Traffic signal

[chrisg69911]

Typical Newark nonsense.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/s8MTeJ4dw9fRUUWYA
All the lights direct both straight and right movements, even though the road markings describe them as left and straight movements. In the intersection, though, it seems like all three lanes can go straight. The whole intersection should just have regular lights withe a dedicated left turn arrow.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BuNp2CsWZwstg7g37
Both arrows go yellow plus the actual yellow light during the yellow phase.

[roadfro]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6587756,-77.718321,3a,15y,187.98h,93.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZON4G_gGK5gJsR7NzFntIA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu

Saw this, a doghouse with a double green arrow in Hagerstown, MD

Interesting... That appears to be a continuous free right turn (green arrow always on). Would've been better to have a separate display for that instead of this weird non-standard thing that could be problematic for color blind drivers...

[Rothman]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6587756,-77.718321,3a,15y,187.98h,93.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZON4G_gGK5gJsR7NzFntIA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu

Saw this, a doghouse with a double green arrow in Hagerstown, MD

Interesting... That appears to be a continuous free right turn (green arrow always on). Would've been better to have a separate display for that instead of this weird non-standard thing that could be problematic for color blind drivers...

In MA, they used to do a colorblindness test for driver's licenses.  Wonder if they actually failed anyone totally for it.

[jakeroot]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6587756,-77.718321,3a,15y,187.98h,93.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZON4G_gGK5gJsR7NzFntIA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu

Saw this, a doghouse with a double green arrow in Hagerstown, MD

Interesting... That appears to be a continuous free right turn (green arrow always on). Would've been better to have a separate display for that instead of this weird non-standard thing that could be problematic for color blind drivers...

In MA, they used to do a colorblindness test for driver's licenses.  Wonder if they actually failed anyone totally for it.

Interesting. I understand testing for it. But failing, not sure I'd understand that when certain elements of the MUTCD are explicitly designed to be colorblind-friendly, so everyone can drive.

[Rothman]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6587756,-77.718321,3a,15y,187.98h,93.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZON4G_gGK5gJsR7NzFntIA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu

Saw this, a doghouse with a double green arrow in Hagerstown, MD

Interesting... That appears to be a continuous free right turn (green arrow always on). Would've been better to have a separate display for that instead of this weird non-standard thing that could be problematic for color blind drivers...

In MA, they used to do a colorblindness test for driver's licenses.  Wonder if they actually failed anyone totally for it.

Interesting. I understand testing for it. But failing, not sure I'd understand that when certain elements of the MUTCD are explicitly designed to be colorblind-friendly, so everyone can drive.

My great uncle had monochromatic vision, so accommodation can only go so far with the whole spectrum of colorblindness.

[jeffandnicole]

I'm still waiting for someone who is colorblind to inform us they have an actual issue with issues presented here by those claiming that colorblind people would have issues.

[SignBridge]

J & N: LOL I seem to be seeing a pattern in your posts lately. You seem to repeatedly say that only us road geeks have a problem with many of the issues and concerns that we bring up on the forum. And that the general public, that is most drivers don't have any problems with these topics or even notice them for that matter. Is that about right? (chuckle) 

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6587756,-77.718321,3a,15y,187.98h,93.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZON4G_gGK5gJsR7NzFntIA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu

Saw this, a doghouse with a double green arrow in Hagerstown, MD

The doghouse should be removed. Have a standard head a little closer to the left one and a two section head over the turn lane with the double green arrows.

In Florida we have two arrow two sections used at continuous green straight through situations, so it's nothing new.

[jakeroot]

J & N: LOL I seem to be seeing a pattern in your posts lately. You seem to repeatedly say that only us road geeks have a problem with many of the issues and concerns that we bring up on the forum. And that the general public, that is most drivers don't have any problems with these topics or even notice them for that matter. Is that about right? (chuckle) 

Whether or not that's true (with regards to their posts), they're probably correct. Even absent a consistent guidance style, most people will be able to navigate safely from A to B, even if they are colorblind, can't read the signs, don't know what meaning the road marking colors have, etc. Common sense keeps us safe more than I think the MUTCD does. That said, taking issue with anything discussed on this forum is ridiculous, since this place exists specifically to discuss the minute details of roads that no one else notices (not even DOT's, sometimes).

