What We Do

NYPD Traffic Agents Keep Traffic Flowing and Get New Yorkers Where They’re Going…

NYPD Traffic Enforcement has many duties including directing traffic, enforcing parking rules and regulations. The men and women of NYC Traffic Divisions are referred to as Traffic Enforcement Agents (TEAs) and wear uniforms similar to the uniform worn by School Safety Agents.

There are many levels in NYC Traffic Divisions, but here we’re going to speak of these (2) levels which are level one & two that have been handling different duties.

TEA Level One – Parking
TEA Level Two – Directing Traffic

Vision Zero / Transportation Outreach Unit

The Vision Zero Program was started in New York City in 2014 by Mayor De Blasio with the objective to end the traffic deaths and injuries on NYC Street. It is also intended to improve the street safety and to reduce the speed limit to 25 MPH.

The Transportation Outreach Unit is a mix of traffic agents and police officers started about a year ago. It has been created as part of the Mayor De Blasio’s plan of the vision zero to end the traffic fatalities and injuries on the streets. In addition, the objective of this unit is to educate the public about the Vision Zero by handling out information to them regarding the safety on the streets. The unit goes also to different schools to do training & seminars in order to inform the students on how to understand the traffic rules and laws of the streets through different lessons such as drunk driving, texting while driving, and providing them with some detail materials to get them educated.

In addition, the unit goes to the Senior Centers to train & teach them about Safety when they’re crossing the streets and providing them with some tips regarding telephone scams at home. According to the unit, some of those incidents that have been happening are not just accidents waiting to happen, but crashes that are preventable through education, enforcement, and street design. That’s why they slow down the City speed limit to 25 MPH. Their saying stated that: “pedestrians struck by vehicles at 25 MPH are half as likely to die as those struck at 30 MPH”. Over the past few months, the outreach unit has provided information to over 60 schools and senior citizen centers. Sometimes, along with department of transportation (D.O.T) personnel, they have a team that they call “street team” to go out on some streets to give out brochures such as ‘getting to zero’ and information to the public.

TEA’s of level 1-2 status have the authority to issue summons for all parking violations. Our Traffic Enforcement vehicles are white with light blue decals.

TEAs wear badges that are oval with an eagle on top, in contrast to the shield worn by Police Officers and the seven-point star worn by Auxiliary Officers.

Traffic Enforcement District

The Traffic Enforcement District is tasked with:

• The responsibility of developing and implementing strategies to expedite the movement of traffic.
• Enforcing laws and regulations related to the movement or parking of vehicles on city streets.
• Overseeing the proper and effective performance of duty by the:
  • Intersection Control Section
  • Manhattan Summons Enforcement Section
  • Citywide Borough Enforcement Section

Intersection Control Section                                   

Members in three commands:

• North Intersection Control, covering Patrol Borough Manhattan North and the geographical boroughs of Queens and the Bronx.
• South Intersection Control, covering Patrol Borough Manhattan South and the geographical boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island.
• South Intersection Control Annex, covering lower Manhattan and the Hugh Carey Tunnel.

The Intersection Control Sections deploys Traffic Enforcement Agents to intersections in the vicinity of construction sites, or that are otherwise of high priority, in order to ensure the safe and orderly movement of traffic through those locations.

Traffic Special Operations Section

Members in five commands, tasked with addressing traffic problems, special events and emergencies citywide:

• Mobile Response Unit provides coverage to special events, parades demonstrations and filming sites. Additionally, it responds to critical intersections and along main thoroughfares both for planned events (such as parades, demonstrations or dignitary visits) and for unplanned emergencies (such as fires, explosions, water main breaks or structural collapses).
• Midtown Traffic Task Force facilitates and expedites the safe and efficient movement of traffic throughout Manhattan via observations, intelligence-gathering, traffic direction, rapid response and appropriate enforcement by task force members. All members operate a smart car with WAZE tablet and respond accordingly.

Manhattan Summons Enforcement Section

To this section are assigned 634 members who work from four locations. These members are tasked with enforcing traffic rules and parking regulations as they are applied to vehicles that are parked, standing, stopped throughout the borough of Manhattan.

