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Traffic signal

Started by Tom89t, January 14, 2012, 01:01:45 AM

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PColumbus73

Quote from: plain on February 19, 2022, 08:43:08 PM
Quote from: PColumbus73 on February 19, 2022, 06:01:12 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on January 18, 2022, 11:12:03 AM
Quote from: SkyPesos on January 18, 2022, 11:06:25 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on January 18, 2022, 10:47:01 AM
https://goo.gl/maps/cDS9CuFWLkPP4L8D6

NJ always had signals with heads over the opposing lanes of traffic.  I never understood that reasoning until I moved down to Florida where the state here follows the MUTCD hanging only the needed signal heads directly in front of the driver.  That created a problem once I had semis in front of me blocking my sight of the signals.

The above location has the two sided double back to back heads as you can see which allows you to have an alternate view of the signals orientation if a large semi is the vehicle ahead of you.

IL and CA have something similar, but near right side side mount signal heads instead.

Too bad NJ is phasing out the median mast arms you see here for more traditional mast arm set ups, but I like this set up here. I don't like the street blades though showing the cardinal directions here though due to the inability to turn left or right here restricted by the NO TURNS sign posted.
I like those setups that have some near side and vertically mounted signals. So many states just use far side overhead signals, and nothing else.

NJ would often have 6 mast arms at a typical four way intersection. On highways it was a neat feature to have.

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.438471,-79.1276102,3a,60y,35.28h,88.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sASO9H6wu_qTXnobgDvWSEA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Something that is fairly common in the Carolinas is having a near-side signal overhead at certain intersections.

I remember when NC in particular used to have exactly one far side and one near side signal for each direction at many regular (no turn lane) intersections, and of course all hung from wire spans. I used to think they looked funny.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0006475,-78.3277254,3a,32.7y,304.06h,94.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2OAhZBs7kt8PmrNNjSKGeg!2e0!5s20071101T000000!7i3328!8i1664

From 2007 in Clinton, NC


Amtrakprod

Roadgeek, railfan, and crossing signal fan. From Massachusetts, and in high school. Youtube is my website link. Loves FYAs signals. Interest in Bicycle Infrastructure. Owns one Leotech Pedestrian Signal, and a Safetran Type 1 E bell.

plain

Quote from: PColumbus73 on February 19, 2022, 10:07:49 PM
Quote from: plain on February 19, 2022, 08:43:08 PM
Quote from: PColumbus73 on February 19, 2022, 06:01:12 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on January 18, 2022, 11:12:03 AM
Quote from: SkyPesos on January 18, 2022, 11:06:25 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on January 18, 2022, 10:47:01 AM
https://goo.gl/maps/cDS9CuFWLkPP4L8D6

NJ always had signals with heads over the opposing lanes of traffic.  I never understood that reasoning until I moved down to Florida where the state here follows the MUTCD hanging only the needed signal heads directly in front of the driver.  That created a problem once I had semis in front of me blocking my sight of the signals.

The above location has the two sided double back to back heads as you can see which allows you to have an alternate view of the signals orientation if a large semi is the vehicle ahead of you.

IL and CA have something similar, but near right side side mount signal heads instead.

Too bad NJ is phasing out the median mast arms you see here for more traditional mast arm set ups, but I like this set up here. I don't like the street blades though showing the cardinal directions here though due to the inability to turn left or right here restricted by the NO TURNS sign posted.
I like those setups that have some near side and vertically mounted signals. So many states just use far side overhead signals, and nothing else.

NJ would often have 6 mast arms at a typical four way intersection. On highways it was a neat feature to have.

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.438471,-79.1276102,3a,60y,35.28h,88.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sASO9H6wu_qTXnobgDvWSEA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Something that is fairly common in the Carolinas is having a near-side signal overhead at certain intersections.

I remember when NC in particular used to have exactly one far side and one near side signal for each direction at many regular (no turn lane) intersections, and of course all hung from wire spans. I used to think they looked funny.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0006475,-78.3277254,3a,32.7y,304.06h,94.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2OAhZBs7kt8PmrNNjSKGeg!2e0!5s20071101T000000!7i3328!8i1664

From 2007 in Clinton, NC

Yep, that was basically the setup. Used to be very common in certain parts of the state.


