Traffic signal

[SignGeek101]

Saw a U-Turn arrow light the other day. I've never seen one before. The particular intersection didn't allow left turns, but U-turns were permitted.



Not my picture. Credit to owner.

Are U-Turn lights allowed in the US MUTCD?

[jeffandnicole]

Are U-Turn lights allowed in the US MUTCD?

Yes: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part4/fig4d_01_longdesc.htm

Your picture appears to be an older regular bulb, which is kinda crappy, IMO.  The LED version is a bit better to see (although still small).

[ekt8750]

Delaware loves U-Turn lights and arrow lights in general that point in all sorts of directions

[cl94]

I have a question about the four-section heads that appear to be widespread in eastern Massachusetts. From seeing their operation, it appears that the bottom two sections are green and yellow arrows, while the top is a red arrow. What is a the second section from the top and what is it used for?

[Ian]

I have a question about the four-section heads that appear to be widespread in eastern Massachusetts. From seeing their operation, it appears that the bottom two sections are green and yellow arrows, while the top is a red arrow. What is a the second section from the top and what is it used for?

If they're anything like the ones along the Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington, the section second from the top is a flashing yellow indication, for when the intersection is on flash mode during the "off hours."

I've also seen similar signals in parts of New York (especially Rockland County), except the top section is a flashing red ball that flashes during the "off hours" and the section second to top is the normal red arrow. Here's an example at the intersection of NY 59 and Middletown Road in Nanuet.

[cl94]

I have a question about the four-section heads that appear to be widespread in eastern Massachusetts. From seeing their operation, it appears that the bottom two sections are green and yellow arrows, while the top is a red arrow. What is a the second section from the top and what is it used for?

If they're anything like the ones along the Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington, the section second from the top is a flashing yellow indication, for when the intersection is on flash mode during the "off hours."

I've also seen similar signals in parts of New York (especially Rockland County), except the top section is a flashing red ball that flashes during the "off hours" and the section second to top is the normal red arrow. Here's an example at the intersection of NY 59 and Middletown Road in Nanuet.

Thanks. Those were the ones I was referring to, as several intersections on that stretch have them, but I also saw them in Lowell.

[jakeroot]

This U-turn signal in Pierce County, Washington has a slightly different arrowhead than I usually see at U-turn lights:

[texaskdog]

Saw a U-Turn arrow light the other day. I've never seen one before. The particular intersection didn't allow left turns, but U-turns were permitted.



Not my picture. Credit to owner.

Are U-Turn lights allowed in the US MUTCD?

Sounds like Anaheim

[freebrickproductions]

Saw a U-Turn arrow light the other day. I've never seen one before. The particular intersection didn't allow left turns, but U-turns were permitted.



Not my picture. Credit to owner.

Are U-Turn lights allowed in the US MUTCD?

Love that incandescent signal!

This U-turn signal in Pierce County, Washington has a slightly different arrowhead than I usually see at U-turn lights:

Might be an install from before the FHWA added U-turn arrows to the MUTCD?

[jakeroot]

This U-turn signal in Pierce County, Washington has a slightly different arrowhead than I usually see at U-turn lights:

http://i.imgur.com/tM56Ntf.jpg

Might be an install from before the FHWA added U-turn arrows to the MUTCD?

They just installed it like three weeks ago. Brand new installation. All of the other U-turn signals along the route, which pre-date this installation, look like this (the biggest giveaway is backplate vs no backplate -- the county now uses backplates on all new installations as of ~ 2014).

[freebrickproductions]

This U-turn signal in Pierce County, Washington has a slightly different arrowhead than I usually see at U-turn lights:

http://i.imgur.com/tM56Ntf.jpg

Might be an install from before the FHWA added U-turn arrows to the MUTCD?

They just installed it like three weeks ago. Brand new installation. All of the other U-turn signals along the route, which pre-date this installation, look like this (the biggest giveaway is backplate vs no backplate -- the county now uses backplates on all new installations as of ~ 2014).

Ah, didn't know that. Very odd then... Looks like they took the arrow on the U-turn sign to the right and shrunk it to fit on the LEDs.

[jay8g]

This signal in Seattle uses 8-inch up arrows. This is the only place in Seattle I know where 8-inch arrows are used -- even the oldest signals around that have arrows use 12-inch heads, even if only for the arrows. It seems like a very bad idea in that, from a distance, the signals look dark when the green arrow is on.

[Jet380]

This signal in Seattle uses 8-inch up arrows. This is the only place in Seattle I know where 8-inch arrows are used -- even the oldest signals around that have arrows use 12-inch heads, even if only for the arrows. It seems like a very bad idea in that, from a distance, the signals look dark when the green arrow is on.

They've completely phased out the 12-inch (300mm) heads here in Perth, with the justification being (I think) that LEDs provide extra brightness to counter the loss in conspicuity. It's a bit of a step backwards IMO especially when you consider large intersections like these:


https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.9436731,115.9223701,3a,49.2y,52.12h,81.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sR0gXhkSTfVX-Ahxcghfo-Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[freebrickproductions]

Like left turn signals? Because if so, then you'll love this set-up in Decatur, AL at the intersection of US 31 and AL 20:
Eagle Traffic Lights by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Eagle Traffic Lights by freebrickproductions, on Flickr

Also, have some signals in Gardendale, AL with 8 inch LED arrows:
8 inch Durasig Traffic Lights by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
8 inch Durasig Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
8 inch Arrow LED by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
8 inch Durasig Traffic Lights by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
8 inch Durasig Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
8 inch Arrow LED by freebrickproductions, on Flickr

[cl94]

Now that's something I've never seen before-an 8" arrow. Every agency I've seen that uses 8" signals always goes 12" for the arrows.

