Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
I seriously question if you're from or near Philadelphia. Not only is this a standard feature across the river in NJ - with the light often on the overhead mast itself - it's even a standard feature on some roads in Philly, especially Broad Street.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 17, 2022, 12:21:49 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
I seriously question if you're from or near Philadelphia. Not only is this a standard feature across the river in NJ - with the light often on the overhead mast itself - it's even a standard feature on some roads in Philly, especially Broad Street.
I never claimed to be from Philadelphia. And I avoid Camden like the plague.
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:25:09 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 17, 2022, 12:21:49 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
I seriously question if you're from or near Philadelphia. Not only is this a standard feature across the river in NJ - with the light often on the overhead mast itself - it's even a standard feature on some roads in Philly, especially Broad Street.
I never claimed to be from Philadelphia. And I avoid Camden like the plague.
See your profile, you silly man.
Quote from: Rothman on April 17, 2022, 12:29:26 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:25:09 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 17, 2022, 12:21:49 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
I seriously question if you're from or near Philadelphia. Not only is this a standard feature across the river in NJ - with the light often on the overhead mast itself - it's even a standard feature on some roads in Philly, especially Broad Street.
I never claimed to be from Philadelphia. And I avoid Camden like the plague.
See your profile, you silly man.
You know sometimes people do move from where they were born to another place, it happens. So no, I am not from Philadelphia.
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:30:36 AM
Quote from: Rothman on April 17, 2022, 12:29:26 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:25:09 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 17, 2022, 12:21:49 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
I seriously question if you're from or near Philadelphia. Not only is this a standard feature across the river in NJ - with the light often on the overhead mast itself - it's even a standard feature on some roads in Philly, especially Broad Street.
I never claimed to be from Philadelphia. And I avoid Camden like the plague.
See your profile, you silly man.
You know sometimes people do move from where they were born to another place, it happens. So no, I am not from Philadelphia.
But your profile claims you are.
In case anyone was wondering I'm not from Route 9, Sector 26. I apologize if anyone has been searching the Australian Outback looking for me.
Quote from: Rothman on April 17, 2022, 12:32:13 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:30:36 AM
Quote from: Rothman on April 17, 2022, 12:29:26 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:25:09 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 17, 2022, 12:21:49 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
I seriously question if you're from or near Philadelphia. Not only is this a standard feature across the river in NJ - with the light often on the overhead mast itself - it's even a standard feature on some roads in Philly, especially Broad Street.
I never claimed to be from Philadelphia. And I avoid Camden like the plague.
See your profile, you silly man.
You know sometimes people do move from where they were born to another place, it happens. So no, I am not from Philadelphia.
But your profile claims you are.
No, it just says "location", that is hardly the same as where someone is from. Maybe its a terminology thing but when I ask someone where they are from I mean where they were born.
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:34:37 AM
Quote from: Rothman on April 17, 2022, 12:32:13 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:30:36 AM
Quote from: Rothman on April 17, 2022, 12:29:26 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:25:09 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 17, 2022, 12:21:49 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
I seriously question if you're from or near Philadelphia. Not only is this a standard feature across the river in NJ - with the light often on the overhead mast itself - it's even a standard feature on some roads in Philly, especially Broad Street.
I never claimed to be from Philadelphia. And I avoid Camden like the plague.
See your profile, you silly man.
You know sometimes people do move from where they were born to another place, it happens. So no, I am not from Philadelphia.
But your profile claims you are.
No, it just says "location", that is hardly the same as where someone is from. Maybe its a terminology thing but when I ask someone where they are from I mean where they were born.
Well, then you are Silly Barbed Wire Conspiracy Man. Where I was born has little to do with where I grew up or where I consider myself from currently.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 17, 2022, 12:34:00 AM
In case anyone was wondering I'm not from Route 9, Sector 26. I apologize if anyone has been searching the Australian Outback looking for me.
I feel deceived! :-D
On that note I think I will just set some equally random location to prevent confusion or people asking for cheesestake recommendations.
Well, it's not a light itself, but they do have this on PA-910 for a blind traffic light around a curve on each side of the intersection.
https://goo.gl/maps/r5cPd3EvKFVJhszRA
https://goo.gl/maps/d1wpFkLcavLz7rUaA
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on April 17, 2022, 12:39:55 AM
Well, it's not a light itself, but they do have this on PA-910 for a blind traffic light around a curve.
https://goo.gl/maps/r5cPd3EvKFVJhszRA
I know I have not seen that one, but I am pretty sure I have seen a similar or identical sign in PA, kind of an old design it seems.