Quote from: Amtrakprod on February 22, 2022, 09:09:09 AM
Original type of PHB: https://youtu.be/YPBRhl-VH3E


iPhone

I don't think I've ever seen such an operation like that before. Is that in Tucson?
Newark born, Richmond bred

Big John

Quote from: Amtrakprod on February 22, 2022, 09:09:09 AM
Original type of PHB: https://youtu.be/YPBRhl-VH3E


iPhone
Looks like a precursor to the HAWK with the all-vertical signal face but behaves the same way without the wigwag.

jakeroot

Quote from: plain on February 22, 2022, 01:29:20 PM
I don't think I've ever seen such an operation like that before. Is that in Tucson?
Quote from: Big John on February 22, 2022, 01:49:56 PM
Looks like a precursor to the HAWK with the all-vertical signal face but behaves the same way without the wigwag.

It's an early version of the HAWK installed by the City of Tucson. This signal was one of a couple that were a precursor of the current HAWK.

Lukeisroads

Anyone that lives in arizona go to kingman stockton hill rd has FYAs at two intersections its a part of the safety program its finished i went on a trip there and saw it and i said to my self "im proud of you Kingman Proud of you"

roadman65

Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

Hobart

Quote from: roadman65 on March 05, 2022, 09:05:41 AM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/51912702774
Interesting signal mishap I caught on camera.

I wonder if the controller gave out, or if it just has sloppy tolerances and you got a picture in the half second both the green and yellow are on.

They might have also put those signals on a ridiculously old controller, but probably not.
This is my signature. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

Big John

^^ The control box (located behind the hospital sign post) looks to be modern.

SkyPesos

Found pedestrian signals that can be activated by waving close to the button a few days ago. Never seen something like this before. The sensor's pretty strong too, as it sensed me riding my bike past it.

https://imgur.com/a/0yUAA9V

LilianaUwU

These lane signals are synchronized with the nearby traffic light - whenever the light is red, all lanes have an X.

Red light:
Lane signals synced with traffic light 1 by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

Green light:
Lane signals synced with traffic light 2 by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

The traffic light itself on Street View
"Volcano with no fire... Not volcano... Just mountain."
—Mr. Thwomp

My pronouns are she/her. Also, I'm an admin on the AARoads Wiki.

SignBridge

Quote from: SkyPesos on March 07, 2022, 01:01:42 AM
Found pedestrian signals that can be activated by waving close to the button a few days ago. Never seen something like this before. The sensor's pretty strong too, as it sensed me riding my bike past it

https://imgur.com/a/0yUAA9V

Why does it need to be activated by waving? For people who are too lazy to press the button maybe ?

Big John

Quote from: SignBridge on March 07, 2022, 07:44:03 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 07, 2022, 01:01:42 AM
Found pedestrian signals that can be activated by waving close to the button a few days ago. Never seen something like this before. The sensor's pretty strong too, as it sensed me riding my bike past it

https://imgur.com/a/0yUAA9V

Why does it need to be activated by waving? For people who are too lazy to press the button maybe ?
Or people who don't want to touch a "dirty" button.

LilianaUwU

On Saturday, I noticed a ped signal where the symbol was "filled in" (the whole symbol was lit), as opposed to the standard way of outlining the symbols.

Filled in signal:

"Filled in" pedestrian signal by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

Standard signal, for comparison:

Regular pedestrian signal by Liliana Vess, on Flickr
"Volcano with no fire... Not volcano... Just mountain."
—Mr. Thwomp

My pronouns are she/her. Also, I'm an admin on the AARoads Wiki.

SkyPesos

#4464
Quote from: LilianaUwU on March 07, 2022, 11:51:50 PM
On Saturday, I noticed a ped signal where the symbol was "filled in" (the whole symbol was lit), as opposed to the standard way of outlining the symbols.

