Signals Installed at extremely low volume intersections due to fire/ambulance

[ARMOURERERIC]

OK, so we have a new fire/ambulance station under construction here in Boulevard CA, the old one seems to work fine, but was built in 1970 and is not seismically acceptable to the state.  I was out walking the other day and noted that there appears to be anchorage work in progress to install a signal at Old US 80 and CA 94/Ribbonwood Drive about a half mils south of the new station (existing station is right at the corner).  Now the traffic volume is nearly non-existant, and I know a mast arm installation is not cheap and there has not been an accident there in the 5 years I have lived here.  So, does construction of such a facility now override the other usual warrants for a signal?  Frankly, having a signal there will probably be annoying to the populace, so just wondering.

Thanks,

Eric

[US81]

In the larger cities in Texas (and perhaps elsewhere, I do not know) it's not uncommon to set up a signal that is activated at the firehouse, gets fire and/or EMS into traffic with priority, but stays dark (or rarely, flashes yellow) the rest of the time. Maybe this sort of operation is a possibility here....

[1995hoo]

In the larger cities in Texas (and perhaps elsewhere, I do not know) it's not uncommon to set up a signal that is activated at the firehouse, gets fire and/or EMS into traffic with priority, but stays dark (or rarely, flashes yellow) the rest of the time. Maybe this sort of operation is a possibility here....

We frequently have that here as well. They always have an "Emergency Signal" sign and there's also usually a sign saying not to stop in front of the fire station's driveway.

Here's a Street View example of one I've passed many times dating back to the mid-1970s. The light immediately beyond the emergency signal was not there when I was growing up, nor were the houses on the left side of the image.

http://goo.gl/maps/Ao5It

[ARMOURERERIC]

Here is the location:

http://goo.gl/maps/YL4Yy

The existing fire station is in the NE corner of Old 80 and Ribbonwood in the cluster of trees with the reddish roof.  The new station is in the SW corner of Ribbonwood and Manzanita Dulce which is the second dirt road to the left off of Ribbonwood north of old 80. 

One item of note that is freaking the locals:  San Diego County's mobility plan 2050 calls for Ribbonwood between I-8 and old 80 to be a 5 lane curb and gutter  including a continuous left turn lane with dense commercial on either side.  The curbing being constructed at the new fire station accommodates this new 90' row as opposed to the 36' on 60' ROW the road currently occupies.  There are plans over the next 10 years to add a library, community center and satellite county office in a campus style layout with the new fire station.

[froggie]

Not a fire/ambulance case per se, but I know of at least one regular traffic signal (i.e. not an emergency signal or ped-only) in Rochester, MN that was installed specifically because of a school:

36th Ave NW and 4th Pl NW.

The only reason for this signal is because of the school.....this intersection doesn't meet any of the normal signal warrants.

[1995hoo]

In conjunction with what froggie mentions, take a look at 10 Street NW between E and F Streets in Washington DC. (I'm typing this via iPad and don't know of a way to get a Street View link on here.) There is a full traffic light mid-block with no streets, alleys, or driveways on either side. Reason for it? Volume of tourist traffic crossing between Ford's Theatre on the east side and the House Where Lincoln Died museum on the west side. The more recent addition of the Hard Rock Cafe on the same block further increased the tourist traffic there.

[WichitaRoads]

Not a fire/ambulance case per se, but I know of at least one regular traffic signal (i.e. not an emergency signal or ped-only) in Rochester, MN that was installed specifically because of a school:

36th Ave NW and 4th Pl NW.

The only reason for this signal is because of the school.....this intersection doesn't meet any of the normal signal warrants.

This is a common occurrence in Hutchinson, KS.

ICTRds

[1995hoo]

In conjunction with what froggie mentions, take a look at 10 Street NW between E and F Streets in Washington DC. (I'm typing this via iPad and don't know of a way to get a Street View link on here.) There is a full traffic light mid-block with no streets, alleys, or driveways on either side. Reason for it? Volume of tourist traffic crossing between Ford's Theatre on the east side and the House Where Lincoln Died museum on the west side. The more recent addition of the Hard Rock Cafe on the same block further increased the tourist traffic there.

Following up now that I'm at a PC, Street View link below. Ford's is on the left, the building with the two upper levels having a brick facade with the arches at ground level. The mid-block light (which is green in the image) is above the white car. There's another signal to the right that's obscured by the bus. The next light, half a block ahead at E Street, is red in the image. The House Where Lincoln Died is to the right but obscured by the open-topped bus.

http://goo.gl/maps/cCpZW

[cl94]

This setup is everywhere in New York, from major arterials to minor streets, village centers to semi-rural thoroughfares, and everything in between. This one is on US 62 in Buffalo. Cross street only gets a flashing red at all times. Then there's this one on Erie CR 242 in the somewhat-rural town of Elma (note the lack of potholes- shows how old this image is). Minor road only houses the senior center and a park in addition to the fire station and EMT facility. Volume is almost zero, but fire and EMT require a signal, especially with its location in a ravine with a sharp curve immediately to the south.