Stangest Traffic Lights

[jakeroot]

I can think of numerous variants of U-turn regulatory signs, I am surprised they are not in the MUTCD.

U-turn "ONLY" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/rHJmpW4pohDnqAUm6
U-turn "OK" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/7W1Q1ZY8dPYhZFEk6
U-turn with left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/p4qhkBMjCm9KRjoz9
U-turn with double left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/BTtUhz9b1DUyBFuj7

The last sign is virtually identical to a lane-assignment sign very common in California, where it has been in use for decades.

One more variation - Left lane must U-turn: https://goo.gl/maps/rUNmgRVc6qyr7ESF6

And what a variation it is, I've never seen that before.

I've seen a U-turn-only adjacent to a left turn-only lane, but it uses much larger overhead signage: Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN.

[chrisg69911]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

On a related note, I've noticed that at some intersections the left turns have flashing red left arrows while oncoming has the green. Is there a difference between that and just a flashing yellow arrow?

[SignBridge]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

On a related note, I've noticed that at some intersections the left turns have flashing red left arrows while oncoming has the green. Is there a difference between that and just a flashing yellow arrow?

The flashing red arrow requires a stop before making the turn. The flashing yellow arrow does not necessarily require a stop if it's safe to make the turn without stopping. In effect they mean the same as any flashing red or yellow traffic light.

[jakeroot]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

Of course I'm going to notice this; that approach has only one light, and is not compliant with the MUTCD. If through traffic had a light, it would be okay, but because it is the only signalized movement on that approach, it must have two signals.

Something like this would be the proper way to signalize that left turn: https://goo.gl/maps/m6KYjsizZkGXxjzR6

[steviep24]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

On a related note, I've noticed that at some intersections the left turns have flashing red left arrows while oncoming has the green. Is there a difference between that and just a flashing yellow arrow?

The flashing red arrow requires a stop before making the turn. The flashing yellow arrow does not necessarily require a stop if it's safe to make the turn without stopping. In effect they mean the same as any flashing red or yellow traffic light.

Ontario, NY has a flashing red arrow. NY 104 and Furnace Rd.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2272774,-77.2815711,3a,15y,291.63h,95.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6To7o78OkC2ob10DQOUqGA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0&entry=ttu

[steviep24]

Interesting setup here. Left turn has a flashing red arrow, while oncoming has the green. I'm assuming there's a sensor that will have the arrow turn green and oncoming turn red.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qpFuzR45mausqWAw9

Of course I'm going to notice this; that approach has only one light, and is not compliant with the MUTCD. If through traffic had a light, it would be okay, but because it is the only signalized movement on that approach, it must have two signals.

Something like this would be the proper way to signalize that left turn: https://goo.gl/maps/m6KYjsizZkGXxjzR6

That reminds me of this signal on NY 31 in Pittsford, NY that has only a FYA on the mast arm for the EB approach.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1131502,-77.5505011,3a,75y,151.54h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMHxLzy53niePTY8McpEV9w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&authuser=0&entry=ttu

[wanderer2575]

I can think of numerous variants of U-turn regulatory signs, I am surprised they are not in the MUTCD.

U-turn "ONLY" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/rHJmpW4pohDnqAUm6
U-turn "OK" sign: https://goo.gl/maps/7W1Q1ZY8dPYhZFEk6
U-turn with left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/p4qhkBMjCm9KRjoz9
U-turn with double left arrow: https://goo.gl/maps/BTtUhz9b1DUyBFuj7

The last sign is virtually identical to a lane-assignment sign very common in California, where it has been in use for decades.

One more variation - Left lane must U-turn: https://goo.gl/maps/rUNmgRVc6qyr7ESF6

And here's a variation of that variation:  Left lane turn left, second left lane go straight, "at signal" after you've already turned 90 degrees.
https://goo.gl/maps/pjbVkv8vanUAGDsE6

[JKRhodes]

So the latest state-of-the-art is we're back to diagonal spans? I guess they're good at very wide intersections where there is reasonable distance from the stop line to the signal-heads.

