Stangest Traffic Lights

[jakeroot]

I can think of numerous variants of U-turn regulatory signs, I am surprised they are not in the MUTCD.

U-turn "ONLY" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/rHJmpW4pohDnqAUm6
U-turn "OK" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/7W1Q1ZY8dPYhZFEk6
U-turn with left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/p4qhkBMjCm9KRjoz9
U-turn with double left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/BTtUhz9b1DUyBFuj7

The last sign is virtually identical to a lane-assignment sign very common in California, where it has been in use for decades.

One more variation - Left lane must U-turn: https://goo.gl/maps/rUNmgRVc6qyr7ESF6

And what a variation it is, I've never seen that before.

I've seen a U-turn-only adjacent to a left turn-only lane, but it uses much larger overhead signage: Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN.

[chrisg69911]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

On a related note, I've noticed that at some intersections the left turns have flashing red left arrows while oncoming has the green. Is there a difference between that and just a flashing yellow arrow?

[SignBridge]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

On a related note, I've noticed that at some intersections the left turns have flashing red left arrows while oncoming has the green. Is there a difference between that and just a flashing yellow arrow?

The flashing red arrow requires a stop before making the turn. The flashing yellow arrow does not necessarily require a stop if it's safe to make the turn without stopping. In effect they mean the same as any flashing red or yellow traffic light.

[jakeroot]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

Of course I'm going to notice this; that approach has only one light, and is not compliant with the MUTCD. If through traffic had a light, it would be okay, but because it is the only signalized movement on that approach, it must have two signals.

Something like this would be the proper way to signalize that left turn: https://goo.gl/maps/m6KYjsizZkGXxjzR6

[steviep24]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

On a related note, I've noticed that at some intersections the left turns have flashing red left arrows while oncoming has the green. Is there a difference between that and just a flashing yellow arrow?

The flashing red arrow requires a stop before making the turn. The flashing yellow arrow does not necessarily require a stop if it's safe to make the turn without stopping. In effect they mean the same as any flashing red or yellow traffic light.

Ontario, NY has a flashing red arrow. NY 104 and Furnace Rd.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2272774,-77.2815711,3a,15y,291.63h,95.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6To7o78OkC2ob10DQOUqGA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0&entry=ttu

[steviep24]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

Of course I'm going to notice this; that approach has only one light, and is not compliant with the MUTCD. If through traffic had a light, it would be okay, but because it is the only signalized movement on that approach, it must have two signals.

Something like this would be the proper way to signalize that left turn: https://goo.gl/maps/m6KYjsizZkGXxjzR6

That reminds me of this signal on NY 31 in Pittsford, NY that has only a FYA on the mast arm for the EB approach.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1131502,-77.5505011,3a,75y,151.54h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMHxLzy53niePTY8McpEV9w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0&entry=ttu

[wanderer2575]

I can think of numerous variants of U-turn regulatory signs, I am surprised they are not in the MUTCD.

U-turn "ONLY" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/rHJmpW4pohDnqAUm6
U-turn "OK" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/7W1Q1ZY8dPYhZFEk6
U-turn with left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/p4qhkBMjCm9KRjoz9
U-turn with double left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/BTtUhz9b1DUyBFuj7

The last sign is virtually identical to a lane-assignment sign very common in California, where it has been in use for decades.

One more variation - Left lane must U-turn: https://goo.gl/maps/rUNmgRVc6qyr7ESF6

And here's a variation of that variation:  Left lane turn left, second left lane go straight, "at signal" after you've already turned 90 degrees.
https://goo.gl/maps/pjbVkv8vanUAGDsE6

[JKRhodes]

So the latest state-of-the-art is we're back to diagonal spans? I guess they're good at very wide intersections where there is reasonable distance from the stop line to the signal-heads.

Grand Ave's gantries make sense and are easily visible due to how far back every stop line was placed.

The handful in the southeast suburbs (Queen Creek/Santan Valley) are annoying, especially if the signal head is on the near side of the diagonal gantry which makes it hard to see from the stop line. Feels like an attempt to add personality to a boring suburb built over scrub desert and former cotton/alfalfa fields. That being said, they've been in place for about 20 years

[jakeroot]

The handful in the southeast suburbs (Queen Creek/Santan Valley) are annoying, especially if the signal head is on the near side of the diagonal gantry which makes it hard to see from the stop line. Feels like an attempt to add personality to a boring suburb built over scrub desert and former cotton/alfalfa fields. That being said, they've been in place for about 20 years

I think this is the correct take here...you know you live somewhere boring when traffic signal mast arms are the local spectacle.

Side-note: I am okay with diagonal gantry signals as long as there are supplemental post-mounted signals. Luckily the examples in Arizona all have them. Not every state requires them.