Department of Redundancy Department

[SSOWorld]

There are seven traffic signals at this one intersection in North Vancouver. Five of them are for going straight (hence why they are yellow), two for left turns (the red lights). I don't think one needs to have five traffic lights to be able to know when to proceed through the intersection.



GMSV: http://goo.gl/maps/emF9W

I'm still convinced that the majority of the Vancouverite population is following their ancestral traditions by installing many traffic signals for only one movement. For example, we have three signal heads just for this left turn slip in Hertfordshire, England. Unless the slip lane is un-signalized (which is rare), three signal heads appear to be the standard for slip lanes. I don't think four is unheard of, though I couldn't find a photo:



And as far as redundancy goes, here's an intersection in Tacoma, Washington. There's only one lane at this T-intersection, and yet there are four heads... I have to wonder why they even posted a mast arm here...side mounted signals for this movement would have been sufficient IMO:

The two quotes above remind me of 3 known jurisdictions that use excessive signal heads:
* DelDOT
* IDOT
* WisDOT (especially with their IDOT imitations)

[jeffandnicole]

The two quotes above remind me of 3 known jurisdictions that use excessive signal heads:
* DelDOT
* IDOT
* WisDOT (especially with their IDOT imitations)

I never thought of DelDOT using too many.  They seem to abide by the 1 signal per lane rule.  If anything, they could use a additional one for permitted/protected left turns; often of which only 1 green or green/yellow arrow is used.

Regarding New Jersey roads on the other hand - they've been known to use 4 or 5 signal heads for a signal lane.  And going back to the last picture: Almost all 'T' intersections have mast arms for all 3 legs of the intersection.

[hbelkins]

Don't "lake" and "reservoir" mean the same thing?

[NE2]

They probably meant to put Nolin River Reservoir or Nolin River Lake.

[Big John]

8 signal heads facing one direction by Plover, WI: https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4538437,-89.5087328,3a,75y,116.19h,91.74t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sSnrdIUySXrXlnl65LJPOwA!2e0

[jakeroot]

8 signal heads facing one direction by Plover, WI: https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4538437,-89.5087328,3a,75y,116.19h,91.74t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sSnrdIUySXrXlnl65LJPOwA!2e0

That whole setup looks very British to me, especially with the half-height masts for the turn lanes posted on the near-side of the intersection.

And going back to the last picture: Almost all 'T' intersections have mast arms for all 3 legs of the intersection.

Since I posted the photo, it's fair that I respond. The through-movements should definitely have mast arms, but the terminating movement is better suited by just a couple of signals: keep the half-height mast on the right, and keep the mast-mounted signal on the left, and that's it.

[AsphaltPlanet]

This one has been taken down, but existed for a while.

[empirestate]

Don't "lake" and "reservoir" mean the same thing?

Not quite; a reservoir only exists where there's a dam or some other manmade structure to contain the water for later use. If there was previously a lake called Nolin Lake, and then they built a dam across its outlet stream, the resulting larger impoundment could certainly be called Nolin Lake Reservoir.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Here's my favorite signal over kill from my old town of Ramona CA:  The eastern terminus of Warnock Road into San Vincente,5 signals, including 2 right turn 5 lamps, that were installed years before the road was upgraded with a specific right turn only/left turn only lane.

http://goo.gl/maps/9ebQh

[freebrickproductions]

The intersection of Bailey Cove Road and 4 Mile Post Road has three "No U-turn" signs at it now.

Three No U-turn Signs by freebrickproductions, on Flickr

[hbelkins]

Also a candidate for Sine Salad...

[dfwmapper]

http://goo.gl/maps/C0PX4
If you can't make out the text:
STRICT TRAFFIC
ENFORCEMENT ZONE

NO TOLERANCE ALLOWED

SLOW DOWN

This sign is so redundant that the redundancy changes its meaning. It's apparently a warning to the cops that they aren't allowed to have any tolerance.

[vtk]

NO TOLERANCE ALLOWED

That's very close to "tolerance will not be tolerated", which sounds contradictory but isn't.

[empirestate]

http://goo.gl/maps/C0PX4
If you can't make out the text:
STRICT TRAFFIC
ENFORCEMENT ZONE

NO TOLERANCE ALLOWED

SLOW DOWN

You know, if they really wanted slower traffic they could have made it something less than a six-lane road...

[dfwmapper]

You know, if they really wanted slower traffic they could have made it something less than a six-lane road...

