Frequently Asked Questions

Speed limits are set either by state law or after a traffic study is done. These studies look at things like how many people are walking or biking, past crashes, the type of road, nearby land use, how the road is built and how fast people are actually driving.

Usually, the speed limit is set at or just below the speed most drivers (about 85%) are already going, since research shows people tend to drive at speeds they feel are safe, no matter what the signs say.

In Minnesota, only the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation can officially set speed limits on local roads.

There are several ways to help manage driving speeds. These include police enforcement, electronic speed signs or trailers, public awareness campaigns and “traffic calming” measures like pavement markings, speed feedback signs, curb extensions (bump outs), medians, narrower lanes or roundabouts.

Interestingly, putting in stop signs just to slow drivers down isn’t effective—and can actually make things worse. Drivers often speed up between stop signs to make up for the time they lost stopping.

Most traffic signals in the City are owned and managed by Dakota County. These signals help organize traffic by deciding who goes first at intersections. They’re usually timed or use sensors to adjust based on how much traffic there is, helping reduce wait times for drivers. The timing depends on things like traffic levels, time of day, how many pedestrians are around and how nearby signals are set. Signals are often linked together on busy roads to keep traffic moving smoothly. This can sometimes cause delays on smaller side streets with less traffic.

A stop sign can be installed—but only if it’s the right solution for the situation. The City considers several factors, including crash history, visibility, pedestrian and vehicle conflicts, road layout, speeding issues and how close the area is to places like schools.

Stop signs are helpful for managing who goes first at intersections. But using them too often can backfire—drivers may start rolling through them or ignoring them altogether, which makes them less effective and more dangerous.

While stop signs are important tools, they aren’t the right fix for every traffic problem and should never be used just to slow down traffic.

Crossing locations are chosen based on several factors, including traffic speed, how many cars and pedestrians use the area, crash history, visibility and nearby land use. Studies show that people often feel safer in marked crosswalks—even when it may not be completely safe—so each crossing location is carefully studied. The goal is to place crosswalks where pedestrians can cross as safely as possible.