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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: UCFKnights on September 02, 2025, 12:30:39 AM

Title: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: UCFKnights on September 02, 2025, 12:30:39 AM
I didn't see any existing thread for this, so feel free to point me in the right direction if it exists, but I'd like to see all the unique ways of mounting traffic signals. Post your unique mast arms that you have seen! (No standard round or square arms, and no span wires, they aren't unique)

For example, Orlando on OBT uses a truss design, sometimes as a full square:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/S+Orange+Blossom+Trl,+Florida/@28.4725032,-81.3961248,3a,90y,277.54h,117.69t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sj02_HVstfnzdvN6vcteDZA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-27.69176528048841%26panoid%3Dj02_HVstfnzdvN6vcteDZA%26yaw%3D277.5412212225725!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x88dd86ea57fc73bf:0xfd881432534e596b!8m2!3d28.4388005!4d-81.403941!16s%2Fg%2F11l193nm4p?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Othertimes like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/S+Orange+Blossom+Trl,+Florida/@28.4762621,-81.3965778,3a,90y,253.58h,85.35t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sWlQJV089eZMB7Rj8Bn0miQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D4.652215946748115%26panoid%3DWlQJV089eZMB7Rj8Bn0miQ%26yaw%3D253.57794669737393!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x88dd86ea57fc73bf:0xfd881432534e596b!8m2!3d28.4388005!4d-81.403941!16s%2Fg%2F11l193nm4p?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


Winter Park uses these arms:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Winter+Park,+FL/@28.5959062,-81.3509653,3a,90y,334.37h,97.45t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww!2e0!5s20180601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-7.448230799243262%26panoid%3DGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww%26yaw%3D334.3677443198459!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e7701bdba629c5:0xc63f82952cf5ee20!8m2!3d28.5949767!4d-81.3508787!16zL20vMHJwd3A?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: freebrickproductions on September 02, 2025, 01:16:10 AM
Quote from: UCFKnights on September 02, 2025, 12:30:39 AMWinter Park uses these arms:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Winter+Park,+FL/@28.5959062,-81.3509653,3a,90y,334.37h,97.45t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww!2e0!5s20180601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-7.448230799243262%26panoid%3DGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww%26yaw%3D334.3677443198459!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e7701bdba629c5:0xc63f82952cf5ee20!8m2!3d28.5949767!4d-81.3508787!16zL20vMHJwd3A?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Winter+Park,+FL/@28.5959062,-81.3509653,3a,90y,334.37h,97.45t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww!2e0!5s20180601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-7.448230799243262%26panoid%3DGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww%26yaw%3D334.3677443198459!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e7701bdba629c5:0xc63f82952cf5ee20!8m2!3d28.5949767!4d-81.3508787!16zL20vMHJwd3A?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)


Guy-wire masts are/were more common in some parts of the country than they were down here in the southeast, from what I can tell. California is one such example.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: lepidopteran on September 02, 2025, 11:59:17 PM
North Wales, PA. I'm told that this was formerly a BGS gantry somewhere.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nS9SnCouR2JvKzZM8 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nS9SnCouR2JvKzZM8)
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Scott5114 on September 03, 2025, 03:34:27 AM
In North Las Vegas, Las Vegas Boulevard is at such an extreme angle that it's easiest to have a gantry spanning the intersection diagonally with super long tunnel visors, since individual mastarms could be misinterpreted: Carey (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2031068,-115.1178403,3a,42.3y,275.49h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8345085791176245%26panoid%3DcAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g%26yaw%3D275.48954124631086!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Cheyenne (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2177338,-115.0931618,3a,65.9y,260.38h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8321072297340351%26panoid%3DORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q%26yaw%3D260.3802599382613!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Craig (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2403369,-115.0546685,3a,36y,51.34h,86.51t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D3.4860173418122855%26panoid%3DbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ%26yaw%3D51.3436148041619!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

Quote from: UCFKnights on September 02, 2025, 12:30:39 AMFor example, Orlando on OBT uses a truss design, sometimes as a full square:

I have to wonder what the point of that is for such a small intersection (I can think of installations in Las Vegas with twice as many lanes still using standard mastarms), especially when the structure seems to block the view of the signal heads frequently enough that near-side signals need to be provided.

Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Mr. Matté on September 03, 2025, 11:41:39 AM
Quote from: lepidopteran on September 02, 2025, 11:59:17 PMNorth Wales, PA. I'm told that this was formerly a BGS gantry somewhere.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nS9SnCouR2JvKzZM8 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nS9SnCouR2JvKzZM8)

I've seen other wide intersections in PA (but can't remember offhand where) where all the signals were mounted on a single gantry like that. I can't imagine the whole structure was an old BGS support on some freeway considering the size matches the road there and it would be too much effort to dig up the old vertical support and transport the entire horizontal span.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: kphoger on September 03, 2025, 12:57:11 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 03, 2025, 03:34:27 AMIn North Las Vegas, Las Vegas Boulevard is at such an extreme angle that it's easiest to have a gantry spanning the intersection diagonally with super long tunnel visors, since individual mastarms could be misinterpreted: Carey (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2031068,-115.1178403,3a,42.3y,275.49h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8345085791176245%26panoid%3DcAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g%26yaw%3D275.48954124631086!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Cheyenne (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2177338,-115.0931618,3a,65.9y,260.38h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8321072297340351%26panoid%3DORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q%26yaw%3D260.3802599382613!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Craig (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2403369,-115.0546685,3a,36y,51.34h,86.51t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D3.4860173418122855%26panoid%3DbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ%26yaw%3D51.3436148041619!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

Reminds me a bit of Lincoln & Grove (https://maps.app.goo.gl/atzzHg3ZtEgkeUp58) here in Wichita.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: SkyPesos on September 03, 2025, 09:36:42 PM
Quote from: UCFKnights on September 02, 2025, 12:30:39 AMWinter Park uses these arms:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Winter+Park,+FL/@28.5959062,-81.3509653,3a,90y,334.37h,97.45t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww!2e0!5s20180601T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-7.448230799243262%26panoid%3DGq8CS2EZyEpCDasosSPdww%26yaw%3D334.3677443198459!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e7701bdba629c5:0xc63f82952cf5ee20!8m2!3d28.5949767!4d-81.3508787!16zL20vMHJwd3A?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Looks similar to the mast arms NYC uses at first glance.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Scott5114 on September 04, 2025, 12:57:48 AM
Quote from: kphoger on September 03, 2025, 12:57:11 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 03, 2025, 03:34:27 AMIn North Las Vegas, Las Vegas Boulevard is at such an extreme angle that it's easiest to have a gantry spanning the intersection diagonally with super long tunnel visors, since individual mastarms could be misinterpreted: Carey (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2031068,-115.1178403,3a,42.3y,275.49h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8345085791176245%26panoid%3DcAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g%26yaw%3D275.48954124631086!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Cheyenne (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2177338,-115.0931618,3a,65.9y,260.38h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8321072297340351%26panoid%3DORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q%26yaw%3D260.3802599382613!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Craig (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2403369,-115.0546685,3a,36y,51.34h,86.51t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D3.4860173418122855%26panoid%3DbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ%26yaw%3D51.3436148041619!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

Reminds me a bit of Lincoln & Grove (https://maps.app.goo.gl/atzzHg3ZtEgkeUp58) here in Wichita.

