Stangest Traffic Lights

[tckma]

Also, when I lived in the Boston area, there was a signal on Memorial Drive along the river in Cambridge that would often show simultaneous red and green facing the same direction.  It used to confuse the hell out of me.  What does that even mean?  You can't stop and go at the same time.  Maybe a Massachusetts driver can, but I couldn't.

[tckma]

Oh, and while I'm on the topic of Boston:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3518457,-71.121058,3a,51.3y,253.08h,76.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seHLVPuOE7AhkEG65otODmw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

This isn't really strange per se.  The assembly on the left is for the streetcar (If you look closely at these, these assemblies often have a sign mounted that has the Boston circle-T logo, "T SIGNAL," or something like that), and the other two are for cars.  I don't remember ever seeing the streetcar signal red while the straight car signal was green or vice versa, but I suppose in the wide world of attempted traffic control in Boston it is possible.

An example of where that might happen would be this one at Packard's Corner, where vehicular and streetcar traffic cross each other to go the same direction on MA-30:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3521962,-71.1244799,3a,75y,274.81h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYg2dniDLXAcisUzIQE0e5g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DYg2dniDLXAcisUzIQE0e5g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D160.29147%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656

( Aerial view of intersection for reference: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3520728,-71.1217244,227a,20y,273.47h,45t/data=!3m1!1e3 )

[cl94]

The combined red-yellow was the old Massachusetts way of showing an exclusive pedestrian phase, IIRC.

[tckma]

The combined red-yellow was the old Massachusetts way of showing an exclusive pedestrian phase, IIRC.

My memory may not be great, but I'm fairly sure this was red and green together.  I never saw the red-and-yellow-together Barnes Dance signal.

[steviep24]

I don't think I even need to write a description for this famous one. Syracuse, NY.

What amazes me about this...is that they bothered to replace the bulbs with composite LEDs...but still didn't bother to turn the assembly upside down.  Or, you know, build a signal that has more than one signal head for each approach...Isn't this super-illegal?

Irish neighborhood. I don't know how true the rumor is, but there was supposedly a public outcry when Syracuse wanted to flip it around. One head per approach is the traditional New England method of installing signals and this is far from the only example in New York or New England. That installation likely dates from the 70s or earlier.

The story of that signal is that the Irish residents there wanted their Irish green above the British red. Whenever the highway dept. there made the signal in the normal red on top the residents would shoot out the red lights so green on top persists there to this day. I think nowadays the signal is kept that way for historical reasons.

I'm not familiar with that area but it looks like from photos and video I've seen of that intersection that it seems a signal is no longer warranted there and should probably be an all way stop.

[roadfro]

Oh, and while I'm on the topic of Boston:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3518457,-71.121058,3a,51.3y,253.08h,76.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seHLVPuOE7AhkEG65otODmw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

This isn't really strange per se.  The assembly on the left is for the streetcar (If you look closely at these, these assemblies often have a sign mounted that has the Boston circle-T logo, "T SIGNAL," or something like that), and the other two are for cars.  I don't remember ever seeing the streetcar signal red while the straight car signal was green or vice versa, but I suppose in the wide world of attempted traffic control in Boston it is possible.

Potential signal confusion for the adjacent through traffic can be easily achieved by swapping out the streetcar signal for a MUTCD-standard transit signal head (and also wouldn't need a supplemental sign).

[SidS1045]

My memory may not be great, but I'm fairly sure this was red and green together.  I never saw the red-and-yellow-together Barnes Dance signal.

Nope, it was red and yellow...this from a life-long Massachusetts resident.  Signals that were set up for the red-and-yellow interval had red-yellow-red stripes painted on the signal's support structure.  At this time the red-and-yellow interval is being phased out in favor of a simple red traffic signal and simultaneous WALK signal for all roads at an intersection.

The only place I remember seeing red and green together was in NYC.  The old two-aspect traffic signals used to light up red and green together to signify yellow.

[spooky]

Oh, and while I'm on the topic of Boston:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3518457,-71.121058,3a,51.3y,253.08h,76.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seHLVPuOE7AhkEG65otODmw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

This isn't really strange per se.  The assembly on the left is for the streetcar (If you look closely at these, these assemblies often have a sign mounted that has the Boston circle-T logo, "T SIGNAL," or something like that), and the other two are for cars.  I don't remember ever seeing the streetcar signal red while the straight car signal was green or vice versa, but I suppose in the wide world of attempted traffic control in Boston it is possible.

Potential signal confusion for the adjacent through traffic can be easily achieved by swapping out the streetcar signal for a MUTCD-standard transit signal head (and also wouldn't need a supplemental sign).

This signal is being upgraded and will incorporate the MUTCD-compliant transit signal heads.

[jakeroot]

Sort of cross-posting this from the generic "Traffic Signal" thread....I encountered this U-turn signal in Pierce County, WA today. The arrowhead is different than other U-turn signals I've seen. It's different from every other arrowhead that I've seen before, for that matter:

[PHLBOS]

Also, when I lived in the Boston area, there was a signal on Memorial Drive along the river in Cambridge that would often show simultaneous red and green facing the same direction.  It used to confuse the hell out of me.  What does that even mean?  You can't stop and go at the same time.  Maybe a Massachusetts driver can, but I couldn't.

