Flashing traffic signals

[DollarBill]

Why is it that texas seems to be the only state that actually sees that theres hardly any traffic at night, and programs the majority of their traffic lights to change to flashing mode?

Seems like this should be common aross the country, but the only places i see traffic lights doing this is when theyre located in areas that have heavy traffic during the day but only cricket traffic at night.

Sensor lights arent so bad but i prefer them to elimate the process altogether. Nowhere in the country (except vegas) would you absolutely have a need for a traffic light at 2 in the morning. Major intersections maybe....

[Scott5114]

Springfield, MO does this on a widespread basis in the wee hours of the morning. Most major streets have flashing yellow, with only flashing reds found on cross streets and at major arterial—arterial intersections.

I much prefer the flashing setup as well–actuated signals can be rather inequitable. Countless times other vehicles and I have had to come to a complete stop from 50 MPH because someone was waiting for us to pass so they could turn right and it tripped the light. Even if someone needs the light it seems like a better setup for them to just wait for the meager amount of conflicting traffic to clear and then go rather than force five or six vehicle to come down from 50 to a complete stop so one car can pass through the intersection.

[blawp]

Pasadena flashes a lot of its signals at night.

[DaBigE]

Most municipalities around Wisconsin have their signals go to flashing mode around 10:30 or 11 at night, except for more complex signalized intersections (e.g., ones with protected left turns/multiple left turn lanes). WisDOT owned/operated signals, on the other hand, continue to operate in actuated mode all night long. There may be a few exceptions, but I have yet to encounter a WisDOT operated signal go into flash-mode nightly.

[kphoger]

The towns in Illinois I've lived in while owning a car went to flashing mode on most stoplights at night:  Wheaton and Herrin (very different parts of the state).  Herrin's lights are on a state highway.

[The High Plains Traveler]

Pueblo CO has many of its downtown signals flash at night, and a few flash all weekend. Same with signals that exist only to protect schoolchildren. None of these are CDOT-maintained lights.

[pianocello]

I've seen them city-wide in Marion, IA, and a few intersections in Greensboro, NC.

[signalman]

I much prefer the flashing setup as well—actuated signals can be rather inequitable. Countless times other vehicles and I have had to come to a complete stop from 50 MPH because someone was waiting for us to pass so they could turn right and it tripped the light. Even if someone needs the light it seems like a better setup for them to just wait for the meager amount of conflicting traffic to clear and then go rather than force five or six vehicle to come down from 50 to a complete stop so one car can pass through the intersection.

I too travel overnight and have had to come to a complete stop from 45 or more for just one car on numerous ocasions.  It's very frustrating.  I know when I'm that one car waiting to cross, I feel like an ass making other motorists come to a halt for just me.  Especially when I've had numerous opportunities to safely cross or turn without conflicting with anyone else. 

[Central Avenue]

I know when I'm that one car waiting to cross, I feel like an ass making other motorists come to a halt for just me.  Especially when I've had numerous opportunities to safely cross or turn without conflicting with anyone else. 

Same here. Right turns on red especially...often I'll end up having to wait just long enough that the light changes after I've already left the intersection, forcing people to stop for no reason. >_<

[Revive 755]

The St. Louis District of MoDOT used to flash most signals overnight, but quit doing it because of an increase in crashes.

The literature I've looked up online regarding the number of crashes going up at flashing signals were vague, but one of them seem to note a high involvement of intoxicated drivers.

EDIT:  In case anyone is interested, an FHWA summary of one of the studies:
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/resources/casestudies/fhwasa09012/flash_article.cfm

[sp_redelectric]

Given the new-found environmentalism of our society, and the high cost of electricity - I'm surprised the U.S. hasn't followed the lead of Europe and just turn the lights off at night (with a priority sign/stop sign to dictate who has right-of-way).

I also noticed many pedestrian signals were normally off until activated by a pedestrian.

[signalman]

Same here. Right turns on red especially...often I'll end up having to wait just long enough that the light changes after I've already left the intersection, forcing people to stop for no reason. >_<

I've been there before too.  At night when traffic is low, I'll use unsignalized stop sign controlled streets to make turns from, if available.  During the day when traffic is heavier I'd rather have a signal to aide me in crossing or turning.  But when traffic is light, I find it faster to use an intersection controlled by a stop sign.  Also, then I don't have to worry about tripping a traffic signal either.  As I noted, this isn't always an option.  But if it's available, I will use it.

[Alps]

In the northern NJ area isolated signals go to flashing yellow, but overall the number is far too few. It's a pain in the ass when signals remain on daylight timing so that you have to sit for 2 minutes to get a green. (The light exiting I-287 NB at Exit 40 may be among the most ignored overnight of any light outside ghettos.)

