Stangest Traffic Lights

[cl94]

Here's one in Lake Station, IN: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5745106,-87.2315897,3a,75y,68.94h,93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smQgksop4zfkbXdVJenLtaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I know this two-red-ball signal head is common in some parts of the country (I think I once heard Texas uses them a lot), it's very strange for the Midwest. It's also strange that there's only one signal for each direction of travel.

That reminds me of this odd thing up here in Washington

That's a very strange setup there. The double red balls are very rare here in Washington, particularly in that configuration (in fact, I can't recall seeing that style before -- the double-tall red ball setup can be seen here in Tacoma).

The protected/permissive signals are also pretty weird. One direction has bimodal arrows, the other flashing yellow.

At least the double red is presented as an option in the MUTCD. I remember someone posting at one point that it is the standard somewhere in this country. Can't remember where.

What's weird is the double-tall. I'm assuming the one in Tacoma is because of the railroad crossing and both reds aren't visible from the same location, right?

[SidS1045]

Found this intersection a little unusual last night while in Camden, NJ (ugh).

Camden looks like a nice city.

Frequently ranks #1! 

Looks more like #2 to me.

Sorry...couldn't resist...

[jakeroot]

What's weird is the double-tall. I'm assuming the one in Tacoma is because of the railroad crossing and both reds aren't visible from the same location, right?

Yes, though frankly the signals are so old, the red is difficult to make out no matter where you stop. The signals should be replaced.

[mrsman]

At some intersections in Houston where the light rail intersects, the signal face border is full of red LEDs that light up on red lights.  See the second to last picture at the following link:

http://www.streetfilms.org/houston-buses-bayous-beltways-and-abounding-optimism-for-better-mobility/

[thenetwork]

Here's one in Lake Station, IN: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5745106,-87.2315897,3a,75y,68.94h,93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smQgksop4zfkbXdVJenLtaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I know this two-red-ball signal head is common in some parts of the country (I think I once heard Texas uses them a lot), it's very strange for the Midwest. It's also strange that there's only one signal for each direction of travel.

That reminds me of this odd thing up here in Washington

That's a very strange setup there. The double red balls are very rare here in Washington, particularly in that configuration (in fact, I can't recall seeing that style before -- the double-tall red ball setup can be seen here in Tacoma).

The protected/permissive signals are also pretty weird. One direction has bimodal arrows, the other flashing yellow.

At least the double red is presented as an option in the MUTCD. I remember someone posting at one point that it is the standard somewhere in this country. Can't remember where.

Last time I was in North Carolina, about 15 years ago, the double red-heads were seen in a lot of places -- moreso in the smaller towns.

[paulthemapguy]

^^
There's a double red head at this intersection that I completely understand.  When your intersection is on a curve, wanting a second red head as a failsafe is totally reasonable when this is the only signal head visible from the straightaway approaching it.
(insert joke about redhead threesomes here)
https://goo.gl/maps/CCX3QQ3YDq82

[NYhwyfan]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[JoePCool14]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Certainly interesting and definitely homemade. Not sure it looks good though. Just looks thrown together in about 3 seconds with spare parts and not very appealing.

[steviep24]

Strange doghouse assembly with 8 inch balls and 12 inch arrows in Pittsford, NY.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0959015,-77.5275399,3a,30y,121.71h,95.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVVhjLUKIiwH31pizrM2obg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[cl94]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Certainly interesting and definitely homemade. Not sure it looks good though. Just looks thrown together in about 3 seconds with spare parts and not very appealing.

Yep, the Tonawanda signals get posted at least once a year. Between that, using fluorescent yellow-green in place of yellow, and the infamous rectangular signs, there's plenty of crap in Tonawanda to keep this forum filled.

[Ian]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

[JoePCool14]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

They must see it as being easier because nothing is taller than 3 lights. In this case, easier mounting.

On the other hand, I wonder if they don't seem to even consider the obvious option. Like they just forget about it. They must automatically think in their mind something custom or homemade is necessary.

[NYhwyfan]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

They must see it as being easier because nothing is taller than 3 lights. In this case, easier mounting.

On the other hand, I wonder if they don't seem to even consider the obvious option. Like they just forget about it. They must automatically think in their mind something custom or homemade is necessary.

With the Tonawanda signal height may be the case which I can understand even though it looks unusual. But as far as the 12" section case on NY 17 why not just use a standard doghouse?

Here's a NYSDOT signal on NY 17 obviously used because of clearance, typically a doghouse.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9719856,-78.6967483,3a,75y,282.56h,83.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIbCEQAXA0V2S-Zv-iVwqnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[cl94]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

They must see it as being easier because nothing is taller than 3 lights. In this case, easier mounting.

On the other hand, I wonder if they don't seem to even consider the obvious option. Like they just forget about it. They must automatically think in their mind something custom or homemade is necessary.

With the Tonawanda signal height may be the case which I can understand even though it looks unusual. But as far as the 12" section case on NY 17 why not just use a standard doghouse?

Here's a NYSDOT signal on NY 78 obviously used because of clearance, typically a doghouse.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9719856,-78.6967483,3a,75y,282.56h,83.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIbCEQAXA0V2S-Zv-iVwqnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

They didn't use a doghouse because it's split-phased. No need for a yellow arrow in that case.

