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What do new traffic lights in your states look like?

Started by Amtrakprod, June 15, 2020, 11:07:55 AM

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Amtrakprod

June 15, 2020, 11:07:55 AM  
Roadgeek, railfan, and crossing signal fan. From Massachusetts, and in high school. Youtube is my website link. Loves FYAs signals. Interest in Bicycle Infrastructure. Owns one Leotech Pedestrian Signal, and a Safetran Type 1 E bell.

traffic light guy

#1
June 15, 2020, 04:08:05 PM  
Modern traffic signals in Philadelphia installed in the past 10 years have been yellow aluminum 12" McCains or 12" Econolites on dark brown mast-arms.
Modern signals in Philly only have tunnel visors. PennDOT started using the yellow reflective tape on the visors in 2018.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/JFK+Blvd+%26+20th+St/@39.9546085,-75.1729938,3a,49.4y,117.12h,101.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sbrS7RuN37rkf-XVvBLzQtw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xbadc05592b36f69!8m2!3d39.954632!4d-75.172791

Brandon

#2
June 15, 2020, 05:12:33 PM   Last Edit: June 18, 2020, 11:42:20 AM by Brandon
Illinois

Districts 1 and 2:
Standard
Old (found in other places throughout the state excluding Chicago)

District 3:
Standard

Districts 4 and 6:
Standard

District 5:
Standard

Districts 7, 8, and 9:
Standard

Chicago:
Standard
Old
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton, "Game of Thrones"

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg, "Monty Python's Life of Brian"

STLmapboy

#3
June 15, 2020, 08:09:41 PM  
Missouri--somewhat thick straight mast arms (some curved ones in KC) with all black signals. Black backplates are also present (though rarely with yellow reflectors) as are FYAs, and occasional side mounted signals. Most signals are installed with thick above ground concrete bases. The above-mentioned details have been the standards for 4-5 years. Not mounted in the median anymore (used to be a lot of them, like this one: https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.670538,-90.4432557,3a,60y,71.19h,88.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sb3qfc_T5mk8gYKSCSj3qIQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656, and they're getting old)

Current examples
St Louis area
https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.6812382,-90.4769705,3a,75y,323.51h,85.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjHRhgUFQ1YQU2vsKCGzMUg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.649319,-90.5076328,3a,60y,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDsrBLHK19GfNJH7DS87_MQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Poplar Bluff (my Southeast MO example)
https://www.google.pl/maps/@36.7442409,-90.4133621,3a,74.7y,11.65h,86.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soQZoereFQ08fXMMrVrkclQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Jeff City (my central MO example; this one replaced a span wire)
https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.5613054,-92.1395358,3a,76.6y,337.54h,85.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sc8LF2mj24K2HuaEAugNaPQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Joplin (not a FYA, but newer, put in 2013 after the tornado):
https://www.google.pl/maps/@37.0693217,-94.4943735,3a,75y,245h,89.18t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sA7Il-u1uRxxVgA2ct6Yw5g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Also check out 2012 imagery of same intersection showing temporary poles put in after the tornado:
https://www.google.pl/maps/@37.0693407,-94.494401,3a,75y,245h,89.18t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXr-mmT4Atzfee2IrpfZPgQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Kansas City
https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.9672244,-94.5149033,3a,75y,279.28h,101.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqL3Eh4bsGlhmu_u6aq1oWA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.pl/maps/@39.2161768,-94.476089,3a,75y,83.37h,86.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scGZvjHakAC-BiADPljFkXg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
St Joseph (NW MO example)
https://www.google.pl/maps/@39.8120945,-94.8063885,3a,79.5y,42.02h,92.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLdF18Q8nnonDDOG85pZcRw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Hannibal (NE MO example)
https://www.google.pl/maps/@39.7228032,-91.3918473,3a,75y,7.4h,96.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMcyY12B9rbgQqz2KyqgYOA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Teenage STL area roadgeek.
Missouri>>>>>Illinois

CoreySamson

#4
June 16, 2020, 12:15:47 AM   Last Edit: June 16, 2020, 12:17:54 AM by CoreySamson
Buc-ee's and QuikTrip fanboy. Clincher of 27 FM roads. Proponent of the TX U-turn. Budding theologian.

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STLmapboy

#5
June 16, 2020, 12:32:31 AM   Last Edit: June 16, 2020, 12:35:04 AM by STLmapboy
Teenage STL area roadgeek.
Missouri>>>>>Illinois

CoreySamson

#6
June 16, 2020, 12:34:17 AM  
Buc-ee's and QuikTrip fanboy. Clincher of 27 FM roads. Proponent of the TX U-turn. Budding theologian.