Filled in signal:

[img snipped]

Standard signal, for comparison:

[img snipped]
Filled in "hand" signals are much more common here in the states. I think it may be a Canada thing with the outlines. Even though I haven't visited Quebec yet, I recall seeing outlines when I was in Toronto a while ago.

EDIT: Looking at a few more Canadian cities, Vancouver seems to be an exception in this, using filled in "hand" symbols in a single display (while the other Canadian cities I looked up uses two displays stacked on each other).

Dirt Roads

Quote from: LilianaUwU on March 07, 2022, 11:51:50 PM
On Saturday, I noticed a ped signal where the symbol was "filled in" (the whole symbol was lit), as opposed to the standard way of outlining the symbols.

Filled in signal:

"Filled in" pedestrian signal by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

Standard signal, for comparison:

Regular pedestrian signal by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

Quote from: SkyPesos on March 08, 2022, 12:04:50 AM
Filled in "hand" signals are much more common here in the states. I think it may be a Canada thing with the outlines. Even though I haven't visited Quebec yet, I recall seeing outlines when I was in Toronto a while ago.

EDIT: Looking at a few more Canadian cities, Vancouver seems to be an exception in this, using filled in "hand" symbols in a single display (while the other Canadian cities I looked up uses two displays stacked on each other).

It is a technology issue.  For the two Canadian examples from LilianaUwU, the first is LED technology (light emitting diode) and the second is LCD technology (liquid crystal diode).  Plus, an older technology that is still common here in the States used a silk-screened coverglass with back lighting.  We railroaders coined the term "Blank Out Sign" for that technology, but the term now applies to a much wider group of sign technologies (including that first example here).

The most simplistic versions of LCD and silk-screened coverglass involved stencil-type appliques, which make it inherently difficult to create thin lines.  There are other overlapping techniques that work to provide finer details, but these require either a separate backlight diffuser screenlens or targeted backlighting, both which increase the cost of the sign.

I'm more familiar with signage used in rail transit and railroading, so there may also also be some other types used in traffic signs.  I noticed one type of newfangled blank-out technology that uses active blacking of the front coverglass when the power is removed from the sign backlighting.  I have no idea why that would be necessary.

roadfro

Quote from: SkyPesos on March 08, 2022, 12:04:50 AM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on March 07, 2022, 11:51:50 PM
On Saturday, I noticed a ped signal where the symbol was "filled in" (the whole symbol was lit), as opposed to the standard way of outlining the symbols.

Filled in signal:

[img snipped]

Standard signal, for comparison:

[img snipped]
Filled in "hand" signals are much more common here in the states. I think it may be a Canada thing with the outlines. Even though I haven't visited Quebec yet, I recall seeing outlines when I was in Toronto a while ago.

EDIT: Looking at a few more Canadian cities, Vancouver seems to be an exception in this, using filled in "hand" symbols in a single display (while the other Canadian cities I looked up uses two displays stacked on each other).

"Outline" pedestrian signal indications are actually not allowed in the United States anymore. They were used in a few areas, probably coming about as LED signal indications began proliferating in the late 1990s/early 2000s. I don't know that outlines were ever specifically allowed, but they were later specifically prohibited (can't remember if it was the 2003 or 2009 MUTCD that did this, or was some other interpretation). I think part of the rationale was the outline versions not being as easy to see from distance for people with visual impairments.
Roadfro - AARoads Pacific Southwest moderator since 2010, Nevada roadgeek since 1983.

Caps81943

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4862384,-75.0234513,3a,41.2y,192.33h,85.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9cNYQiddh82qU5mpivQtZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Replaced between 2016 and 2018, but Vineland NJ had VERY old signals until recently. The biggest highlight to me is the fact that GREEN "walk" indications were used.

Anyone have an estimate on how old these were?

RestrictOnTheHanger

Found some interesting signals on a recent trip to Florida.

