How often do signals in your state get replaced

[traffic light guy]

In my state they usually phase out the signal heads every 20 years, but keep the mast-arm. An example would be a 1970s set of Eagle Flatback heads would get swapped out around the early-mid 90s with newer plastic McCain heads, and right now in 2015 those would be getting replaced with Econolites.However in most cases some of the original heads from the 1970s remain, but those would usually be 8-inchers mounted on the side of the street. In fact most intersections in PA are mixed or scrapped, the oldest in one intersection could be a Eagle flatback from 1973, a signal replacement would probably be a Durasig or McCain from the mid-90s, followed by a fresh newly installed Econolite from 2015. Its just neat and odd that in an intersection in PA two signal heads could be well over 40 years apart, especially in Philadelphia, I this exact kind of setup, it was all on a 1970s PennDOT mast-arm, the overhead 12-incher was installed way back in the 1970s, along with the mast, and it was a CH type R head, and one the side was an Eagle Mark IV from around 1996, and beside it was an Econolite which was newly installed summer of 2015.

[M3019C LPS20]

I can't speak on behalf of New York state, since each municipality has its own maintenance system. I am knowledgeable about the New York City DOT.

You would be surprised to realize that a large percentage of the city's traffic signals are well over 30 years old. Marbelite produced them from around 1954 until the company ceased production of all signal models in 1977. The DOT usually maintains its signal equipment well and repaints everything once every 4 to 6 years.

If an intersection sees a massive upgrade, then there is a likely chance the original heads will be removed and replaced by newer units. NYCDOT purchases from these three main manufacturers...


General Traffic Equipment.

McCain.

Traffic Control Technologies.

[roadfro]

Signal heads in Nevada tend not to be replaced as long as they continue to function normally and are not damaged.

The only replacements that usually happen are when the intersection is modified and the signals need to be updated accordingly (i.e. changing from protected/permitted to protected only). The one exception to this, happening statewide, is the slow conversion of PPLT signal heads from 5-aspect displays (doghouses on the mast arm, vertical stacks on the pole mounts) to 4-aspect FYAs.

If there is a major construction that includes roadway widening or moving the signal mast, most agencies do tend to install all new equipment for the affected approach(es): mast pole & arm, signal heads, lighted street name signs, etc. Sometimes, the project is just adding an additional left turn lane, they'll either add another left turn signal head (if the mast arm can support it) or just put up a dual left lane use sign next to the existing left turn head (if the mast arm can't support it or if there are other technical limitations).

[Mohkfry]

INDOT only replaces signal once they've either deteriorated enough to where they can no longer "safely" be used, or if a FYA signal gets installed at an intersection. If a FYA gets installed, everything gets replaced so that the intersection will be up to current standards (currently black signals with black reflective backplates). Damaged signals don't normally see a full replacement. They usually only get there damaged sections replaced.

[jakeroot]

I didn't know there were states that had signal replacement cycles. Washington only replaces signals when they stop working, another technology supersedes whatever is currently in the field (so about 10 years ago, the transition to LED saw a lot of replaced signals), when the intersection geometry changes, or when changing signals from permissive to protected and vice versa. The retro reflective yellow strip and backplate are being added to a lot of signals, but the signal heads themselves aren't changing (so I've started seeing 8-inch signals with a reflective yellow strip around the backplate -- sort of a mix of two generations).

[UCFKnights]

The schedule in Florida is based on the hurricanes. When they come threw and blow all the old signals away, we get all new ones. Its been quiet lately

[cl94]

New York likes to hold off replacement until a roadway gets widened/reconstructed, new phasing is needed, ped signals go in or new sensors get installed. A lot of signals in this state are over 15-20 years old. Lately, a lot of span wire signals have been replaced by mast signals and, if the control panel allows, sensors and new phasing schemes are added to existing installations. Even when FYAs go in, some retrofits haven't touched the installation they are added to. Basically, New York doesn't replace until they have to.

Cities, villages, and counties typically hold off until a major reconstruction, synchronization, or failure. If NYSDOT or several counties fund an installation, signals are 12". Just about every municipality puts in 12" when signals replaced.

[roadfro]

^ MUTCD requires 12" signals in all new installations or replacements, except in very specific circumstances.

[NJ]

I was told that they last approx. 30 years

[thenetwork]

Seems that in (at least SE) Michigan, the lights would stay up forever.   Prior to the latter half of the 80s, most of the lights on the main roads were 8-inchers that could have been around since the 50s.  Then MDOT replaced the lights in the directions facing the main arteries with 12-inch heads, leaving some of the lesser side streets to the original 8-inch heads.  By the early 90s, nearly all the lights were replaced with all 12-inch heads.

In Ohio, most upgrades, like in most states, are due to widening or intersection reconstruction.  But with ODOT recently adapting the black backplated signals w/ yellow outlining on most state-maintained highways, there are some lights that weren't even 5-10 years old before they were upgraded again just for this "cosmetic" look.  Yet there still are plenty of signals that have been around for 50+ years that are still working and were only modified for LED lights.

