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Regional Boards => Pacific Southwest => Topic started by: i-215 on June 28, 2018, 09:06:07 PM

Title: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: i-215 on June 28, 2018, 09:06:07 PM
Anyone see any flashing yellow signals in California yet?  I've drive around LA, Orange, and the IE counties and haven't seen a single one yet.  I thought the "doghouse" signals were being phased out for flashing yellow.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: Pink Jazz on June 29, 2018, 12:08:02 AM
Note that California has its own State MUTCD, and as far as I know the California MUTCD did not include them until its 2014 edition, which is why they are probably less common there.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: Techknow on June 29, 2018, 12:11:17 AM
There is a flashing yellow signal at San Jose Avenue in San Francisco between Ocean and Geneva Avenue. It's there to inform motorists of a Muni Light Rail Vehicle, and if there is one that needs to turn to the street, it goes red. It's been city operated for many years.

Of course I drive by it almost all the time, and I'm not aware of any other flashing yellow signals. I think the HAWK signals on Sloat Blvd (CA-35) also flash yellow.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on June 29, 2018, 12:13:09 AM
Never seen one once in; Kern, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Inyo, and Mono Counties.  I frequent all those counties regularly, I'm fairly confident I would have seen one by now.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: jakeroot on June 29, 2018, 01:28:44 AM
Here's at least two; there are more in these communities IIRC:

Industrial Ave @ Freedom Way, Roseville: https://goo.gl/1cs4xn
Valley Trails/Parkside Drive @ Hopyard Road, Pleasanton: https://goo.gl/yByyXV

Supposedly, the IE was to have several installed last year, but I cannot find any on Street View (despite the capture date being after the planned install date): https://goo.gl/hwrZxf
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: pderocco on June 29, 2018, 01:46:56 AM
El Cajon has flashing yellow left arrows along Magnolia through downtown, in addition to the green ball. Explicit signs explain the meaning:

https://goo.gl/maps/ido4KFB7QtD2 (https://goo.gl/maps/ido4KFB7QtD2)
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: ranger5830 on June 29, 2018, 03:36:54 AM
There is one at the corner of Santa Rosa (Highway 1) and Monterey Streets in San Luis Obispo.  I'm not exactly sure how long it's been there but it's been at least a little while.  https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2826014,-120.6600164,3a,75y,355.46h,114.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQncMCCzVn-Ok_AxuwPpmbg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: Amtrakprod on June 29, 2018, 07:43:19 AM
Long Beach CA has one: http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/flashing-arrow-traffic-light-installed/
; https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7616892,-118.1416764,3a,75y,50.35h,95.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFZGm_EedMoy6l-4MLP0LyA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192


iPhone
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: GaryA on June 29, 2018, 01:12:33 PM
Several have popped up in Thousand Oaks, including this one on Moorpark Road in front of TO High:  https://goo.gl/maps/7hYGLbVm7Z32
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: myosh_tino on June 29, 2018, 01:37:33 PM
Flashing yellow arrows still remain extremely rare in the San Jose area due to the fact that just about all left turns are protected.    Come to think of it, there aren't that many doghouse signals in Santa Clara county either.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: jdbx on June 29, 2018, 02:35:10 PM
There are several along Geary Blvd on the Pleasant Hill / Walnut Creek Border.  Here is an example:

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9264812,-122.0734864,3a,75y,183.47h,88.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syxZqz7AM7hMad5E_1WTAiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I haven't seem them too many other places yet.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: jakeroot on June 29, 2018, 03:12:15 PM
Quote from: jdbx on June 29, 2018, 02:35:10 PM
There are several along Geary Blvd on the Pleasant Hill / Walnut Creek Border.  Here is an example:

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9264812,-122.0734864,3a,75y,183.47h,88.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syxZqz7AM7hMad5E_1WTAiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I haven't seem them too many other places yet.

Two things interesting about that signal:

1) three-head FYA when the clearance appears to be a non-issue
2) the signal that was replaced did not have a left-side repeater. I thought California had always done this, even at fully permissive signals.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: TheStranger on June 29, 2018, 03:54:02 PM
Quote from: Techknow on June 29, 2018, 12:11:17 AM

Of course I drive by it almost all the time, and I'm not aware of any other flashing yellow signals.

Going eastbound on Washington Street at Powell, there's a flashing yellow because through traffic cannot continue straight on (as Washington at that point becomes one-way westbound there!).  I think there are several situations like that around Pacific Heights and the downtown core.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: DTComposer on June 29, 2018, 04:13:51 PM
Quite a few that I know of in Fullerton. Off the top of my head on Euclid and Lemon between Commonwealth and the 91.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: roadfro on June 30, 2018, 10:43:29 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on June 29, 2018, 03:12:15 PM
Quote from: jdbx on June 29, 2018, 02:35:10 PM
There are several along Geary Blvd on the Pleasant Hill / Walnut Creek Border.  Here is an example:

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9264812,-122.0734864,3a,75y,183.47h,88.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syxZqz7AM7hMad5E_1WTAiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I haven't seem them too many other places yet.

Two things interesting about that signal:

1) three-head FYA when the clearance appears to be a non-issue
2) the signal that was replaced did not have a left-side repeater. I thought California had always done this, even at fully permissive signals.

Given the other signals at the intersection appear to use the 4-section FYA heads, maybe this one is permanently permissive?

Another observation is the FYA signage used--the graphic uses a yellow circle with black arrow instead of the correct black circle with yellow arrow.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: Revive 755 on June 30, 2018, 10:52:20 AM
Quote from: roadfro on June 30, 2018, 10:43:29 AM
Another observation is the FYA signage used--the graphic uses a yellow circle with black arrow instead of the correct black circle with yellow arrow.

Technically there should not be any symbol on the flashing yellow arrow signs without permission from FHWA to experiment.  It should be an all-text sign.
Title: Re: Flashing Yellow in California?
Post by: jakeroot on June 30, 2018, 01:32:45 PM
Quote from: roadfro on June 30, 2018, 10:43:29 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on June 29, 2018, 03:12:15 PM
Quote from: jdbx on June 29, 2018, 02:35:10 PM
There are several along Geary Blvd on the Pleasant Hill / Walnut Creek Border.  Here is an example:

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9264812,-122.0734864,3a,75y,183.47h,88.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syxZqz7AM7hMad5E_1WTAiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I haven't seem them too many other places yet.

Two things interesting about that signal:

1) three-head FYA when the clearance appears to be a non-issue
2) the signal that was replaced did not have a left-side repeater. I thought California had always done this, even at fully permissive signals.

Given the other signals at the intersection appear to use the 4-section FYA heads, maybe this one is permanently permissive?

Certainly could be the case. I've only ever seen one of these with my own eyes, and it no longer exists (having been replaced with a normal flashing yellow arrow). I have a tendency to forget that they are a thing.