Are you sure that the green light that was lighted along with the red wasn't a green arrow?  Such was standard practice (lighted red ball/green arrow) in the Bay State prior to separate signalheads for turning lanes.

Once upon a time, along the Lynnway (MA 1A in Lynn), there was a signal (RY with 2 green arrows (upright, the other right)) facing northbound traffic that in its main phase had all but the yellow lens lit simultaneously.  The reason for such that there was a separate 4-section signalhead (w/a left arrow rather than a right) that only had the left green arrow on for a short phase.  When left turns from northbound 1A were not allowed, every red ball facing the northbound direction would be on.  The signal in question was completely replaced when the Lynnway was overhauled circa 1988-1989.

[mrsman]

Oh, and while I'm on the topic of Boston:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3518457,-71.121058,3a,51.3y,253.08h,76.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seHLVPuOE7AhkEG65otODmw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

This isn't really strange per se.  The assembly on the left is for the streetcar (If you look closely at these, these assemblies often have a sign mounted that has the Boston circle-T logo, "T SIGNAL," or something like that), and the other two are for cars.  I don't remember ever seeing the streetcar signal red while the straight car signal was green or vice versa, but I suppose in the wide world of attempted traffic control in Boston it is possible.

When looking at the streetview, what seems to bother me more is that the traffic on Commonwealth has a green straight arrow and a green right arrow at the same time.  When are peds supposed to cross Babcock street?  (There are only ped signals for crossing Commonwealth, not for crossing Babcock.)

[PurdueBill]

Also, when I lived in the Boston area, there was a signal on Memorial Drive along the river in Cambridge that would often show simultaneous red and green facing the same direction.  It used to confuse the hell out of me.  What does that even mean?  You can't stop and go at the same time.  Maybe a Massachusetts driver can, but I couldn't.

Are you sure that the green light that was lighted along with the red wasn't a green arrow?  Such was standard practice (lighted red ball/green arrow) in the Bay State prior to separate signalheads for turning lanes.

Once upon a time, along the Lynnway (MA 1A in Lynn), there was a signal (RY with 2 green arrows (upright, the other right)) facing northbound traffic that in its main phase had all but the yellow lens lit simultaneously.  The reason for such that there was a separate 4-section signalhead (w/a left arrow rather than a right) that only had the left green arrow on for a short phase.  When left turns from northbound 1A were not allowed, every red ball facing the northbound direction would be on.  The signal in question was completely replaced when the Lynnway was overhauled circa 1988-1989.

Sounds like some Revere Beach Parkway installations by MDC.  The bottom arrow here never turns off, unless it burns out.  The top three govern the left turn and of course the oncoming traffic has circular RYG signals that operate to accommodate the protected left.

[paulthemapguy]

Sounds like some Revere Beach Parkway installations by MDC.  The bottom arrow here never turns off, unless it burns out.  The top three govern the left turn and of course the oncoming traffic has circular RYG signals that operate to accommodate the protected left.

And of course, because it's Massachusetts, half of the visors are missing.

[freebrickproductions]

Found these two doghouses at an intersection in Scottsboro, AL today with dual yellow ball indications:
Siemens Traffic Lights by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Traffic Lights by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Traffic Lights by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr
Siemens Doghouse Traffic Light by freebrickproductions, on Flickr

They are also an MUCTD violation, but at the same time, they aren't an MUTCD violation. It's a paradox!

[jakeroot]

I wasn't quite sure where to place this, but it's very strange, so I figured this worked:

WSDOT recently widened a stretch of SR-502 in Southwest Washington, north of Vancouver. This is a popular truck route, but the new road was to have a concrete barrier in the middle, making right-then-U-turns the only way to go left along much of the roadway. To accomodate trucks, WSDOT built several separate U-turn pockets along the right edges of the road. When green, this signal takes precedent over the entire intersection, and permit a very wide U-turn area.

Here's a couple images:

[Revive 755]

^ They didn't have the ROW to do a proper jughandle or loons for the u-turns?

I just see some smaller vehicle making a u-turn and managing to go the wrong way on the road, especially given the lack of arrows for the other lanes and/or wrong way/do not enter signage.

[opspe]

That reminds me of those hook turn lanes you see in some LHD countries like Australia.

I remember seeing some new (and very similar looking) U-turn lights on 99W in King City, but those were from the left hand side as you'd expect.

[jakeroot]

^ They didn't have the ROW to do a proper jughandle or loons for the u-turns?

Definitely didn't have the ROW (WSDOT has to acquire ROW for nearly all of their projects -- widening this road from two to four lanes required significant ROW acquisition). Without knowing the numbers, I would guess that most trucks continue straight along Hwy 502, so the U-turn pockets suffice for the occasional truck.

I just see some smaller vehicle making a u-turn and managing to go the wrong way on the road, especially given the lack of arrows for the other lanes and/or wrong way/do not enter signage.

They need to work on signage, for sure.