This one is particularly interesting because I don't think Kansas has ever used that gantry design on a wide scale (I think the Kansas Turnpike had one in Emporia up until about 10 years ago, but otherwise it's basically all Pratt or box trusses.)
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: roadfro on September 10, 2025, 11:57:56 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 03, 2025, 03:34:27 AMIn North Las Vegas, Las Vegas Boulevard is at such an extreme angle that it's easiest to have a gantry spanning the intersection diagonally with super long tunnel visors, since individual mastarms could be misinterpreted: Carey (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2031068,-115.1178403,3a,42.3y,275.49h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8345085791176245%26panoid%3DcAlfdP21-pvefKfS7SSb4g%26yaw%3D275.48954124631086!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Cheyenne (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2177338,-115.0931618,3a,65.9y,260.38h,89.17t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.8321072297340351%26panoid%3DORbEIXzbheESBAyTuRbk1Q%26yaw%3D260.3802599382613!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), Craig (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2403369,-115.0546685,3a,36y,51.34h,86.51t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D3.4860173418122855%26panoid%3DbAa1P3QduggJJeNO7VRAIQ%26yaw%3D51.3436148041619!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)
I think another reason for this is that mast arms would be too far away from the stop lines for some approaches, due to the width of the intersection caused by the skew angle of Las Vegas Blvd.

A similar situation occurs in SW Las Vegas (unincorporated Clark County) with SR 160/Blue Diamond Road at its intersections with Valley View (https://maps.app.goo.gl/pYxMGvThf2tPMgt36), Arville (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pyXnyjsRkrTJVZ18), and Decatur (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PboLj6c5rWex61yV8). These installations all incorporate some of the thickest monotubes I've ever seen.

Interestingly, they did not use this approach at Blue Diamond & Dean Martin Dr—traditional mast arms were used, but a second  nearside mast arm (https://maps.app.goo.gl/TC54tmdhJujS11Ca9) was used to repeat the signal indications for the northbound Dean Martin direction to alleviate sight distance concerns (curiously, this wasn't done for southbound).
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: 1995hoo on September 10, 2025, 12:09:50 PM
I can think of two intersections around here with traffic lights mounted to gantries. In both cases, I find it quite striking to see in person because pictures don't really do justice to just how big the gantries themselves look.

One is on VA-286 at Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston just south of the Dulles Access and Toll Roads. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bf2vqN5PjhZCSGj8A)

The other is on Stringfellow Road at Poplar Tree Road adjacent to Rocky Run Intermediate School. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6kCy1zANi8jUi2wS9) What I find notable there is that they used exceptionally large street signs but didn't mount them up on the gantry (compare to the other location linked above).

That square arrangement UCFKnights linked in the original post certainly looks strange.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Scott5114 on September 11, 2025, 12:14:18 AM
Quote from: roadfro on September 10, 2025, 11:57:56 AMA similar situation occurs in SW Las Vegas (unincorporated Clark County) with SR 160/Blue Diamond Road at its intersections with Valley View (https://maps.app.goo.gl/pYxMGvThf2tPMgt36), Arville (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pyXnyjsRkrTJVZ18), and Decatur (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PboLj6c5rWex61yV8). These installations all incorporate some of the thickest monotubes I've ever seen.

The way the street name signs are repeated (presumably because no matter where they put them, one gets blocked by the humongous monotube) makes me laugh for some reason.

