Traffic signal

[HTM Duke]

Found a 4-section "green ball" protected-permissive signal in KC (check other views for the green ball). Not sure how common this is, as I've only seen doghouses (or 5-sections if placed on a vertical pole) in Missouri before. Also, which section would the yellow arrow use?

Could it be a bi-modal arrow?

From what I saw on Streetview, it is.
https://goo.gl/maps/3urCFjBKpxnzDyBM8

[roadfro]

What's this all about?..

1 N Providence Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/s59AJSnjsPTY3NZ97

Or this similar signal in De Pere WI: https://goo.gl/maps/y6csZwTD26Z3Ucem9

Straight arrows seem to be unnecessary in either instance.

[kphoger]

How common is this little guy?
(Lawrence @ Mannheim, near O'Hare)

[JoePCool14]

How common is this little guy?
(Lawrence @ Mannheim, near O'Hare)

There are a few like that in the area. Up on IL-176 near I-94 you have this intersection:
https://goo.gl/maps/6xQpmQiW7srxMkz46

[Big John]

^^ Eternal green lights thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17664.0

[SkyPesos]

How common is this little guy?
(Lawrence @ Mannheim, near O'Hare)

That type of right turn looks similar to one featured in Cra_shIt's videos.

[steviep24]

I came across this signal today with a strobe in the red light. (The left signal head has the strobe.)

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0687267,-77.5291318,3a,15y,271.92h,100.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sr2nwLsRYkw2ldYlgrZNmZQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0

I didn't think they made those anymore.

[Big John]

/quote] They don't after they were banned in MUTCD

[Scott5114]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/51314006384/in/photostream
What is the X for in front of the future signal head lenses?

It's just to indicate that it's not in service. It's an extra step above bagging the signals, which from a distance can sometimes make the signals appear as though they've just lost power. Only until you're close can you see the bags.

Never seen those here. I see the signals wrapped up normally or the pedestrian one saying "OUT OF SERVICE".

As I stated, it's an extra step. I've only seen it in California. Pretty much everywhere either gift wraps each signal face, or the entire signal head. The "X" design seems unique to California.

In OK, standard practice seems to be to turn the signals away from the roadway until they're ready for prime time. Usually they're just turned 45°, but I've also seen them pointed up in the air, down at the ground, etc.

Here's one that was both turned and bagged:

[SignBridge]

The Federal Manual does prohibit strobes in traffic signals. But New York State years ago (when they had their own Manual) had a provision specifically allowing strobe lights to be used in signal heads. At least one still exists near my house on NY-106 and I know of at least one Nassau County DPW installation that has them also.

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.725559,-74.3817718,3a,75y,30.58h,94.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVuZJUwS481n1DOJbUT2vwg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I was noticing that Union County, NJ has a unique way of mounting the mast arm to its poles.

[plain]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.725559,-74.3817718,3a,75y,30.58h,94.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVuZJUwS481n1DOJbUT2vwg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I was noticing that Union County, NJ has a unique way of mounting the mast arm to its poles.

Kinda reminds me of a few signals along Parham Rd in Henrico County, VA. In this case it's the streetlight's arm and the arm is through the pole. I've always found these weird.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Uqj9c92TNKiQQg89

[roadfro]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.725559,-74.3817718,3a,75y,30.58h,94.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVuZJUwS481n1DOJbUT2vwg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I was noticing that Union County, NJ has a unique way of mounting the mast arm to its poles.

Kinda reminds me of a few signals along Parham Rd in Henrico County, VA. In this case it's the streetlight's arm and the arm is through the pole. I've always found these weird.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Uqj9c92TNKiQQg89

It appears to be an aesthetic choice in both instances. The first is very unique in that the mast arm basically sits atop the pole, which I can't say I've ever seen something like that before.

The second, the streetlight's arm doesn't seem to go through the pole, but it's a unique attachment feature of the pole for the streetlight arm. You can see the streetlight slips on over a diagonal stub when you get really close up on one of the streetlight arms, as well as view where it looks like the streetlight arm going through when looking at another mast at that same intersection without a streetlight on it.

[betfourteen]

The Federal Manual does prohibit strobes in traffic signals. But New York State years ago (when they had their own Manual) had a provision specifically allowing strobe lights to be used in signal heads. At least one still exists near my house on NY-106 and I know of at least one Nassau County DPW installation that has them also.

Suffolk County still uses them, even on modern, updated intersections with updated signals too. Specifically on Nicolls Rd

[CoreySamson]

Horizontal supplemental signal on the mast arm in Point Comfort, TX:
https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6769421,-96.5528199,3a,17y,36.29h,94.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZXaN0yirNrrbd2qZCmL0zg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Recent imagery indicates this no longer exists.

[SkyPesos]

Horizontal supplemental signal on the mast arm in Point Comfort, TX:
https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6769421,-96.5528199,3a,17y,36.29h,94.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZXaN0yirNrrbd2qZCmL0zg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Recent imagery indicates this no longer exists.