Case in point: I live in Japan, near numerous American military bases, and I rarely witness any car crashes involving Americans. Most get around just fine, even though the standards (legal standards, and signage/marking/signal standards) are as foreign as it gets, and look nothing like what we see back home. I mean, the stop signs are red triangles...at least they normally say "STOP".

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XaXtVzQXG6xmqFZb6
NYC starting to copy the rest of the state in signal head color.

Usually NYC loves its school bus yellow.

[jeffandnicole]

J & N: LOL I seem to be seeing a pattern in your posts lately. You seem to repeatedly say that only us road geeks have a problem with many of the issues and concerns that we bring up on the forum. And that the general public, that is most drivers don't have any problems with these topics or even notice them for that matter. Is that about right? (chuckle) 

Lately?  I've been doing that my entire life on the forum! Hahaha

That said, by in large we certainly are going to nitpick about minor issues.  But by in large, the general public has no clue how certain things work or are supposed to be signed. 

There's a new exit near me and they placed a "1 Mile Ahead" sign on an existing overhead sign structure, but had to place it over an acceleration lane due to existing signage.  I've seen several times already motorists move over into that acceleration lane, believing the sign's location is an indication that they should merge over now (it also hurts that the roadway has a small hill, preventing motorists from immediately seeing the acceleration lane ends).  From that standpoint, it's notable that when traffic sees signage over an auxiliary lane, they're conditioned to believe that should be the lane to use, even when 'Exit Only' legends or arrows are omitted.

As for my comment about color-blind people, there's long-running commentary on the forums that many traffic lights could be designed in such a way to confuse color-blind people, yet no actual proof that they do. People on here not familiar with, say, NJ's bimodal green/yellow arrow will say that it's dangerous for color-blind motorists, yet 40 years into their existence they've never have any documented issues. 

Many ADA-governed issues are often resolved incorrectly, at first.  Early on, many ADA requirements had the attitude that those in wheelchairs or having other handicaps wanted assistance to overcome hardships, such as doorbells where an employee can go open a door for someone.  However, it became known that people in wheelchairs didn't want assistance - they wanted to do things for themselves, and easy opening or electronic doors was what they preferred.  So when I see people say "well, this group of people will have a hard time with something..." unless they're in their shoes, the reality may be that they are doing quite well with the existing circumstances.

[steviep24]

Cutaway visors in Manhattan of all places. This is in front of Chelsea Piers.

Cutaway visors are pretty much standard in the rest of NY state but I've never seen them in NYC until now.

EDIT: I had seen these signals when I was in NYC back in May. Roadman65's post of nearby signals reminded me to post this rare example of cutaway visor signals in NYC.

[roadman65]

I've also seen span wires on Staten Island and at some location in The Bronx.  Span wires are the norm in New York State, but not in NYC.

[SignBridge]

J & N: LOL I seem to be seeing a pattern in your posts lately. You seem to repeatedly say that only us road geeks have a problem with many of the issues and concerns that we bring up on the forum. And that the general public, that is most drivers don't have any problems with these topics or even notice them for that matter. Is that about right? (chuckle) 

Lately?  I've been doing that my entire life on the forum! Hahaha

That said, by in large we certainly are going to nitpick about minor issues.  But by in large, the general public has no clue how certain things work or are supposed to be signed. 

There's a new exit near me and they placed a "1 Mile Ahead" sign on an existing overhead sign structure, but had to place it over an acceleration lane due to existing signage.  I've seen several times already motorists move over into that acceleration lane, believing the sign's location is an indication that they should merge over now (it also hurts that the roadway has a small hill, preventing motorists from immediately seeing the acceleration lane ends).  From that standpoint, it's notable that when traffic sees signage over an auxiliary lane, they're conditioned to believe that should be the lane to use, even when 'Exit Only' legends or arrows are omitted.

As for my comment about color-blind people, there's long-running commentary on the forums that many traffic lights could be designed in such a way to confuse color-blind people, yet no actual proof that they do. People on here not familiar with, say, NJ's bimodal green/yellow arrow will say that it's dangerous for color-blind motorists, yet 40 years into their existence they've never have any documented issues. 