[cl94]

12 inch heads are only required if the speed limit is above 30. Some municipalities like to go cheap on the new installs.

[M3019C LPS20]

^ MUTCD requires 12" signals in all new installations or replacements, except in very specific circumstances.

NYCDOT still installs 8" heads. The city speed limit is 25 MPH.

[cl94]

^ MUTCD requires 12" signals in all new installations or replacements, except in very specific circumstances.

NYCDOT still installs 8" heads. The city speed limit is 25 MPH.

That was the main exception I was referring to. They often install larger heads where the limit is higher. At least NYCDOT retrofitted everything with LEDs.

[jakeroot]

^ MUTCD requires 12" signals in all new installations or replacements, except in very specific circumstances.

NYCDOT still installs 8" heads. The city speed limit is 25 MPH.

That was the main exception I was referring to. They often install larger heads where the limit is higher. At least NYCDOT retrofitted everything with LEDs.

I could be wrong, but Seattle also seems to be installing 8-inch signal heads. There are plenty which are the standard 12-inch, but there seems to be a plethora of 8-inch overhead signals that don't seem to be more than half a decade old. I'd need to do a sweep of streetview to confirm my suspicions, however.

[roadfro]

12 inch heads are only required if the speed limit is above 30. Some municipalities like to go cheap on the new installs.

It's not that simple...

Section 4D.07 Size of Vehicular Signal Indications

Standard:
01 There shall be two nominal diameter sizes for vehicular signal indications: 8 inches and 12 inches.

02 Except as provided in Paragraph 3 below, 12-inch signal indications shall be used for all signal sections in all new signal faces.

Option:
03 Eight-inch circular signal indications may be used in new signal faces only for:

A. The green or flashing yellow signal indications in an emergency-vehicle traffic control signal (see Section 4G.02);
B. The circular indications in signal faces controlling the approach to the downstream location where two adjacent signalized locations are close to each other and it is not practical because of factors such as high approach speeds, horizontal or vertical curves, or other geometric factors to install visibility-limited signal faces for the downstream approach;
C. The circular indications in a signal face that is located less than 120 feet from the stop line on a roadway with a posted or statutory speed limit of 30 mph or less;
D. The circular indications in a supplemental near-side signal face:
E. The circular indications in a supplemental signal face installed for the sole purpose of controlling pedestrian movements (see Section 4D.03) rather than vehicular movements; and
F. The circular indications in a signal face installed for the sole purpose of controlling a bikeway or a bicycle movement.

04 Existing 8-inch circular signal indications that are not included in Items A through F in Paragraph 3 may be retained for the remainder of their useful service life.

[PHLBOS]

The oldest traffic signal in my hometown of Marblehead, MA was erected in the early 70s.  The mast arm (w/signals*) and one signal pole w/8" heads are original.  The other signal & poles were accident-induced replacements.

*During a recent visit, the elevated signalheads on the mast arm were recently replaced.

Originally, the poles and signalhead backs were painted green.  They were repainted yellow sometime during the late 80s/early 90s.  This was the first signal in Marblehead to feature 3-12" heads (for the main road, Atlantic Ave./MA 129).  At the time, all other signals in the town had the 12-8-8 setup.

Elsewhere in eastern MA, there may be a few MDC/DCR signal installations from the 1960s still standing; but the oldest signals currently in operation in the Bay State are from the 1970s (the green poles & heads were repainted grey during the mid 1980s).

Where I presently live (Delaware County, PA), there's still a few signals around that date back to either the early 70s or even (late) 60 the 1950s in some instances.

These signals just outside of Rutledge are probably one of if not the oldest set of signals I've seen in southeastern PA (I'm aware that one of the signalheads is a match-in-kind replacement, scroll through GSV).

PennDOT just recently replaced a bunch of signals along Baltimore Ave. in Clifton Heights.  A few of those looked to be from the late 60s/early 70s.

As a result, these oldies are now gone.

These signalheads along PA 420 in Morton appear to be late 60s/early 70s 50s vintage.  Its companions were all accident-induced replacments.

Further north at the SEPTA train station, a few of these signalheads appear to be late 60s/early 70s vintage.  One of the 12" right-turn green arrow signal lenses had (not sure if it still does) the old-school triangular-shaped arrowhead.

Long story short, while many older signals have indeed been replaced in recent years; there are still some from the late 60s/ 1950s through early 70s surviving at the time of this posting, at least in southern Delaware County, PA.

[NJ]

What do you guys mean with the head?

[PHLBOS]

What do you guys mean with the head?

If you're referring to signalhead; see below.

12-8-8 signalhead:

[NJ]

What do you guys mean with the head?

If you're referring to signalhead; see below.

