I'm very stressed out about signal related stuff

[Scott5114]

Now that I have an idea of what a McCain looks like, I went looking around Norman for them. I found a few. I have no idea what the dominant signal type in Oklahoma is, but it's not McCains. It's whatever these are:



Looking on GSV, it looks like they actually tore out some McCains to put these in!

[Mr. Matté]

They will become old one day.  Just have to be patient.

McCain is not already old? He's 81.

Roberta, the Senator's mother, still hanging around at 106.

[traffic light guy]

Now that I have an idea of what a McCain looks like, I went looking around Norman for them. I found a few. I have no idea what the dominant signal type in Oklahoma is, but it's not McCains. It's whatever these are:



Looking on GSV, it looks like they actually tore out some McCains to put these in!

Those are Eagle durasigs

[TheArkansasRoadgeek]

So, is the housing what the 'model' is referring to?

Or:

Visor type

Backplate

[traffic light guy]

So, is the housing what the 'model' is referring to?

Or:

Visor type

Backplate

The signal housing

[Scott5114]

Been keeping my eye out for different types of signal housings and it's fascinating. So far it looks like ODOT prefers the Eagle Durasigs and the City of Norman likes McCains. The closest signal to my house is a McCain setup. But neither agency bothers to coordinate all the signal heads on one installation–there's plenty of signals with McCains and Durasigs on the same mastarm, for instance. No surprise when it comes to ODOT, but I'm a little taken aback by Norman doing this–they're quite a bit more fastidious about traffic control than ODOT is.

I've also seen a few installs of this signal type, which I'm not entirely sure about. What is this?

[traffic light guy]

Been keeping my eye out for different types of signal housings and it's fascinating. So far it looks like ODOT prefers the Eagle Durasigs and the City of Norman likes McCains. The closest signal to my house is a McCain setup. But neither agency bothers to coordinate all the signal heads on one installation–there's plenty of signals with McCains and Durasigs on the same mastarm, for instance. No surprise when it comes to ODOT, but I'm a little taken aback by Norman doing this–they're quite a bit more fastidious about traffic control than ODOT is.

I've also seen a few installs of this signal type, which I'm not entirely sure about. What is this?

Those are  either TCT or Peek signals

[traffic light guy]

I know I've made this post elsewhere, but can someone help me find more old signals within the Philadelphia area. (Anything that's at least 40 years old) This time, I'm gonna write down the locations, so I can document them and photograph them.

I also need to find more old doghouses

[DaBigE]

I've also seen a few installs of this signal type, which I'm not entirely sure about. What is this?

WisDOT has a ton of ones that look like that right now. TCT, as traffic light guy suggests as an option, isn't on WisDOT's approved product listing, so I'm pretty-sure it's Peek.

[jakeroot]

Peek signals are pretty common in Washington State as well. Here's an up-close shot of one. It's near-impossible to tell, but the word "PEEK" is spelled out on each head:



WSDOT used to install McCain's pretty regularly, but recently they've moved away from them. Here's a shot of an intersection with several inactivate-but-very-new signals. Not sure what model:

[traffic light guy]

Peek signals are pretty common in Washington State as well. Here's an up-close shot of one. It's near-impossible to tell, but the word "PEEK" is spelled out on each head:



WSDOT used to install McCain's pretty regularly, but recently they've moved away from them. Here's a shot of an intersection with several inactivate-but-very-new signals. Not sure what model:

The bubbleback signals are Eagle Siemens traffic lights

[TheArkansasRoadgeek]

Peek signals are pretty common in Washington State as well. Here's an up-close shot of one. It's near-impossible to tell, but the word "PEEK" is spelled out on each head:



WSDOT used to install McCain's pretty regularly, but recently they've moved away from them. Here's a shot of an intersection with several inactivate-but-very-new signals. Not sure what model:

The bubbleback signals are Eagle Siemens traffic lights

Can wind slats be a part of the model or I guess the backplate is an optional thing...?


iPhone

[traffic light guy]

Peek signals are pretty common in Washington State as well. Here's an up-close shot of one. It's near-impossible to tell, but the word "PEEK" is spelled out on each head:



WSDOT used to install McCain's pretty regularly, but recently they've moved away from them. Here's a shot of an intersection with several inactivate-but-very-new signals. Not sure what model:

The bubbleback signals are Eagle Siemens traffic lights

Can wind slats be a part of the model or I guess the backplate is an optional thing...?


iPhone

Backplates are optional

[US 89]

Those bubble-back signals are fairly common in Utah, except they're more likely to be yellow, and they usually have backplates. In the past few years, UDOT has started to replace a lot of their existing signals (which work fine, and most of them are fairly new anyway) with new McCains. Not surprising for Utah, where you're unlikely to find anything more than 20 years old.

