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Japan

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Alps:

--- Quote from: kurumi on November 07, 2022, 12:02:59 PM ---Slight derail: in Osaka 5 years ago I saw a guy in the distance with a National Route 58 T-shirt (which the E58 expressway in jakeroot's post is based on).

Route 58 is the longest such route in Japan, but hops many islands between Okinawa and Kyushu; its distance over land is less than 1/3 the official length. That would be a fun (but difficult) route to clinch.

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If they're counting sea miles it's not difficult, it's impossible. No ferry from this end: https://goo.gl/maps/GovA4qJdswBQvrX68

fwydriver405:
Been wondering about a few things about Japanese traffic control for a while...

1. How common are vertical traffic signals in Japan?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=_53buWoCyHQ
2. What do the different crossbucks at many level crossings in Japan mean? I've seen four styles used, but not sure what they mean (or if those were installed by the different railroad companies in Japan):

Style 1, 2, 3, 4

jakeroot:

--- Quote from: fwydriver405 on November 08, 2022, 08:07:44 PM ---Been wondering about a few things about Japanese traffic control for a while...

1. How common are vertical traffic signals in Japan?

--- End quote ---

Vertical signals are used when needed for visibility (example here in Yonabaru), and also in snowy areas. I think they are quite common in Hokkaido. The intersection in your video, in Toyama, is in a snow belt.

...

Can't personally comment on your crossbuck question, there are no rail lines in Okinawa apart from the monorail so I can't go out and investigate for myself.

I do think it's realistic to assume that it could be related to the various JR organizations and their own design standards.

jakeroot:
Cross-post from the Traffic Signal thread:


--- Quote from: jakeroot on November 14, 2022, 12:14:20 AM ---I'm hoping to get some more photos and videos up, but I wanted to write a bit about Japanese traffic signal operations.

First, I want to talk about the design. Japan primarily uses horizontal signals outside of two situations: (1) snowy areas, or (2) signals placed in tight spots for additional visibility. Otherwise, signals are always horizontal. Because Japan drives on the left, the horizontal signals are opposite from what you'd see in the right-hand traffic countries. So, red is on the far right, closest to the inside of the road, with green on the outside. Arrows are also used, and are placed below the main lenses at horizontal signals, and to the right at vertical signals. The arrows are always green, no yellow arrows to be found here. Most four way intersections will have a right-facing green arrow, some with left turn lanes also have a left turn filter signal. T intersections never have green arrows, the protected phase has oncoming traffic stop on red, but there is no indication of this to turning traffic; Japanese law does not seem to allow a green arrow and green orb to be lit simultaneously. The signals themselves are either grey or dark brown. There have been three design "ages": incandescent signals, then LED signals with visors, and (presently) LED signals without a visor. The non-visor signals are single units, rather than individual signal faces.

Next, I want to talk about operations. Japan is...not the most creative when it comes to signal phasing. The standard phasing is very simple: through traffic and pedestrians have green simultaneous, turning traffic yields; this is followed by a green arrow for right turning traffic. The right turn green arrows always come on at the same time, for both directions, no matter what. Most four-way intersections with turn lanes will have this operation, though some do not have any protected phase (example here with a double right turn). Three-way intersections, for traffic turning right off the top of the T, also typically get a protected phase, but as mentioned above, there is no green arrow; traffic has to deduce that it's their turn based on oncoming traffic having stopped. Regardless of the number of turn lanes, these operations described above are the same (double left turns, double right turns, everything is always a yield). Advanced left turns are exceedingly rare. I have only seen one, and it is shown with a green right, up, and left arrows and a red orb (example on my Flickr). Green phases of any kind always end with the yellow orb, even green arrows (so the main three-section signal will go from red to yellow if a green arrow phase is ending, kind of confusing if you only look for a split second).

Importantly: all traffic signals are timed. There are no actuated signals in Japan, that I've seen at least. I think they have time of day phasing, but that may be it. Pedestrian walk signals always activate with through traffic. Left on red is prohibited except on military installations.

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