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The Village of Mount Prospect has 54 intersections that are controlled by traffic signals. Only 8, however, are actually maintained by the Village. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has maintenance responsibility of 38 intersections, the Cook County Highway Department (CCHD) maintains 7 intersections, and Randhurst Mall maintains 1 intersection.

Each of these agencies including the Village has a separate contract with a contractor that specializes in traffic signal maintenance. Their responsibility includes replacing burned out traffic signal and pedestrian signal bulbs, replacing damaged loop detectors, making sure the controller cabinet is functioning as programmed, replacing any equipment damaged in an auto accident, etc. As part of the Village contract, our contractor visits each intersection every couple of weeks to make sure the traffic signals are operating properly. The contractor also partners with the Village to identify improvements that can be made to have the traffic signals run more efficiently and safely.

How can you help?
Should you see a traffic signal bulb burned out or notice damage to the hardware such as a post or pedestrian signal assembly, please contact the Public Works Department at 847-870-5640. Another option is to e-mail the . The Village will then contact the appropriate agency to have the outage or damage repaired.

Why does it do that?
Questions and complaints are also sometimes made by motorists concerning the operation of a signalized intersection. Should you wish to discuss an issue surrounding the operation of a particular intersection, the Village recommends contacting the agency that has operation jurisdiction over the intersection. To assist you, below is a list identifying maintenance responsibility and operation jurisdiction of each intersection controlled by traffic signals in the Village.

Agency Phone Numbers
Illinois Department of Transportation 847-705-4141
Cook County Highway Department 312-603-1661
Village of Mount Prospect 847-870-5640
 

Downtown Traffic Signals
With the reconstruction of Route 83 in 2000 and 2001, the traffic signals in the downtown were interconnected to form a single system.  The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), who has jurisdiction over operation and maintenance of the signals, had this work done to enhance both safety and traffic progression. 

A series of train-vehicle crashes at the Route 83 railroad crossing in 1999 and 2000 prompted both physical and operational changes to the downtown signals.  The changes have reduced the potential for vehicles to turn into the path of an oncoming train or be stopped on the railroad tracks.  While the changes have increased the overall cycle length of the signals and increased delay, it has resulted in a crash-free situation since its implementation making the railroad crossing much safer.

In addition to improving safety, the interconnection of the traffic signals was also done to improve traffic progression in the downtown.  From IDOT’s perspective, the primary focus has been to efficiently move traffic along the major roads: Route 83, Northwest Highway and to a lesser degree, Central Road.  Unfortunately, this has increased delays along the local roads: Emerson Street and Prospect Avenue. 

In 2003, IDOT made some minor adjustments to the signal timing based on a meeting with the Village including allowing the Northwest Highway / Emerson Street intersection to run independent of the traffic signals at adjacent intersections during non-peak hours.  Since then they have repeatedly said that little more can be done.  The close proximity of Emerson Street to Route 83, having parallel streets on either side of the railroad tracks (Northwest Highway and Prospect Avenue), and the significant volume of traffic on the major roads all contribute to the complexity of the system.  To then add the continual interruption of the normal timing because of emergency vehicles and 70+ daily trains makes it difficult to efficiently move traffic on all streets.

On September 20, 2005, a representative from IDOT as well as their consultant, NET Corporation, attended the Village Board Meeting to talk about this very issue.  Their presentation included a discussion on how a traffic signal system works in general, the uniqueness of the downtown system, adjustments that have previously been made, and the limitations of the system. 

View Video of Presentation

Any comments regarding the operation of the downtown signals should be directed to IDOT at 847-705-4141.