Traffic Signal Warrants—Their Use and Misuse

IN TR O D U CTIO N In the area of traffic control devices the traffic signal is one of the most flexible, sophisticated, and expensive of all such devices. If used properly it can reduce the number of certain types of accidents, provide orderly flow through an intersection, and decrease overall travel time along a street. However, if employed improperly one can expect increased congestion, high accident rates, driver irritation, and general disrespect of the implementing organization, i.e., the local or state traffic engineering agency. It is for these reasons that warrants were created.