Route Log
Clinches
Counties
Travel Mapping

STLmapboy

#7
June 16, 2020, 02:13:05 PM  
Well since this board is surprisingly quiet and I love traffic signals, I'm going to go ahead and do another state I've been to a ton---California.
I know several people love it for its consistency. Typical installs include curved mast arms, plentiful side mounted signals, protected left turns, and all signals black and backplated. Two-lane lefts will often have just one overhead signal, which can be mounted from the middle or top of the pole. Doghouses can be found in some urban areas, and FYAs are even rarer (Thousand Oaks has some). I do not know of any current span wires in the state. On a side note, you are far more likely to find electrically-lit street signs here than most other states.
Typical newer installs:
https://www.google.pl/maps/@32.6151794,-116.960222,3a,75y,349.17h,84.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVlDJf9Dgj7WmAlvBTmoCRQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.pl/maps/@34.2428495,-119.1788891,3a,75y,42.99h,89.96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCNnSKHuKPc6dFgR1KUR3TQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.pl/maps/@37.9907056,-121.6775492,3a,75y,273.6h,89.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNuOVdOywh11C5Fzc9_ZBAA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Teenage STL area roadgeek.
Missouri>>>>>Illinois

STLmapboy

#8
June 18, 2020, 10:26:19 AM  
Teenage STL area roadgeek.
Missouri>>>>>Illinois

Amtrakprod

#9
June 18, 2020, 10:50:10 AM  
Roadgeek, railfan, and crossing signal fan. From Massachusetts, and in high school. Youtube is my website link. Loves FYAs signals. Interest in Bicycle Infrastructure. Owns one Leotech Pedestrian Signal, and a Safetran Type 1 E bell.

mrsman

#10
June 18, 2020, 04:14:30 PM  
It's interesting that both of the two previous posters have posted examples of a 3 segment FYA signal.  One case in Gardner, KS and one in Portsmouth, NH.

The question that I have is what purpose do these signals serve?  If these were opposite a lagging left, I can see these signals being necessary to prevent yellow trap.  But I don't see the need for these signals here when they can just turn during the green orb phase.  (In both cases I don't see a protected phase at all.)

The only possible thing that I can think of is possible future planning, that these signals may be converted to 4 section FYAs or protected only signals some day and this allows for the wiring to make the future replacement easier.

Any ideas?

roadfro

#11
June 20, 2020, 01:21:33 PM  
Quote from: mrsman on June 18, 2020, 04:14:30 PM
It's interesting that both of the two previous posters have posted examples of a 3 segment FYA signal.  One case in Gardner, KS and one in Portsmouth, NH.

The question that I have is what purpose do these signals serve?  If these were opposite a lagging left, I can see these signals being necessary to prevent yellow trap.  But I don't see the need for these signals here when they can just turn during the green orb phase.  (In both cases I don't see a protected phase at all.)

The only possible thing that I can think of is possible future planning, that these signals may be converted to 4 section FYAs or protected only signals some day and this allows for the wiring to make the future replacement easier.

Any ideas?

It's entirely possible that they are adhering to "signal per lane" strategies. In that case, you wouldn't use a shared signal face on the lane line, and a circular green can't be used over the left turn lane.
Roadfro - AARoads Pacific Southwest moderator since 2010, Nevada roadgeek since 1983.

Roadwarriors79

#12
June 20, 2020, 02:42:45 PM  

fwydriver405

#13
June 20, 2020, 05:32:30 PM  
Quote from: roadfro on June 20, 2020, 01:21:33 PM
Quote from: mrsman on June 18, 2020, 04:14:30 PM
It's interesting that both of the two previous posters have posted examples of a 3 segment FYA signal.  One case in Gardner, KS and one in Portsmouth, NH.

The question that I have is what purpose do these signals serve?  If these were opposite a lagging left, I can see these signals being necessary to prevent yellow trap.  But I don't see the need for these signals here when they can just turn during the green orb phase.  (In both cases I don't see a protected phase at all.)

The only possible thing that I can think of is possible future planning, that these signals may be converted to 4 section FYAs or protected only signals some day and this allows for the wiring to make the future replacement easier.

Any ideas?

It's entirely possible that they are adhering to "signal per lane" strategies. In that case, you wouldn't use a shared signal face on the lane line, and a circular green can't be used over the left turn lane.

The second Portsmouth NH signal with the three-section FYA actually has red and steady balls, not arrows. New NHDOT signal policies state that FYA signals are to be used on PPLT approaches with a dedicated left-turn lane. These signals are maintained by the City of Portsmouth, not NHDOT themselves.

