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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: Treliazz on March 03, 2020, 05:32:24 PM

Title: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: Treliazz on March 03, 2020, 05:32:24 PM
The Philly set up is the Traffic Signal with Backplates on the top, and without the backplate on the bottom, and the color of the signals is yellow. Is there's any of that in Texas?
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: PHLBOS on March 04, 2020, 09:40:49 AM
Quote from: Treliazz on March 03, 2020, 05:32:24 PMThe Philly set up is the Traffic Signal with Backplates on the top, and without the backplate on the bottom, and the color of the signals is yellow.
Having resided in the Philly area for almost 30 years; in most instances, what you're describing was likely the result of the lower-portion of the backplate was damaged and fell off.  Additionally, backplated signalheads are typically mast-arm-mounted ones only & many of the older mast-arm-mounted signals don't have any backplates at all.

To my knowledge, Philly & the surrounding suburbs have used yellow-colored signalheads since at least the 1970s.
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: -- US 175 -- on March 04, 2020, 03:12:41 PM
There are many places in TX with yellow signal housings, some with backplates, some without.  I've never seen one where there was only part of a signal with a backplate, unless it was possibly old or damaged.
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: jakeroot on March 05, 2020, 02:16:11 PM
Are you referring to the use of backplates on overhead mast-arm signals, but excluding them on pole-mounted signals (those mounted either on the mast, or on a pole)?

Few if any cities in Texas have pole-mounted signals, at least regularly. But those that I've seen do often exclude the backplate.

The Pennsylvania setup (backplates on overhead only...at least for older signals) is also common in other states like Illinois and Washington.
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: Revive 755 on March 05, 2020, 11:17:37 PM
I have not lived in Philly, but could see them doing a weird back plate setup.  St. Louis County, MO used to only use side back plates on mast arm signals.  Example on Dorsett Road (https://goo.gl/maps/Yi94twcELsAD5mCA7)
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: CoreySamson on March 20, 2020, 03:29:08 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on March 05, 2020, 02:16:11 PM
Are you referring to the use of backplates on overhead mast-arm signals, but excluding them on pole-mounted signals (those mounted either on the mast, or on a pole)?

Few if any cities in Texas have pole-mounted signals, at least regularly. But those that I've seen do often exclude the backplate.

The Pennsylvania setup (backplates on overhead only...at least for older signals) is also common in other states like Illinois and Washington.

From what I've seen, cities in Texas are starting to use pole-mounted signals with their newest signal installations.

And to answer the OP, although I can only account for the Houston area, is that I don't think so; most of the signals I see are all black.
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: texaskdog on March 20, 2020, 05:06:49 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on March 20, 2020, 03:29:08 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on March 05, 2020, 02:16:11 PM
Are you referring to the use of backplates on overhead mast-arm signals, but excluding them on pole-mounted signals (those mounted either on the mast, or on a pole)?

Few if any cities in Texas have pole-mounted signals, at least regularly. But those that I've seen do often exclude the backplate.

The Pennsylvania setup (backplates on overhead only...at least for older signals) is also common in other states like Illinois and Washington.

From what I've seen, cities in Texas are starting to embrace pole mounted signals with their newest signal installations.


Heh heh you said "pole mounted".   And "embrace pole"
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: jakeroot on March 21, 2020, 01:44:39 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on March 20, 2020, 03:29:08 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on March 05, 2020, 02:16:11 PM
Few if any cities in Texas have pole-mounted signals, at least regularly. But those that I've seen do often exclude the backplate.

From what I've seen, cities in Texas are starting to use pole-mounted signals with their newest signal installations.

Can you point to some examples? I've seen a few one-off cases but wasn't sure how common they were.
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: CoreySamson on March 21, 2020, 03:28:55 PM
Sure.