[jakeroot]

WSDOT used to install McCain's pretty regularly, but recently they've moved away from them. Here's a shot of an intersection with several inactivate-but-very-new signals. Not sure what model:

https://i.imgur.com/1KFZYCx.jpg

The bubbleback signals are Eagle Siemens traffic lights

Thanks for that. I definitely prefer them and PEEK signals to McCains, thanks mostly to this thread.

Those bubble-back signals are fairly common in Utah, except they're more likely to be yellow, and they usually have backplates. In the past few years, UDOT has started to replace a lot of their existing signals (which work fine, and most of them are fairly new anyway) with new McCains. Not surprising for Utah, where you're unlikely to find anything more than 20 years old.

You also see yellow-painted bubble-back signals here in Washington, but the number of cities that use yellow signals is declining every year. The ones that do use them tend to paint the entire backside. Here's an example...



I've seen a few yellow McCains but they're not common.

[traffic light guy]

WSDOT used to install McCain's pretty regularly, but recently they've moved away from them. Here's a shot of an intersection with several inactivate-but-very-new signals. Not sure what model:

https://i.imgur.com/1KFZYCx.jpg

The bubbleback signals are Eagle Siemens traffic lights

Thanks for that. I definitely prefer them and PEEK signals to McCains, thanks mostly to this thread.

Those bubble-back signals are fairly common in Utah, except they're more likely to be yellow, and they usually have backplates. In the past few years, UDOT has started to replace a lot of their existing signals (which work fine, and most of them are fairly new anyway) with new McCains. Not surprising for Utah, where you're unlikely to find anything more than 20 years old.

You also see yellow-painted bubble-back signals here in Washington, but the number of cities that use yellow signals is declining every year. The ones that do use them tend to paint the entire backside. Here's an example...



I've seen a few yellow McCains but they're not common.

Some cities are addicted to using yellow, Philly's signals were green until the 60s

[traffic light guy]

What should I do if my favorite setup gets replaced, it's really hard to accept new signals for what they are

[seicer]

Nothing.

[jakeroot]

What should I do if my favorite setup gets replaced, it's really hard to accept new signals for what they are

Yeah, not really anything. Traffic lights aren't like an old building or public art. They have a shelf life and they eventually have to go.

I've suggested to you before that you contact the local public works department to see if you can relieve them of one or two old signals (so you can keep them as part of a personal collection). Apart from that, there's nothing you can do to further enjoy them.

If you still can't accept the situation, I'd suggest visiting a shrink.

[freebrickproductions]

I personally think yellow looks better on signals, but that's just me.

Also, if you want to TLG, you can keep an eye out on Ebay and Craigslist (along with GovDeals) for old signals that you want (such as Eagle Flat-backs) and see about getting them if you have the money and they're a good price.

[jakeroot]

I personally think yellow looks better on signals, but that's just me.

I'm really torn. I'm used to seeing yellow signals in Vancouver (where everything is yellow -- housing, lens, front and rear of the backplate), and I like them. They stand out from the environment, which I suppose is the point. On the other hand, I'm very used to seeing all black signals in most Washington cities, which I think fit in better with the environment, especially in this darker and rainier part of the country.

[basilicon89]

Getting this worked up over traffic signals is ridiculous. I enjoy the old stuff and the new technologies being implemented. It goes beyond the signal heads. Next generation traffic control includes alot of V2I communication, faster more powerful controllers, energy efficient cabinets and low voltage LEDs.

The old stuff had its time. We aren't typing on computer with large CRT monitors and adjusting rabbit ears anymore...times change and so does technology. Signal heads are the cheapest part of a signal system between 200 and 400 for a 3 light LED head. Cabinets cost upwards of 25,000 and outfitting a compuete interection with video detection cameras can run up to 10,000.

