Horizontal Traffic Lights

[jakeroot]

Slightly OT, but the Griswold/RACO EM gate mechanisms at the railroad crossing there and the next one north are cool:
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.6017886,-120.507783,3a,59.1y,273.42h,91.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syA1NdMcw1h5y0EYFwyAkhQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.6068561,-120.510335,3a,58.3y,260.14h,83.29t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEzvlZegzV9fuqafAqi6ayQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Are they still there, by any chance?

Yes, they are still there, at least when I was there last August. The only crossings that have been modified were at Lincoln and MLK (replaced by underpasses in the late 2000s). The fact that money was made available to even modify those crossings is impressive, as Yakima is not a well-off city. I would expect those Griswold/RACO EM gates to remain in place for quite a while.

[Tonytone]

I can't remember if this one is mentioned in this thread, but the US-13/40 and DE-273 intersection near New Castle is the only example I can think of off the top of my head in Delaware. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6653639,-75.6044239,3a,75y,88.51h,89.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snmsh6X7G4Ud7Oj2Ez_gz8Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I wish they would update those with new ones. The intersection would move faster.


iPhone

[CJResotko]

Here are some old horizontal signals in Arcanum, Ohio (a picture was shown of one in the first page): https://youtu.be/HXx2-YZsbDU

[David Jr.]

I-55 at E. Military Road in Marion, Arkansas gives us this:

https://goo.gl/maps/Ev4T9w36qWH2

[KEK Inc.]

It's obviously horizontal because of the metro line behind the camera, but I think it's still an interesting signal nonetheless. 



Google Streetview (NSFW)

[ET21]

^ Chicago has many of those as well. One I can think of right away is Foster at the Kennedy (I-90). Interesting how this one has two secure bars while the one in Cali has only one bar

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9757312,-87.771233,3a,75y,266.75h,89.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYWZrQCsTpw-FbDmHipASSw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[jakeroot]

Google Streetview (NSFW)

It's a woman in a dress. Seems SFW to me.

[wanderer2575]

The traffic signal on the eastbound I-96 exit ramp to Evergreen Road in Detroit has horizontal fixtures on the one of the three span wires.  Vertical fixtures on that span would have been too low to the sidewalk, but raising the height of the span wire would have put it too close to the overhead electric lines.

https://goo.gl/maps/qJrdTLu2rUL2

[zzyzx]

They're a rarity in RI, but these new ones were installed last summer on 295 by Exit 10:

[steviep24]

It's obviously horizontal because of the metro line behind the camera, but I think it's still an interesting signal nonetheless. 



Google Streetview (NSFW)

NYSDOT mounts their horizontal signals on mast arms like that as well.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2068583,-77.6766403,3a,75y,266.42h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sThRHLAr3yWR5BMYyax6bQg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0

[jeffandnicole]

It's obviously horizontal because of the metro line behind the camera, but I think it's still an interesting signal nonetheless. 



Google Streetview (NSFW)

It's a woman in a dress. Seems SFW to me.

Nor do I see the obvious part - the sightview still sees the mast arm well before the overpass. They could've easily hung vertical lights in the same manner as the horizonal lights. https://goo.gl/maps/DkuhG9SbPPA2

[Flint1979]

I've seen them before. I think either Minneapolis or St. Paul have them, or both cities have them.

[SCtoKC]

North Main Street in Greenville, SC has horizontal lights between College Street/Beattie Place and McBee Avenue.  The only exception is this left turn signal at North Street.

[MNHighwayMan]

I've seen them before. I think either Minneapolis or St. Paul have them, or both cities have them.

Nope, neither, except for maybe a few rare installs required by the situation/placement. I can't think of any, though.

[Amtrakprod]

They're a rarity in RI, but these new ones were installed last summer on 295 by Exit 10:

Look at that flashing yellow arrow sign! I'd love to see a closer up of that!


iPhone

[jakeroot]

Nor do I see the obvious part - the sightview still sees the mast arm well before the overpass. They could've easily hung vertical lights in the same manner as the horizonal lights. https://goo.gl/maps/DkuhG9SbPPA2

You're probably right, although there is a pretty small window of visibility between "too high to be seen before the the stop line" and "too low for vehicles to pass beneath", with vertical lights extending into these no-go zones.

They could have just used all post-mounted signals too, widening the median to accommodate both a left turn and through signal.

[Flint1979]

I've seen them before. I think either Minneapolis or St. Paul have them, or both cities have them.

Nope, neither, except for maybe a few rare installs required by the situation/placement. I can't think of any, though.

