Traffic Engineering's central signal management computer is malfunctioning, causing traffic signals to remain on their automatic non-rush hour operation.  Technicians are working to fix the problem.

While the traffic signals in Montgomery County are operating safely, County transportation engineers have been working since the early morning hours of November 4th to repair the County’s central traffic signal computer that switches the signals to rush hour timing.  At this time, the problem has not been fixed, so this evening’s rush hours will be affected.

To provide relief while repairs are ongoing, County engineers are manually retiming signals at some of the most congested intersections.

Montgomery County’s central traffic signal computer went down at about 3 a.m. on November 4th.  This affected Montgomery County’s ability – almost unique in the Metro region – to adjust traffic signals from a centralized location.

All traffic signals continue to operate safely and automatically on regular, non-rush hour timing.  Pedestrian crossing signals are unaffected by the computer problem.

Traffic safety is not compromised in any way.  However, high traffic roads may experience more congestion at rush hours due to the signal timing issue.  For more information on this and other traffic incidents in the county, visit the Division of Traffic Engineering & Operations's website.

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