Stangest Traffic Lights

[traffic light guy]

Not necessarily strange, but here are two storage unit signals in NE Philly (Unknown models):

Storage Signal by Traffic Light Guy, on Flickr
Another Storage Signal by Traffic Light Guy, on Flickr

[adventurernumber1]

Not sure this counts, but referenced at a recent conference:

https://goo.gl/maps/2kPuTUVsJyS2

Hey jakeroot, that u-turn from right lane was pretty interesting (page 5 post date 6-29-16), would you mind posting a google maps link?

I'm amazed that any municipality would have spent the money for that fancy gantry when standard mast-arms would have worked just as well.

It may have been worthwhile, because it is one of the most interesting, beautiful traffic light set-ups I have ever seen, due to its unusual, intriguing, and aesthetically pleasing nature.     

[jakeroot]

It may have been worthwhile, because it is one of the most interesting, beautiful traffic light set-ups I have ever seen, due to its unusual, intriguing, and aesthetically pleasing nature.

You can have it. I wouldn't consider it anything more than visual clutter, existing for no reason other than to give passing engineers a hard-on.

I mean, seriously. There's a reason this hasn't been done anywhere else. It serves no purpose.

[index]

Not sure this counts, but referenced at a recent conference:

https://goo.gl/maps/2kPuTUVsJyS2

Hey jakeroot, that u-turn from right lane was pretty interesting (page 5 post date 6-29-16), would you mind posting a google maps link?

I'm amazed that any municipality would have spent the money for that fancy gantry when standard mast-arms would have worked just as well.

It may have been worthwhile, because it is one of the most interesting, beautiful traffic light set-ups I have ever seen, due to its unusual, intriguing, and aesthetically pleasing nature. 

You might think that's beautiful, but that one went straight on to my garbage list on my saved Google maps locations. One man's trash is another man's treasure, I guess.

As for funny signals, combination PV signal/regular signal heads always look goofy. Here's some in Tabor City, NC.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.148789,-78.876832,3a,48.5y,177.7h,96.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suVezHawlsgTvJiZ62m5ovA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.1486927,-78.876697,3a,37.6y,269.25h,98.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQQRjJn_-dzRr9jVxaSCmMg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's a 12-8-8 with a 3M red section.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6635058,-73.693583,3a,21.1y,68.19h,100.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTXoUmYhKPJKltQDQLkST9Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656





Here's a clustered blue signal in NYS. Looks rather nice in my opinion.


https://www.google.com/maps/@41.37333,-74.695421,3a,29.6y,78.92h,98.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sirI3vA6u03xBI3pPql1mzg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656


There was a group of blue signals in NYS I had found that were 8 inch and had 12 inch adapters on the red section, but I can't remember where those were.





And we also have this garbage in Mexico, which normally uses standard US signals.


https://www.google.com/maps/@21.1741349,-86.8266527,3a,66.1y,53.6h,103.21t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1st7CvsVrNFlPHYAwwz0iqew!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@21.1742144,-86.826881,3a,75y,234.43h,98.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sv_TMoIkBuls8HAKcgSNvsw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[MNHighwayMan]

It may have been worthwhile, because it is one of the most interesting, beautiful traffic light set-ups I have ever seen, due to its unusual, intriguing, and aesthetically pleasing nature.

You can have it. I wouldn't consider it anything more than visual clutter, existing for no reason other than to give passing engineers a hard-on.

I mean, seriously. There's a reason this hasn't been done anywhere else. It serves no purpose.

And IMO, I find it fugly. It's bulky and distracting and ultimately, a waste of resources.

[index]

It may have been worthwhile, because it is one of the most interesting, beautiful traffic light set-ups I have ever seen, due to its unusual, intriguing, and aesthetically pleasing nature.

You can have it. I wouldn't consider it anything more than visual clutter, existing for no reason other than to give passing engineers a hard-on.

I mean, seriously. There's a reason this hasn't been done anywhere else. It serves no purpose.

And IMO, I find it fugly. It's bulky and distracting and ultimately, a waste of resources.

If you love unnecessary wastes of resources, you'll love this:





Apparently, FDOT spent $3.4 million on a project that included installing these.


There's also this massive Sunpass gantry. Wonder how much this cost. Probably didn't make a scratch in FDOT's budget, they seem to be made of money.

[adventurernumber1]

Let me clarify - I am not advocating that that should be done everywhere, because obviously it is expensive and takes up resources (and may be visual clutter for some) - but since it was done in this one location, I think it was interesting, since it makes it a unique traffic light set-up (that I found to be incredibly cool). It definitely should not be done everywhere, but since it was done here, I found it to be quite an intriguing piece of art. Standard mast-arms are obviously more than sufficient to do the job, and still look great, but I just found this oddball traffic light set-up to be some neat, unusual eye-candy that may have been worthwhile this one time.

[index]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

[Scott5114]

I'm amazed that any municipality would have spent the money for that fancy gantry when standard mast-arms would have worked just as well.

It's Johnson County. Enough said...

[MCRoads]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

Ah, drunk road design at its best... i mean,


WHO PUTS AN INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH_RIZE BRIDGE EVER?!?!?!?

[roadfro]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

That's awkward...

I'm more amazed that LADOTD built a bridge over water to connect old LA 1 to the new alignment, when they could have used more of the old alignment over land to connect to the new LA1 alignment further north.