Stuff comes down because its worn out. More than you see from driving under it. Frozen screws, broken lenses, rotting wiring, water intrusion....they all play into why certain signal heads come down. I bought 2 GE four ways from the mid 1940s era that came down in 2011 from a small town and both of them had wiring that literally crumbled when you touched it. Plus the seals were almost all gone. I kept one and rewired it, sold the other. GE stopped making these signals in the mid 50s so an almost 70 year run wasnt bad.

Today signal heads are designed to last until the next upgrade. Technology changes so rapidly now versus even 20 years ago that its not cost effective to build to last when in 10-20 years the tech will be improved again. Manufacturers like McCain and Econolite barely make a profit on signal heads. Their real money is in software, controller hardware, and more recently V2I tech.

So...thats my take on it. Time isnt going to stop. If you appreciate the old stuff, consider purchasing some of it. I have signals from the 40s era up to today in my personal display.

-Nick

[index]

I bought 2 GE four ways from the mid 1940s era that came down in 2011 from a small town and both of them had wiring that literally crumbled when you touched it.

Speaking of things crumbling, when I had purchased an old Eagle Alusig 12-8-8, there were a bunch of dead bugs in it when I opened the signal door on the 12" section. There was this really fat dead spider, so I grabbed a paper towel to get rid of it, and the thing turned to powder the moment the towel touched it. Total dust. I wonder how long it had been in there.

[index]

I personally think yellow looks better on signals, but that's just me.

I'm really torn. I'm used to seeing yellow signals in Vancouver (where everything is yellow -- housing, lens, front and rear of the backplate), and I like them. They stand out from the environment, which I suppose is the point. On the other hand, I'm very used to seeing all black signals in most Washington cities, which I think fit in better with the environment, especially in this darker and rainier part of the country.

Yellow signals are cool and yellow backplates are cool, but I can't stand them combined with each other personally. Looks really ugly in my opinion. However, I love the black signals and yellow backplates and the dark green signals and yellow backplates. On the topic of British Columbia, I also thoroughly like their overuse of Clearview on everything. There's something about it that other transportation departments don't do that I like.


I've also edited in FWHA on to the numbers on BC's shield, and it actually looks worse. Whatever font they're using on it now (helvetica, arial?) is a pretty good fit, despite being nonstandard. BC seems to be pretty good at making non-FHWA fonts look good on signage.

[US 89]

WSDOT used to install McCain's pretty regularly, but recently they've moved away from them. Here's a shot of an intersection with several inactivate-but-very-new signals. Not sure what model:

https://i.imgur.com/1KFZYCx.jpg

The bubbleback signals are Eagle Siemens traffic lights

Thanks for that. I definitely prefer them and PEEK signals to McCains, thanks mostly to this thread.

Those bubble-back signals are fairly common in Utah, except they’re more likely to be yellow, and they usually have backplates. In the past few years, UDOT has started to replace a lot of their existing signals (which work fine, and most of them are fairly new anyway) with new McCains. Not surprising for Utah, where you’re unlikely to find anything more than 20 years old.

You also see yellow-painted bubble-back signals here in Washington, but the number of cities that use yellow signals is declining every year. The ones that do use them tend to paint the entire backside. Here's an example...



I've seen a few yellow McCains but they're not common.

Some cities are addicted to using yellow, Philly's signals were green until the 60s

Most signals in Utah are yellow, and UDOT's new McCains are all yellow. In fact, in the past 20 years UDOT has only installed yellow signals with black backplates (I've never seen a painted backplate). With few exceptions, if you're in Utah and you see a signal that isn't yellow, that's a pretty good clue that you aren't on a state highway. (However, the converse is not true, since many cities use the UDOT specs for their signals.) Salt Lake City, for example, uses black signals at its city-maintained intersections.

I personally think yellow looks better on signals, but that's just me.

I'm really torn. I'm used to seeing yellow signals in Vancouver (where everything is yellow -- housing, lens, front and rear of the backplate), and I like them. They stand out from the environment, which I suppose is the point. On the other hand, I'm very used to seeing all black signals in most Washington cities, which I think fit in better with the environment, especially in this darker and rainier part of the country.

Yellow signals are cool and yellow backplates are cool, but I can't stand them combined with each other personally. Looks really ugly in my opinion. However, I love the black signals and yellow backplates and the dark green signals and yellow backplates.

I don't really have a preference for yellow or black signals. However, I'm not really a fan of the yellow reflective strip around the edges of an otherwise all-black signal. Here's an example.