Traffic signal

[chrisg69911]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/siGpVizZNPwjP6QN7
Here is still a 3M that has yet been phased out in use as of last Summer.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/R8cWT53yaWQ2gkrS8
Another signal with a 3M from past August.

Ironically the second example is at a NJDOT maintenance facility driveway.

Another rare find. The Google imagery captured the fiber optic arrow in a yellow phase in the four section permissive signal head.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/d2kqoaWywFdiEZFU6

Only in Jersey will you have a ped signal with no crosswalk and a crosswalk with no ped signals, and both without curb cuts or ada bumps

[epzik8]

Isn't the flashing red left turn arrow also a thing in Maryland? Or have they abandoned that for the FYA?

My understand is that Maryland continues to use the flashing red arrow alongside neighboring Delaware.

Indeed, I still have three in my county alone, including one just installed in 2020.

[steviep24]

NYSDOT uses flashing red arrow as well but it's extremely rare

Here's one in upstate on NY 104 that I had posted elsewhere in this thread.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2273522,-77.2820007,3a,37.5y,69.03h,102.72t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3-kkbgbf5rhPSylz1Uq9rw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&entry=ttu

Most of the signals along this stretch of NY 104 are protected left turn only but the signal just west of the flashing red arrow was recently updated with FYA.

[thenetwork]

Isn't the flashing red left turn arrow also a thing in Maryland? Or have they abandoned that for the FYA?

My understand is that Maryland continues to use the flashing red arrow alongside neighboring Delaware.

I thought I saw a flashing red used in Michigan before as well

Indeed, flashing red orbs have been all over Michigan for decades, slowly converting to flashing arrows.

[RestrictOnTheHanger]

Another rare NYSDOT flashing red left, but with louvered red orbs and bonus Nassau DPW syle mast arms. NYS has very few louvered red orbs for left turns remaining in service as it is.

106 at Hicksville LIRR, both sides of the bridge have them.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LyQPLVgCnHzozUeP8

[CoreySamson]

I found this bizarre one-section traffic light in Vicksburg, MS on US 61 yesterday:



GSV of the intersection:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tpAZ5wKzzWdn22sH9

The light stays on during the red phase but turns off completely when the other lights turn green, as can be seen in the GSV imagery.

[plain]

I've seen several intersections with those extra one-sections, but not many are still around. There used to be some on US 58 just east of I-95 at US 58 BUS in Emporia (gone by 2010).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8ibwDWZro4EhpL2b8

[Hobart]

Regarding the single section heads, I know in Southern Alabama they had a few kicking around as of 2014, complete with strobe inside the head.

Here's one at the south end of Alabama 113; I'm not sure of any more, I haven't been to Alabama in years.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iaepTkVB54YLZxpS8

[freebrickproductions]

Regarding the single section heads, I know in Southern Alabama they had a few kicking around as of 2014, complete with strobe inside the head.

Here's one at the south end of Alabama 113; I'm not sure of any more, I haven't been to Alabama in years.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iaepTkVB54YLZxpS8

There's a good few around if you know where to look, though many of the strobes are long-dead, however. US 72 has a pair in Stevenson, and there's also a pair on Old Lee Highway just east of Cherokee. US 280 eastbound at I-459 has a very spectacular set-up of them, with multiple double red traffic lights as well. I know there used to be one on the south side of Dothan, but it's long-gone.

Talladega installed a few single-section 12 inch reds between some 8 inch signals on South Street a few years back, no doubt to improve visibility of the red (which the Mississippi example seems to basically do now, along with most here in Alabama these days). Tennessee seems to be a mix of putting the strobes in the reds of the signals and mounting the strobes in their own single-section red signal like Alabama.

Slightly unrelated, but the NYS&W in northern New Jersey still has a few crossings with strobe lights at them.

[mrsman]

I simply don't get these single section reds that were just posted above.  In what way are these signals hard to see that adding in an extra red aspect improves visibility?  This doesn't seem to have any positive function.

[freebrickproductions]

I simply don't get these single section reds that were just posted above.  In what way are these signals hard to see that adding in an extra red aspect improves visibility?  This doesn't seem to have any positive function.