This one could go in a thread about erroneous traffic signals. SH-35 at FM 1459
https://www.google.com/maps/place/TX-35,+Sweeny,+TX+77480/@29.098261,-95.6902964,3a,75y,63.61h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1smbKFDdcXFM_SpLog0PhpXg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x86404d77a12562e7:0x4b73d9d8df137

Not necessarily a traffic signal, but it is mounted on a pole. This went up just a couple years ago.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/State+Hwy+288,+Rosharon,+TX+77583/@29.4517652,-95.4243068,3a,75y,110.14h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sG-JeQgkryF3a3JSXntraRg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640f2e343979175:0x29aec52655838880

New traffic signal in Rockport, where Harvey destroyed all their old traffic signals.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/TX-35+BUS,+Rockport,+TX+78382/@28.0272816,-97.0550047,3a,75y,99.94h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1shOuZnL9BD3YJBYeBXuFDXA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8669b48186fbad37:0x621c390578181039

County Rd 59 at Kirby, Pearland
https://www.google.com/maps/place/County+Rd+59,+Pearland,+TX+77584/@29.5410288,-95.4007595,3a,75y,267.07h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1swwRPsNPUYAcEBhVM_RM-xQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640ecd6237aa56b:0xd99f83494b340a06

SH-71 near Bastrop:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/2854-2884+TX-71,+Cedar+Creek,+TX+78612/@30.174723,-97.5259174,3a,75y,298.65h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3Va55wBlDkH8VGoFfG-kGw!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8644bb801703618d:0x35fd1cb648ece8fa
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: traffic light guy on March 21, 2020, 11:50:37 PM
Show us a picture as an example of what you're talking about
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: jakeroot on March 22, 2020, 12:52:48 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on March 21, 2020, 03:28:55 PM
Sure.

This one could go in a thread about erroneous traffic signals. SH-35 at FM 1459
https://www.google.com/maps/place/TX-35,+Sweeny,+TX+77480/@29.098261,-95.6902964,3a,75y,63.61h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1smbKFDdcXFM_SpLog0PhpXg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x86404d77a12562e7:0x4b73d9d8df137

Not necessarily a traffic signal, but it is mounted on a pole. This went up just a couple years ago.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/State+Hwy+288,+Rosharon,+TX+77583/@29.4517652,-95.4243068,3a,75y,110.14h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sG-JeQgkryF3a3JSXntraRg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640f2e343979175:0x29aec52655838880

New traffic signal in Rockport, where Harvey destroyed all their old traffic signals.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/TX-35+BUS,+Rockport,+TX+78382/@28.0272816,-97.0550047,3a,75y,99.94h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1shOuZnL9BD3YJBYeBXuFDXA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8669b48186fbad37:0x621c390578181039

County Rd 59 at Kirby, Pearland
https://www.google.com/maps/place/County+Rd+59,+Pearland,+TX+77584/@29.5410288,-95.4007595,3a,75y,267.07h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1swwRPsNPUYAcEBhVM_RM-xQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640ecd6237aa56b:0xd99f83494b340a06

SH-71 near Bastrop:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/2854-2884+TX-71,+Cedar+Creek,+TX+78612/@30.174723,-97.5259174,3a,75y,298.65h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3Va55wBlDkH8VGoFfG-kGw!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8644bb801703618d:0x35fd1cb648ece8fa

I think you might be misunderstanding the purpose of this thread.

As I've interpreted it, "pole mounted signals" are those mounted vertically and not overhead (on the sides of the intersection, or in the median, as in your Kirby example). They are very common in some states and some areas, but I've not associated Texas with this practice outside of some very select installations, primarily in larger cities.

It's important to distinguish those areas where pole-mounted signals are used to improve visibility because of a bend in the road (your first example), and where they are used because of a rule in the state MUTCD supplement.

In this image below, I've highlighted the pole-mounted signals at this regular four-way intersection (https://goo.gl/maps/xWXcwSHZQ3tNyXhi8) in Airway Heights, Washington (near Spokane). This intersection uses seven post-mounted signals to supplement the overhead signals. Not for visibility; simply because local regulations stipulate that extra signals (located on the mast (vertical part of a signal 'arm') or an actual pole) accompany the overhead signals.