[mapman1071]

Glendale, AZ has all signals except at major Intersections and all Grand Avenue Signals Flashing All Red From 12mid to 5am Monday - Saturday and till 7am Sundays.

[Brandon]

Many places in Michigan also set the signals to flashing mode (either all red or a yellow/red setup for primary/secondary road).  However, I've never seen it done around Chicagoland.

[Takumi]

Downtown Petersburg, VA has a few that flash at night.

[Zmapper]

I found out a while back that the pedestrian buttons do nothing while the traffic signal is in night-time flash mode. Personally, I would make the signals function as a pedestrian crossing on request, especially if the road in question is 4 lanes or wider.

[DaBigE]

I found out a while back that the pedestrian buttons do nothing while the traffic signal is in night-time flash mode. Personally, I would make the signals function as a pedestrian crossing on request, especially if the road in question is 4 lanes or wider.

But how often is a pedestrian phase really needed at night? That's the whole reason why ped signals go dark in flashing mode. The ped traffic just isn't there. The few that show up, shouldn't have an issue finding a safe gap in which to cross. If there is a high volume, the signals shouldn't be going to flashing mode to begin with. That's why signals in more night-active areas around here don't go to flashing until after bar time. (Not that drunks really follow all traffic laws to begin with, but that's another topic for another thread).

Similarly, even if the signals did operate as you describe, how many people would actually wait to cross "legally"? Not to mention, it would potentially cause more problems having the signals going in and out of flashing mode, especially on a corridor of signals in flashing mode.

[roadman65]

Orange County, FL used to flash all the signals between Central Florida Parkway and Hunter's Creek except at Deerfield Boulevard along US 17, 92, and 441 between 2 and 5 AM.  Since 2006, when that highway was widened from 4 to 6 lanes, all these signals now operate 24/7.

There are still 4 signals that flash every morning except Saturday and Sunday along the same street.  The signals at  LaQuinta Drive,  Sun Life Path, August Lane, and Chancery Lane as I see them flash every morning.

I think that many should flash, especially along Michigan Street in Orlando has some lights that have you stop for 30 or more seconds like Westmoreland Drive.  I-4 and Division, I can see working all night, as there are limited sight distances at these two locations.   

Florida in general has bad timed signals in the first place, and needs more overnight signals on flash.  Some even that have separate greens on both sides of the roadway heading into the main  street, should have both sides turn green simataneously during these hours if they work as motorists turning left can yield with no trouble to oncoming vehicles.

[codyg1985]

I wished Huntsville, AL did this, but they don't. The military base here, Redstone Arsenal, does this during after hours and weekends.

[PHLBOS]

Where I live, the only time signals go into "flash mode" is if there's some construction activity taking place or if the signal in question is malfunctioning.

One set of signals that's been in flash mode since it was first erected in the late-80s are the ones along MacDade Blvd. at the I-476 north on-ramp in Woodlyn, PA.  I don't think I've ever seen them once on standard operating (red-yellow-green) mode in the 22 years I've lived in the area.

Given the new-found environmentalism of our society, and the high cost of electricity - I'm surprised the U.S. hasn't followed the lead of Europe and just turn the lights off at night (with a priority sign/stop sign to dictate who has right-of-way).

I also noticed many pedestrian signals were normally off until activated by a pedestrian.

In more rural areas not too far from where I live (PA 52, 82, 352, 926); there are several intersection signals that have folding STOP signs (upper-half folded down) placed at the intersection as well.  When the signals are turned off; the signs are unfolded and the intersection is indeed an ALL-WAY STOP.  The thing is, I've never seen these intersections in that mode as of yet.

[cpzilliacus]

Why is it that texas seems to be the only state that actually sees that theres hardly any traffic at night, and programs the majority of their traffic lights to change to flashing mode?

Maryland (outside of some municipalities - most of the state's land area is not incorporated) puts many of its signals on flash, usually from midnight to 0530.

[bulkyorled]

Pasadena, CA only has one street that does that and thats Orange Grove Blvd and then like 3 on California Bl, and its quite useless now since people finally realized that its not a huge outage, so people just blast through them now. Just like their pointless flashing yellow arrows.

[KEK Inc.]

If you drive out of Texas, you may notice that it's actually not that uncommon outside of the "Great Lone Star State"...

Generally, out west, though, it's only done in suburban downtown areas past 10 PM. 

[stormwatch7721]

Given the new-found environmentalism of our society, and the high cost of electricity - I'm surprised the U.S. hasn't followed the lead of Europe and just turn the lights off at night (with a priority sign/stop sign to dictate who has right-of-way).

I also noticed many pedestrian signals were normally off until activated by a pedestrian.

I looked on street view and Westen Europe didn't have the right-of-way signs at intersections. How will the drivers know if they can go if Western Europe turns off their traffic lights at light?