City Council Receives Gore Boulevard Traffic Signal Timing Report

City of Lawson

Madalynn ElKouri | Multimedia Specialist March 12, 2026

The Lawton City Council received a report regarding traffic signal operations along Gore Boulevard during a recent council meeting. The report was prepared by engineering consultant WSB and provides a detailed review of traffic conditions along one of the city’s primary east-west corridors.

Mayor Stan Booker previously directed that the full report be brought forward so council members, and the public can review the findings. The report reviews how traffic signals currently operate along Gore Boulevard and identify ways to improve traffic flow and safety along the corridor.

The study focused on approximately six miles of Gore Boulevard, from Lawrie Tatum Road to 67th Street. This portion of the corridor includes 17 signalized intersections and serves as a major route for residents traveling across the city.

To better understand how traffic moves along the corridor, engineers collected traffic data at intersections throughout the study area. Traffic counts were conducted over a 48-hour period in April 2025 and measured vehicle movements, pedestrian activity, and traffic patterns throughout the day.

The study identified three main periods when traffic volumes are highest along Gore Boulevard. Morning traffic typically peaks between 7:15 and 8:30 a.m., while midday traffic peaks between 11:00 a.m. and noon. Afternoon traffic volumes are highest between approximately 3:30 and 5:45 p.m. these patterns were used to develop updated signal timing plans designed to better match traffic demand during different times of the day.

According to the report, many of the traffic signals along Gore Boulevard currently operate on a fixed timing schedules and have limited detection technology. In addition, the signals are not managed through a centralized control system. Because of this, traffic signals may not always respond efficiently to changing traffic conditions, and drivers may encounter multiple red lights while traveling through the corridor.

The report recommends adjusting signal timing along the corridor to better coordinate traffic between intersections. These adjustments are intended to reduce delay and improve how traffic progresses through the corridor during peak travel times.

The recommended short-term improvements focus on updating signal timing within the existing system and making smaller equipment upgrades where needed. Possible improvements identified in the report include pedestrian push buttons, updated signal heads, and accessibility improvements at certain intersections to better support pedestrian crossings.

The report estimates that optimizing signal timing along the corridor could improve overall traffic flow by approximately 25 percent.

In addition to the short-term improvements, the report outlines possible long-term upgrades that could allow traffic signals to respond more dynamically to traffic conditions. These improvements could include installing vehicle detection systems and upgrading signal infrastructure to allow signals to adjust based on real-time traffic demand.

The presentation of the report was for informational purposes only. Following the explanation of the report and findings, no further action was taken by the City Council.

City officials noted that the study provides a detailed look at traffic operations along Gore Boulevard and may help guide transportation planning and signal improvements along the corridor.

View the full article: LawtonOk.gov