The purpose of the National Traffic Signal Report Card is to: (1) Assess the current state of traffic signal operation in the United States; (2) Bring attention to the current state of signal operation; (3) Create awareness of the congestion-reducing benefits of good traffic signal operation; and (4) Make a case for additional investment in traffic signal operation. To determine the current state of traffic signal operation in the United States, a self assessment tool was created. The self assessment served as a basis for collecting information and assessing traffic signal systems across the country. This tool was made available to state and local agencies and served an additional purpose of giving agencies a way to benchmark their own performance. This technical report presents results from the self assessment. When results are assimilated across the entire self assessment, the picture that emerges is one of agencies across the country "fighting fires." The scarcity of funding and staffing resources necessitates that agencies do what is needed to provide basic functionality so that the public sees traffic signals turning green, yellow and red. The systematic and thoughtful management of the traffic signal system in order to maximize the flow of vehicles and pedestrians is not an option for most agencies. It is the traveling public who pays the price in terms of congestion, air quality and fuel consumption.
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