Oh I know what it was with Minneapolis/St. Paul it was the way some of the traffic lights were mounted on the sides and I didn't like it. Like at this intersection https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9724713,-93.2648891,3a,19.5y,153.43h,92.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s24uqHhhqHtJj_lngqM2lgQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[jakeroot]

I've seen them before. I think either Minneapolis or St. Paul have them, or both cities have them.

Nope, neither, except for maybe a few rare installs required by the situation/placement. I can't think of any, though.

Oh I know what it was with Minneapolis/St. Paul it was the way some of the traffic lights were mounted on the sides and I didn't like it. Like at this intersection https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9724713,-93.2648891,3a,19.5y,153.43h,92.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s24uqHhhqHtJj_lngqM2lgQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Wait what's the issue here?

[Flint1979]

I've seen them before. I think either Minneapolis or St. Paul have them, or both cities have them.

Nope, neither, except for maybe a few rare installs required by the situation/placement. I can't think of any, though.

Oh I know what it was with Minneapolis/St. Paul it was the way some of the traffic lights were mounted on the sides and I didn't like it. Like at this intersection https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9724713,-93.2648891,3a,19.5y,153.43h,92.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s24uqHhhqHtJj_lngqM2lgQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Wait what's the issue here?

The location of the traffic lights, they are mounted on the side of the street instead of overhead.

[jakeroot]

I've seen them before. I think either Minneapolis or St. Paul have them, or both cities have them.

Nope, neither, except for maybe a few rare installs required by the situation/placement. I can't think of any, though.

Oh I know what it was with Minneapolis/St. Paul it was the way some of the traffic lights were mounted on the sides and I didn't like it. Like at this intersection https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9724713,-93.2648891,3a,19.5y,153.43h,92.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s24uqHhhqHtJj_lngqM2lgQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Wait what's the issue here?

The location of the traffic lights, they are mounted on the side of the street instead of overhead.

I don't understand the issue. That's a very normal thing, especially in downtown areas of the US (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, etc). It's not like they're any harder to see than overhead-only signals. The best option is for overhead + side-mounted signals.

[mrsman]

I've seen them before. I think either Minneapolis or St. Paul have them, or both cities have them.

Nope, neither, except for maybe a few rare installs required by the situation/placement. I can't think of any, though.

Oh I know what it was with Minneapolis/St. Paul it was the way some of the traffic lights were mounted on the sides and I didn't like it. Like at this intersection https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9724713,-93.2648891,3a,19.5y,153.43h,92.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s24uqHhhqHtJj_lngqM2lgQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Wait what's the issue here?

The location of the traffic lights, they are mounted on the side of the street instead of overhead.

I don't understand the issue. That's a very normal thing, especially in downtown areas of the US (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, etc). It's not like they're any harder to see than overhead-only signals. The best option is for overhead + side-mounted signals.

It is odd that there aren't overhead signals on a relatively wide street.  Washington DC is guilty of this as well, with relatively few signals on mast arms, (and when mast arms are used they are very short).

The old L.A. signal placement IMO was ideal.  Mounted signals on both left and right corners.  And for wider streets overhead signals as well.  Proper signal placement without overkill.

Oh and on wide one-way streets like Downtown LA, 2 overhead signals.  The left is a mirror image of the right.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0481486,-118.2472185,3a,75y,35h,85.49t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s9_YxIMeOT7NEd86UlLC0yA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D9_YxIMeOT7NEd86UlLC0yA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D338.0765%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

[kphoger]

I don't understand the issue. That's a very normal thing, especially in downtown areas of the US (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, etc). It's not like they're any harder to see than overhead-only signals. The best option is for overhead + side-mounted signals.

Indeed.  Even Michigan Avenue in Chicago uses side-mounted stoplights.
(including the dread "LEFT ON GREEN ARROW ONLY" signs on five-lamp towers)

[jakeroot]

I don't understand the issue. [Horizontal signals are] a very normal thing, especially in downtown areas of the US (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, etc). It's not like they're any harder to see than overhead-only signals. The best option is for overhead + side-mounted signals.

It is odd that there aren't overhead signals on a relatively wide street.  Washington DC is guilty of this as well, with relatively few signals on mast arms, (and when mast arms are used they are very short).

The old L.A. signal placement IMO was ideal.  Mounted signals on both left and right corners.  And for wider streets overhead signals as well.  Proper signal placement without overkill.