A 5 section left turn signal with 2 green arrows, 1 yellow arrow, and 2 red arrows. Presumably to cover the dual left turn lanes

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4XFz4UsS8TqhmuAD9

Fully 8 inch doghouse, including the arrows

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Prnarts1Uorbptog7

A "seagull" intersection, but not all thru lanes get a continuous green

https://maps.app.goo.gl/JhhHEXFs3DkUp5sk6

Amtrakprod


Somerville MA


iPhone
Roadgeek, railfan, and crossing signal fan. From Massachusetts, and in high school. Youtube is my website link. Loves FYAs signals. Interest in Bicycle Infrastructure. Owns one Leotech Pedestrian Signal, and a Safetran Type 1 E bell.

STLmapboy

This whole set-up in Miami is interesting. Continuous green left arrow, sign in Spanish.
Teenage STL area roadgeek.
Missouri>>>>>Illinois

mariethefoxy

https://goo.gl/maps/1oqhS9cutTNLgHJM7 Des Moines for some reason uses PV signals in places where you wouldnt normally need them like angled or skewed intersections. This is just a standard city block downtown. The side mounted ones are regular lights. I have no idea why they would do this and spend the extra money on PV lights.

I noticed something similar in Minneapolis but I put it down to them just wanting to support 3M being a Minnesota company. But they also use other brands of PV signals too.

Dirt Roads

Quote from: mariethefoxy on March 28, 2022, 03:28:00 AM
https://goo.gl/maps/1oqhS9cutTNLgHJM7 Des Moines for some reason uses PV signals in places where you wouldnt normally need them like angled or skewed intersections. This is just a standard city block downtown. The side mounted ones are regular lights. I have no idea why they would do this and spend the extra money on PV lights.

I noticed something similar in Minneapolis but I put it down to them just wanting to support 3M being a Minnesota company. But they also use other brands of PV signals too.

That is really cool.  This is something we do more frequently on the railroads, except that we don't have programmable visibility signals.  Normally, you use PV signals to reduce the viewing angle to help folks like me who see too many signals and might stop for the wrong display.  But they are often quite useful in improving the aim of the signal lens to an exact spot at the furthest visible location.  On the railroads, we call this "spotting" and the fresnel lenses are modified with a rotatable "spot" lens that can be aimed (almost always aimed around a curve).

In this case, there is an overhead walkway on Locust Street at the edge of the intersection (straight above you in this image).  The two PV traffic signals on the mast arms you are looking ought to both be programmed to aim the best angle just under the bottom edge of that walkway structure at the driver's position of each lane (the right one has the 7th Street megastreetblade, and the left one is R6-1R one way).  The view from the location of the GSV camera atop the vehicle is similar to a trucker's view.  However, it doesn't appear that either of these are actually spotted correctly.  I'm guessing that the traffic signal contractor proposed using PV signals all through the downtown area to address any such issues (those overhead crosswalks are all over the place) to avoid any additional costs associated with fixing the one or two spots that do have problems.

Amtrakprod

Quote from: STLmapboy on March 27, 2022, 07:46:54 PM
This whole set-up in Miami is interesting. Continuous green left arrow, sign in Spanish.
Loosely translated: Don't stop, you have the freedom (priority).


iPhone
Roadgeek, railfan, and crossing signal fan. From Massachusetts, and in high school. Youtube is my website link. Loves FYAs signals. Interest in Bicycle Infrastructure. Owns one Leotech Pedestrian Signal, and a Safetran Type 1 E bell.

jakeroot

Thought this might be relevant over here too. Cross-post from the WA thread:

Quote from: jakeroot on April 07, 2022, 11:12:00 PM
I had always thought Seattle's old-style flashing yellow left turn signal was relegated to Seattle only. Apparently not. Here is a video showing the 518 back and forth to-from Burien. At the very end of the video (literally last 20 seconds of footage from about 9:25 onwards) you can actually see a Seattle-style flashing yellow arrow left turn signal at the point where westbound 518 turns left onto the southbound 509 on-ramp (Google Maps link). This operated permissively until 2008, when it was turned into a double left turn. At some point, probably during the 1990s, the approach was modified so that the left turn used a 5-section doghouse, as was most common by that point.

https://youtu.be/H4zHsApLJ4A?t=565



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