Publication 149, May 2026 Edition

The Bureau of Operations is releasing a new edition of Publication 149, Traffic Signal Design Handbook, May 2026 Edition. Publication 149 was restructured to present a holistic approach to traffic signal design which is consistent with the latest PennDOT and federal practices.

The new edition should be adopted on projects as soon as practical without affecting any letting schedules but must be used on all projects let after October 1, 2026. This publication was circulated through the Clearance Transmittal (CT) review process and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The revisions to the publication also include compliance with the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition.

The publication is available on PennDOT's website under Forms and Publications, and is available from a direct link here.

Comments or questions concerning this publication may be directed to Stephen Gault, P.E., PTOE, Chief, TSMO Arterials and Planning Section, Bureau of Operations at 717-787-6988 or sgault@pa.gov.

TSAMS Update 4-22-26

PennDOT's Traffic Signal Asset Management System (TSAMS) has been updated on April 21, 2026, with the following features, enhancements, and bug fixes:

New Features & Enhancements

• TSAMS ESEC Integration - Authentication has been migrated from ECMS/Highway Admin to ESEC for PennDOT users. PennDOT users will now use CWOPA credentials instead of ECMS/HA credentials. Business partner users will continue to use ECMS credentials. Note: Business partners with PennDOT user roles who require continued access should contact signals@pa.gov to set up a new account.

• Expanded Character Limit - The character limit in the Permit section of the Non-Signal module has been increased to 12.
• Permit Sorting - Permit numbers can now be sorted in ascending or descending order within the Signal Owner module under the Permits section.
• Project Search Enhancement - Projects can now be searched by project number in both Basic Search and Advanced Search screens.
• Component Updates - Users can now select future component installation dates. Additionally, consecutive selection of the same operational status is now restricted.

Bug Fixes

• Resolved an error that occurred after a district administrator approved component requests; error messages will no longer appear.
• Fixed an issue where an error occurred when users clicked "Save and Exit" after making changes in the Non-Signal module.
• Guest users can review the structure information in the table before submitting for approval.

As always, please share your feedback with us at signals@pa.gov. Most of the feature enhancements are directly from user feedback.

2026 ARLE Funding Program Application Period

PennDOT will be accepting applications for the 2026 Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Funding Program from June 1st through June 30th, 2026. The 2026 program will continue to prioritize safety enhancements considering both PennDOT's Safety Network Screening methods for the project location and Crash Modification Factors associated with proposed improvements.

A pre-application scoping form is required prior to submitting an application. Scoping forms should be submitted via email to ARLE@pa.gov. Feedback on scoping forms submitted by April 30, 2026 will be provided by May 29, 2026. The completed and reviewed scoping form must be uploaded as an attachment to the formal application submission.

The scoping form is a fillable web page. If you wish to save a partially-completed form to finish later, click the “Save” button at the top of the screen and save the file to your computer. When you want to work on the form again, navigate to the scoping form webpage, click “Open” at the top of the page, and select the file you saved to your computer.

When you are ready to submit the scoping form, click the “Save” button and then attach the file to an email to ARLE@pa.gov. Please also attach a detailed cost estimate and project location map.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Single Application for Assistance at https://grants.pa.gov/Login.aspx.

ARLE Funding Program information: https://docs.penndot.pa.gov/Public/Bureaus/BOO/TSPortal/FUNDARLE.html

Contact us via email at ARLE@pa.gov with questions.

2025 ARLE Funding Awards

Awarded projects for the 2025 ARLE application round have been announced here: https://docs.penndot.pa.gov/Public/Bureaus/BOO/TSPortal/PressReleaseARLE2025.pdf

New edition of Publication 46, Traffic Engineering Manual

Publication 46, Traffic Engineering Manual, has been revised on January 27, 2026. This update coincides with Pennsylvania's adoption of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th edition and includes changes proposed through Clearance Transmittals T-25-008 and T-25-012. 

Changes related to traffic signals in Publication 46 include:

• Incorporated several strike-off letters:
• 494-25-06, Traffic Signal System Toolbox (Publication 46 portion only)
• 494-25-05, Chapters 7 and 11
• 494-25-01, Chapter 12, Engineering Software
• 494-21-03, Chapters 1 and 4, Proprietary Equipment Approval Process
• Removes meanings of traffic signals in Chapter 4 since this repeats information already in the Vehicle Code and the MUTCD
• Removes traffic signal design-related content, which is proposed to be added to Publication 149 (see Clearance Transmittal T-25-001). Note: the policies in the 2012 edition of Publication 46 being relocated from Publication 46 to Publication 149 will remain in effect until the 2026 edition of Publication 149 is issued.
• Removed traffic signal maintenance-related content, which has been incorporated into the 2020 edition of Publication 191, Traffic Signal Maintenance Manual
• Updates to various hyperlinks and cross-references

Pennsylvania adopts MUTCD 11th edition

On January 17, 2026, PennDOT published notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin officially adopting the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition. The provisions of the MUTCD 11th edition shall provide the standards applicable in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under 67 Pa. Code Chapter 212 (relating to official traffic-control devices).

Green Light-Go Year 10 Awards

PennDOT is pleased to announce 63 projects in 58 municipalities have been awarded Green Light-Go funding from the tenth round of applications. The full press release and list of awards is available at https://docs.penndot.pa.gov/Public/Bureaus/BOO/TSPortal/PressReleaseGLG2025.pdf