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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 06:43:51 PM

Title: Most signalized intersections close together?
Post by: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 06:43:51 PM
(Not counting places like downtown NY where there's one every block)
Where have you seen the most signals one after another? I would think they'd be in commercial areas but they could also be in a closely spaced interchange. This (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6362755,-90.44397,1309m/data=!3m1!1e3/) stretch of road near my house has six signals, the furthest apart being 800 feet.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: CoreySamson on September 20, 2020, 07:04:38 PM
The one place I know of that has too many lights close together is Bay City in Matagorda County in Texas.

This 1.4 mile section of TX 35 has 9 traffic lights:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/28.9832122,-95.9503171/28.9828771,-95.9736415/@28.9883051,-95.9703869,349m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

Meanwhile, going south to north, this section of TX 60 has 10 within 2.1 miles:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/28.9618306,-95.9693643/28.9922741,-95.970349/@28.9919897,-95.9710762,360m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: Flint1979 on September 20, 2020, 10:17:18 PM
Downtown Bay City, MI has one on every block downtown along Washington Street.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: EpicRoadways on September 20, 2020, 10:58:10 PM
If we're talking super close together, the best I can do for my area is three in 800 feet  (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.5617964,-94.1603256,213m/data=!3m1!1e3).

If we want to get creative and talk about how many signals you can see from one vantage point, from here  (https://goo.gl/maps/QJkX5gsUbPtKM5rA6)you can see the next nine separate signalized intersections. Similarly, from here  (https://goo.gl/maps/Gg77jtQksd3k7Zqx8)you can see the next six signalized intersections. I'm only including those last two examples because from those points the intersections look super close together (especially at night), even though in practice they aren't actually all that close to one another. It's all in the perception  :spin:
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: webny99 on September 20, 2020, 11:28:43 PM
This section of NY 404 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Empire+Blvd,+Webster,+NY+14580/43.2113674,-77.4373484/@43.196785,-77.4901985,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d6c97d86605499:0xae531f357c797ad0!2m2!1d-77.5079851!2d43.1821207!1m0!3e0!5m1!1e1) has 15 traffic lights in 4.5 miles, four of which are visible here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1937752,-77.5017556,3a,15y,207.24h,90.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgvxfNAglHwFuGpy5sd-GRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1).
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: fwydriver405 on September 21, 2020, 12:10:30 AM
EDIT: Fixed South Portland dead link

The best I could think of near me, mostly in commercial areas but also near interchanges* are:

3 in 0.3 mile (0.48 km) in Saco ME* (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.5112131,-70.4328834/43.5082371,-70.4358149/@43.5095814,-70.4351742,548m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0),
5 in ½ mile (0.8 km), in South Portland ME* (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.6286342,-70.3436985/43.6346085,-70.3375146/@43.6329034,-70.3416147,1150m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0*),
5 in ½ mile (0.8 km), in Portsmouth NH (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.0904401,-70.7917812/43.0863127,-70.7848662/@43.0880417,-70.7910524,740m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0),
5 in 0.4 mile (0.64 km) in Nashua NH* (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/42.7078232,-71.4557418/42.7089362,-71.4480643/@42.7083221,-71.4535874,711m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0), and
6 in 0.8 mile (1.3 km) in Nashua NH (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/42.7019801,-71.4407356/42.7141559,-71.4425824/@42.7019878,-71.4463936,2046m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0).


Quote from: webny99 on September 20, 2020, 11:28:43 PM
This section of NY 404 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Empire+Blvd,+Webster,+NY+14580/43.2113674,-77.4373484/@43.196785,-77.4901985,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d6c97d86605499:0xae531f357c797ad0!2m2!1d-77.5079851!2d43.1821207!1m0!3e0!5m1!1e1) has 15 traffic lights in 4.5 miles, four of which are visible here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1937752,-77.5017556,3a,15y,207.24h,90.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgvxfNAglHwFuGpy5sd-GRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1).

A bit off-topic, but red balls for the FYA signals? Thought that was a no-no per MUTCD...
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 21, 2020, 12:20:04 AM
Downtown any large city, first of all.

If we're looking for densely-packed threesomes, here is a threesome in 0.2 mile:

https://goo.gl/maps/vFQEtgQZvjYR8hqx7
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: webny99 on September 21, 2020, 07:56:09 AM
Quote from: fwydriver405 on September 21, 2020, 12:10:30 AM
Quote from: webny99 on September 20, 2020, 11:28:43 PM
This section of NY 404 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Empire+Blvd,+Webster,+NY+14580/43.2113674,-77.4373484/@43.196785,-77.4901985,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d6c97d86605499:0xae531f357c797ad0!2m2!1d-77.5079851!2d43.1821207!1m0!3e0!5m1!1e1) has 15 traffic lights in 4.5 miles, four of which are visible here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1937752,-77.5017556,3a,15y,207.24h,90.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgvxfNAglHwFuGpy5sd-GRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1).

