Traffic Lights and Traffic Signs

According to the Road Traffic Act (729/2018, Section 71), the municipality installs traffic control devices on streets and other areas administered by the municipality. Traffic control devices include traffic signs, traffic lights, other devices intended for traffic management, or road markings.

Traffic control in the city’s areas is the responsibility of the infrastructure planning unit. For traffic control devices to be installed on private roads and other areas intended for public traffic, the city’s consent must be obtained. A paid permit from the city must be obtained for service destination signage, as well as for temporary traffic control required by excavation work, lifting operations, etc., located on Hämeenlinna city streets or public areas. Instructions for applying for these can be found further down on this page.

Development suggestions, fault reports, and other feedback related to traffic lights and other traffic control should be submitted to the electronic feedback system. In urgent matters that endanger traffic safety, you may contact the urban structure customer service directly.

Traffic Lights

Hämeenlinna’s first traffic lights were put into operation on August 11, 1971, on Turunväylä, at the junctions of Kaivokatu and Eureninkatu. Today, Hämeenlinna has 41 traffic light intersections controlled by 40 traffic light controllers. Most of the traffic lights are located on the street network and are entirely owned and managed by the City of Hämeenlinna. The state is involved in the traffic lights at five intersections. Traffic light control is implemented using the MyCity OnPrem service.

A traffic light system typically consists of a central traffic light control system, control units located at intersections, traffic light signals for different approach directions and detectors, as well as audio signals and push buttons at pedestrian crossings. In addition, a large number of poles and cables are required for these.

The city-wide traffic light master plan created a vision and objectives for the development of Hämeenlinna’s traffic lights, as well as uniform principles for the design and implementation of traffic lights. The master plan also examines the need for reprogramming traffic lights, operating times, and whether all traffic lights are still necessary at all. The work also produced an action program, following which traffic lights can be developed and updated to better serve the needs of current traffic. The master plan provides answers to questions about, among other things, green waves and nighttime operation.

Traffic Signs and Other Traffic Control Devices

A traffic control plan is prepared for new streets in conjunction with street design. In older areas, relocations and changes to traffic signs require the preparation of a new traffic control plan. No traffic control devices or anything that might be confused with them may be installed or removed independently in municipal areas. The municipality or the police have the right to remove unauthorized traffic control devices.

Service Destination Signage

Service destinations include leisure travel destinations (museums and other attractions), certain activities and rural enterprises, as well as service companies and functions (service stations, etc.) that offer services to all road users. Service destinations can be signposted with directional signs or service destination address signs and, if necessary, advance signs for address signs. Various service destination traffic signs can be found on the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency website.

Decisions on service destination signage are made by the city for the street network, by the Central Finland Growth Services for the road network, and by the road association for private roads (also requiring the city’s consent).

The primary basis for service destination signage is the traffic-related need for signposting. A traffic-related need for signposting arises when the destination has a high number of visitors, the destination’s junction is difficult to detect, the junction is located in a dangerous location in terms of visibility, or the route to the destination is otherwise difficult to perceive. In urban environments, finding one’s way to a destination is primarily based on road network signage, road and street names, address numbers, and directional maps.

All services to be signposted must be eligible for signposting. A service destination signage plan was prepared for Hämeenlinna in 2015, which established signposting principles for the city’s street network, a general signage plan for all destinations at that time, and a permit procedure for installing signs on the street network. Signposting eligibility is assessed by applying Hämeenlinna’s service destination signage plan, signposting principles, and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s service destination signposting guidelines.

A service destination signage permit granted for the street network is temporary and valid for 5 years. A permit fee according to the tariff is charged for the permit decision. Formation of permit decision fees (City Council decision January 18, 2016):

Fees are stated excluding VAT. VAT will be added at the invoicing stage to those services to which it applies by law. In addition, the permit holder acquires, erects, and maintains the signs at their own expense.

If signage is to continue onto another road authority’s area (e.g., signage starts from the road network and continues onto the street network or a private road), the destination must apply for a permit to install the sign from each relevant road authority. A permit from the City of Hämeenlinna for a service destination sign on the street network is applied for using an electronic application.

Temporary Traffic Control

Temporary traffic arrangements required by excavation work, lifting operations, etc., located on Hämeenlinna city street areas or public areas require a street permit. Temporary traffic arrangement plans are prepared by the permit applicant (developer) and approved in conjunction with the street permit. More information about temporary traffic arrangements and street permits can be found on the public area permits page.

Private Road Traffic Signs

According to the Road Traffic Act (Section 71), a traffic control device on a private road is installed by the private road’s road authority, i.e., the road association. The municipality’s consent is required to install a permanent traffic control device, which may not be denied without valid reason. Consent is not required for the installation of temporary traffic signs necessary due to the condition of the road or work being carried out on or beside the road. The road association must obtain the consent of the City of Hämeenlinna before installing a traffic sign. Further information and application instructions can be found on Suomi.fi.

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