More 8" heads bite the dust

[M3019C LPS20]

New York City D.O.T. is in the process of upgrading many major thoroughfares in the boroughs from 8" to 12" vehicular heads, which stems to mayor Bill DeBlasio's "Vision Zero" safety project. The intention is to improve the visibility of signal indications, so motorists see them clearly without the risk of accidents.

In Queens, as an example, the thoroughfare Cross Bay Blvd. recently saw this major upgrade. Both directions were affected by the change; however, each cross street at each signalized intersection continues to be controlled by 8" traffic signals. These two below from Howard Beach show the new traffic signals there.



The speed limit on Cross Bay Blvd. has been mainly 40 M.P.H. for many years, which is also true for other heavily traveled thoroughfares in New York City. So, the new 12" heads are adequate to use.




Most of the 12" heads attached to clusters have separations. A separation between the red and amber indication, and this is to provide an adequate clearance level for traffic below. Personally, it is an interesting configuration, and I have seen this in particular elsewhere in the boroughs.



I know most, if not all, of the intersections on Cross Bay Blvd. well, since I remember I traveled on this thoroughfare to visit my grandfather that originally lived in Ozone Park of Queens. Out of all of the intersections there, four originally had 12" heads in use (Belt Pkwy. entrance and exit and S. and N. Conduit Av.). It is sad to see most of the original 8" heads are gone.

[hotdogPi]

For those of you with 8" heads (not including hair), beware of NYCDOT!

[KEK Inc.]

I was never a fan of 8" installations aside from side-mounted signals. 

[M3019C LPS20]

For those of you with 8" heads (not including hair), beware of NYCDOT!

N.Y.C.D.O.T. has no intention to replace all 8" heads in the near future, mind you. Certain areas that were necessary were taken into consideration, due to the speed limits.

[KEK Inc.]

For those of you with 8" heads (not including hair), beware of NYCDOT!

N.Y.C.D.O.T. has no intention to replace all 8" heads in the near future, mind you. Certain areas that were necessary were taken into consideration, due to the speed limits.

Is 35 MPH the magic number in the MUTCD now-a-days?  If so, Seattle is non-compliant.

[M3019C LPS20]

For those of you with 8" heads (not including hair), beware of NYCDOT!

N.Y.C.D.O.T. has no intention to replace all 8" heads in the near future, mind you. Certain areas that were necessary were taken into consideration, due to the speed limits.

Is 35 MPH the magic number in the MUTCD now-a-days?  If so, Seattle is non-compliant.

Yes.

[Big John]

MUTCD allows existing 8" signals to stay in place even if non-complaint with the 12" requirement.

[M3019C LPS20]

After this recent upgrade in Queens, N.Y., I hope to get my hands on a couple of the original 8" heads through some people I know in the signal business.

[mrsman]

You know, if safety is the main purpose, they should also consider installing backplates to the signals.

[M3019C LPS20]

You know, if safety is the main purpose, they should also consider installing backplates to the signals.

Backplates would pose a problem, because most of New York City's traffic signals are in clusters.

[jeffandnicole]

You know, if safety is the main purpose, they should also consider installing backplates to the signals.

Why? In NYC where signals are found nearly every block, along with tall buildings that reduce sun glare, adding backplates are't necessary.  Just because some areas of the country use them doesn't mean they should become mandatory on every traffic light everywhere.

[M3019C LPS20]

You know, if safety is the main purpose, they should also consider installing backplates to the signals.

Why? In NYC where signals are found nearly every block, along with tall buildings that reduce sun glare, adding backplates are't necessary.  Just because some areas of the country use them doesn't mean they should become mandatory on every traffic light everywhere.

I think he was referring to the 12" heads in particular. Of course, it would not be necessary to add them to 8" heads there, since the speed limit is primarily 25 M.P.H.