Road Guy Rob's videos on how wind affects signal installations features those particular installations. He hugs one.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: lepidopteran on September 12, 2025, 10:55:35 AM
Quote from: roadfro on September 10, 2025, 11:57:56 AMA similar situation occurs in SW Las Vegas (unincorporated Clark County) with SR 160/Blue Diamond Road at its intersections with Valley View (https://maps.app.goo.gl/pYxMGvThf2tPMgt36), Arville (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pyXnyjsRkrTJVZ18), and Decatur (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PboLj6c5rWex61yV8). These installations all incorporate some of the thickest monotubes I've ever seen.
A little off-topic, but similar steroid-enhanced monotubes have been appearing on the Delaware Turnpike (https://maps.app.goo.gl/JxYtpy8P2Uk4KFpF9) recently.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 13, 2025, 01:29:42 AM
Dunlap & 25th Avenue (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.567699,-112.1122666,3a,75y,233.83h,91.79t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_o8o7zFoYXwd6ONJUNaanA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-1.7879513910936708%26panoid%3D_o8o7zFoYXwd6ONJUNaanA%26yaw%3D233.83470317168292!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in Phoenix.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: jay8g on September 14, 2025, 03:37:51 AM
Then you have the Oregon thing of mounting signals directly on sign gantries (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.5262318,-122.5644227,3a,90y,45.61h,107.24t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sE25MRbDWbfoOo-r-fL2jag!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-17.237596504000308%26panoid%3DE25MRbDWbfoOo-r-fL2jag%26yaw%3D45.61208185480128!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) alongside the guide signs. That intersection has both truss and monotube gantries with signals on them.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: CovalenceSTU on September 22, 2025, 11:56:00 PM
Huge monotubes are also common along US-60/Grand Ave in Phoenix, AZ (https://maps.app.goo.gl/rbUV6dEeWK5KHU1H8), but Longview, WA has a less steroidal one for a K-shaped intersection (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dv7djTJZUpnDftUF9):
(https://i.imgur.com/UOaC4NN.jpeg)

Astoria also has a good example of the classic ODOT practice of mounting signals to gantries (https://maps.app.goo.gl/58mJMisgKKNt2yDp9), with some directly next to the signs and others hanging below. (Also down the street is two signals mounted to the same I-post (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dBZBE7x8bbEEi1cD8), which is very common in D.C. but seems to be rare elsewhere.)
(https://i.imgur.com/bwkNmjQ.png)
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: roadfro on September 28, 2025, 11:00:43 PM
Quote from: CovalenceSTU on September 22, 2025, 11:56:00 PM(Also down the street is two signals mounted to the same I-post (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dBZBE7x8bbEEi1cD8), which is very common in D.C. but seems to be rare elsewhere.)
It's rare because the MUTCD calls for 8 feet of horizontal separation between signal heads.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Quillz on September 29, 2025, 08:18:16 AM
Salinas, CA has what I like to call "droopy" left turn signal lights. I've never seen these anywhere else.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Vc5uLYPRaL7FPni6
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: plain on September 29, 2025, 11:33:27 PM
Quote from: Quillz on September 29, 2025, 08:18:16 AMSalinas, CA has what I like to call "droopy" left turn signal lights. I've never seen these anywhere else.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Vc5uLYPRaL7FPni6

As an aside, I hate when a sign says LEFT TURN ON ARROW ONLY when the turn signal literally has all arrows. They should've had GREEN ARROW ONLY on there.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: roadfro on September 30, 2025, 10:55:09 AM
Quote from: Quillz on September 29, 2025, 08:18:16 AMSalinas, CA has what I like to call "droopy" left turn signal lights. I've never seen these anywhere else.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Vc5uLYPRaL7FPni6
I believe there's a few of these in the Sacramento area as well. 

Never understood the design choice with these, but speculate it has to do with median post-mounted left turn signals being a previous preference but getting knocked down a lot.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Quillz on September 30, 2025, 04:51:09 PM
Quote from: roadfro on September 30, 2025, 10:55:09 AM
Quote from: Quillz on September 29, 2025, 08:18:16 AMSalinas, CA has what I like to call "droopy" left turn signal lights. I've never seen these anywhere else.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Vc5uLYPRaL7FPni6
I believe there's a few of these in the Sacramento area as well.

Never understood the design choice with these, but speculate it has to do with median post-mounted left turn signals being a previous preference but getting knocked down a lot.

It's possible, although even within Salinas these only seem to be in the historic downtown area. I just assumed it was some interesting aesthetic choice.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 05:50:17 PM
There is whatever the heck this is (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJfXcfbKAWnFXeqM8) at the Tex-ified SPUI on US 75 in Plano, TX.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: plain on September 30, 2025, 08:44:35 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 05:50:17 PMThere is whatever the heck this is (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJfXcfbKAWnFXeqM8) at the Tex-ified SPUI on US 75 in Plano, TX.