Historically, it needed the six lanes. The toll road didn't open east of Firewheel Parkway until 2012, but the frontage roads and Firewheel Parkway itself (plus all the houses in Rowlett) date back at least as far as the early 90s. A lot of people headed towards the northern suburbs for jobs. Had it been built today, it would probably be a four lane parkway (i.e. extra wide median that can accommodate future widening to six lanes).

[roadman65]

The intersection of Bailey Cove Road and 4 Mile Post Road has three "No U-turn" signs at it now.

Three No U-turn Signs by freebrickproductions, on Flickr

The question is how many people ignore them?  I will bet you will still have a driver or two ignore these signs even though it very much catches your eyes.

[Brandon]

The two quotes above remind me of 3 known jurisdictions that use excessive signal heads:
* DelDOT
* IDOT
* WisDOT (especially with their IDOT imitations)

IDOT has actual rules regarding signal installations.  There must be a minimum of three signals per direction, and a minimum of two signals per turning direction.  A bare-bones setup will be two five-light towers (left turn) and one three-light signal, giving three signals for the through (and right turn) direction.

[roadman65]

Actually the redundant heads are good on highways where the truck in front of you blocks your view of the two main signal heads. 

NJ has at least four and up to six on divided highways with mast arms erected in the median.  Some have the heads facing your way while mounted over the opposing roadway and the other side sees the back of the head aimed at you as well as you looking at the back of another head meant for the other direction.  Most cases, though, they use back to back signal heads. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.3292905,-74.3055338,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy_EeQIncw49u3uFXzvU3RA!2e0

The two turn heads that Delaware, Illinois, and even California are used in New Jersey at every left turn signal and that I feel is a good thing as well as the far left corner mount can be seen also around a truck in front of you as well.

[freebrickproductions]

The intersection of Bailey Cove Road and 4 Mile Post Road has three "No U-turn" signs at it now.

Three No U-turn Signs by freebrickproductions, on Flickr

The question is how many people ignore them?  I will bet you will still have a driver or two ignore these signs even though it very much catches your eyes.

There was the occasional person who ignored the first two signs before the third one was put up, so it'll probably be the same amount of people.

[PHLBOS]

For those that didn't already know; US 13 in Prospect Park, PA is indeed Chester Pike.  Pardon the blurry GSV.

[PHLBOS]

Thread bump:

En route to/from last weekend's Cape May Mini-Meet; I saw three LBS' containing both the Wawa logo and text.  Unfortunately, the current GSV predates the erection of two of those signs at NJ 347's northern terminus w/NJ 47 (but doesn't predate the Wawa store & gas station).  I recall seeing a third LBS further south (not necessarily along 347) but can't recall the location.

[jeffandnicole]

Thread bump:

En route to/from last weekend's Cape May Mini-Meet; I saw three LBS' containing both the Wawa logo and text.  Unfortunately, the current GSV predates the erection of two of those signs at NJ 347's northern terminus w/NJ 47 (but doesn't predate the Wawa store & gas station).  I recall seeing a third LBS further south (not necessarily along 347) but can't recall the location.

Was it for the same Wawa?

If so, there could've been a sign at the 47/347 split going south, then one on each side of the first intersection, as that particular Wawa is just off the intersection there.

[PHLBOS]

Two of the 3 signs were definitely for that one Wawa at 47/347; both of which were on NJ 347 approaching the Mauricetown Crossway Road (CR 607 and NJ 47 northbound) intersection.

Per my earlier post, my "further south (not necessarily on 347)" reference, was referring to another Wawa located further south.  Such was likely located in the actual meet area/route (and no it was not for the Wawa in Wildwood that's has the 50s drive-in decor; we passed by that one during the meet). 

I even pointed the LBS out to those that were riding with me during the meet; but it came too quick to get a quick snapshot of such (I thought GSV would show the LBS' at 47/347 especially since it shows the Wawa fully open).

[jeffandnicole]

You're referring to this type of signage, right?  http://goo.gl/maps/JMdOs  That's what NJDOT does on roads that aren't limited-access highways.  No idea why.

Wildwood has really been able to do a great job with encouraging some businesses to go with the doo-wop theme which can be found all throughout Wildwood.  It's an ordinary Wawa inside, but a very unique setup on the outside.

[PHLBOS]

You're referring to this type of signage, right?  http://goo.gl/maps/JMdOs  That's what NJDOT does on roads that aren't limited-access highways.  No idea why.

That would be the type.  Your posted-example shows all-round redundancy (logo & text) regardless of the brand or venue.