sunny days.

Streetlights
Streetlights have a dual purpose in Urbandale.  They help to ensure a safe street system for both motorists and pedestrians and they help to reduce crime by lighting up the dark areas where potential criminals like to work.