FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got a question? In our Frequently Asked Questions list, find answers right away to those we get most often from Rapid City Residents. It may save you a phone call or a trip to City Hall. Specific department related FAQ links are also provided below. Still have unanswered questions? Please contact a city department directly for assistance.

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Traffic Division

The City of Rapid as well as most communities in the U.S. have adopted the standards found in the
"Manual on Uniform Trafffic Control Devices" or MUTCD
for additional detail on questions below and other information, please refer to the MUTCD web site!
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/.) or contact Engineering Services @ 394-4154

Q: How do I get a speed limit raised or lowered?
.......A: Call the City Traffic Engineer and a speed study will be conducted on the street. South Dakota Law sets speeds in school zones at 15 MPH and residential at 25 MPH.

Q: How do I get the City to consider a stop sign installation?
.......A: Call the City Traffic Engineer and an intersection study will be conducted for all roadway signage.

Q: I would like to have a stop sign installed to slow down traffic. Why won't the City do this for me?
.......A: Call the City Traffic Engineer and an engineering study along with engineering judgment will be used to justify or decline the stop or yield sign. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidance is, Stop Signs should not be used for speed control.

Q: How do I report a streetlight that is burned out?
.......A: Call the CityTraffic Division @ 394-4118 or contact Engineering Services @394-4154.

Q: Why are those stop signs so high?
.......A: Stop signs are required by the MUTCD to be 7' from the ground to the bottom of the sign. Reasons sited are, obstructions to view, less susceptible to vandalism, for the safety of motorists who may leave the roadway and strike the sign support, and is less likely to be hit by errant vehicles.

Q: What are the warrants for traffic signals?
.......A: In order to assure traffic signals are installed only where necessary, a series of 11 warrants have been developed and accepted by Traffic Engineers throughout the country. These warrants are used in Rapid City to help determine where traffic signals sould be installed. Traffic signal warrants are based on traffic demans. A signal must meet at least one of the warrants presented in the MUTCD prior to installation.
The 11 warrants briefly are: 1. Vehicular volume; 2. Interruption of continuous traffic; 3. Pedestrian volume; 4. School crossing; 5. Progressive movement; 6. Accident experience; 7. Systems (intersection of tow major streets); 8. Combination of warrants, 80% of two of the first three warrants; 9. Four hour volumes; 10. Peak hour delay; 11. Peak hour volume. For greater detail please refer to the MUTCD web site.

Q: What is the harm of installing an unwarranted traffic control device?
.......A: Traffic Control Devices (TCD) such as traffic signals, STOP Signs and speed limit signs are installed to regulate traffic flow and improve safety. The installation of these TCD should be based on the professional judgment of Traffic Engineers after careful study of the location to be controlled. The study will consider such factors as accident frequenty and type, vehicle speeds, traffic volumes and roadway environment.
On ccasion, an angry or persistent person, influences the installaation of a TCD n a manner not consistent with the recommendation of the Traffic Engineer. Many people do not realize that there are both legal and safety issues at risk when such a situation occurs.

Q: Who do I call to report a traffic problem?
.......A: If you are involved in an accident, or it is an emergency situation, call the Police department at 911.
If you have a traffic question or problem, please call the Engineering Services @394-4154.

Q: Won't speed bumps slow traffic down on our street?
.......A: No! The speed bump is an increased hazard to the unwary... a challenge to the daredevil ... a disruption to the movement of emergency vehicles ... a winter snow plow hazard ... and the cause of an undesirable increase in noise.