I was noticing that NJ as well as PA, that the 3M left turn signal heads as well as second signal straight through heads where intersections that are close to each other that require in between vehicle stacking, are all now been phased out.
Was there any issues with them?
https://goo.gl/maps/bn3DvG8mUZV8FDWQ9
The above image shows one that had one upon installation in the mid eighties that now has the standard head for the protected left turns here. Too bad GSV wasn't capturing images back in those days for comparison, but anyone living in NJ or NY for decades can remember when the 3M was norm for left turn signals.
They've been out of production for so long that I imagine getting replacement parts (if one gets damaged or whatever) is near impossible. They also require specialized light sources -- it looks like LED versions are available these days, but I'm sure DOTs would prefer not to have to stock too many types of replacement light modules.
Not only, that I speculate that because vertical panels inserted to the visors can achieve the same effect, spending the extra $, is not needed.
Though the use of them at the second of two intersections close together the panels of that nature wouldn't work to hinder the orientation. However I think nowadays they'll use red light cameras to deter light jumpers who are tempted by that fact light number two remains green longer than light number one in the two intersections usage of them.
I've always disliked these signals because not only were they ugly, but the lenses were too hard to see; by the turn of the millennium they were as outdated as most of the 80s products had become. IOW, 3M signals are the worst traffic control devices ever made, and I don't miss them one bit!
Quote from: Henry on May 03, 2023, 10:53:08 AM
I've always disliked these signals because not only were they ugly, but the lenses were too hard to see; by the turn of the millennium they were as outdated as most of the 80s products had become. IOW, 3M signals are the worst traffic control devices ever made, and I don't miss them one bit!
I remember liking them because they looked futuristic when I was a kid. But, yes, stupidly hard to see. With some, you can't see the lights until you're under them.
Yeah I never had any issue with them. Although it wasn't until I was a roadgeek, that I learned why they are used in certain locations (now that I think of it, I never saw an intersection that *only* used 3M signals)
I believe NJ uses the McCain optically programmable version now, one of which was recently installed on NJ 45 at Kings Highway per this GSV: https://goo.gl/maps/m3SpNHzUpEcJpjex5 . While covered and not operational in this view, it is now being used.
Quote from: Henry on May 03, 2023, 10:53:08 AM
I've always disliked these signals because not only were they ugly, but the lenses were too hard to see; by the turn of the millennium they were as outdated as most of the 80s products had become. IOW, 3M signals are the worst traffic control devices ever made, and I don't miss them one bit!
At shallow angle intersections, despite their appearance, they prevented the other roadway from seeing your signal and also prevented, at two close intersections where the second light had a delayed red where it turned red after the first to clear the stack area for turning vehicles from the first intersection, drivers from seeing the next block signal. That was done to prevent the urge to run the first signal after seeing the second is still green.
However, nowadays your chances of winning the lottery are greater than being spotted for jumping a red light ( unless the camera is there) by law enforcement, but if one were to run a stoplight now, it's not because the next intersection signal is still green.
I love bumping an old thread...
Been a long while since I had seen a 3M signal head still active. Used to think they looked futuristic and cool when I was a young lad 25-30 years ago. Found one in Jasper, IN this evening, at the southern US 231/IN 56 weird surface Y intersection: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GuChvFbtijzvYPPz8?g_st=ic
One post-mounted old 3M signal head. Post-mounts on a span signal are not common in Indiana, anyway. The GSV is a year old but she is still there and working
When I was a kid in the '70s, where was one intersection where all the signal heads were 3M programmed visibility units. It was the intersection of Monroe St. and Sylvania Ave. in Toledo, OH, and was that way because of the approximate 30° angle on which Monroe runs through the city. Most if not all of the signals were on a common double span-wire -- one wire at the top, and one at the bottom of each 3-section head (there might have been some inline-5's, in which case the lower two sections hung below the bottom wire.)
The current GSV (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ceCE6zXDPEz4dB239) shows the span-wire replaced by multiple mast arms, and what I think are McCain PVs remaining only for the Monroe movements.
Also in the 70s, there a small number of installations with 3Ms for the left turn signal head only. Even rarer were those with a 3M for the left-turn's red aspect only, since Ohio was late in adopting the steady red arrow.
Here's some in Jersey, 3 intersections in a row, in fact
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tu9FjfB8J3rtYp2T9
Quote from: lepidopteran on September 15, 2024, 12:30:17 AMWhen I was a kid in the '70s, where was one intersection where all the signal heads were 3M programmed visibility units. It was the intersection of Monroe St. and Sylvania Ave. in Toledo, OH, and was that way because of the approximate 30° angle on which Monroe runs through the city. Most if not all of the signals were on a common double span-wire -- one wire at the top, and one at the bottom of each 3-section head (there might have been some inline-5's, in which case the lower two sections hung below the bottom wire.)
The current GSV (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ceCE6zXDPEz4dB239) shows the span-wire replaced by multiple mast arms, and what I think are McCain PVs remaining only for the Monroe movements.
Also in the 70s, there a small number of installations with 3Ms for the left turn signal head only. Even rarer were those with a 3M for the left-turn's red aspect only, since Ohio was late in adopting the steady red arrow.
You know, the McCain variant doesn't look too bad at all, aside from the fact that it still has poor visibility until you get real close to it. Mashing up a 3M body with an Eagle-style front visor set is really cool in its own way, which gives me a newfound appreciation for the older signals as well.