Of course there are lots of flashing yellow lights with a light ahead sign or something to that effect as well out there.
Apparently these backwards lights are common on Broad Street, but the use case there seems a bit different than on a curve as the road is almost perfectly straight (and broad). Perhaps that is why they never stuck out to me.
Maryland frequently does this for a doghouse on mast arms.
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
Are you saying like this?
https://www.google.com/maps/@26.3886753,-80.1470934,3a,27.4y,0.08h,93.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smiMbcKO4Z9wProzk0XDoqA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Left turn signals in this area also used to always get that, although on more modern installs they don't put near side in anymore most of the time.
https://www.google.com/maps/@26.3691108,-80.145875,3a,75y,120.75h,87.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGHco8S2LA-yhemBuIjYwEQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Quote from: UCFKnights on April 17, 2022, 12:27:04 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on April 17, 2022, 12:06:26 AM
Discussion elsewhere of Texas reminded me of these that I saw some time ago.
Basically, it is a stoplight on "backwards" ie. facing the direction of travel for the lane it is mounted next to (and opposite direction from every other light on the mast).
They seem to be mounted on the pole, and as best I can tell they are to give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner where they become visible before the rest of the lights for that direction of travel.
Anyone seen these someplace besides Texas?
Are you saying like this?
https://www.google.com/maps/@26.3886753,-80.1470934,3a,27.4y,0.08h,93.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smiMbcKO4Z9wProzk0XDoqA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Left turn signals in this area also used to always get that, although on more modern installs they don't put near side in anymore most of the time.
https://www.google.com/maps/@26.3691108,-80.145875,3a,75y,120.75h,87.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGHco8S2LA-yhemBuIjYwEQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Yes, but usually on the pole rather than the mast to put it further over. And always it seems on a corner.
One on SR 513 in Seattle: https://goo.gl/maps/LjUYe7bw2dqCXL9x5
I've mentioned it before, but...
This backward stoplight on a one-way street (https://goo.gl/maps/Pvs7EfcUogzzZ5hL8) in Whetaon, IL, was removed a few years ago (https://goo.gl/maps/SVKXhBT5EM4BP7L67).
Quote from: kphoger on April 25, 2022, 10:42:09 AM
I've mentioned it before, but...
This backward stoplight on a one-way street (https://goo.gl/maps/Pvs7EfcUogzzZ5hL8) in Whetaon, IL, was removed a few years ago (https://goo.gl/maps/SVKXhBT5EM4BP7L67).
There's another backward light on a one-way street in Davenport, IA (https://goo.gl/maps/mcsQbYmk5eb8CnZM8). This light is on a separate phase than all the rest, IIRC, and is only green for emergency vehicles. There's a fire station immediately downstream from this signal, and the best way for it to service the area to the north is to briefly run the wrong way up the one-way street.
some examples in the Toronto area:
(https://i.imgur.com/nXMIZ0H.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/5FnRyrF.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/5FnRyrF.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/njMf3n1.png)
There are a few instances of this in Chicagoland:
* WB Woodfield Road at Mall Drive in Schaumburg (https://goo.gl/maps/cVXr5r5Ks1TerWcWA)
* NB IL 59 at Penny Road (https://goo.gl/maps/ERfAamFbwmUxTgDXA)
* NB Arlington Heights Road at Cosman Road/Meadow Court in Elk Grove Village gets two backwards heads. (https://goo.gl/maps/XNMhzdkzUBoGBqnX8)
Quote from: andrepoiy on April 25, 2022, 07:01:54 PM
some examples in the Toronto area:
(https://i.imgur.com/5FnRyrF.png)
Some of these are good examples of what the OP described as "give advance warning of a red light to traffic coming around a corner"...
I remember some of these that were programmed with a different phasing sequence than the main string of signal heads, whereby the yellow phase of the "advance warning" signal was twice as long as the yellow phase in the intersection, then the red phase all at the same time. Anyone remember any of these? I'm not sure where I saw them, and they may actually have been in Canada.
