Mission
Our mission is to serve Pinellas County citizens by reducing travel congestion, improving roadway safety and increasing driver information and awareness.
Traffic Management Division
The responsibilities of the Traffic Management Division include:
- Design, construction and implementation of the nationally recognized countywide Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) / Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Systems.
- Operation of Transportation Management Center including traveler information, incident detection programs and countywide ATMS / ITS systems.
- Design, operation and modifications to all Pinellas County traffic signals, including the signal timing plan evaluation and development program.
- Maintenance of all traffic control devices, including traffic signals, CCTV cameras, dynamic message signs and fiber optic cable. This also includes maintaining street lights and emergency priority signal devices.
The Traffic Management Division staff uses sophisticated computer programs and communications technologies designed specifically for traffic management to monitor the day-to-day operation of the county’s traffic signal network, including more than 300 traffic signals in 22 municipalities, as well as 37 CCTV cameras, nine changeable message signs and 52 miles of fiber optic cable.
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Because we cannot simply build our way out of urban traffic congestion by widening roads and intersections, advanced technology is applied to transportation management systems, enabling the county to get the most out of our roadway network and people to make smarter travel choices.
 Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) integrates new and existing technologies to increase fuel savings by reducing stops, starts and waiting time in traffic, ultimately costing less to run your automobile; reducing air pollution and assisting fire and rescue crews to reduce their incident-response times.
Quality of life is another advantage that transportation engineers measure. The Texas Transportation Institute studied the U.S., including the Tampa Bay area in its 2007 Urban Area Report. Results show that drivers in the Tampa Bay area are spending an increased amount of time struck in traffic congestion annually, citing 46 hours in 2007, up from 36 hours in 1998.
Pinellas County transportation engineers regularly participate in various studies and use the data to help improve roadway safety and reduce traffic congestion.
Presently, ITS includes 15 types of technology-based systems, divided into two focuses: intelligent infrastructure systems and intelligent vehicle systems.
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Intelligent Infrastructure
Intelligent Vehicles
This broad range of wireless and wire-line communications-based traffic and traveler information systems are combined to help motorists make better decisions. When integrated into the transportation system infrastructure, and into vehicles themselves, these technologies help monitor and manage traffic, reduce congestion, provide alternate routes to travelers, enhance productivity, improve pedestrian and vehicle safety and increase the efficiency of the entire transportation network.
Implementation of ITS is being deployed in three phases.
View Map illustrating where ITS is operating and or being installed 
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Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS)
 A division of ITS, Advanced Traffic Management Systems integrates hardware, equipment and technology, such as advanced vehicle detectors, CCTV cameras and other electronic communication systems, in an effort to operate the traffic signals more efficiently. Traffic is monitored, the timing of traffic signals is optimized on major county roads and traffic flow is improved.
Pinellas County Traffic Management Division operates a Traffic Management Center, referred to as the Primary Control Center for the nationally recognized countywide ATMS system that is currently being built. This control center is the hub for both ATMS and ITS related activities. All County maintained traffic signals, CCTV cameras and dynamic message signs (DMS) signs bring information back to the PCC to be used by operations staff to manage the roadway network.
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Traffic Signal Maintenance and Operations
 Pinellas County operates and maintains more than 300 traffic signals for 22 municipalities. This includes determining where traffic signals should be located, how each signal operates and whether additional movements are necessary to provide the safest and most efficient operation.
The Traffic Management Division accepts requests from citizens for modifications to signals and handles complaints and concerns relative to the operation and timing of signals. Traffic signals are reevaluated on a 3 to 5 year rotation to ensure they are operating as intended.
Including traffic signals, emergency signals, school flashers and other electrical traffic control devices the traffic signal shop maintains more than 375 different locations countywide. The signal shop also maintains more than 500 street lights and 225 emergency fire traffic system preemption devices. The Traffic Management Division also maintains all ITS devices, including CCTV cameras, fiber optic cable and DMS.
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National Recognition
Pinellas County was recognized nationally by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) for its successful rollout of the first U.S.-based, computerized adaptive signal system on two major arterial roads. In conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation, Public Works’ Transportation division developed a vigorous, multi-phased program implementing adaptive signal control strategies on congested arterial routes within Pinellas County. The benefits from the reductions in travel time represent decreases in stops, delays and fuel consumption while increasing overall speed among congested county routes. The results of one study for U.S. Highway 19 showed a $600,000 annual savings in fuel costs to motorists while the study results for State Road 60 demonstrated a $750,000 annual savings in fuel costs for the traveling public.
 Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) was created in 1991 to be an advocate for the development and deployment of ITS in the U.S. Members include private corporations, public agencies, academic institutions and research centers. The common goal is to improve the safety, security and efficiency of the U.S. transportation system via ITS. Traffic accidents and congestion take a heavy toll in lives, lost productivity and wasted energy. ITS is the state-of-the-art, multi-modal transportation system that enables people and goods to move more safely and efficiently.
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