Usually I would see something like this where the expressway crosses over the intersecting surface road, but after panning the camera I see it's the opposite situation here. Maybe one of the other mast arms was in the way, not sure. This is a strange one.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Revive 755 on September 30, 2025, 09:48:52 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 05:50:17 PMThere is whatever the heck this is (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJfXcfbKAWnFXeqM8) at the Tex-ified SPUI on US 75 in Plano, TX.

Looks like they used the same type of mounting brackets used for the signal head on the mast arm shaft.  I seem to recall most places using two connections for any horizontally mounted heads that are lower than the rest of the mast arm (example on MO 141 at I-44 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwqqEhAYQQUoMr3r5)).

Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 10:15:13 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 30, 2025, 09:48:52 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 05:50:17 PMThere is whatever the heck this is (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJfXcfbKAWnFXeqM8) at the Tex-ified SPUI on US 75 in Plano, TX.

Looks like they used the same type of mounting brackets used for the signal head on the mast arm shaft.  I seem to recall most places using two connections for any horizontally mounted heads that are lower than the rest of the mast arm (example on MO 141 at I-44 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwqqEhAYQQUoMr3r5)).
Usually Texas hangs them closer to the mast arm like this (https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCrCeGum2iHMxvi5A), moreso than your example. Maybe they are the same brackets, but I don't know why the Plano example is the way it is.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: freebrickproductions on October 02, 2025, 04:09:00 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 10:15:13 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 30, 2025, 09:48:52 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 05:50:17 PMThere is whatever the heck this is (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJfXcfbKAWnFXeqM8) at the Tex-ified SPUI on US 75 in Plano, TX.

Looks like they used the same type of mounting brackets used for the signal head on the mast arm shaft.  I seem to recall most places using two connections for any horizontally mounted heads that are lower than the rest of the mast arm (example on MO 141 at I-44 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwqqEhAYQQUoMr3r5)).
Usually Texas hangs them closer to the mast arm like this (https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCrCeGum2iHMxvi5A), moreso than your example. Maybe they are the same brackets, but I don't know why the Plano example is the way it is.

Could the heads on the opposite side of the intersection, located above the lanes the strangely mounted signals control, have potentially caused visibility issues on the approach?
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.0375004,-96.7043497,3a,15y,188.54h,95.65t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s7oT7R3RgG833lgXS909dXw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-5.651223047231326%26panoid%3D7oT7R3RgG833lgXS909dXw%26yaw%3D188.5370296828986!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: roadfro on October 04, 2025, 10:29:56 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on October 02, 2025, 04:09:00 AM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 10:15:13 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 30, 2025, 09:48:52 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 05:50:17 PMThere is whatever the heck this is (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJfXcfbKAWnFXeqM8) at the Tex-ified SPUI on US 75 in Plano, TX.

Looks like they used the same type of mounting brackets used for the signal head on the mast arm shaft.  I seem to recall most places using two connections for any horizontally mounted heads that are lower than the rest of the mast arm (example on MO 141 at I-44 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwqqEhAYQQUoMr3r5)).
Usually Texas hangs them closer to the mast arm like this (https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCrCeGum2iHMxvi5A), moreso than your example. Maybe they are the same brackets, but I don't know why the Plano example is the way it is.

Could the heads on the opposite side of the intersection, located above the lanes the strangely mounted signals control, have potentially caused visibility issues on the approach?
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.0375004,-96.7043497,3a,15y,188.54h,95.65t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s7oT7R3RgG833lgXS909dXw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-5.651223047231326%26panoid%3D7oT7R3RgG833lgXS909dXw%26yaw%3D188.5370296828986!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
The mast pole for this is on a raised concrete pedestal for some reason. I wonder if that would've caused the signal heads to be mounted too high off the ground if they had been attached directly to the mast arm.
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Scott5114 on October 04, 2025, 10:48:25 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 10:15:13 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 30, 2025, 09:48:52 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 05:50:17 PMThere is whatever the heck this is (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJfXcfbKAWnFXeqM8) at the Tex-ified SPUI on US 75 in Plano, TX.