On the side note, new NHDOT-maintained signals have phased out the use of the "NO TURN ON RED ARROW" signs near the left turn signal, a practice that has been in place for years now which IMO, made no sense, and in some cases, causes unintended consequences (The right turn has R-Y-G arrows). NH allows right on red arrow, and some new NHDOT installs are using red arrows for right turn lanes.

mrsman

#14
June 21, 2020, 10:46:03 AM  
Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on June 20, 2020, 02:42:45 PM
Various types in Arizona.

Typical installation in the city of Phoenix:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5096165,-111.9864615,3a,75y,253.31h,104.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHdlD8QTUoIWAqv5jiEx5eA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Installation that uses the curved or "ADOT" mast arms:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4657902,-111.9867029,3a,75y,259.62h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sc6DKqHG8H7Xji6x104BBqA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dc6DKqHG8H7Xji6x104BBqA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D259.62476%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Most new traffic signals tend to look like this in the Phoenix area:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3059178,-111.8766406,3a,75y,77.41h,80.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svT0szF1MVr5U6LAO0hn99Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Typical traffic signals in Goodyear and Tempe:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3781426,-111.9717044,3a,75y,264.71h,97.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYWAfPRC37OoyjPk2k_mkRQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DYWAfPRC37OoyjPk2k_mkRQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D277.036%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Newer example in Tucson:

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2502575,-110.960736,3a,75y,290.93h,85.08t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saHgYTq4oVmW2vuCayF63pg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The intersection in Tucson, Grant Rd/1st Ave is really interesting.  YOu can GSV some old pictures and see a very typical setup, normal widthe intersection, each direction having a low level signal face on each corner with two overhead signal faces on the mast arm.  5 aspect faces on the left most mast arm and on the left side corner.

The modern incarnation has a much wider intersection.  PPLT double lefts on 1st, no left turn at all on Grant (access to 1st from Grant is provided with a Michigan left).  And what I found noteworthy, no signal face on the left corner whereever the left turn is prohibited.

More and more I am coming to the conclusion that where there are at least two other signal faces, the signal face posted at the far left corner is designed for the benefit of left turners.  So much so that where a left turn is unavailable, the signal on the left corner is removed from view.

[I didn't always have that realization.  IIRC, Los Angeles had signals posted on both corners practically everywhere.  As this was standard, I always assumed that the left corner was just another signal to provide a view in case your view was blocked by a truck or a bulb was out.  But of course, to the extent that there are already two other faces, the third signal face is extra (but nice to have).  Also, the left signal would usually match the left turn signal on the mast arm.  But it still seems unusual to see them remove it in places where it is standard (LA, Tucson) where the left turn is prohibited, as is present in the Tucson example.]

Revive 755

#15
June 21, 2020, 06:49:40 PM  
Quote from: Brandon on June 15, 2020, 05:12:33 PM
Illinois

Districts 1 and 2:
Standard
Old (found in other places throughout the state excluding Chicago)

Before the switch to flashing yellow arrows District 2 was usually closer to District 3 than District 1 on signal design.  For intersections with protected only lefts, District 2 is still closer to District 3 than District 1.
New installation on IL 5 in Quad Cities (D2)
IL 47 at US 34 (D3)
York Road at IL 19 (D1)

Roadwarriors79

#16
June 24, 2020, 02:29:59 PM   Last Edit: June 24, 2020, 04:19:06 PM by Roadwarriors79
Quote from: mrsman on June 21, 2020, 10:46:03 AM
Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on June 20, 2020, 02:42:45 PM
Various types in Arizona.

Typical installation in the city of Phoenix:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5096165,-111.9864615,3a,75y,253.31h,104.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHdlD8QTUoIWAqv5jiEx5eA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Installation that uses the curved or "ADOT" mast arms:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4657902,-111.9867029,3a,75y,259.62h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sc6DKqHG8H7Xji6x104BBqA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dc6DKqHG8H7Xji6x104BBqA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D259.62476%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Most new traffic signals tend to look like this in the Phoenix area:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3059178,-111.8766406,3a,75y,77.41h,80.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svT0szF1MVr5U6LAO0hn99Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Typical traffic signals in Goodyear and Tempe:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3781426,-111.9717044,3a,75y,264.71h,97.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYWAfPRC37OoyjPk2k_mkRQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DYWAfPRC37OoyjPk2k_mkRQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D277.036%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Newer example in Tucson:

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2502575,-110.960736,3a,75y,290.93h,85.08t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saHgYTq4oVmW2vuCayF63pg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The intersection in Tucson, Grant Rd/1st Ave is really interesting.  YOu can GSV some old pictures and see a very typical setup, normal widthe intersection, each direction having a low level signal face on each corner with two overhead signal faces on the mast arm.  5 aspect faces on the left most mast arm and on the left side corner.

The modern incarnation has a much wider intersection.  PPLT double lefts on 1st, no left turn at all on Grant (access to 1st from Grant is provided with a Michigan left).  And what I found noteworthy, no signal face on the left corner whereever the left turn is prohibited.