[Big John]

Now that's something I've never seen before-an 8" arrow. Every agency I've seen that uses 8" signals always goes 12" for the arrows.

as 12" arrows have been a MUTCD requirement for a long time.

Also, red and yellow through arrows are not allowed as shown on the first photo.

[cl94]

Also, red and yellow through arrows are not allowed as shown on the first photo.

Either they used to be or New York's MUTCD allowed them before they switched to the national one, because this intersection in Queensbury, NY was 100% arrows before it was rebuilt to add a second left turn lane on 2 of the approaches and it wasn't the only one in the area. Definitely not the first time I've seen red and yellow through arrows.

Edit: modified to remove ambiguity

[SignBridge]

Eight-inch arrows are virtually extinct in New York State. 12-inch has been standard for arrows in new installations since the 1960's. I do remember as a kid seeing 8-inch arrows in the earliest installations of the late 1950's, some of which survived 'til around 1980 on Long Island. 

[OracleUsr]

NC still has some 8" arrows.  Statesville used to be overrun with them when I first moved here.  Even had two 8-8-8-8-8 5-stack signals to boot.

(EDIT TO FINISH TYPING)

I didn't notice them until one afternoon in Greensboro I was looking at the 8-8-8-8 signals near Friendly Center and the right turn signal arrow caught my eye.  Then I realized downtown had quite a few, including a few 8" up arrows where turns of any kind were prohibited.

[jakeroot]

As long as we're talking about 8-inch arrows, I do feel obliged to mention how often British Columbia uses them. They're far less common than they used to be, but they still pop up from time to time. This arrow is always the first to pop into my head, but there are many, many others. The reason they pop up is because of the BC standard of using 8-inch signals for secondary (mast-mounted) signals. I guess sometimes, the contractor incorrectly orders the arrow as 8-inch as well.

[freebrickproductions]

There's at least two 8 inch arrows in Tennessee, one in Nashville and one near Knoxville, and there's at least one other 8 inch arrow here in Alabama. All three of the ones I mentioned are incandescent.

[steviep24]

Brockport, NY had an 8 in. green left arrow on NY 19 up until a few years ago when that stretch of road was rebuilt.

GSV of that intersection from 2007 with the old signals. The old signals there also had 8 in. 3M style green lenses for SB NY 19.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2091278,-77.9404365,3a,60y,344.24h,117.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQFwDA1zLkRzhP6YkJABqFw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664!6m1!1e1?hl=en

[PurdueBill]

I recall that Greenville NC had what would pass for a large number of 8-inch arrays downtown and on 5th street near the ECU campus, including arrows in doghouse assemblies.  They were new when I was moving there temporarily.  There were some ancient 8-inch assemblies, including arrows in 4-high split phase setups, in other places in town then but they are gone now.

I believe they were all city installs, as I was at a city surplus auction in fall of 2001 where the old lights were being sold as two lots (duh) instead of individually to willing purchasers like me and a number of other people--one lot (11 pallets, each with 3-4 signal assemblies per pallet) went for $50 total, the other lot similarly.  They could have gotten $50 per signal assembly from me and a number of other people who were asking but were told sorry, we decided to sell them as lots and you have to take your merchandise by the end of tomorrow or be billed for us hauling it away.  I assume the high bidder was some other town or something, or some person with wherewithall to transport 11 pallets of traffic signals.  The city was stupid to not offer some singly to willing buyers. Oh well.

[Alex]

Saw this "Cart Signal" within the SPUI at Nocatee and Crosswater Parkways in St. Johns County, Florida last week.

[mrsman]

Here's a strange signal that was posted on another thread:

https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.2696883,-123.073468,3a,75y,190.4h,78.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxrvrXDmBjF82BRmwAAYZuw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

This is the intersection of 1st Ave and Woodland Dr in Vancouver, BC.  The main street is controlled by a traditional RYG signal (but not ped signals).  The side street is controlled by a stop sign and ped signals.  Apparently, bikes and peds can push the button to stop traffic on 1st ave, but cars will always be controlled by the stop sign.

Now this intersection is in Canada, so the rules are different.  But I imagine something like this would violate MUTCD.  If main street traffic has green, the side street traffic should see a red light and not a stop sign.

There's similar signals in the US, but there are distinct differences:

At Country Club and 3rd in Tucson, AZ, the main street has a RYG, peds and bikes crossing on the minor street have unique signals and cars on the minor street are controlled by a stop sign and forced to turn right.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@32.2318613,-110.9267316,3a,75y,78.31h,82.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0mjQaTWDZta4k5oTquEjkQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e3!6m1!1e1?hl=en

At Reedie Drive and University Blvd in Wheaton, MD, the main street has a R-Y-flashing yellow signal.  While the main street is flashing yellow, the side street faces a flashing red and a stop sign.  When the main street traffic sees a red light, the side street traffic also sees a red light, no turn on red, and pedestrians may cross.

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/2100+University+Blvd+W,+Silver+Spring,+MD+20902,+USA/@39.0399121,-77.0429182,3a,75y,262.06h,80.5t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1skFOrVEGGaRxCYwK786BlJQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DkFOrVEGGaRxCYwK786BlJQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D68.120056%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b7cf1ad0fd04ad:0xda66bcf9903e72c4!8m2!3d39.0406589!4d-77.047263?hl=en


I believe that these signals were designed in ways to discourage through traffic from using the minor streets while fully stopping the main street traffic so that bikes and peds can cross safely.