A bit off-topic, but red balls for the FYA signals? Thought that was a no-no per MUTCD...

Hmmm. Could be. These are both newer signals and both have used the red balls instead of red arrows ever since they were replaced/installed, but I'll have to defer on if that's legal or not.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: SectorZ on September 21, 2020, 08:16:46 AM
I once counted all the traffic signals on Mass Ave/MA 2A in Cambridge. 42 in 4.5 miles. That feels like a lot.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: Old Dominionite on September 21, 2020, 09:43:04 AM
US 1 from the Beltway through Old Town Alexandria has one signal per block -- 15 in total over 1.75 miles. The city has typically done a good job with timing to prevent major traffic jams.

With that said, many urban cores across the country have stretches of road with a traffic signal at each city block.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: STLmapboy on September 21, 2020, 02:43:38 PM
I'm talking not in a downtown or urban core. Commercial areas work, as well as highway interchange lights and environs.
Here's a good example; this stretch (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Jack+in+the+Box,+23562+Moulton+Pkwy,+Laguna+Hills,+CA+92653/Accurate+Background/@33.637005,-117.7511944,4864m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x80dce87c2b20a8c5:0x1a4a78f5bc36c7a7!2m2!1d-117.7310774!2d33.6206232!3m4!1m2!1d-117.730869!2d33.6204099!3s0x80dce87dd2e849a5:0xf45de7c63ebc3ebf!1m5!1m1!1s0x80dce9dee0b58e01:0x7b1f4c088e134720!2m2!1d-117.752409!2d33.661983!3e0/) of Irvine Center Dr/Moulton Pkwy in Orange County, CA, has 18 signals over 3.5 miles, resulting roughly in one signalized intersection every 1000 feet.

Another example closer to me: Bloomington's Market St has (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Circle+K,+2302+W+Market+St,+Bloomington,+IL+61705/Market+St+%26+Brown+St/@40.4827548,-89.0519148,3848m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x880b7219bfff0ca9:0x9131ec0daa02154c!2m2!1d-89.04565!2d40.486746!1m5!1m1!1s0x880b71f5d5ddde93:0x3900944d93fe8f95!2m2!1d-89.015822!2d40.483183!3e0/) 10 over 1.7 miles, or a signal every 900 feet.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: CoreySamson on September 21, 2020, 02:45:31 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 20, 2020, 07:04:38 PM
The one place I know of that has too many lights close together is Bay City in Matagorda County in Texas.

This 1.4 mile section of TX 35 has 9 traffic lights:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/28.9832122,-95.9503171/28.9828771,-95.9736415/@28.9883051,-95.9703869,349m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

Meanwhile, going south to north, this section of TX 60 has 10 within 2.1 miles:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/28.9618306,-95.9693643/28.9922741,-95.970349/@28.9919897,-95.9710762,360m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

Quote from: Flint1979 on September 20, 2020, 10:17:18 PM
Downtown Bay City, MI has one on every block downtown along Washington Street.

What is it with Bay City's having annoyingly close together traffic lights?
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: CardInLex on September 21, 2020, 05:15:36 PM
10 in 2.2 miles on Shelbyville Road/US 60 in Louisville, KY. Beginning at Browns Lane and going eastward to the Toyota dealership.

https://goo.gl/maps/d7pt56iFiyrrpXfv9
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: jakeroot on September 21, 2020, 08:17:37 PM
Quote from: webny99 on September 21, 2020, 07:56:09 AM
Quote from: fwydriver405 on September 21, 2020, 12:10:30 AM
Quote from: webny99 on September 20, 2020, 11:28:43 PM
This section of NY 404 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Empire+Blvd,+Webster,+NY+14580/43.2113674,-77.4373484/@43.196785,-77.4901985,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d6c97d86605499:0xae531f357c797ad0!2m2!1d-77.5079851!2d43.1821207!1m0!3e0!5m1!1e1) has 15 traffic lights in 4.5 miles, four of which are visible here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1937752,-77.5017556,3a,15y,207.24h,90.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgvxfNAglHwFuGpy5sd-GRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1).

A bit off-topic, but red balls for the FYA signals? Thought that was a no-no per MUTCD...

Hmmm. Could be. These are both newer signals and both have used the red balls instead of red arrows ever since they were replaced/installed, but I'll have to defer on if that's legal or not.

Correct, they are only permitted for right-facing flashing yellow arrows. The 2009 MUTCD eliminated the option of a circular red; "LEFT TURN SIGNAL" signs must be used with circular reds.

FYAs designed prior to a particular state's adoption of the 2009 MUTCD might use circular red indications, but they should use the "LEFT TURN SIGNAL" sign.

