Traffic Division

The City of Council Bluffs Traffic Maintenance Division is in charge of design, installation, and maintenance of traffic control devices on the city street systems within the city limits of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Our department also maintains and operates the traffic signals located along all roadway corridors within the city and installs and maintains the city's 750 parking meters. The Traffic Maintenance Division is a part of the Council Bluff's Public Works Department.

Our Mission

The mission of our department is to provide for the safe and efficient operation of motor vehicles on our roadway system within our community. We provide this by using the latest materials, equipment, technology, and standards. We also make this possible by using good maintenance practices, professional engineering judgement, coordinating our efforts with other agencies and utilizing input from the general public.

Our normal working hours are from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM with personnel available for emergency situations and maintenance 24 hours a day. For emergencies, contact the 911 center in Council Bluffs and for non-emergencies contact the 911 center at: 712-328-5737. Mark Franz is the Traffic Division Superintendent for the city and all comments and mailings should be directed to his attention. Communication Center Emergency: 911 - Non-Emergency: 712-328-5737

Personnel

General.

Council Bluffs Traffic Maintenance Division consists of four sections:traffic signals, signs, parking meters, and administration/engineering. All personnel work out of a separate facility from other divisions of public works. Council Bluffs workers are civil service except for management and/or professional personnel.

Engineering/Administration.

Mark Franz, the City Traffic Division Superintendent, is responsible for the operations of the Traffic Maintenance Division as well as being involved in many of the traffic engineering decisions such as sign locations, determining traffic control devices, maintaining traffic count databases, reviewing signal system designs and researching new technologies which will make the department operate more efficiently and provide for the safe and efficient driving for the motorist. The Traffic Division Superintendent must also be involved with public relations with the general public as well as working with other groups both within the city and within the region related to traffic engineering and operations.

Sign Section.

The sign division consists of four different personnel who have specialties, but can work into other positions when required. The sign division is responsible for pavement markings, sign fabrication, sign installation, sign maintenance, setting up detours, and recording their work in a computer database.

Signal Section.

The traffic signal division is responsible for maintenance of the closed loop traffic signal system in Council Bluffs. Two electronics technicians maintain almost 100 signalized intersections, pedestrian crossings and programmable flashers. They are responsible for 120 volt systems, street lights, microprocessor based traffic controllers, computer systems, fiber optic systems, and troubleshoot electronic equipment down to the component level. During the past few years underground wire locating has become a major responsibility.

Meter Section.

The meter technician is responsible for approximately 750 parking meters located in the central business district of Council Bluffs. Approximately 25% of the meters have been converted to electronic meters. The meter technician is responsible for maintaining, installing and upgrading parking meters.