Also, what's with that hard 90° turn over water a few miles north? Bizarre...

[MCRoads]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

That's awkward...

I'm more amazed that LADOTD built a bridge over water to connect old LA 1 to the new alignment, when they could have used more of the old alignment over land to connect to the new LA1 alignment further north.

Also, what's with that hard 90° turn over water a few miles north? Bizarre...

agreed.

[jakeroot]

Also, what's with that hard 90° turn over water a few miles north? Bizarre...

agreed.

Looks to be for a future extension.

WSDOT built a really odd left turn a few years back (WA-16 at Sprague Ave). Area residents were very confused, before it was understood to be half of a diamond interchange...

[Rothman]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

Ah, drunk road design at its best... i mean,


WHO PUTS AN INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH_RIZE BRIDGE EVER?!?!?!?

Minnesota.  See I-35, I-535, US 53.

[index]

Also, what's with that hard 90° turn over water a few miles north? Bizarre...

agreed.

Looks to be for a future extension.

WSDOT built a really odd left turn a few years back (WA-16 at Sprague Ave). Area residents were very confused, before it was understood to be half of a diamond interchange...

If that's the case, that would explain why there's BGSes for the 90 degree turn on that bridge. (which is the Gateway to the Gulf Expy)


Although, there doesn't look like there's anything for it to connect to. Going out from that turn, it's wide open coastal marsh and ocean, so potential future expansion may not be the case.

[index]

Here is an intersection in VA with backplates typically used in Europe.


https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4733423,-77.9960881,3a,75y,315.36h,99.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNJk1xAk2MJCbef7IbTZqdQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[index]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

That's awkward...

I'm more amazed that LADOTD built a bridge over water to connect old LA 1 to the new alignment, when they could have used more of the old alignment over land to connect to the new LA1 alignment further north.

Also, what's with that hard 90° turn over water a few miles north? Bizarre...

According to LADOTD, the whole purpose of it being a bridge was because of potential coastal flooding from various factors.


http://www8.dotd.la.gov/La1Project/



Although, if that's the case, why isn't the rest of LA 1 from Golden Meadow elevated?

[TBKS1]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

I don't know why but I actually like it that way. I guess all that needs to be done is to add another flashing box (or whatever it's called) to the left hand side. 

[jakeroot]

Here is an intersection in VA with backplates typically used in Europe.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4733423,-77.9960881,3a,75y,315.36h,99.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNJk1xAk2MJCbef7IbTZqdQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I've seen these before, but it's nice to see them again. They specifically remind me a lot of the backplates used in the Netherlands: https://goo.gl/Wgh6ka

Also, what's with that hard 90° turn over water a few miles north? Bizarre...

agreed.

Looks to be for a future extension.

If that's the case, that would explain why there's BGSes for the 90 degree turn on that bridge. (which is the Gateway to the Gulf Expy)

Although, there doesn't look like there's anything for it to connect to. Going out from that turn, it's wide open coastal marsh and ocean, so potential future expansion may not be the case.

Could be the ultimate plan is for a total bypass of the current ground-level highway.

[jeffandnicole]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

That's awkward...

I'm more amazed that LADOTD built a bridge over water to connect old LA 1 to the new alignment, when they could have used more of the old alignment over land to connect to the new LA1 alignment further north.

Also, what's with that hard 90° turn over water a few miles north? Bizarre...

According to LADOTD, the whole purpose of it being a bridge was because of potential coastal flooding from various factors.


http://www8.dotd.la.gov/La1Project/



Although, if that's the case, why isn't the rest of LA 1 from Golden Meadow elevated?

When they build roads, they are supposed to do tons of analysis to determine what the current flood zones are, what height the water could get to in a 100 year storm, 500 year storm, etc.  It's possible the water could rise significantly in this area but not other areas.

[index]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

I don't know why but I actually like it that way. I guess all that needs to be done is to add another flashing box (or whatever it's called) to the left hand side. 

It's called a beacon. 

[TBKS1]

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2383331,-90.1984095,3a,47y,187.9h,92.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgt4FxyqSjJ1F7jUT9htw4A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2387169,-90.1985201,3a,15.5y,170.76h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3Efw4LzytGXVpZ79f_aSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.2384615,-90.1984462,3a,32.7y,179.36h,91.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7-ee5LkFE9_6evEtjfwCdg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656



Uh...
LADOTD, are you okay?

I don't know why but I actually like it that way. I guess all that needs to be done is to add another flashing box (or whatever it's called) to the left hand side. 

It's called a beacon. 

Thanks for letting me know.

[mrpablue]

I didn't take the time to see if this had been mentioned.

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6976717,-121.8892408,3a,75y,7.53h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSecMGRu1hmgC6g0HWNn5YQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[index]

I didn't take the time to see if this had been mentioned.

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6976717,-121.8892408,3a,75y,7.53h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSecMGRu1hmgC6g0HWNn5YQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I have a feeling this is the work of a municipal government. Don't think any state DOT (in this case caltrans) would waste their time with that (besides maybe FDOT). Its location in a business park also might hint to that.

[TBKS1]

I feel like it would be perfect to put this here.

This is at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Center Street in Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

I took this photo about a month ago.