I feel like left-turn FYAs from a road without an opposing left turn should be able to use circular red indications, but only if the left turn is lagging, and there is no leading-pedestrian-interval.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: sprjus4 on September 21, 2020, 09:39:57 PM
6 traffic signals (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/36.757864,-76.2735754/36.7514686,-76.2706679/@36.7549977,-76.2712088,896m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0) along a 1/2 mile stretch of VA-190 Great Bridge Blvd in Chesapeake, VA, two of them from ramps from US-17 and one from I-64. And no, they are not timed or synced together.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: JKRhodes on September 21, 2020, 10:39:08 PM

Baseline Road in Tempe, Arizona: 48th St - Darrow Drive. 1 mile, 9 signals: https://goo.gl/maps/DTbDfC1wfgxedEWV8
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: STLmapboy on September 24, 2020, 02:05:04 PM
The Atlanta Highway (US-80) (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Peyton's+Place+LLC,+5336+Atlanta+Hwy,+Montgomery,+AL+36109/32.3822885,-86.1914109/@32.3820256,-86.2118849,2823m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x888c2bcd2a346da9:0x259856557fc0614b!2m2!1d-86.2174573!2d32.3812634!1m0!3e0/) in Montgomery, AL, has a whopping 13 signals (all wire-hung) over 1.5 miles, an average of one signalized intersection every 600 feet.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: steviep24 on September 24, 2020, 08:56:45 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 21, 2020, 08:17:37 PM
Quote from: webny99 on September 21, 2020, 07:56:09 AM
Quote from: fwydriver405 on September 21, 2020, 12:10:30 AM
Quote from: webny99 on September 20, 2020, 11:28:43 PM
This section of NY 404 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Empire+Blvd,+Webster,+NY+14580/43.2113674,-77.4373484/@43.196785,-77.4901985,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d6c97d86605499:0xae531f357c797ad0!2m2!1d-77.5079851!2d43.1821207!1m0!3e0!5m1!1e1) has 15 traffic lights in 4.5 miles, four of which are visible here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1937752,-77.5017556,3a,15y,207.24h,90.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgvxfNAglHwFuGpy5sd-GRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1).

A bit off-topic, but red balls for the FYA signals? Thought that was a no-no per MUTCD...

Hmmm. Could be. These are both newer signals and both have used the red balls instead of red arrows ever since they were replaced/installed, but I'll have to defer on if that's legal or not.

Correct, they are only permitted for right-facing flashing yellow arrows. The 2009 MUTCD eliminated the option of a circular red; "LEFT TURN SIGNAL" signs must be used with circular reds.

FYAs designed prior to a particular state's adoption of the 2009 MUTCD might use circular red indications, but they should use the "LEFT TURN SIGNAL" sign.

I feel like left-turn FYAs from a road without an opposing left turn should be able to use circular red indications, but only if the left turn is lagging, and there is no leading-pedestrian-interval.
Also a bit off topic, I see that this stretch of NY 404 still has the random US 404 shield. (https://www.google.com/maps/place/190-176+Ridge+Rd,+Webster,+NY+14580/@43.2103482,-77.4468405,3a,75y,275.69h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shG9uiOeUYqOscRbkY5f1Ow!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m19!1m13!4m12!1m6!1m2!1s0x89d6c97d86605499:0xae531f357c797ad0!2sEmpire+Blvd,+Webster,+NY+14580!2m2!1d-77.5079851!2d43.1821207!1m3!2m2!1d-77.4373484!2d43.2113674!3e0!3m4!1s0x89d6cee29150586b:0x556465317934a6e!8m2!3d43.2113646!4d-77.4376041!5m1!1e1)
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: UnumProvident101 on September 24, 2020, 10:25:58 PM
this intersection in Chattanooga, TN has 15 traffic lights and it is usually busy and there have been car wrecks before there

https://goo.gl/maps/ZRZwZbgkuudSdL8s5 (https://goo.gl/maps/ZRZwZbgkuudSdL8s5)
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: jeffandnicole on September 24, 2020, 11:37:51 PM
It's probably impossible to find an intersection anywhere where there hasn't been an accident.
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: jp the roadgeek on September 25, 2020, 12:59:32 AM
At the south end of CT 229, there are 7 lights in the first 0.64 miles of the route.

Hart St/I-84 East exit ramp (0.00)
I-84 East entrance ramp (0.05)
I-84 West ramps (0.19)
Executive Boulevard S (0.31)
Executive Boulevard North (0.44)
Corporate Dr (approx 0.56)
Curtiss St (0.64)
Title: Re: Most traffic lights close together?
Post by: jakeroot on September 25, 2020, 01:00:40 AM
Quote from: UnumProvident101 on September 24, 2020, 10:25:58 PM
this intersection in Chattanooga, TN has 15 traffic lights and it is usually busy and there have been car wrecks before there

https://goo.gl/maps/ZRZwZbgkuudSdL8s5 (https://goo.gl/maps/ZRZwZbgkuudSdL8s5)

I think a better thread title would have been "most signalized intersections within close proximity".

The thread you're looking for is here: Most traffic lights (signal heads) at a 2 road intersection? (30) (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=20742.0)