[Rothman]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

They must see it as being easier because nothing is taller than 3 lights. In this case, easier mounting.

On the other hand, I wonder if they don't seem to even consider the obvious option. Like they just forget about it. They must automatically think in their mind something custom or homemade is necessary.

With the Tonawanda signal height may be the case which I can understand even though it looks unusual. But as far as the 12" section case on NY 17 why not just use a standard doghouse?

Here's a NYSDOT signal on NY 78 obviously used because of clearance, typically a doghouse.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9719856,-78.6967483,3a,75y,282.56h,83.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIbCEQAXA0V2S-Zv-iVwqnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

They didn't use a doghouse because it's split-phased. No need for a yellow arrow in that case.

It's not NY 17, either.

[Ian]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

They must see it as being easier because nothing is taller than 3 lights. In this case, easier mounting.

They should've done what they did here...

https://goo.gl/maps/LU1mExcei2k

[mrsman]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

They must see it as being easier because nothing is taller than 3 lights. In this case, easier mounting.

They should've done what they did here...

https://goo.gl/maps/LU1mExcei2k

Another alternative is to have R,Y,G,GA completely vertical.  That would look a lot better than these modified doghouses.  The one in Tonawanda is particularly ugly.

I've seen 4-section vertical signals in the following configurations:

1) All 12";
2) All 8" except for the arrow being 12";
3) 12" red, 8" yellow, 8" green and 12" arrow.  It's similar to the signal in Tonawanda, but it looks neater if it is perfectly vertical. Here's an example from Sacramento, where a lot of the signals are split-phase:

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6033315,-121.3923195,3a,75y,84.96h,75.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1si_MciLRtKeFXRzNKNZMPBQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[NYhwyfan]

Instead of a usual doghouse with two 12" sections arrows here implemented is the use of a a single 12" section bi-modal arrow - Tonawanda, NY
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9911392,-78.8528955,3a,75y,109.03h,86.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1n1e-d8pDO43bXGdWAecqg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's an all 12" section version of that along NY 17 at the south end of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. I don't know why they don't just make an inline-4 signal at that point.

They must see it as being easier because nothing is taller than 3 lights. In this case, easier mounting.

On the other hand, I wonder if they don't seem to even consider the obvious option. Like they just forget about it. They must automatically think in their mind something custom or homemade is necessary.

With the Tonawanda signal height may be the case which I can understand even though it looks unusual. But as far as the 12" section case on NY 17 why not just use a standard doghouse?

Here's a NYSDOT signal on NY 78 obviously used because of clearance, typically a doghouse.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9719856,-78.6967483,3a,75y,282.56h,83.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIbCEQAXA0V2S-Zv-iVwqnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

They didn't use a doghouse because it's split-phased. No need for a yellow arrow in that case.

It's not NY 17, either.

haha yes typo

[JMAN_WiS&S]

Here's one in Lake Station, IN: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5745106,-87.2315897,3a,75y,68.94h,93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smQgksop4zfkbXdVJenLtaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I know this two-red-ball signal head is common in some parts of the country (I think I once heard Texas uses them a lot), it's very strange for the Midwest. It's also strange that there's only one signal for each direction of travel.

That reminds me of this odd thing up here in Washington

First of all, what on earth is going odd with that road? Narrow the road by placing grass, and leave old curbs? Not sure what's up but it looks like some odd ROW happe n ing there, judging by the odd curb corners at the intersections. Also, some unused mast arms.

[Big John]

^^ Looks like they are doing that for future widening as older photos don't show those features or that building on the NW quadrant behind the new curb.

[jay8g]

Here's one in Lake Station, IN: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5745106,-87.2315897,3a,75y,68.94h,93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smQgksop4zfkbXdVJenLtaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I know this two-red-ball signal head is common in some parts of the country (I think I once heard Texas uses them a lot), it's very strange for the Midwest. It's also strange that there's only one signal for each direction of travel.

That reminds me of this odd thing up here in Washington

First of all, what on earth is going odd with that road? Narrow the road by placing grass, and leave old curbs? Not sure what's up but it looks like some odd ROW happe n ing there, judging by the odd curb corners at the intersections. Also, some unused mast arms.

Bothell has been (very slowly) working on this strange project.

[jay8g]

I really want to know how this works...

[KEK Inc.]

Oh, and then there's this signal, which has a flashing yellow circle indication. This is really strange because SDOT has many normal flashing yellow arrow signals.

I live very close to that, and that is a flashing arrow I believe. 

45th St. used to have a flashing yellow ball for 19th Ave and 20th Ave, but that was changed last March to flashing yellow arrows. 

[pianocello]

I really want to know how this works...

It's for a drawbridge. I'm pretty sure the two heads on the sides light up red as the bridge is opened, and the four vertical heads read "STOP". Can a Chicagoan confirm?

[thenetwork]

I really want to know how this works...

It's for a drawbridge. I'm pretty sure the two heads on the sides light up red as the bridge is opened, and the four vertical heads read "STOP". Can a Chicagoan confirm?

Exactly. The center strip of lights usually remain solid red the whole time the light is activated, while the top side lights will alternately flash like a railroad crossing. I have seen a few rare instances where the center strip of Lights will alternate flashing as well.