More and more I am coming to the conclusion that where there are at least two other signal faces, the signal face posted at the far left corner is designed for the benefit of left turners.  So much so that where a left turn is unavailable, the signal on the left corner is removed from view.

[I didn't always have that realization.  IIRC, Los Angeles had signals posted on both corners practically everywhere.  As this was standard, I always assumed that the left corner was just another signal to provide a view in case your view was blocked by a truck or a bulb was out.  But of course, to the extent that there are already two other faces, the third signal face is extra (but nice to have).  Also, the left signal would usually match the left turn signal on the mast arm.  But it still seems unusual to see them remove it in places where it is standard (LA, Tucson) where the left turn is prohibited, as is present in the Tucson example.]

Grant Rd in Tucson is supposed to have a series of Michigan lefts from Oracle Rd to Swan Rd. It will be many years before the projects are fully complete. As far as far left corner traffic signals, some areas do this more than others (see Glendale as an example). Tucson used to use median traffic signals extensively. In many of those cases, a far left signal wasn't used unless there were dual left turn lanes.

mrsman

#17
June 24, 2020, 05:18:38 PM  
Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on June 24, 2020, 02:29:59 PM
Quote from: mrsman on June 21, 2020, 10:46:03 AM
Quote from: Roadwarriors79 on June 20, 2020, 02:42:45 PM
Various types in Arizona.

Typical installation in the city of Phoenix:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5096165,-111.9864615,3a,75y,253.31h,104.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHdlD8QTUoIWAqv5jiEx5eA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Installation that uses the curved or "ADOT" mast arms:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.4657902,-111.9867029,3a,75y,259.62h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sc6DKqHG8H7Xji6x104BBqA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dc6DKqHG8H7Xji6x104BBqA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D259.62476%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Most new traffic signals tend to look like this in the Phoenix area:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3059178,-111.8766406,3a,75y,77.41h,80.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svT0szF1MVr5U6LAO0hn99Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Typical traffic signals in Goodyear and Tempe:

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.3781426,-111.9717044,3a,75y,264.71h,97.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYWAfPRC37OoyjPk2k_mkRQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DYWAfPRC37OoyjPk2k_mkRQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D277.036%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Newer example in Tucson:

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2502575,-110.960736,3a,75y,290.93h,85.08t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saHgYTq4oVmW2vuCayF63pg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The intersection in Tucson, Grant Rd/1st Ave is really interesting.  YOu can GSV some old pictures and see a very typical setup, normal widthe intersection, each direction having a low level signal face on each corner with two overhead signal faces on the mast arm.  5 aspect faces on the left most mast arm and on the left side corner.

The modern incarnation has a much wider intersection.  PPLT double lefts on 1st, no left turn at all on Grant (access to 1st from Grant is provided with a Michigan left).  And what I found noteworthy, no signal face on the left corner whereever the left turn is prohibited.

More and more I am coming to the conclusion that where there are at least two other signal faces, the signal face posted at the far left corner is designed for the benefit of left turners.  So much so that where a left turn is unavailable, the signal on the left corner is removed from view.

[I didn't always have that realization.  IIRC, Los Angeles had signals posted on both corners practically everywhere.  As this was standard, I always assumed that the left corner was just another signal to provide a view in case your view was blocked by a truck or a bulb was out.  But of course, to the extent that there are already two other faces, the third signal face is extra (but nice to have).  Also, the left signal would usually match the left turn signal on the mast arm.  But it still seems unusual to see them remove it in places where it is standard (LA, Tucson) where the left turn is prohibited, as is present in the Tucson example.]

Grant Rd in Tucson is supposed to have a series of Michigan lefts from Oracle Rd to Swan Rd. It will be many years before the projects are fully complete. As far as far left corner traffic signals, some areas do this more than others (see Glendale as an example). Tucson used to use median traffic signals extensively. In many of those cases, a far left signal wasn't used unless there were dual left turn lanes.

Even in Los Angeles, which seems to be a stickler for putting a signal on the left corner, there were exceptions for roads with medians.  About 30-40 years ago, many streets with medians would have the left corner signal placed on the median instead.  Many of these median signals have since been moved to the corner, as the median is definitely a place where an errant car could run down a signal.  Plus, as the technology for longer mast arms developed, there was less of a need for a median signal.  There are still median signals on the widest medians, that used to be railroad corridors.

JUHSD-rvalencia

#18
June 25, 2020, 01:58:37 AM  
In my area, particularly the Bay Area, I like the way how Caltrans put up yellow borders on existing traffic signals. Neat! However, CA 82 (Mission St/El Camino Real) does not unfortunately.
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