Grand Ave's gantries make sense and are easily visible due to how far back every stop line was placed.

The handful in the southeast suburbs (Queen Creek/Santan Valley) are annoying, especially if the signal head is on the near side of the diagonal gantry which makes it hard to see from the stop line. Feels like an attempt to add personality to a boring suburb built over scrub desert and former cotton/alfalfa fields. That being said, they've been in place for about 20 years

[jakeroot]

The handful in the southeast suburbs (Queen Creek/Santan Valley) are annoying, especially if the signal head is on the near side of the diagonal gantry which makes it hard to see from the stop line. Feels like an attempt to add personality to a boring suburb built over scrub desert and former cotton/alfalfa fields. That being said, they've been in place for about 20 years

I think this is the correct take here...you know you live somewhere boring when traffic signal mast arms are the local spectacle.

Side-note: I am okay with diagonal gantry signals as long as there are supplemental post-mounted signals. Luckily the examples in Arizona all have them. Not every state requires them.

[CJResotko]

A 3-way beacon cluster with a flashing green facing the cross street, and flashing red for the "main" street, in Coal Grove, Ohio.

Two setups in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where a regular RYG traffic signal is to the left of a left turn doghouse.

[SignBridge]

A 3-way beacon cluster with a flashing green facing the cross street, and flashing red for the "main" street, in Coal Grove, Ohio.

.


Two setups in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where a regular RYG traffic signal is to the left of a left turn doghouse.

I'm guessing that doghouse to the right of the though signal is a mistake in installation. I can't believe it was intended to be that way

[Big John]

^^A flashing green is not permitted in MUTCD.

[Rothman]

^^A flashing green is not permitted in MUTCD.

MA sez, $%*( you.

[SignBridge]

^^A flashing green is not permitted in MUTCD.

MA sez, $%*( you.

I believe Massachusetts is gradually phasing out those flashing green lights at pre-emption activated signals. But if anyone knows of a new installation that has them, please correct me. 

[PColumbus73]

Four t-shaped straight-ahead signals in Lexington, KY, with two red balls each:
https://www.google.pl/maps/@37.9948992,-84.5221116,3a,27.3y,23.85h,97.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEDtg2yx8wR7aw91ZSRWdOQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

The pairs of balls are even more visible from a side street:
https://www.google.pl/maps/@37.9947564,-84.5219337,3a,26.2y,348.79h,92.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sI6cesr6Pp67idulcwvSvig!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Another one across KY-4, with a standard left turn signal, right before a variable-lane config on US-27:
https://www.google.pl/maps/@37.9975729,-84.5214192,3a,28.8y,19.16h,90.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6WpqQ8pCQ-LynPvXAOy_wA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

LFUCG (which maintains all signals in Fayette County, even on state routes) uses the double red configuration at intersections that have a high number of red-light runners.

South Carolina typically uses two red arrows for protected left turns. I think Georgia started doing this a few years ago (I don't know when it was adopted though).

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7164847,-78.8914587,3a,15y,74.61h,95.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSWcr3v01395T4gvr_JWSFA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

North Carolina used to use them until they began phasing them out in the late-90s. The last one like it in NC standing I could find was taken down between 2019 and 2021. You can find several on streetview around Raleigh, Greensboro/Winston-Salem and Salisbury from around 2007/2008.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8812406,-78.8412233,3a,75y,60.32h,101.25t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbNOr_AF6qq9XuEVNvXM6Jw!2e0!5s20190601T000000!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

A couple in West Virginia:

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4137241,-81.7960261,3a,41.5y,49.7h,100.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxD40Mxxd1YPPJggDeU7PSg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4127433,-81.7974247,3a,19.9y,199.05h,91.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7JPnZFz_mJ2u8uFeG4ZSrg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

There was one in Ohio that was also taken down between 2019-2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0726978,-80.7452297,3a,15y,289.9h,92.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sKzHQR1PdO9B3Di_L_f1UOA!2e0!5s20151001T000000!7i13312!8i6656?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[thenetwork]

^^^ RE:  NC's Double Red Signals...
I can remember even further back when traffic signals in North Carolina were full vertical signals with two 12-inch red balls and the two or three 8-inch yellow/green/arrow setups below.

