18185 - Eng Spec Signal Opt

Virginia Department of Transportation•Colonial Heights, VA

16h•$64,869 - $105,412

About The Position

This role involves developing and reviewing traffic signal system timings, researching computer-based information and field operations to assess signal timing performance, and making or justifying changes to signal timing patterns. The position also includes installing and troubleshooting communication devices, providing technical support to engineering programs, and ensuring compliance with various directives and regulations. Key responsibilities include coordinating traffic signal timings with local jurisdictions, developing plans for coordinated signal timings, investigating customer complaints, designing and adjusting traffic-responsive signal systems, and providing engineering technology solutions. The role also emphasizes job safety, maintaining records, managing signal systems and databases, performing special studies, serving as a technical resource, providing technical data for signal system design, managing time effectively, coordinating with Traffic Engineering on projects impacting signal operations, monitoring traffic signal systems, recommending and developing new signal systems, and representing VDOT with outside contacts.

Requirements

Ability to effectively communicate technical information orally and in writing.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
Ability to solve problems and make decisions regarding traffic signal operational improvements.
Experience in traffic signal design and operations.
Knowledge of federal, state rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relative to traffic control devices.
Knowledge of traffic signal operations, system and maintenance operations, local intersection and master controller unit operational functions, and traffic signal system coordination timing design.
Skill in the use of traffic system design and signal control software.

Nice To Haves

A combination of training, experience, or education in Highway Construction, Workforce Safety, Business, or related field.
Experience in traffic signal system design.
Experience in overall traffic signal operations.
Experience in traffic signal control and signal timing software.

Responsibilities

Develop or review traffic signal system timings for corridors.
Research computer-based information and field timing operations to determine signal timing performance.
Make changes to signal timing patterns or provide justification for signal timing changes.
Install communication devices and troubleshoot communication issues.
Provide technical support to assigned engineering programs.
Ensure compliance with all Construction Directives (CDs), environmental safety, EO, Materials, acceptance testing, and quality directives.
Ensure assigned projects are compliant with VDOT, District, and regional environmental and safety goals.
Correct environmental discrepancies and safety violations.
Monitor and assure compliance with all VOSHCP, OSHA, DPOR, and VDOT safety policies and regulations.
Coordinate traffic signal timings with local jurisdictions throughout the region.
Identify and maintain a list of corridors that would benefit from traffic signal coordination across jurisdictional boundaries.
Develop a plan for establishing coordinated signal timings and oversee processes needed to design, implement, and maintain interjurisdictional timing plans.
Investigate complaints and prepare responses for management review to sensitive and high-profile customer inquiries regarding traffic signal system operations, signal timing, and other signal operational issues.
Determine appropriate signal timing and functionality for traffic signal system design projects.
Design or adjust system signal timings to maintain and/or improve signal operational efficiency.
Make final decisions on operational master and local controller unit function values.
Collect and analyze data and maintain records.
Provide engineering technology solutions to complex or unusual cases and projects.
Determine and demonstrate proper work site protection techniques.
Ensure workplace safety by identifying workplace hazards and making suggestions for improvement.
Wear proper personal protection equipment.
Maintain current knowledge of safety rules, regulations, laws, and procedures (OSHA, VOSHA, etc.).
Ensure equipment is used properly and safely.
Apply MUTCD for detours, lane closures, work zones, etc.
Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work environment.
Follow VDOT safety regulations and practices.
Research information and update records or databases for activities in assigned program areas.
Collect and verify project data, maintain files, and recommend updates when discrepancies are found.
Maintain signal systems and isolated signalized intersection timing database specialized signal software.
Update signal system databases as signal timings are finalized and notify others on new signals.
Develop traffic signal timings for non-system intersections.
Maintain computerized timing files.
Perform special studies and assignments to support initiatives and decision-making for assigned engineering program areas.
Prepare project-related correspondence.
Serve as a technical resource and consultant to inspectors, contractors, and agency management.
Instruct and guide field staff to assure work conforms to Agency, OSHA, VOSH, and contract safety policies, plans, specifications, and contract documents.
Provide technical data for the design of traffic signal systems on road construction and maintenance projects to improve existing signal systems.
Determine the location and number of system loops for placement in the signal system.
Examine existing interconnect communication and make recommendations for new or additional communication needs.
Prepare written reports regarding systems and isolated intersection data.
Ensure work assignments are performed to achieve on-schedule completion of activities on projects.
Manage multiple projects and adjust priorities as needed.
Coordinate with Traffic Engineering on projects that impact traffic signal operations.
Review and analyze traffic impact data using traffic simulation models.
Make recommendations on signal timing adjustments.
Adjust signal timings in conjunction with resurfacing projects to minimize traffic impacts when detection is destroyed.
Make final time design and timing decisions for newly installed traffic signals and modified signals.
Coordinate repairs of phone communications with signal maintenance.
Monitor traffic signal systems using system computers and field observations.
Monitor system functions using time-based reports and critical alarms.
Determine timeframes and set up system computers for time-based reports.
Evaluate critical alarms for needed actions and make malfunction corrections and operational function parameter adjustments.
Recommend and develop new signal systems to improve arterial traffic flow efficiency.
Recommend modifications to existing signal configurations to improve the system’s operational efficiency.
Design closed-loop coordination traffic signal system timing plans.
Develop and analyze traffic signal system timings to coordinate the flow of traffic on primary highways in the event of other arterial closures.
Develop and implement quantitative measures to track performance of traffic signal systems.
Ensure signal system timing activities are coordinated with traffic signal maintenance operations.
Review new traffic signal technologies and functionality.
Assist in developing and performing employee training for assigned program areas.
Assist in mentoring field staff and work with team members to monitor training programs.
Represent VDOT with outside contacts, including handling and resolving concerns of contractors and the public.