These signals also meet the OP's requirements (although they are black): overhead signals use backplates, but the pole-mounted signals do not (as in Philadelphia, or many other states, like Illinois or Colorado).

(https://i.imgur.com/YSniPap.png)
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: jakeroot on March 22, 2020, 12:56:49 AM
To the OP:

Vancouver uses a near-exact replica of the Philadelphia setup: overhead 12-inch signals with backplates, and (usually) 8-inch post-mounted signals without backplates; everything is yellow.

(street view of below example (https://goo.gl/maps/X544rQB4X1mghV7AA))

(https://i.imgur.com/azjp7J4.png)
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: CoreySamson on March 22, 2020, 12:07:46 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on March 22, 2020, 12:52:48 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on March 21, 2020, 03:28:55 PM
Sure.

This one could go in a thread about erroneous traffic signals. SH-35 at FM 1459
https://www.google.com/maps/place/TX-35,+Sweeny,+TX+77480/@29.098261,-95.6902964,3a,75y,63.61h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1smbKFDdcXFM_SpLog0PhpXg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x86404d77a12562e7:0x4b73d9d8df137

Not necessarily a traffic signal, but it is mounted on a pole. This went up just a couple years ago.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/State+Hwy+288,+Rosharon,+TX+77583/@29.4517652,-95.4243068,3a,75y,110.14h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sG-JeQgkryF3a3JSXntraRg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640f2e343979175:0x29aec52655838880

New traffic signal in Rockport, where Harvey destroyed all their old traffic signals.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/TX-35+BUS,+Rockport,+TX+78382/@28.0272816,-97.0550047,3a,75y,99.94h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1shOuZnL9BD3YJBYeBXuFDXA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8669b48186fbad37:0x621c390578181039

County Rd 59 at Kirby, Pearland
https://www.google.com/maps/place/County+Rd+59,+Pearland,+TX+77584/@29.5410288,-95.4007595,3a,75y,267.07h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1swwRPsNPUYAcEBhVM_RM-xQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640ecd6237aa56b:0xd99f83494b340a06

SH-71 near Bastrop:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/2854-2884+TX-71,+Cedar+Creek,+TX+78612/@30.174723,-97.5259174,3a,75y,298.65h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3Va55wBlDkH8VGoFfG-kGw!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x8644bb801703618d:0x35fd1cb648ece8fa

I think you might be misunderstanding the purpose of this thread.

As I've interpreted it, "pole mounted signals" are those mounted vertically and not overhead (on the sides of the intersection, or in the median, as in your Kirby example). They are very common in some states and some areas, but I've not associated Texas with this practice outside of some very select installations, primarily in larger cities.

It's important to distinguish those areas where pole-mounted signals are used to improve visibility because of a bend in the road (your first example), and where they are used because of a rule in the state MUTCD supplement.

In this image below, I've highlighted the pole-mounted signals at this regular four-way intersection (https://goo.gl/maps/xWXcwSHZQ3tNyXhi8) in Airway Heights, Washington (near Spokane). This intersection uses seven post-mounted signals to supplement the overhead signals. Not for visibility; simply because local regulations stipulate that extra signals (located on the mast (vertical part of a signal 'arm') or an actual pole) accompany the overhead signals.

These signals also meet the OP's requirements (although they are black): overhead signals use backplates, but the pole-mounted signals do not (as in Philadelphia, or many other states, like Illinois or Colorado).

(https://i.imgur.com/YSniPap.png)

Oops sorry. I'm kind of a traffic light noob. Now I see the point of the thread. Thanks for clarifying.
Title: Re: Is there a city in Texas that has the Philadelpha set up
Post by: jakeroot on March 22, 2020, 02:55:10 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on March 22, 2020, 12:07:46 PM
Oops sorry. I'm kind of a traffic light noob. Now I see the point of the thread. Thanks for clarifying.

It's all good. There are many technical terms at play when it comes to signals; suffice it to say, I don't know all of them either.