12-8-8 signalhead:

Oh I thought the background. I actually like the thin version like the yellow and green except if it's multi-lane and high speed perhaps.

[jeffandnicole]

What do you guys mean with the head?

If you're referring to signalhead; see below.

12-8-8 signalhead:

Oh I thought the background. I actually like the thin version like the yellow and green except if it's multi-lane and high speed perhaps.

NJ has a few of these.  They are fairly rare in this state.

2 examples:

https://goo.gl/maps/oym4amA2BdB2 & https://goo.gl/maps/gVCnfBCcduj

[freebrickproductions]

The oldest traffic signal in my hometown of Marblehead, MA was erected in the early 70s.  The mast arm (w/signals*) and one signal pole w/8" heads are original.  The other signal & poles were accident-induced replacements.

I love the worded peds at that intersection, especially the 12 inch Econolite ped with the original worded lenses in it on the mast-arm!

These signalheads along PA 420 in Morton appear to be late 60s/early 70s vintage.  Its companions were all accident-induced replacments.

This Crouse-hinds Art-deco at that intersection has to be from the 1950s at the latest:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066042,-75.3257261,3a,15y,297.29h,91.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swDWHdLBgz03IxxDfPMrFhg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[traffic light guy]

The oldest traffic signal in my hometown of Marblehead, MA was erected in the early 70s.  The mast arm (w/signals*) and one signal pole w/8" heads are original.  The other signal & poles were accident-induced replacements.

*During a recent visit, the elevated signalheads on the mast arm were recently replaced.

Originally, the poles and signalhead backs were painted green.  They were repainted yellow sometime during the late 80s/early 90s.  This was the first signal in Marblehead to feature 3-12" heads (for the main road, Atlantic Ave./MA 129).  At the time, all other signals in the town had the 12-8-8 setup.

Elsewhere in eastern MA, there may be a few MDC/DCR signal installations from the 1960s still standing; but the oldest signals currently in operation in the Bay State are from the 1970s (the green poles & heads were repainted grey during the mid 1980s).

Where I presently live (Delaware County, PA), there's still a few signals around that date back to either the early 70s or even (late) 60s.

These signals just outside of Rutledge are probably one of if not the oldest set of signals I've seen in southeastern PA (I'm aware that one of the signalheads is a match-in-kind replacement, scroll through GSV).

PennDOT just recently replaced a bunch of signals along Baltimore Ave. in Clifton Heights.  A few of those looked to be from the late 60s/early 70s.

As a result, these oldies are now gone.

These signalheads along PA 420 in Morton appear to be late 60s/early 70s vintage.  Its companions were all accident-induced replacments.

Further north at the SEPTA train station, a few of these signalheads appear to be late 60s/early 70s vintage.  One of the 12" right-turn green arrow signal lenses had (not sure if it still does) the old-school triangular-shaped arrowhead.

Long story short, while many older signals have indeed been replaced in recent years; there are still some from the late 60s/early 70s surviving at the time of this posting, at least in southern Delaware County, PA.

There are a handful of ancient 12" Eagle Flatback mast-arm traffic signal installations remaining in Bristol, PA. Possibly one of the oldest installations remaining outside of Philly. I even saw an intersection with all Eagle Flatbacks with minus a few replacement heads, these appeared to be installed in the mid-1970s, and are still in service, about eight years ago they got retrofitted with LEDs.

Anyway here's a picture of a fairly old Eagle Flatback installation, including two DW/W pedestrian heads, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm assuming these were installed in the early-1970s:



Sadly these oldheads got replaced around 2010 with some modern equipment.

BTW, the signals in the picture are in Marcus Hook, PA and not Bristol, this is obvious because the signals in the picture retained their Incandescent fixings.

Oh and PHLBOS, the signal heads along PA 420 in your picture are from the 1950s, if they were 60s/70s heads they'd either be 12" Eagle flatbacks or CH Types Rs on either stackable or angled mast-arms

[traffic light guy]

Here is also a picture of two very old 3M heads from the mid-70s, the loopy brackets around the signals were a common practice amongst PennDOT's earliest mast-arm installations, preferably ones installed between 1967 and 1980.

[M3019C LPS20]

What do you guys mean with the head?

Head is simply just another way to say signal. People in the signal industry usually use that nickname.

[roadfro]

What do you guys mean with the head?

Head is simply just another way to say signal. People in the signal industry usually use that nickname.

The word "signal" by itself can mean either a 'signal head' or 'signalized intersection', among other things.

Engineers typically use the term "signal head" to refer to a single set of signal indications (red/yellow/green) that directs a particular movement (i.e. a single R-Y-G stack is a common signal head, or a doghouse/cluster is another type of signal head). I've heard some people shorten 'signal head' to just "head" (e.g. referring to a pedestrian signal head as a "ped head"). The analogous term for 'signal head' used in the MUTCD is "signal face".