Transportation Operations

The purpose of the Traffic Engineering Program is to ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic through the oversight of traffic signals, traffic signs and markings, and the elimination of vision obstructions.

The division utilizes four support sections and administers several supplemental programs including:

• vehicle accident analysis
• intersection inventory
• vision obstruction program
• school/pedestrian crossing inventory.

The Traffic Signals Section is responsible for the installation and maintenance of traffic signals within the City of Raleigh corporate limits. It also is responsible for oversight and operation of the city's Computerized Traffic Signals System which controls 500 traffic signals throughout Raleigh.

The Traffic Services Section is responsible for the installation of traffic control signs and pavement markings within the City of Raleigh corporate limits. In addition, the section installs and maintains street name signs at public and public/private street intersections. In addition, the section collects automated traffic count and speed information for use by city staff.

For more information, contact Jed Niffenegger or learn about Neighborhood Traffic Management, Streetlight Program or Safelight Program

Parking Management responsibilities include:

• The administration of the City off-street parking program under contract
• Supervision of the on-street parking program
• Responsible for processing requests for the placement and removal of parking signage
• Responsible for the maintenance and repair of City parking facilities
• Oversee the allocation of parking space Inventory in City parking facilities

For more information, contact Gordon Dash or learn more about the ParkLink Program

The Public Works Department's Transit program administers the City of Raleigh's public transportation system - Capital Area Transit (CAT) - and the Accessible Raleigh Transportation program (ART), which is a for service persons with disabilities.

The City of Raleigh owns the buses and all other vehicles used by the system, as well as the bus maintenance facility. The City contracts with a management firm for the day to day operation of the bus system.

CAT bus service

• Serving an average of 5 million passengers
• Covering an average of 2.9 million miles a year
• Operates 37 fixed routes and 2 express routes throughout the city
• Service provided Monday through Saturday
• 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on all routes
• 4:30 a.m. to midnight on select routes
• Sunday service also is available on select routes from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

CAT utilizes three types of bus routes.

Radial routes

• begin and end in downtown
• serve major travel corridors and/or high volume destinations

Connector routes

• generally neither begin nor end in downtown
• function as feeder service to and from radial routes
• operate in areas with lower transit demand
• often have timed connections with a radial route

Express routes

• travel from one area to another with limited stops
• serve major employment centers

R-Line

In addition to regular bus routes, CAT operates a fare free Downtown Circulator (R-Line) that provides service to downtown Raleigh residents, visitors and employees.

Service

Monday through Wednesday

• 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Thursday through Saturday

• 7:00 a.m. to 2:15 a.m.

Sunday

• 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Transit Authority

The Raleigh City Council maintains budgetary control.

The Transit Authority is comprised of nine citizens who are appointed by the City Council.

The Transit Division staff carries out the directives and the policies of the Transit Authority.

Transit Division staff provides

• management oversight
• planning
• marketing
• grants administration

ATC/Vancom Management Services, Inc. provides operational management services to the City's Transit Division. They employ bus operators, as well as maintenance and administrative personnel.

CAT has been publicly supported since 1975, when the City purchased the bus fleet from Raleigh City Coach Lines.

Raleigh's citizens have had access to public transportation since Christmas day 1886, when the first transit trip on the City's brand new streetcar line was taken. Buses replaced the trolley lines in 1933.

For more information, contact David Eatman