Chicago left turns.

[Mdcastle]

In downtown Chicago, say  typically you'll have this, facing north as an example

[ R   ]  sb lanes [R] nb lanes [R]
[ Y   ]               [ Y]             [Y]
[ G  ]                [G]             [G]
[<-Y]               [<-Y]
[<-G]               [<-G]

with all heads on short poles, no overheads and a sign "left turn on green arrow only".
Is this configutation even legal? Obviously they're trying to run protected mode only, but using protected/permissive type signalling. To me as a driver coming at a 5 lens signals I expect protected/permissive until I see a small white sign on the signal telling me I can't turn left on a green ball.

[kphoger]

I'm totally confused.  You apparently have three stoplight configurations with only two of them labelled (to the right? to the left?).  I can't even picture the setup by your description.  An image would be better.

But I've driven and walked around downtown Chicago plenty and never noticed anything strange....

[kphoger]

Is this what you're describing?


If so, then I do find it unusual that left turns would be restricted to a green arrow.

[Alps]

They're being cheap, lazy bastards, is wot.

[Mdcastle]

Is this what you're describing?


If so, then I do find it unusual that left turns would be restricted to a green arrow.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm describing. It was at a number of different intersections too, not just one.

[PurdueBill]

I've noticed those a lot in many visits to Chicago, in car, on bike, and on foot.  They sometimes have a Left On Arrow Only sign on at least one of the signal poles, as seen here.  They even use them overhead! Why not separate left turn and thru signal heads? There's plenty of room.

The signal setup, five lights in one tower, really isn't appropriate for the protected turn.  they're being cheap at least, stupid at worst.  Why not a dedicated left turn signal as would be appropriate?

[Brandon]

I've noticed those a lot in many visits to Chicago, in car, on bike, and on foot.  They sometimes have a Left On Arrow Only sign on at least one of the signal poles, as seen here.  They even use them overhead! Why not separate left turn and thru signal heads? There's plenty of room.

The signal setup, five lights in one tower, really isn't appropriate for the protected turn.  they're being cheap at least, stupid at worst.  Why not a dedicated left turn signal as would be appropriate?

It is unusual, but it is, sadly, common for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).  CDOT uses these a lot, and is the only one in the state to use the yellow trap.  However, don't expect CDOT to use either dedicated signals or FYAs any time soon.  They've used the same system for years and seem resistant to change.  CDOT doesn't use backplates on signals (common in the rest of the state, including IDOT D-1).  CDOT also tends to use unprotected lefts in locations where IDOT would have a protected/permitted left with a five lamp tower.  They even used to use their own font.