Traffic Lights for Residential Driveways

[froggie]

One example I know of is in Plymouth, MN, where CSAH 6 meets MN 55.  Here's the Google Street View from westbound MN 55.

The house has been there for decades, since before MN 55 was rerouted/reconstructed along what was then an old county road and long before CSAH 6 was rerouted to meet MN 55 here.  Since MnDOT has long used overhead vehicle detectors for signals (usually mounted on the mast arm), there are no issues with "repairing pavement detectors".

[J Route Z]

http://goo.gl/maps/a5m2J
This is a 'Y' intersection.  The two driveways (1 each to the left & right) each have their own signal and doppler radar sensor. 

----------------------------------------------------------

http://goo.gl/maps/3f5y5
The driveway across the way has it's own light, a 'Do Not Enter' sign for wayward drivers, and even a short left turn lane for those needing to turn left into that driveway (I wish more normal intersections in NJ had left turn lanes!!!).

Boy, this deer signage nearby is diseased: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=deptford,+nj&hl=en&ll=39.847172,-75.106296&spn=0.000379,0.00066&sll=39.767412,-75.165857&sspn=0.000536,0.001206&t=h&hnear=Deptford+Township,+Gloucester,+New+Jersey&layer=c&cbll=39.847172,-75.106296&panoid=CApgus339CM2n5y6guVQHw&cbp=12,180.7,,0,5.81&z=21

[xcellntbuy]

Oh dear (or, oh deer) that poor thing looks like its running down a hill.

[JoePCool14]

I got one just down the street from my house.

[US 41]

In Bloomington IN there is one at Daniels Way and SR48.

[J Route Z]

http://goo.gl/maps/LXdq7 - Kresson Road in Cherry Hill, NJ

http://goo.gl/maps/ImD48 - Kresson Road in Cherry Hill, NJ

http://goo.gl/maps/qqlUT - Newman Springs Road in Lincroft, NJ

[2Co5_14]

I have seen something similar at a couple intersections in Cobb County, GA

Hickory Grove Rd & Hamby Rd (w/ driveway opposite):
https://maps.google.com/?ll=34.064512,-84.605871&spn=0.000006,0.002921&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=34.064551,-84.60601&panoid=6UJU_EJTaDrTewGzMXRAcg&cbp=12,115.55,,0,8.18

Cherokee St & Twelve Oaks Cir (w/ driveway opposite):
https://maps.google.com/?ll=34.031726,-84.607885&spn=0.000002,0.00073&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=34.03164,-84.607944&panoid=EUN3j13Bcxz3_p4IAZkNCg&cbp=12,33.43,,0,8.26
(Notice how the signal heads are angled downward for visibility from the driveway only.)

[NWI_Irish96]

Southport Road and Sherman Drive in Indianapolis.  Sherman T's at Southport, but there is a driveway at that intersection that has a traffic-controlled signal. 

[Jdog84]

Just found this one in Schenectady, New York on Google Street View at the intersection with Target & Saratoga Road (NY Route 50)

From the street view you can see that the driveway has two lights with a left turn arrow light (don't know what that light is called) and has a left turn lane for the driveway on northbound Route 50 with a doghouse for the left turn into the driveway. Plus the Target road has a left and straight turn lane.

https://goo.gl/maps/8yqdhLLRcES2

[Joe The Dragon]

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7517942,-88.1250699,3a,75y,196.57h,79.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDek206dxx25sLpV4rCF9hQ!2e0!7i3328!8i1664

[kylebnjmnross]

Here's some for I guess several driveways on Hummel Avenue in Camp Hill, PA.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2364763,-76.9089438,3a,15y,304.54h,94.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6Gryafd-nTxpwseu61jx0A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[MNHighwayMan]

When a signal was installed at the T-intersection of E Payton Ave and Indianola Ave in Des Moines, as part of the widening of Indianola Ave, the folks at the back of the intersection got their own signal. This picture shows their driveway–I don't have a picture facing the other way, from their perspective. This picture was taken before construction was completed and the signal turned on.

[epzik8]

Route 165 at Route 23 in Jarrettsville, Maryland. There are lights facing a driveway to a farm at the intersection.

[paulthemapguy]

This happens in Illinois when a roadway is widened to 4+ lanes and they decide to put a signal at a sidestreet across from a private entrance.

