Traffic signal

[NoGoodNamesAvailable]

I don't really see how yellow backplates are any worse than regular yellow signals. I would strongly prefer a black or green signal with a yellow backplate, which is prohibited, to a signal with a black backplate with no reflective outline or a yellow signal without a backplate, both of which are permitted.

[traffic light guy]

I don't really see how yellow backplates are any worse than regular yellow signals. I would strongly prefer a black or green signal with a yellow backplate, which is prohibited, to a signal with a black backplate with no reflective outline or a yellow signal without a backplate, both of which are permitted.

I've seen black signals with black backplates before (Pretty counter-productive) 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2186384,-75.2454122,3a,75y,160.11h,99.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_lsyeL-MnXql29545ES9NA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

These signals are aluminum McCains, and were added as part of a 2011 US 202 Parkway project. I like these setups, since I rarely see PA do black signals.

[NoGoodNamesAvailable]

Anyway, overuse of yellow signals by some American agencies is a massive pet peeve of mine. I think green or black signals are more appropriate for almost all rural and suburban installations since they provide better contrast against a red light and against snow. Yellow signals only make sense in dense urban environments to cut through the visual clutter.

[US 89]

Here's something I thought was weird: three different signal models, all on the same mast arm:

[jakeroot]

I don't really see how yellow backplates are any worse than regular yellow signals. I would strongly prefer a black or green signal with a yellow backplate, which is prohibited, to a signal with a black backplate with no reflective outline or a yellow signal without a backplate, both of which are permitted.

I've seen black signals with black backplates before (Pretty counter-productive) 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2186384,-75.2454122,3a,75y,160.11h,99.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_lsyeL-MnXql29545ES9NA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

These signals are aluminum McCains, and were added as part of a 2011 US 202 Parkway project. I like these setups, since I rarely see PA do black signals.

That's pretty much every state west of the Mississippi (and a few east of it). Washington and Oregon have started using yellow retro-reflective borders (improved visibility when dark), but always black backplates.

The point is for the entire assembly to stand out against a bright background (such as the sun). IMO, black-on-black is just as effective as yellow-on-yellow, since both colors occur very rarely in nature.

Here's something I thought was weird: three different signal models, all on the same mast arm:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/958/42170880972_0f19ff4d19_c.jpg

Mixed installations are starting to become more common in Washington thanks to the FYA. Through heads might be a mix of Alusigs and Peaks, but the FYA will be a McCain.

[freebrickproductions]

Here's something I thought was weird: three different signal models, all on the same mast arm:

Happens quite a bit in larger cities, as usually only one or two signals at an intersection may need replacing, so it'd be uneconomical to replaced every signal at an intersection should just one get damaged.

[traffic light guy]

Here's something I thought was weird: three different signal models, all on the same mast arm:

That's a regular occurrence in PA and Delaware

[Michael]

I don't really see how yellow backplates are any worse than regular yellow signals. I would strongly prefer a black or green signal with a yellow backplate, which is prohibited, to a signal with a black backplate with no reflective outline or a yellow signal without a backplate, both of which are permitted.

I've seen black signals with black backplates before (Pretty counter-productive) 

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2186384,-75.2454122,3a,75y,160.11h,99.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_lsyeL-MnXql29545ES9NA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

These signals are aluminum McCains, and were added as part of a 2011 US 202 Parkway project. I like these setups, since I rarely see PA do black signals.

That's pretty much every state west of the Mississippi (and a few east of it). Washington and Oregon have started using yellow retro-reflective borders (improved visibility when dark), but always black backplates.

The point is for the entire assembly to stand out against a bright background (such as the sun). IMO, black-on-black is just as effective as yellow-on-yellow, since both colors occur very rarely in nature.

For as long as I can remember, NY 318 had black backplates at the intersection of NY 414 until the stoplight was replaced when the resort/casino opened just to the north.  I always thought it was odd, but then one day I realized that since the backplates were on the east and west approaches, that they might be to make the lights easier to see in the sun.  The odd thing is that this was (and still is) the only one I've ever seen.

[US 89]

Here's something I thought was weird: three different signal models, all on the same mast arm:

Happens quite a bit in larger cities, as usually only one or two signals at an intersection may need replacing, so it'd be uneconomical to replaced every signal at an intersection should just one get damaged.

That makes sense, but Utah loves to replace what isn't broken. Just this past month, all 12 signal heads at this intersection were replaced, even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with the old ones. There are very few intersections that mix black and yellow signals like this one. In most cases, all three of the signals above would have been replaced as soon as one of them broke.

Anyway, does anyone know the model of each of these signals? They're all pretty common in Utah.

[freebrickproductions]

Here's something I thought was weird: three different signal models, all on the same mast arm:

Happens quite a bit in larger cities, as usually only one or two signals at an intersection may need replacing, so it'd be uneconomical to replaced every signal at an intersection should just one get damaged.

That makes sense, but Utah loves to replace what isn't broken. Just this past month, all 12 signal heads at this intersection were replaced, even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with the old ones. There are very few intersections that mix black and yellow signals like this one. In most cases, all three of the signals above would have been replaced as soon as one of them broke.

Anyway, does anyone know the model of each of these signals? They're all pretty common in Utah.

From left to right: McCain, Siemens (Eagle), Peek or Chapel Hill.

[jakeroot]

I guess they don't want to use yellow signals in Federal Way anymore:

[freebrickproductions]

I guess they don't want to use yellow signals in Federal Way anymore:

Marbelite signal on the left, and what looks to be an Intelite on the right. Nice find!