Same reason why the MUTCD requires a signal over every lane and two signal faces minimum per direction: redundancy and, at least theoretically, the more red lights on the harder it is to miss them. In the case of Alabama (and a few other states), they were also done to house strobe tubes at the intersections. I suspect this was done to make the removal of the strobes easier if it was determined they were no longer needed, and also the fact that the earliest strobes used an 8 inch red lens surrounded by the strobe in a 12 inch lens, which basically made the reds a bit dimmer than they would be. I have some photos of some of these early examples lit-up, I'd have to go find 'em...

Also, here's the example I mentioned above on US 280:
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4427611,-86.7313926,3a,45y,122.56h,95.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1D07hLTbVU6Rbkp7WvPKXg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

[SignBridge]

The Manual does require two signal faces for the thru movement but only recommends one over each lane under support (Sec. 4D.11.06) It is not required.

Another interesting point no one has mentioned is that strobes in traffic lights are prohibited by the MUTCD. (Sec. 4D.06.03) But at least one state, (New York) has an exception that specifically permits strobes in traffic signal heads and some good locations on Long Island have them. One such place is at the end of the Loop Pkwy. at Lido Blvd. in Point Lookout.

[jakeroot]

The extra reds may add redundancy, but they improve actual visibility of signals very little, if at all.

Near-side and corner signals are still the best way to improve signal redundancy and visibility.

[US 89]

I've seen this occasionally in Georgia as well. Here's an example at US 27 and US 82 near Cuthbert.

That intersection also features what appears to be a case of traffic calming on a highway. US 27 is divided with two lanes each direction throughout southwestern Georgia, but on both approaches to the US 82 intersection, 27 is striped to lose one of its two lanes before promptly regaining it on the other side - even when the road cross section that is built would clearly support carrying both lanes through. I have never seen this anywhere else. Doesn't bother me too much since 27 is not a highly traveled road, but if that's used anywhere with more traffic I imagine it getting frustrating.

[SignBridge]

Looks like it was done to give right-turning traffic from the cross road a clear lane to turn into.

[jeffandnicole]

I've seen this occasionally in Georgia as well. Here's an example at US 27 and US 82 near Cuthbert.

That intersection also features what appears to be a case of traffic calming on a highway. US 27 is divided with two lanes each direction throughout southwestern Georgia, but on both approaches to the US 82 intersection, 27 is striped to lose one of its two lanes before promptly regaining it on the other side - even when the road cross section that is built would clearly support carrying both lanes through. I have never seen this anywhere else. Doesn't bother me too much since 27 is not a highly traveled road, but if that's used anywhere with more traffic I imagine it getting frustrating.

That seems overly excessive.  One other GSV is from 2008 showing the same condition. Maybe an accident long ago forced the redesign? 

Looks like it was done to give right-turning traffic from the cross road a clear lane to turn into.

Although they don't have their own turn lane to turn into.  All it would take is a few cars at the stop line, or a single tractor trailer, and they won't be able to turn anyway.

[lordsutch]

That intersection also features what appears to be a case of traffic calming on a highway. US 27 is divided with two lanes each direction throughout southwestern Georgia, but on both approaches to the US 82 intersection, 27 is striped to lose one of its two lanes before promptly regaining it on the other side - even when the road cross section that is built would clearly support carrying both lanes through. I have never seen this anywhere else. Doesn't bother me too much since 27 is not a highly traveled road, but if that's used anywhere with more traffic I imagine it getting frustrating.

The US 341 intersection with GA 540/GA 49 Connector northwest of Fort Valley has a similar layout, with the right lanes on GA 540 being used as dedicated right turn lanes and the left lanes as combined left and straight lanes, except here it's a four-way stop and the intersection has pavement for dedicated left turn lanes as well. It's really kind of a bodge and either should be replaced with an RCUT or a roundabout until GDOT finds funding for I-14.