Weber & Ryan Dr in Crest Hill, IL

https://goo.gl/maps/htkhTz7xbhE2

Orchard & Rochester in Montgomery, IL

https://goo.gl/maps/62DEQCzuD6H2

[hbelkins]

There's a light for a driveway, as part of a larger installation, on US 19/460 near Claypool Hill, Va., not too far from where US 460 splits off. I may have a photo somewhere but I'm not positive.

Also for a driveway into a farm on KY 627 and Old Boonesboro Road, south of Winchester.

[doorknob60]

Here's one in Boise, ID on US-20/26 and Discovery Way (click for GSV link):


This one actually serves two adjacent driveways

Another one in Boise on Maple Grove and Goddard:

[cjw2001]

Fishers IN

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9567201,-86.0242542,3a,60y,234.87h,90.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMBWdeNnn_EQDybiIJ_516g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[US 89]

There is one at Orchard Dr and North Canyon Rd in Bountiful, UT.

goo.gl/MKgmC2

[ColossalBlocks]

https://goo.gl/maps/2rqantVSVcS2

[freebrickproductions]

We have one here in Huntsville, AL:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.7280239,-86.7060945,3a,60y,8.51h,95.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soXUyoJa13WEjoFHj-5RFjw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[dvferyance]

There is one in New Berlin WI across from West HS on Cleveland Ave. The light was put in for the entrance to the high school and there happened to be a private drive right across from it.

[Joe The Dragon]

missing from this place but it looks like that it should be there.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0256199,-87.8358342,3a,75y,193.29h,84.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s41Vs2fMBnI24pVqIf2fPjA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[mrsman]

Just found this one in Schenectady, New York on Google Street View at the intersection with Target & Saratoga Road (NY Route 50)

From the street view you can see that the driveway has two lights with a left turn arrow light (don't know what that light is called) and has a left turn lane for the driveway on northbound Route 50 with a doghouse for the left turn into the driveway. Plus the Target road has a left and straight turn lane.

https://goo.gl/maps/8yqdhLLRcES2

What this thread brings up, especially the above link, is the issue of signal detection at the driveway leg of the intersection.  Obviously, this leg of the intersection will have very few cars at each cycle and should not be triggered at every light cycle.  So there should be a way of only triggering this when the resident wants to pull out.

One approach would be to provide signal detection, even though it may be costly.

A second approach is to always provide a green when opposing traffic has a green.  For the odd circumstance where the resident wants to proceed and nobody is coming from the opposite side - he'll just have to wait or make a right turn.

A third approach is to provide that the signal changes  on a timer and stop main street traffic regularly, even though the driveway gets little use.

For the above singal to work - the provision of its own exclusive phase, exclusive of opposing traffic, there would need to be signal detection, otherwise it is very inefficient.

[JKRhodes]

Not residential, but in Prescott at Gurley St and Sheldon St there's a tiny driveway sandwiched between a gas station and a motel that has its own signal heads.

https://goo.gl/maps/oAypU98rgN42

Used to allow all directional movements until a major rebuild of the 89/69 interchange down the street which included changes to the traffic control at this intersection.

[jeffandnicole]

Just found this one in Schenectady, New York on Google Street View at the intersection with Target & Saratoga Road (NY Route 50)

From the street view you can see that the driveway has two lights with a left turn arrow light (don't know what that light is called) and has a left turn lane for the driveway on northbound Route 50 with a doghouse for the left turn into the driveway. Plus the Target road has a left and straight turn lane.

https://goo.gl/maps/8yqdhLLRcES2

What this thread brings up, especially the above link, is the issue of signal detection at the driveway leg of the intersection.  Obviously, this leg of the intersection will have very few cars at each cycle and should not be triggered at every light cycle.  So there should be a way of only triggering this when the resident wants to pull out.

One approach would be to provide signal detection, even though it may be costly.

A second approach is to always provide a green when opposing traffic has a green.  For the odd circumstance where the resident wants to proceed and nobody is coming from the opposite side - he'll just have to wait or make a right turn.

A third approach is to provide that the signal changes  on a timer and stop main street traffic regularly, even though the driveway gets little use.

For the above singal to work - the provision of its own exclusive phase, exclusive of opposing traffic, there would need to be signal detection, otherwise it is very inefficient.

Hasn't signal detection been normal since the 1970's? I'd be very surprised if the driveway wasn't activated by detection already.