Quote from: Revive 755 on April 25, 2022, 10:10:52 PM
There are a few instances of this in Chicagoland:
* WB Woodfield Road at Mall Drive in Schaumburg (https://goo.gl/maps/cVXr5r5Ks1TerWcWA)
* NB IL 59 at Penny Road (https://goo.gl/maps/ERfAamFbwmUxTgDXA)
* NB Arlington Heights Road at Cosman Road/Meadow Court in Elk Grove Village gets two backwards heads. (https://goo.gl/maps/XNMhzdkzUBoGBqnX8)
One more example from south Chicagoland:
Nebraska Street and US-45 in Frankfort. This is the only example I've seen but it makes sense because of poor sight lines on Nebraska Street.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4978585,-87.8630277,3a,34.6y,93.24h,92.53t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sumel-jUMDsc6uKEISrQheg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
A triple in Kirkland, WA: https://goo.gl/maps/aBPEp2Hqbzk9a8Xk8
Two consecutive intersections on SR 522 in Bothell: https://goo.gl/maps/18ngPuBiJQ3ZrJD2A
This is an unusual case (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.7945338,-122.5414436,3a,29.1y,352.51h,92.25t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLmV-6jz6vxDspatGnJcXpg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) -- one of the mast arms is on the opposite side of the road, so I'm guessing the designers were worried it would block the far-side signals, so they duplicated both of the signals facing "backwards" on the near-side mast arm.
At this intersection in Henrietta NY (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.09111,-77.615087,3a,37.5y,203.79h,90.53t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSvLwk-OYJFxMjpNHaEcVUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), Monroe County installed the mast arms and the "main" signals on the near side, just a few feet in front of the stop line. The "backwards" signal is therefore the one on the far side, and is the one that you can actually see when you are in the intersection. Same thing in the other direction (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0904442,-77.6155084,3a,37.5y,29.09h,92.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snQj84gx8sTJgs0r95z_qRw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).
Quote from: Big John on April 17, 2022, 12:01:29 PM
Maryland frequently does this for a doghouse on mast arms.
MD will do it for a protected left too, doesn't have to be a doghouse.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9tQDRMeHTQnav66d7
Also, doesn't have to be mast arm mounted either...
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SbUBRwxKGZmwvR3C7
^^ and 12" signals on the near side and 8" signals on the far side.
Traffic signals on major divided highways in metro Detroit often had one additional signal head facing the opposing direction, I'm assuming on the theory that some idiot driving the wrong way would at least have the courtesy to stop for a red light. Most if not all of those have vanished as signals have been replaced.
This is common in California, especially if the approaching roadway has a high speed limit and is approaching around a bend or over a hill. Here is what would be a textbook example, and the streetview shows the reason why. Notice that you cannot yet see the regular signal heads, but you *can* see the "courtesy signal" as I have always called them, mounted up high and on the opposite side in the distance:
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9528722,-122.0889624,3a,75y,53.19h,91.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2f2RDlQEw7uUEQTBgjULvg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Quite a lot of intersections in Federal Way, WA have stoplights overhead on the near side, although all are left turn signals:
S 320 St @ Pacific Hwy (https://goo.gl/maps/iWCJg2CepEeFCb6V8) (all four approaches)
S 336 St @ Pacific Hwy (https://goo.gl/maps/twDMsRyFNAUSTYgq8) (old approach from 336 St also used nearside overhead doghouses (https://goo.gl/maps/EcZJAkM3V1wLWHHL6))
S 348 St @ Pacific Hwy (https://goo.gl/maps/dH7PqXr3DGREgorP7)
Dash Point Rd @ Redondo Way / 16 Ave S may qualify (https://goo.gl/maps/e7TsPMavrLwK4chN6) (twenty signals at a four way intersection)
In Fife, Taylor Way @ WA-509 also has overhead nearside left turn signals for all four approaches, but it's not on Streetview yet.
In Puyallup, Valley Ave @ 27 Ave Ct NW (https://goo.gl/maps/gAjb7Sr5pwtGauk18) has an overhead nearside through signal to aid in visibility, reduced by the bridge crest and curve.
I have no idea how common these are elsewhere, but every day I pass this pair of school zone flashers on Ohio SR-4 in Fairfield. Is the extra beacon effective? No...not really.
(https://i.imgur.com/WUzTzGz.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/0ujRi1r.png)
^ I always thought the point of those was for police to verify that the flashers are operating so that they can pull speeders over. Same with the little red light on the back of some ramp meters that turns on when the meter is red.
Quote from: US 89 on May 03, 2022, 09:36:59 PM
^ I always thought the point of those was for police to verify that the flashers are operating so that they can pull speeders over. Same with the little red light on the back of some ramp meters that turns on when the meter is red.
Plus I think they help motorists to identify when the school zone is active. If you pull out from a side-street into an active school zone, there's no way to tell, without backwards flashers, that the school zone is active. Of course, you have to know what the flashing beacon means as there is no accompanying sign, and that alone may make it impossible to enforce. Still, I've found it helpful for identifying school zones as side streets rarely have school zone signs (only the arterial(s)).