I see horizontal pole-mounted transit signals in Los Angeles. Sort of weird seeing it like that, as I'm used to vertical signals on poles, even in places with horizontal overheads.

Speaking of transit signals in the US, any reason why the lines are all colored white, instead of like red for the horizontal line, yellow for the diagonal line, and green for the vertical line?

[jakeroot]

Speaking of transit signals in the US, any reason why the lines are all colored white, instead of like red for the horizontal line, yellow for the diagonal line, and green for the vertical line?

Part of the reasons is because not every place uses three-face transit signals. Here in Washington, the norm is two faces. The bottom lens flashes before the top lens ("stop") goes solid.

The other reason, and likely the more common reason, is to completely eliminate any chance of confusion. On the flip side, they could have conceivably used reverse coloring, like railway signals. Still, it's probably not worth the confusion.

[roadfro]

Speaking of transit signals in the US, any reason why the lines are all colored white, instead of like red for the horizontal line, yellow for the diagonal line, and green for the vertical line?

Part of the reasons is because not every place uses three-face transit signals. Here in Washington, the norm is two faces. The bottom lens flashes before the top lens ("stop") goes solid.

The other reason, and likely the more common reason, is to completely eliminate any chance of confusion. On the flip side, they could have conceivably used reverse coloring, like railway signals. Still, it's probably not worth the confusion.

Exactly what I was going to say. Primary reason is likely to eliminate potential confusion between transit signals and signals heads for regular motorists.

And I would hazard the guess that the transit signal symbols were used because those were reliable-enough symbols that were easily discernable based on older technology when those types of transit signals were first implimented. Nowadays, we have things like RYG bicycles symbols in bike-only signals, but I imagine it's still probably a challenge to fit a recognizable bus or light rail symbol within a rounded 12" signal face.

[Dirt Roads]

Speaking of transit signals in the US, any reason why the lines are all colored white, instead of like red for the horizontal line, yellow for the diagonal line, and green for the vertical line?

Part of the reasons is because not every place uses three-face transit signals. Here in Washington, the norm is two faces. The bottom lens flashes before the top lens ("stop") goes solid.

The other reason, and likely the more common reason, is to completely eliminate any chance of confusion. On the flip side, they could have conceivably used reverse coloring, like railway signals. Still, it's probably not worth the confusion.

The other reason, and likely the more common reason, is to completely eliminate any chance of confusion.

That is absolutely correct.  Since LRVs and streetcars are supposed to operate prepared to stop at highway traffic signals, the primary issue is to avoid confusion for automobile traffic.  There's also the issue about the focal length of the lenses when rail traffic can approach at certain speeds, but that is a lesser issue.

[DrSmith]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.725559,-74.3817718,3a,75y,30.58h,94.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVuZJUwS481n1DOJbUT2vwg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I was noticing that Union County, NJ has a unique way of mounting the mast arm to its poles.

Kinda reminds me of a few signals along Parham Rd in Henrico County, VA. In this case it's the streetlight's arm and the arm is through the pole. I've always found these weird.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Uqj9c92TNKiQQg89

It appears to be an aesthetic choice in both instances. The first is very unique in that the mast arm basically sits atop the pole, which I can't say I've ever seen something like that before.

The second, the streetlight's arm doesn't seem to go through the pole, but it's a unique attachment feature of the pole for the streetlight arm. You can see the streetlight slips on over a diagonal stub when you get really close up on one of the streetlight arms, as well as view where it looks like the streetlight arm going through when looking at another mast at that same intersection without a streetlight on it.

Another example https://goo.gl/maps/W4kZAfWS76H8o2e7A

[jakeroot]

Curious what people know about this Econolite pedestrian signal I found in Seattle the other day.

Album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWnx79t (there is a video in here showing operation including countdown timer)

I've never seen another one like it. It's very square with short visors around the edge.


Southwest corner by Jacob Root, on Flickr


Northwest corner by Jacob Root, on Flickr

[jay8g]

Yeah, those signals are certainly odd! It appears that they once had symbolic incandescent modules, which are also quite unusual for Seattle (they typically used neon modules until switching over to LEDs).

[jakeroot]

Yeah, those signals are certainly odd! It appears that they once had symbolic incandescent modules, which are also quite unusual for Seattle (they typically used neon modules until switching over to LEDs).

That's very interesting! I looked at the intersection on Street View to try and figure out when the signals were installed, but neglected to notice the original signal modules. Then again, I'm not good at spotting those things...yet.

It is interesting that the old indications were also symbols. That would tell me that these may have been installed in the 1990s? Or thereabouts. Not sure when symbolized pedestrian signals came into play.

[roadman65]

The dropped left turn signal head.


Oregon has a lot of these where many states just keep them all aligned at one level. 

Am I to guess its done to distinguish it from the normal straight through signal heads?

[SignBridge]

Just a guess, but because the mast-arm slants upward, if they mounted the left-turn head the same way, that might put it above the allowable height in the MUTCD. But I agree it looks dopey.