That reminds me of those hook turn lanes you see in some LHD countries like Australia.

That was my first thought as well.

I remember seeing some new (and very similar looking) U-turn lights on 99W in King City, but those were from the left hand side as you'd expect.

I can't recall any specific U-turn-Only locations along 99W in that vicinity. Do you remember where they were (even if they're not installed in the street view imagery)?

[opspe]

I remember seeing some new (and very similar looking) U-turn lights on 99W in King City, but those were from the left hand side as you'd expect.

I can't recall any specific U-turn-Only locations along 99W in that vicinity. Do you remember where they were (even if they're not installed in the street view imagery)?

https://goo.gl/maps/MKrTa8cWch82

[tckma]

Sort of cross-posting this from the generic "Traffic Signal" thread....I encountered this U-turn signal in Pierce County, WA today. The arrowhead is different than other U-turn signals I've seen. It's different from every other arrowhead that I've seen before, for that matter:

Seems similar to this one in Laurel, MD.  Though, typically in this situation, I'll see a standard turn signal or doghouse.

[PurdueBill]

My memory may not be great, but I'm fairly sure this was red and green together.  I never saw the red-and-yellow-together Barnes Dance signal.

Nope, it was red and yellow...this from a life-long Massachusetts resident.  Signals that were set up for the red-and-yellow interval had red-yellow-red stripes painted on the signal's support structure.  At this time the red-and-yellow interval is being phased out in favor of a simple red traffic signal and simultaneous WALK signal for all roads at an intersection.

The only place I remember seeing red and green together was in NYC.  The old two-aspect traffic signals used to light up red and green together to signify yellow.

I too grew up in Mass and saw red-and-yellow a lot back then.  They are almost all gone now.

Interestingly, Peabody still has at least one pole with the red-yellow-red stripes, on one of the few poles supporting an overhead signal on Lowell Street from the late 70s reconstruction of the stretch, but has always had regular walk signals too. 

Red-and-yellow together was especially common at signals where flashing green was used, and still survives at the few flashing greens that are left.

[PurdueBill]

Speaking of flashing green, I am giddy with excitement at what I spied on street view as I was checking to see if any other old poles with the red and yellow stripes were still out there. 

At Lafayette St/route 1A-114 and Holly St in Salem, there was an ancient setup with flashing green for 1A and flashing bottom red for the cross street.  One would assume that it was bound to be extinct sometime.  Street View shows that instead, 1A got overhead signals sometime by a year ago, with the rest of the signals refurbished with new visors, black paint, and probably LED heads to replace incandescents, and the setup is still flashing green with no WALK signals.  So they consciously left it as flashing green when the overheads were put in.  (Moving back and forth in street view verifies this--green off/all dark, then green on a bump forward, etc.; bottom red on the side streets is another indication that the signals flash.)  Amazing that a new flashing green was put in place so recently, and I hope it is still there.

The intersection at Ocean Ave also got the same treatment, unfortunately losing a couple 8-8-8 signals, but now has more than one signal head per approach on 1A and includes flashing green.  It is astonishing and cool.

[jakeroot]

Seems similar to this one in Laurel, MD.

Indeed, it does. Maybe it's a specific manufacturer who uses those arrowheads? I don't know much about traffic signals.

Though, typically in this situation, I'll see a standard turn signal or doghouse.

I do wish there was some sort of requirement to use U-turn arrowheads when the lane only does u-turns. There are some U-turns near me that use left-facing arrows...it just seems misleading (in other words, use only protected signals, or flashing yellow arrow signals (no doghouses)). As a proof of concept, here's a FYA u-turn signal in University Place, WA:

[cl94]

I think I have seen a U-turn arrow in real life, but I certainly can't remember where. NYSDOT typically uses left turn arrows in the rare case it installs a dedicated U-turn lane, such as on NY 33 in front of the Buffalo airport (several heading EB). As far as why U-turn arrows aren't used more, it's all cost. Cheaper to buy in bulk and "plain" arrows are likely cheaper to assemble.

[SidS1045]

Speaking of flashing green, I am giddy with excitement at what I spied on street view as I was checking to see if any other old poles with the red and yellow stripes were still out there. 

At Lafayette St/route 1A-114 and Holly St in Salem, there was an ancient setup with flashing green for 1A and flashing bottom red for the cross street.  One would assume that it was bound to be extinct sometime.  Street View shows that instead, 1A got overhead signals sometime by a year ago, with the rest of the signals refurbished with new visors, black paint, and probably LED heads to replace incandescents, and the setup is still flashing green with no WALK signals.  So they consciously left it as flashing green when the overheads were put in.  (Moving back and forth in street view verifies this--green off/all dark, then green on a bump forward, etc.; bottom red on the side streets is another indication that the signals flash.)  Amazing that a new flashing green was put in place so recently, and I hope it is still there.

The intersection at Ocean Ave also got the same treatment, unfortunately losing a couple 8-8-8 signals, but now has more than one signal head per approach on 1A and includes flashing green.  It is astonishing and cool.

There's a flashing green still here in Wakefield...North Avenue (just south of 128) at Linda Road/Wolcott Avenue.