Looks like they used the same type of mounting brackets used for the signal head on the mast arm shaft.  I seem to recall most places using two connections for any horizontally mounted heads that are lower than the rest of the mast arm (example on MO 141 at I-44 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwqqEhAYQQUoMr3r5)).
Usually Texas hangs them closer to the mast arm like this (https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCrCeGum2iHMxvi5A), moreso than your example. Maybe they are the same brackets, but I don't know why the Plano example is the way it is.

The way they wired those signal heads would probably get you fired in Las Vegas. The standard for the illuminated signs here is strict enough it even specifies the way the wire is supposed to run between the sign and the power source (it needs to be long enough that the sign swings freely, and must be positioned such that the lowest point of the wire must be below the entry ports to both the sign and the signal mast, so water drips off low point of the wire).
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: kphoger on October 06, 2025, 09:26:48 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on October 04, 2025, 10:48:25 PMmust be positioned such that the lowest point of the wire must be below the entry ports to both the sign and the signal mast, so water drips off low point of the wire

In my business world, that's called a "drip loop".

(https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4E22AQFF6v873LtX7g/feedshare-shrink_800/B4EZd.pKj4HYAg-/0/1750176410282?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=enQMpRKycp7TRumhrXNjzXJ_ErSy37mTfW6lGa_NY6s)
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Scott5114 on October 06, 2025, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: kphoger on October 06, 2025, 09:26:48 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on October 04, 2025, 10:48:25 PMmust be positioned such that the lowest point of the wire must be below the entry ports to both the sign and the signal mast, so water drips off low point of the wire

In my business world, that's called a "drip loop".

(https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4E22AQFF6v873LtX7g/feedshare-shrink_800/B4EZd.pKj4HYAg-/0/1750176410282?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=enQMpRKycp7TRumhrXNjzXJ_ErSy37mTfW6lGa_NY6s)

That's what Clark County calls it too, but I figured that might be an obscure enough term that it might not convey its purpose. They are remarkably consistent on the drip loops here—I don't think I've ever seen one that's done not according to spec. Which is kind of funny, since, you know, desert...
Title: Re: Unique Traffic Light Mounts
Post by: Revive 755 on October 15, 2025, 10:14:36 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on October 04, 2025, 10:48:25 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on September 30, 2025, 10:15:13 PMUsually Texas hangs them closer to the mast arm like this (https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCrCeGum2iHMxvi5A), moreso than your example. Maybe they are the same brackets, but I don't know why the Plano example is the way it is.

The way they wired those signal heads would probably get you fired in Las Vegas. The standard for the illuminated signs here is strict enough it even specifies the way the wire is supposed to run between the sign and the power source (it needs to be long enough that the sign swings freely, and must be positioned such that the lowest point of the wire must be below the entry ports to both the sign and the signal mast, so water drips off low point of the wire).

Maybe I need to start a spin off thread regarding visible wiring for traffic signal heads . . .

While the Texas example is on the extreme side, there are other states that generally have the wires visible for mast arm mounted signal heads (Wisconsin (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ebiMCcc34bXgau7i7), Nebraska (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hSiKvbedcQNP74Sp6)).  Then there are those that almost always have the wires hidden (Illinois (https://maps.app.goo.gl/okp9G6EkiVCqQnDX7), Missouri (https://maps.app.goo.gl/s4s8PrWwMVWP2tEG6), possibly Iowa (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3VC1BbifbxXrZ79P8)).  Kind of wondering if there is more of the visible wires or the non-visible variety, excluding span wire mounted heads, street name signs, and detection equipment?