AGENDA #5a
BUDGET WORKING PAPER
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: George Small, P.E., Director of Engineering
SUBJECT: Report on Transfer of Traffic Division from the Public Works Department to the Engineering Department
DATE: March 8, 2006
Traffic management in Chapel Hill involves engineering, operating, and maintenance responsibilities associated with traffic signals, signs and markings, and special measures such as traffic calming.
The previous Town organizational structure included traffic engineering and signal system management responsibilities and staff in the Engineering Department; with signal system maintenance and signs/markings responsibilities and staff in the Public Works Department. Operational responsibilities were shared by staff in both departments.
This organizational structure proved to be functional but sometimes inefficient.
Engineering and Public Works staff met with the Manager on several occasions in past years to discuss problems associated with having traffic management responsibilities and supervision divided between two Town departments, and the efficacy of consolidating traffic management functions and staff within one department. Although there was consensus that traffic management functions could be handled more effectively and efficiently if resources were consolidated in one department, the question remained how best to accomplish such consolidation.
The key issue in question concerned the fact that Traffic Division maintenance staff must sometimes perform work other than that directly related to traffic management responsibilities. This work could include installation of flags and banners, installation and troubleshooting of holiday decorations, response to street lighting problems, and support during special events, emergencies and inclement weather situations. Such work often requires sharing personnel and equipment resources within and among Town departments.
Considering that key issue, we understood that consolidation of traffic management duties, staff and equipment within one department would require continued cooperation and coordination between departments to share resources. In a community such as ours, with limited resources, cooperation and assistance between different departments and between divisions within departments is, and will continue to be, necessary to effectively serve the community.
Based on a series of discussions, and after considering information provided by senior Town staff from the Engineering, Public Works and Human Resources departments, the Manager proposed a 90 day trial period during which he would evaluate a reorganization structure placing all traffic management responsibilities and staff under the direction of the Engineering Department. The reorganization was implemented on November 7, 2005. During the subsequent three months, the Manager met with senior Engineering, Public Works and Human Resources staff to receive updates and to evaluate progress of the new organizational structure.
On February 24, 2006, following the third in a continuing series of monthly update/status meetings, the Manager reported that he would recommend to the Council that the reorganization be made permanent as a part of the 2006-07 budget, placing all traffic management responsibilities and staff under the direction of the Engineering Department. The Traffic Division includes the Town Traffic Engineer, a Traffic Operations Engineer, a Traffic Program Supervisor, and five Technicians.
It was agreed that staff from Engineering, Public Works, and Human Resources will continue to meet monthly with the Manager to discuss issues relating to the new organizational structure and associated provision of services.