Many ADA-governed issues are often resolved incorrectly, at first.  Early on, many ADA requirements had the attitude that those in wheelchairs or having other handicaps wanted assistance to overcome hardships, such as doorbells where an employee can go open a door for someone.  However, it became known that people in wheelchairs didn't want assistance - they wanted to do things for themselves, and easy opening or electronic doors was what they preferred.  So when I see people say "well, this group of people will have a hard time with something..." unless they're in their shoes, the reality may be that they are doing quite well with the existing circumstances.

Glad you took my comment in a humorous way. And I agree the general public is clueless about the fine details of exit signing and traffic signal design.

Regarding bi-modal arrows, I couldn't say either if color-blind drivers have a problem with them. But I personally prefer the conventional design over the bi-modal style. The shifting of position within the signal head is an additional eye catching feature besides just the changing color. And that benefits all of us.

[PColumbus73]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XaXtVzQXG6xmqFZb6
NYC starting to copy the rest of the state in signal head color.

Usually NYC loves its school bus yellow.

I assumed that the dark green signals in NYC for more 'high end' areas, like near the World Trade Center or Penn Station

[SignBridge]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XaXtVzQXG6xmqFZb6
NYC starting to copy the rest of the state in signal head color.

Usually NYC loves its school bus yellow.

I assumed that the dark green signals in NYC for more 'high end' areas, like near the World Trade Center or Penn Station

You might be right, but all of NYC should stick to their usual yellow heads which provide the best contrast with the urban surroundings.

[wanderer2575]

"Out of Service" signal cover near my home this year (road reconstruction).

[chrisg69911]

Detection camerasgot removed on these lights on both sides for Union Ave, and, what I assumed, replaced with this. I've seen them pop up more around me, just what do they do?

[fwydriver405]

Detection camerasgot removed on these lights on both sides for Union Ave, and, what I assumed, replaced with this. I've seen them pop up more around me, just what do they do?

That's either a GRIDSMART by Cubic (most likely) or MIOVISION Trafficlink 360 degree camera - used to detect traffic, collect traffic counts, and more. Zones, such as vehicle detection, pedestrian detection, exit zones and no-go/off limit zones are configured in a web or PC application and controlled remotely or on site via a wired LAN connection.

They've also been replaced with either system here in Maine too, MaineDOT like to use GRIDSMART so far on the BUILD GRANT and other new traffic signal installations (but not at all intersections).

[fwydriver405]

Found another flashing green (the green and yellow are incandescent) in Lawrence, MA at Loring and Salem St. - flashing green is on Loring only. Not sure if this intersection had standard two phase operation in the past or how recent it was changed over to the current configuration. The pedestrian phase is all red, no red+yellow phase.

[roadman65]

Are these curved mast arms the norm throughout Mississippi? Or are they just along the Gulf Coast?

[PColumbus73]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.3245997,-84.5047871,3a,75y,122.89h,89.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMBwK5XMHDQPlx-K0m_qN2A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?coh=205409&entry=ttu

Conflicting messages with the right turn here, it has a red right turn arrow, but a Continuous Right Turn With Caution sign with no stop bar.

Either remove the right turn signal, replace both the right turn signal and CRTWC sign with a Yield sign, replace the right turn signal with a flashing red or yellow arrow and reposition the signal in the sight line of the right turning traffic.

[plain]

Are these curved mast arms the norm throughout Mississippi? Or are they just along the Gulf Coast?

For the most part they are common statewide.

[chrisg69911]

Detection camerasgot removed on these lights on both sides for Union Ave, and, what I assumed, replaced with this. I've seen them pop up more around me, just what do they do?

That's either a GRIDSMART by Cubic (most likely) or MIOVISION Trafficlink 360 degree camera - used to detect traffic, collect traffic counts, and more. Zones, such as vehicle detection, pedestrian detection, exit zones and no-go/off limit zones are configured in a web or PC application and controlled remotely or on site via a wired LAN connection.

They've also been replaced with either system here in Maine too, MaineDOT like to use GRIDSMART so far on the BUILD GRANT and other new traffic signal installations (but not at all intersections).

Cool, thanks!

[SignBridge]

Are these curved mast arms the norm throughout Mississippi? Or are they just along the Gulf Coast?

For the most part they are common statewide.

Very California-like.