Call 911
Call 911 to report:
  • Signal problems causing dangerous traffic conditions
  • Signals stuck on steady green in all directions
  • Downed power lines

You can report a problem with a traffic or pedestrian signal.

    What You Can Report

    traffic signal

    You can report a traffic signal or vehicle stoplight that:

    • Is missing or damaged
    • Has burned out lights
    • Is leaning, hanging, or knocked-over poles and signals
    • Has wires outside the base or open electrical control boxes
    • Is changing out of sequence or stuck on one color

    pedestrian signal

    You can report a pedestrian signal that:

    • Is missing or damaged
    • Has burned out lights
    • Is leaning, hanging, or knocked-over poles and signals
    • Has wires outside the base or open electrical control boxes
    • Is blocked by a construction sign, sidewalk shed, or other object
    • Has crossing signal buttons that are damaged or need to be removed
    • Is showing Walk and Don't Walk symbols at the same time
    • Has countdown signals where numbers are not visible or counting down
    • Is an audible signal and the tone can't be heard

    Call 311 to make all other traffic or pedestrian signal reports.

    What Happens Next

    Department of Transportation (DOT) contractors in each borough maintain traffic and pedestrian signals. Repairs are scheduled based on the urgency of the problem

    • Signal poles that have fallen down are addressed within 2 hours.
    • Exposed wiring or open electrical control boxes are addressed within 12 hours.
    • Priority issues such as problems with timing, outages, Walk/Don't Walk symbols showing at the same time, and hanging signals are addressed within 48 hours.
    • General maintenance issues are addressed within 30 days.
    • The response time for long term construction issues varies depending on the project.

    If there is a non-emergency problem with a traffic or pedestrian signal's timing, you can request a timing review.

    Department of Transportation will respond to requests within 16 weeks of receipt.

    Online

    Email the Department of Transportation.

    By Mail

    Mail your request to:

    Department of Transportation Commissioner
    55 Water Street, 9th Floor
    New York, NY 10041

    The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a contract in place to repair streetlights and traffic signals. However, the contract does not include the removal of graffiti.

    DOT accepts comments about graffiti on streetlights and traffic signals to note the condition and evaluate the need for graffiti removal going forward.

    Online

    Email the Department of Transportation.

    By Phone

    Call 311 for assistance.

    By Mail

    Mail your request to:

    Department of Transportation Commissioner
    55 Water Street, 9th Floor
    New York, NY 10041

    To report stray voltage, go to the Electrical Complaint page.

    If a posted Department of Transportation (DOT) work order includes a Stop Tag number, it means the electricity going into the traffic or pedestrian signal pole was shut off. DOT notifies Con Edison about such outages. Once Con Edison restores the electricity, DOT can complete its work on the signal.

    Con Edison is required to repair 90% of signals with no electric current within 90 days during the winter months of November 1st to April 30th. They are required to repair 80% of signals with no current within 45 days during the summer months of May 1st to October 31st. Con Edison may not take longer than 180 days to complete any of these repairs.

    You can follow up on the status of a work order with a Stop Tag number by phone.

    • Agency: Con Edison
    • Phone Number: (800) 752-6633
    • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
    • Staff is available through the automated phone system at all times. Automated assistance is also available in Spanish. Most languages are available through staff.

    There are different types of pedestrian signals:

    • Walk/Don't Walk pedestrian signals display or flash symbols.
    • Countdown pedestrian signals display numbers that count down.
    • Accessible pedestrian signals for people who are blind or low vision play a message telling pedestrians when to walk.

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