Oh and on wide one-way streets like Downtown LA, 2 overhead signals.  The left is a mirror image of the right.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0481486,-118.2472185,3a,75y,35h,85.49t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s9_YxIMeOT7NEd86UlLC0yA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D9_YxIMeOT7NEd86UlLC0yA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D338.0765%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

I would say that LA proper (not the suburbs) has some of the best signalization I've seen anywhere, for these reasons. CA, as a whole, does not mistreat the pole-mounted signal like so many agencies, treating them more as the norm, with overhead signals being the supplemental display (instead of vice-versa). For one-way streets, I think the best setup is for two pole-mounted signals, with a single overhead signal. This minimizes overhead visual clutter (among other things like power or trolley lines) that come alongside signal-per-lane placement, but still improves visibility for the approach over having just pole signals.

Seattle has historically been like DC. Many arterial roads downtown used only pole-mounted signals. Many have been converted to mast-arm installs (with a few keeping at least one pole-mounted signal, an ideal mid-point); 2nd was formerly setup for a lane of parking, a bike lane, three through lanes, and a bus-only lane, with only two 8-inch pole-mounted signals to control it all. As far as I know, it worked fine. But it would have been a good place to install at least one overhead signal (maybe two, although certainly only one with the current setup, which was reduced to two through lanes).

I don't understand the issue. That's a very normal thing, especially in downtown areas of the US (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, etc). It's not like they're any harder to see than overhead-only signals. The best option is for overhead + side-mounted signals.

Indeed.  Even Michigan Avenue in Chicago uses side-mounted stoplights.
(including the dread "LEFT ON GREEN ARROW ONLY" signs on five-lamp towers)

CDOT really needs to fuck off with those "green arrow only" signs. I'm tempted to fly to Chicago just to turn left on green, totally out of spite.

I don't really understand why Chicago doesn't install two separate signal heads on some of those poles. DC does it all the time.

[Amtrakprod]

I don't understand the issue. [Horizontal signals are] a very normal thing, especially in downtown areas of the US (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, etc). It's not like they're any harder to see than overhead-only signals. The best option is for overhead + side-mounted signals.

It is odd that there aren't overhead signals on a relatively wide street.  Washington DC is guilty of this as well, with relatively few signals on mast arms, (and when mast arms are used they are very short).

The old L.A. signal placement IMO was ideal.  Mounted signals on both left and right corners.  And for wider streets overhead signals as well.  Proper signal placement without overkill.

Oh and on wide one-way streets like Downtown LA, 2 overhead signals.  The left is a mirror image of the right.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0481486,-118.2472185,3a,75y,35h,85.49t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s9_YxIMeOT7NEd86UlLC0yA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D9_YxIMeOT7NEd86UlLC0yA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D338.0765%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

I would say that LA proper (not the suburbs) has some of the best signalization I've seen anywhere, for these reasons. CA, as a whole, does not mistreat the pole-mounted signal like so many agencies, treating them more as the norm, with overhead signals being the supplemental display (instead of vice-versa). For one-way streets, I think the best setup is for two pole-mounted signals, with a single overhead signal. This minimizes overhead visual clutter (among other things like power or trolley lines) that come alongside signal-per-lane placement, but still improves visibility for the approach over having just pole signals.

Seattle has historically been like DC. Many arterial roads downtown used only pole-mounted signals. Many have been converted to mast-arm installs (with a few keeping at least one pole-mounted signal, an ideal mid-point); 2nd was formerly setup for a lane of parking, a bike lane, three through lanes, and a bus-only lane, with only two 8-inch pole-mounted signals to control it all. As far as I know, it worked fine. But it would have been a good place to install at least one overhead signal (maybe two, although certainly only one with the current setup, which was reduced to two through lanes).

I don't understand the issue. That's a very normal thing, especially in downtown areas of the US (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, etc). It's not like they're any harder to see than overhead-only signals. The best option is for overhead + side-mounted signals.

Indeed.  Even Michigan Avenue in Chicago uses side-mounted stoplights.
(including the dread "LEFT ON GREEN ARROW ONLY" signs on five-lamp towers)

CDOT really needs to fuck off with those "green arrow only" signs. I'm tempted to fly to Chicago just to turn left on green, totally out of spite.

I don't really understand why Chicago doesn't install two separate signal heads on some of those poles. DC does it all the time.

We have them in MA too, but at least we have a red ball with a green straight up arrow, so I guess it's not that bad


iPhone

[paulthemapguy]

CDOT really needs to fuck off with those "green arrow only" signs. I'm tempted to fly to Chicago just to turn left on green, totally out of spite.

I don't really understand why Chicago doesn't install two separate signal heads on some of those poles. DC does it all the time.

There's a crazy amount of pedestrian traffic walking north-south along Michigan Avenue pretty much all the time, so good luck