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Town Q&A is a compilation of questions received by the Town of Parker across its social media accounts from the previous month. Have a question about the Town or Town operations to ask? Send your questions to Town of Parker Digital Marketing Coordinator Ryne Dittmer at rdittmer@parkeronline.org to be answered in a future Town Q&A post.

How are Town traffic signals scheduled?
The Engineering/Public Works Department’s Traffic Services Division is responsible for monitoring signal timing in the Town of Parker and coordinating traffic plans. In all, this group maintains 87 total traffic signals — 74 Town-owned and 13 which are owned by Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and maintained by the Town by contract.

Traffic signals are timed based on traffic data such as daily through counts and peak hour turning movement counts. These counts are fed into analysis software to recommend the best signal timing for a corridor or group of signals. This would include how long a cycle is, how long each green phase is displayed and how each signal operates in coordination with neighboring signals. The idea is to minimize delay for the greatest number of users. The outputs of the analysis and simulation are reviewed by human eyes and further adjusted based on known field conditions that the computers may not be able to correct for. The Town routinely monitors traffic conditions and makes adjustments to timing based on changes in measured flow.

In the future, the Traffic Services Division hopes to implement “traffic responsive” flow for a number of Parker signals. This is an operational strategy where signal parameters are chosen based on automated real-time data collection, rather than historic measures and expected daily patterns.

To report a traffic signal not working, damaged traffic signs or other traffic-related issue, please contact the Department of Engineering/Public Works at 303.840.9546 during regular hours. To report a concern after hours please call the Parker Police Department at 303.841.9800.

How does the Town decide when and where to install traffic signals?
The Town of Parker prescribes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to determine when and where traffic signals are installed.

MUTCD is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration of the United States Department of Transportation to specify the standards by which traffic signs, road surface markings, and signals are designed, installed and used.

MUTCD establishes minimum thresholds, or warrants, of roadway traffic to regulate the placement of signals. The Town of Parker Engineering/Public Works Department uses these warrants to routinely evaluate roadways and intersections for signs and traffic signals.

How are residents notified about planned slurry sealing road maintenance projects?
Slurry sealing notification process:
1.  The Town will mail out postcards several weeks prior to a project's start with a general notification regarding the slurry sealing and project time period. Residents may receive a postcard even if their street is not being slurry sealed due to the bulk mail process the Town utilizes.

2.  The project contractor notifies the HOA of the upcoming work.

3.  Signage is placed on the street (multiple locations) 48 hours in advance of the project stating that slurry sealing will be occurring on a specific day. These also serve as no park signs.

4.  A postcard is placed in a weatherproof bag on driveways within the project area 24 hours in advance of the slurry sealing.

5.  On the morning the work is to be completed a contractor employee knocks on every door to verbally inform residents of the work and provide them time to leave or move their vehicles if they will be leaving.

What is the status of the Rueter-Hess Reservoir?
With the growing community interest in the Rueter-Hess Reservoir, the Town has put together a Q&A page to share some useful information regarding the facility, its current state, ongoing activities and future plans. The Q&A can be accessed here.

How is roadway maintenance planned in Parker?
Roadway maintenance projects are coordinated and completed by the Town of Parker each year to repair and preserve our streets. Get a more detailed look at how the process is managed by the Engineering/Public Works Department here.