[kphoger]

I've seen black signals with black backplates before

That's pretty much every state west of the Mississippi (and a few east of it).

I was going to say, that looks like–well, a normal stoplight.

[jakeroot]

I guess they don't want to use yellow signals in Federal Way anymore:

https://i.imgur.com/p4bi6z3.jpg

Marbelite signal on the left, and what looks to be an Intelite on the right. Nice find!

In Federal Way, I think there's more of those Intelites than Marbelites. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for unusual signals, and the Marbelites are not common here.

[traffic light guy]

I found this undefined signal in Philadelphia, right next to the Crouse-Hinds model M, there is an 8" head with the letters "HS" on the back of the signal, written in cursive, anyone have a clue what this is:

Crouse-Hinds Type M with an H&S Signal by thesignalman, on Flickr

The signal's shell has a very close resemblance to the Automatic LFE.

[freebrickproductions]

That'd be a Highway Signal & Sign signal, from the sound of it. Got a close-up of the back?

[traffic light guy]

That'd be a Highway Signal & Sign signal, from the sound of it. Got a close-up of the back?

I never got a chance to get a back shot. I'm thinking the signal might've been made by Horni

[jakeroot]

Bellevue, WA refuses to place their supplemental post-mounted signals on their own posts, always opting for the mast (probably due to power availability). This sometimes results in the signal being quite far off to the right left. I have my own photo, but Street View shows it better:

[roadfro]

Bellevue, WA refuses to place their supplemental post-mounted signals on their own posts, always opting for the mast (probably due to power availability). This sometimes results in the signal being quite far off to the right. I have my own photo, but Street View shows it better

I always thought the power for signal heads came from the pedestal and controller cabinet, regardless of where the head is located. (I could be wrong though.) If that's the case, then placement wouldn't matter.

The example you posted is rather peculiar. That supplemental left turn signal head is so far left that it seems it would be outside the field of view for all cars except first in queue. They could easily have put that signal head on the pole at the corner that is supporting pedestrian signal heads–no extra structural elements required.

[jakeroot]

Bellevue, WA refuses to place their supplemental post-mounted signals on their own posts, always opting for the mast (probably due to power availability). This sometimes results in the signal being quite far off to the right. I have my own photo, but Street View shows it better

I always thought the power for signal heads came from the pedestal and controller cabinet, regardless of where the head is located. (I could be wrong though.) If that's the case, then placement wouldn't matter.

The example you posted is rather peculiar. That supplemental left turn signal head is so far left that it seems it would be outside the field of view for all cars except first in queue. They could easily have put that signal head on the pole at the corner that is supporting pedestrian signal heads–no extra structural elements required.

Based on this FYA study from 2009 (from Federal Way, WA, where secondary signals are now the rule), secondary signal heads are not always used on retrofit jobs due to lack of available "conduit capacity". I misunderstood this as meaning a power supply issue until this exact moment. I guess it has more to due with the current poles not having enough wiring? It could be that the pedestrian signal head poles that Bellevue has [and continues to] utilise don't have enough wiring to support a signal head. Could also be a wind load issue. I really have no idea.

Here's a brand new signal that, as of this Street View image, had yet to be finished. As you can see, they always use the mast for the secondary signal heads, despite the availability of pedestrian head poles on all four corners. I wish I had a firm answer for why.

[traffic light guy]

Bellevue, WA refuses to place their supplemental post-mounted signals on their own posts, always opting for the mast (probably due to power availability). This sometimes results in the signal being quite far off to the right left. I have my own photo, but Street View shows it better:

What's the point, I get that it's a wiring problem, but nobody is gonna be able to see a signal that's that far off the intersection

[traffic light guy]

McCain Left Turn Signal with a pair of 3Ms by thesignalman, on Flickr

Here's something that's a bit cheap, notice how the thru signals are 3Ms, while the protected left turn signal is a normal McCain. Wouldn't it make sense if this were the other way around, instead of having normal turn signal, and PV thru heads; the left turn signal should be a PV signal.

[freebrickproductions]

McCain Left Turn Signal with a pair of 3Ms by thesignalman, on Flickr

Here's something that's a bit cheap, notice how the thru signals are 3Ms, while the protected left turn signal is a normal McCain. Wouldn't it make sense if this were the other way around, instead of having normal turn signal, and PV thru heads; the left turn signal should be a PV signal.

Is there another street coming in at a sharp angle to that intersection, or a railroad crossing or another intersection right behind you? It's entirely possible that they were all 3Ms but the left turn signal got struck and had to be replaced, and all that the town had on hand was a McCain signal and a set of louvers.

[jakeroot]

Bellevue, WA refuses to place their supplemental post-mounted signals on their own posts, always opting for the mast (probably due to power availability). This sometimes results in the signal being quite far off to the right left. I have my own photo, but Street View shows it better:

What's the point, I get that it's a wiring problem, but nobody is gonna be able to see a signal that's that far off the intersection

Supplemental left turn signal heads are required in Bellevue. But, because of this bizarre "rule" that seemingly requires the signals to be on the mast and not its own pole, they sometimes end up pretty far off to the side. I wouldn't argue against the merits of a supplemental left turn head; they are very helpful when behind tall vehicles (amongst other reasons). But this implementation is rather odd. They should be closer to the edge of the road so that they can be seen out of one's peripheral vision while watching oncoming traffic.

[Scott5114]

I have a feeling jakeroot would tear his hair out if he saw the signal installs in the Oklahoma City area.