ICWS = Intersection Conflict Warning Systems
I've come across a bunch of these recently, and I've been told there are two types:
Unsignalized intersection variant with a sign stating "Traffic/Vehicles Entering When Flashing" like this https://maps.app.goo.gl/rnG99rkYyQqC4to87
Signalized intersection variant stating "(Be) Prepare(d) to Stop When Flashing" like this https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ufwJhkFiykZz47Y7
I'm under the assumption that the latter is more common than the former, so I'll be more focused on the former. How many of y'all have seen a beacon like this with a sign "Traffic/Vehicles Entering When Flashing" in advance of an unsignalized intersection?
FDOT D2 has been installing a bunch of these recently, mainly the former with plans to add the latter.
Maryland's are overhead, like this. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4261627,-76.3673817,3a,75y,237.43h,88.31t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-YpuMKQMdDyUGIawWIbUiQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.6923971281808434%26panoid%3D-YpuMKQMdDyUGIawWIbUiQ%26yaw%3D237.42983849738553!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxOS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)
Georgia example of Vehicle approaching warning: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1PfPFMcp6VvQJF4L8
One in Lake County, Illinois on a county road: Fairfield Road at Saxony Drive (https://maps.app.goo.gl/a1YAPXYfKdjQSNRo9)
Missouri example that seems to be missing some signs: US 67 at Victoria Road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/chu5GsoUmSnKcUcu8)
I thought there were a few others in Missouri but can't remember where.
Indiana SR 144 at Pennington Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/k6SD2Bar8kRkyaDXA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZF1eF3uK2zfycCgE7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gwa5Xm9S2SS5cwoh6
https://maps.app.goo.gl/phMvWsmVZgw7sCPm9
While not necessarily an ICWS, it seems to serve a similar purpose. This is in Oklahoma https://maps.app.goo.gl/dHieVfun7kfqyCoJ8
Near Waupaca WI - US 10/WI 49 (Though google only shows the 49 part: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cd9UbwSQz88Uf54e7
There's this one in my hometown of Sanford: US 202 East at Riverside Ave (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4412276,-70.7772527,3a,19.2y,31.74h,90.22t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sVLI6pHtQKGOZVJuPo9S2uQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-0.21559486754382817%26panoid%3DVLI6pHtQKGOZVJuPo9S2uQ%26yaw%3D31.73671901212158!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). I think there was another one somewhere near the Portland area, but I can't remember where it was.
I've seen this sign on I-95 south in NH approaching Exit 2 for a truck entrance off of South Rd (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9712853,-70.8548352,3a,49y,215.73h,88.62t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sg-XVI_ZRF7R_ta8gtkddig!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.3799291537265503%26panoid%3Dg-XVI_ZRF7R_ta8gtkddig%26yaw%3D215.73199594403565!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).
Similarly, in MA, there is this one on US 1 North for the Saugus HS driveway coming onto Route 1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4609585,-71.0242936,3a,37.4y,16.36h,89t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shry_jEYfBeBIRPEZeeJoxg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.0021149902828768%26panoid%3Dhry_jEYfBeBIRPEZeeJoxg%26yaw%3D16.356618753457525!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D).
Although this next example is on an Interstate and not necessily an ICWS, this merge sign on I-90/Mass Pike East serves a similar purpose: Merge - Vehicle Entering (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3466951,-71.0393371,3a,17.7y,114.66h,90.88t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sbA9LWr521HYZF2aajI9X7g!2e0!5s20240901T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-0.8792294256531079%26panoid%3DbA9LWr521HYZF2aajI9X7g%26yaw%3D114.66254013620885!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). There's also this "Vehicle On Ramp when Flashing (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3466488,-71.0388188,3a,15y,216.24h,96.7t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sUJAozUFTUCiWJg5GO9lreA!2e0!5s20240901T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-6.703481798577613%26panoid%3DUJAozUFTUCiWJg5GO9lreA%26yaw%3D216.24457774346953!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)" sign on the access road ramp as well.