[Caps81943]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.06638,-81.16949,3a,75y,237.05h,91.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DwJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D329.6319%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Interesting six-head signal in SC

[steviep24]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.06638,-81.16949,3a,75y,237.05h,91.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DwJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D329.6319%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Interesting six-head signal in SC

That same intersection also has what looks like a flashing red arrow setup for one of the left turns.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0664741,-81.1696427,3a,75y,128.99h,101.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIKsNz47RYQ7PRflHxaF6ng!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

[PColumbus73]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.06638,-81.16949,3a,75y,237.05h,91.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DwJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D329.6319%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Interesting six-head signal in SC

That same intersection also has what looks like a flashing red arrow setup for one of the left turns.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0664741,-81.1696427,3a,75y,128.99h,101.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIKsNz47RYQ7PRflHxaF6ng!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

In South Carolina (and Georgia, more recently), they use two reds for single-lane protected left turns. We don't have flashing red arrows.

[steviep24]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.06638,-81.16949,3a,75y,237.05h,91.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DwJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D329.6319%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Interesting six-head signal in SC

That same intersection also has what looks like a flashing red arrow setup for one of the left turns.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0664741,-81.1696427,3a,75y,128.99h,101.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIKsNz47RYQ7PRflHxaF6ng!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

In South Carolina (and Georgia, more recently), they use two reds for single-lane protected left turns. We don't have flashing red arrows.

That's interesting. Good idea though.

[PColumbus73]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.06638,-81.16949,3a,75y,237.05h,91.41t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DwJ6QuKr6zIz91md6FjCX7Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D329.6319%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Interesting six-head signal in SC

That same intersection also has what looks like a flashing red arrow setup for one of the left turns.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0664741,-81.1696427,3a,75y,128.99h,101.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIKsNz47RYQ7PRflHxaF6ng!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

In South Carolina (and Georgia, more recently), they use two reds for single-lane protected left turns. We don't have flashing red arrows.

That's interesting. Good idea though.

They used to be in North Carolina as well, but they were phased out.

There are a couple like it at the WV 622 interchange with I-64 outside Charleston, WV, they're at the left turn lanes onto both directions of I-64.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4126177,-81.7973227,3a,41.3y,218.12h,89.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stETZscdEVjn65YBUTQ_oGA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

There was one like it in Bridgeport, OH, but it was replaced a couple years ago.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0726911,-80.7453666,3a,23y,300.77h,93.9t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTP7dV2cdldu-UxImzfOqiA!2e0!5s20151001T000000!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu

[lepidopteran]

There used to be at least two of those lone-reds at the Lenoir City, TN exit of I-75.  I'm not sure if it's the same exit, but I think the single-section head facing the off-ramp had a strobe that flashed when it was lit.

[freebrickproductions]

There used to be at least two of those lone-reds at the Lenoir City, TN exit of I-75.  I'm not sure if it's the same exit, but I think the single-section head facing the off-ramp had a strobe that flashed when it was lit.

Looks like they both had strobe tubes on them.

[JMAN_WiS&S]

I've seen this occasionally in Georgia as well. Here's an example at US 27 and US 82 near Cuthbert.

That intersection also features what appears to be a case of traffic calming on a highway. US 27 is divided with two lanes each direction throughout southwestern Georgia, but on both approaches to the US 82 intersection, 27 is striped to lose one of its two lanes before promptly regaining it on the other side - even when the road cross section that is built would clearly support carrying both lanes through. I have never seen this anywhere else. Doesn't bother me too much since 27 is not a highly traveled road, but if that's used anywhere with more traffic I imagine it getting frustrating.

Something I immediately noticed, 82 westbound has a left and right near-side signal with double reds for each. I wonder if there is a low driver complacency rate at this intersection. Usually, these types of intersections get prioritized for alternative intersections, mainly roundabouts if nothing else can be done to mitigate the red-running issue. 27 in both directions also gets a speed zone, 7 signal ahead signs, 3 sets of dual flashers including one overhead, and painted rumble strips. It seems the local agency here is trying everything in their power to increase awareness here without spending tons of money to reconstruct the intersection. I am a bit surprised to see that roadway lighting has not been implemented here on the approaches as an attempted solution.