Penndots new traffic signal make over

[Fntp]

Around late 2013 I noticed that the traffic signals in pa started using reflective yellow tape on their newer traffic signals and even the older ones. They also started replacing the yellow ones with black ones in some areas. The new ones have red arrows here's a pic of what I'm talking about

http://free-photos.co/every-day-objects/two-new-style-traffic-lights-yellow-reflector-showing-red-hanging-on-wires.jpg.html

[civilmaher]

One of FHWA's recommended safety countermeasures...

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/fhwa_sa_12_007.htm

[cu2010]

They've been popping up here in NY more and more, too. I've seen quite a few installed in the past couple of years.

[roadman]

MassDOT has officially adopted this practice as well for new backplate installations.

[ARMOURERERIC]

This brings to mind a question I wondered about:  Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1970's it seemed that each individual municipality was responsible for signalizing any intersections that warranted a signal, and usually with a design that was somewhat unique to their municipality.  I noted however, a explosion of signalized intersection in the North Hills starting in the late 1990's with PennDot being the lead agency for determining need and installation to a standardized design.  Was there at some point legislation or federal requirements that brought about this change?

[Bitmapped]

In Ohio, ODOT has been systematically replacing its signals over the last couple years with a similar style. The new signal heads are black (versus ODOT's former yellow standard) and have a wire below the signal to help keep the signal from swaying.  Major movements get a black backplate with reflective yellow edging.

[roadman65]

 I believe in PA it was regional with signal designs as SE PA always used mast arms (that is why you will not find any cable strung signals in Philly), but the rest of PA used span wire with occasional mast arms and side mounts in city centers.  Plus the style of mast arm differed in different parts of the state as well. 

Now most of PA is using mast arms with some areas in Western PA still using span wires for installations.  Some signals, though in Bucks County are copying NJ with left side signal heads I did see back in 12 when I was there along with Broad Street in Philly.

[cl94]

New York (at least NYSDOT Regions 4 and 5) has been installing these almost exclusively in the past couple years. I think they look nicer than the standard dark green signals. I've seen them all over PA and in Northeast Ohio, particularly Summit and Portage Counties. The green base is more visible in the snow while the yellow outline stands out at night and against the scenery.

[roadman65]

Louisiana, who has the same green signals as NY, is using the yellow border backplates with the dark green heads on the newer signals.

Also, I believe that Louisiana is ridding themselves of span wires as most newer installations seem to be the typical collar mount mount arms that LA uses with only the bolt on  mast arm assemblies used wherever two mast arms are attached to the same poles.  I cannot say for sure cause I do not live there or have access to official state documents to support my theory, but only what I have seen by visiting there.  NOLA seems to be like New York City to NYS or Chicago to Illinois as they have a different signal mounts than their respected states use, so there it is different with recent assemblies.  Canal Street is using horizontal mounted signal heads on standard monotube arms, so I gather that is NOLA's new style of signals.

[rickmastfan67]

This brings to mind a question I wondered about:  Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1970's it seemed that each individual municipality was responsible for signalizing any intersections that warranted a signal, and usually with a design that was somewhat unique to their municipality.  I noted however, a explosion of signalized intersection in the North Hills starting in the late 1990's with PennDot being the lead agency for determining need and installation to a standardized design.  Was there at some point legislation or federal requirements that brought about this change?

PennDOT doesn't seem to be doing a good job lately here in the North Hills.  While most of the traffic lights look the same, they are leaving all the timing and stuff up to the townships.  Reported a malfunctioning left turn light on McKnight Road that triggers every cycle even if there is no traffic there for it in in the middle of the night causing people to neednessly wait 15 seconds going SB while all NB traffic has a green, all for 'ghost cars'!!!  It's been like this for 7+ months, and I reported it back in February to PennDOT.  They told me it's out of their hands and it's the townships job to fix this.....  PennDOT should be the one to maintain this light since McKnight Road is a STATE HIGHWAY!!!!

[roadman65]

Florida has no state maintained signals.  Its either the county or the municipality regardless of state or county maintained highway.

[Ian]

Florida has no state maintained signals.  Its either the county or the municipality regardless of state or county maintained highway.

I don't remember where I heard it, but I believe Pennsylvania is the same way.

[Revive 755]

Florida has no state maintained signals.  Its either the county or the municipality regardless of state or county maintained highway.

I don't remember where I heard it, but I believe Pennsylvania is the same way.

Iowa, Kansas (except for supposedly three rural signals), and Nebraska are also this way.

[roadman65]

When the locals control signals they seem to forget that state highways are indeed highways.  Many time the signals to be fair to everyone as states keep highways green for over a minuet to keep the flow on the routes.

[Mr_Northside]

Florida has no state maintained signals.  Its either the county or the municipality regardless of state or county maintained highway.

I don't remember where I heard it, but I believe Pennsylvania is the same way.

Yeah... PennDOT will install the signals, but once it's up and running, responsibility -even on state roads- then rests with the municipality it's in.  There are probably some exceptions; for instance, I'd bet that the traffic signals along I-376 at the Ft. Pitt & Squirrel Hill tunnels are only maintained by PennDOT. 

[ARMOURERERIC]

I remember way back around 1983, a last minute snag to constructing 279 north of Pittsburgh was Ross Township refusal to accept responsibility for all the new signals to be installed as part of the project.

[connroadgeek]

Seems like a very European (and Canadian) idea with the border around the back plate.