A few of those remained in the wild into the 1990s.

[PColumbus73]

^^^ RE:  NC's Double Red Signals...
I can remember even further back when traffic signals in North Carolina were full vertical signals with two 12-inch red balls and the two or three 8-inch yellow/green/arrow setups below.

A few of those remained in the wild into the 1990s.

I lived in Fayetteville between about 1995-2000 and I think I remember some vertical 8" double-red left signals. NC used to have some interesting old stuff.

Old Streetview in east Raleigh shows some vertical 12" double reds. I think I was able to find an 8" double-red left in Salisbury.

Closest thing I can find that's still standing is this one in Williamston:

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.8405589,-77.0525324,3a,45.5y,4.97h,91.33t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sdgY8o6lUXxyfJQJ1KtFroQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DdgY8o6lUXxyfJQJ1KtFroQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D5.4504027%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

also in Goldsboro:

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.3844703,-78.0136172,3a,51.1y,216.82h,93.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spIrkuSi1aGzjH9Z1EAPruA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

I know there's a lot of double-reds for thru traffic in North Carolina, but in my opinion it's not quite as interesting as when they were mostly used for left turns.

EDIT: I also swear I think there were a couple vertical 5-section towers in Fayetteville near the airport or the coliseum.

[Henry]

A 3-way beacon cluster with a flashing green facing the cross street, and flashing red for the "main" street, in Coal Grove, Ohio.

.


Two setups in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where a regular RYG traffic signal is to the left of a left turn doghouse.

I'm guessing that doghouse to the right of the though signal is a mistake in installation. I can't believe it was intended to be that way

An even better solution would've been to put up an arrow signal on the left turn only side, with the straight-ahead/left turn option side getting a four-light signal with a green arrow.

[epzik8]

A 3-way beacon cluster with a flashing green facing the cross street, and flashing red for the "main" street, in Coal Grove, Ohio.

First time I've seen the main street have full speed and not reduced speed (yellow).

[SidS1045]

^^A flashing green is not permitted in MUTCD.

MA sez, $%*( you.

I believe Massachusetts is gradually phasing out those flashing green lights at pre-emption activated signals. But if anyone knows of a new installation that has them, please correct me. 

Not a new installation, but:  In front of the fire house in my home town, there are two flashing green signals.  The fire house's garages empty onto one-way streets off the town square.  In an emergency, the lights turn red so the fire engines can go the wrong way up those streets and into the square.

There was a flashing-green installation on North Avenue in Wakefield MA, but it was removed a few years ago.

[vdeane]

Interesting one on US 11 in Binghamton: red ball and green arrow at the same time on a horizontal signal.  I'm not sure I've seen that before.

[PColumbus73]

It's not any different than a green arrow with a doghouse signal, except it's horizontal.

[jakeroot]

Yeah, that's standard. But admittedly rare outside of specific places (like New Mexico, Texas, and Florida).

[vdeane]

Yeah, that's standard. But admittedly rare outside of specific places (like New Mexico, Texas, and Florida).

And it's really weird to see the green arrow point directly at the red ball.  Normally it's on the left, like in the doghouse, or directly below.  Not many full horizontal signals in NY.

[US 89]

What was always weird to me when I lived in Tallahassee (90% horizontal signals) is that the arrangement of the horizontal 5-section signal head is different depending on whether it's for a right or left turn. The left turn arrangement is shown in jakeroot's above post, but the right turn one has the 3 lights on the left and arrows on the right.

The idea is to have the arrow on the corresponding side of the green light, which makes sense, but having the greens not in the same place does look a little weird (example).