Citywide Borough Enforcement Section

The 919 members of the Citywide Borough Enforcement Section are housed at six locations. They are tasked with enforcing traffic rules and parking regulations as they are applied to vehicles that are parked, standing or stopped throughout the boroughs of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

The following reflects noteworthy achievement of the Traffic Enforcement District through 2017:

Creation of the Midtown Traffic Task Force: On October 14, 2016 the Traffic Enforcement District first introduced the new Midtown Traffic Task Force. At present, the task force is composed of 68 Traffic Enforcement Agents and 11 supervisory members. The agents are deployed in smart cars and on two tours a day cover 30 posts in Manhattan between 23^rd and 60^th Streets. Task Force posts are made up of either of sections of two north-south avenues or of major crosstown streets. The agents patrol their posts continuously during the tour, giving particular attention to conditions which may cause traffic congestion. Upon finding such a problem, the agents address and correct it through whatever method is most appropriate, including enforcement, intersection control and notification to NYPD components or to outside agencies. The same agents are assigned to the same posts every day which gives the members a sense of “ownership’’ of their posts and enhances their expertise regarding where traffic problems are most likely to occur. In addition to addressing conditions on their regular posts, the high mobility of the task force allows members to response to major conditions throughout Manhattan whenever additional response is urgently needed. During the first year of its existence, the task force has proven to be a valuable resource not only for correcting exigent conditions, but also providing intelligence regarding recurring or emerging problems found on their posts.

Automated Summons Enforcement System (ASES):

The hand-held parking ticket device previously used by the Traffic Enforcement District have now been completed by the new Automated Summons Enforcement System, or ASES. ASES was first introduced as a pilot program in December 2016 and the changeover to the new system was completed by July 2017. ASES represents a substantial technological update to TED’s summons enforcement activities. The previously used PTD’s uploaded and downloaded data daily through overnight docking but could not communicate with the database while actually in use on the field. The new ASES devices are wireless and have real time access to the database from the field. In addition to all existing capabilities, ASES added many new technological features such as:

• Real time summons activity tracking.
• Geographical Information System (GIS) which will enable us to capture, store and analyze all types of special and geographical data.
• A change in Hot List identification, whereby instead of a message being given to the traffic agent’s ticket device, a notification is instead automatically given to the Department’s dispatch system for Precinct personnel.
• Personnel can be accounted for in real time on the field.

Through input from members of the Traffic Enforcement District, the initial requirements for the ASES project was revised to include a number of valuable upgrades. These upgrades are scheduled for installation in a ten-step project that is scheduled for completion in 2019.

Enforcements:

Personnels

Future Initiatives In Development

Tablets equipped with the Waze traffic app

The Traffic Enforcement District is seeking to obtain tablets that are equipped with the Waze traffic and navigation application. These tablets will be distributed to the members of the Midtown Traffic Task Force, as well as the Commanding Officers of all of the District’s field commands. When using these tablets, the members will be able to learn on the reports of traffic congestion problems in real time and also to respond to these conditions expeditiously.

Bicycle Enforcement Program

The Traffic Enforcement District is in the process of purchasing 50 bicycles for the use by Traffic Enforcement Agents. These bicycles will be distributed to enforcement commands citywide as well as to Traffic Special Operations Personnel. While the use of bicycles will be advantageous for the performance of enforcement generally, it is anticipated that bicycle patrol will be particularly useful and effective in the enforcement of parking regulations in bicycle lanes, thus enhancing the safety of cyclists.

Job Requirements

Employment Requirement to Become A Traffic Agent

The qualify candidates MUST meet the following qualification:

• Be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass a character and background investigation
• Pass a drug screening
• Be NYC residents (5 boroughs) within 90 days of appointment if you are a new city hire
• Pay a $75 fee for fingerprinting as part of the investigation process
• Possess a driver license valid in the State of New York. Candidates for assignment Level III must possess a towing endorsement in addition to regular license.

Training

Traffic Enforcement Agents are assigned to the Police Academy for training for a period of ten to 11 weeks. They start receiving pay and benefits from their first day of the recruit training.

FAQs

Do I have to be a citizen?

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you must be able to prove your identity and your right to obtain employment in the United States prior to employment with the City of New York.

Is there an age limit to be appointed?

There is no maximum age requirement.

Does this position have union benefits?

Yes. Traffic Agents are covered under Local 1182

Do Traffic Agents have to work nights, weekends, and holidays?

At all assignment levels, personnel may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as per departments’ need.

What is the salary for each level in Traffic?

See the benefits and salary information here

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