QuoteAlthough this next example is on an Interstate and not necessily an ICWS, this merge sign on I-90/Mass Pike East serves a similar purpose: Merge - Vehicle Entering (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3466951,-71.0393371,3a,17.7y,114.66h,90.88t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sbA9LWr521HYZF2aajI9X7g!2e0!5s20240901T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-0.8792294256531079%26panoid%3DbA9LWr521HYZF2aajI9X7g%26yaw%3D114.66254013620885!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). There's also this "Vehicle On Ramp when Flashing (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3466488,-71.0388188,3a,15y,216.24h,96.7t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sUJAozUFTUCiWJg5GO9lreA!2e0!5s20240901T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-6.703481798577613%26panoid%3DUJAozUFTUCiWJg5GO9lreA%26yaw%3D216.24457774346953!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)" sign on the access road ramp as well.
Interesting, almost like a
Ramp Conflict Warning System! I'm wondering if something like that could be useful with the new MUTCD sign "Heavy Merge From Right/Left" with a "When Flashing" plaque. :hmmm:
This flashing light on a mast arm / intersection control beacon (ICB) was replaced by an overhead ICWS sign (albeit with the wrong language pet 11th edition MUTCD :( ):
(https://i.imgur.com/9b0bCDz_d.webp?maxwidth=1520&fidelity=grand)
This intersection also has a second ICWS sign slightly away from the junction itself, so now it has 2. This is part of a larger plan to replace every a bunch of ICB with an ICWS in D2. This specific installation was a test to see if placing the signage overhead would be a suitable alternative for mast arm ICBs, rather than removing the whole unit.
Not to toot my own horn buuuuuuuuut... I worked on this in part. :hyper:
Nevada: SR 207 at Tramway Drive, right at the top of Daggett Pass.
SR 207 takes a sharp right curve there, while Tramway comes in from the left (just beyond the end of the guardrail). I'd guess NDOT put that installation there because the curve might tend to take the driver's eyes away from the intersecting traffic.
(https://i.imgur.com/m6kSleV.jpeg)
Kentucky uses both types, the "Prepare to Stop When Flashing" variant having been used for decades while the other type is a lot newer.
I much prefer Kentucky's "Prepare to Stop When Flashing" over Virginia's always-on beacons when approaching a traffic signal.
Does this count? They turn on when there's high crosswinds on the bridge.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wAHhquqrkZdBPNhJ9?g_st=ac (https://maps.app.goo.gl/wAHhquqrkZdBPNhJ9?g_st=ac)
this setup is very common (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4673824,-78.1506339,3a,75y,146.05h,81.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1srpeIupb9Rrqh3etUb4H9og!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D8.90806416566221%26panoid%3DrpeIupb9Rrqh3etUb4H9og%26yaw%3D146.05091870466376!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYyMy4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) on Hwy 70 in eastern NC. Though most will likely disappear with the coming of I-42 to this corridor.
I also come across setups like this or similar (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.5896494,-81.0193472,3a,49.6y,323.87h,93.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBnQImSig0aAV8gWNwYkRew!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-3.087173677594592%26panoid%3DBnQImSig0aAV8gWNwYkRew%26yaw%3D323.8659348875214!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYyMy4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in rural parts. This particular one was installed after a bad wreck involving a school bus getting broadsided by a speeding vehicle.
I saw this one a few weeks ago (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2062587,-83.8310894,3a,33.1y,99.44h,87.35t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1saYUD_Ba8_icq2TDYRuPflw!2e0!5s20240201T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.6497042234510957%26panoid%3DaYUD_Ba8_icq2TDYRuPflw%26yaw%3D99.4443950911429!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYyMy4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). the top bit lights up with "RED" when the signal ahead is red. The only such setup i have seen anywhere in NC.
WA 17: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fETWLSnyzi9aS1JUA
WA 26: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mtV71tePWLuUxc96A
US 2 / 97: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sUpZCusMR1N2LUy3A
(The additional sign is supposed to be on the left as well, but requires repairs.)
US 12: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ce6rv9Ed4Xc7Wsax8
US 97: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SuYkUpFfTxx4TUo97
And many others, including other areas of the aforementioned highways above.
This one also detects the traffic turning left from the turn lane, in addition to the entering traffic. It also uses the new W2-10 sign. https://maps.app.goo.gl/wEWGPZFxrLnnAa4E6
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/MUTCD_W2-10.svg/768px-MUTCD_W2-10.svg.png)
Detector loop for LT Lane: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SNqBs4bbe31tZUfP7