Traffic signal

[Amtrakprod]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!




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The 4 section signal with the red yellow yellow and green lens should be a give away



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[STLmapboy]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

[STLmapboy]

Poleline Avenue with a pole that is far too long.

[Revive 755]

This might be a little bit of a newbie question, so my apologies in advance. I often drive through this intersection, but it seems odd to me that one of the left turn signals is protected-only (typical three-section arrow arrangement) while the signal controlling opposing traffic is permissive (four-section RYG ball+Y/G arrow). How common is an arrangement like this?

Depends on the jurisdiction.  Illinois almost always frowns on that setup (there are exceptions), however Missouri has no issues with it.

Anyone have any idea what's going on here? Right outside Nakatomi Plaza in Century City, Los Angeles:

Right-facing green arrow in bottom left of doghouse

The bottom right lens is a green orb.

Are the two mixed up? Or is this correct?

I was going to say it's not MUTCD compliant, but I don't see the MUTCD specifically saying clusters have to follow the the section on placement of indications for horizontal heads (4D.10).  Another possible thing to fix in the next edition of the MUTCD?

[SignBridge]

I'm sure a mistake was made on that Los Angeles signal. And someone in the system should have caught it. I'm surprised to see this happen in California where the authorities are usually very conscientious about traffic lights. More of a New York State DOT kind of error.

[Amtrakprod]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

No MassDOT signs all FYAs, just signs haven't been installed here. Our signs look like this:


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[roadman65]

This one assembly in Thomasville, GA proves interesting as it has one span wire strung between two other span wires.

https://flic.kr/p/2jrLBKz

[Amtrakprod]

This one assembly in Thomasville, GA proves interesting as it has one span wire strung between two other span wires.

https://flic.kr/p/2jrLBKz

Huh, I like it!


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[STLmapboy]

Anybody ever seen double thru arrows?

[Amtrakprod]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

Sorry this is Brooks Av At Lake St in Arlington MA. Street Signs will be installed later when signs are posted. Here are the design plans: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=36925

[roadman65]

How about a five section with the bottom two side by side. https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/50138056503/in/album-72157715183258717/



PA used to use these in Downtown Hershey.

[roadman65]

This one assembly in Thomasville, GA proves interesting as it has one span wire strung between two other span wires.

https://flic.kr/p/2jrLBKz

Huh, I like it!


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So do I. Augusta has them on Gordon Highway as well.

Indiana has a similar set up in Kokomo but half diagonal and half two straight wire set ups.

[STLmapboy]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

Sorry this is Brooks Av At Lake St in Arlington MA. Street Signs will be installed later when signs are posted. Here are the design plans: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=36925

Thanks. The existing signal is pretty ancient.

[Amtrakprod]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

Sorry this is Brooks Av At Lake St in Arlington MA. Street Signs will be installed later when signs are posted. Here are the design plans: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=36925

Thanks. The existing signal is pretty ancient.

Oh yeah. I made a map just now if our traffic lights. We have a lot of old ones but the important ones are newer.
The blue signals are the old ones. Likely pre 1990s. Orange are 1990-2000 installs. 2000-2014 or so. Then Reds are new installs (these have reflective back plates). 2015-present.


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[STLmapboy]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

Sorry this is Brooks Av At Lake St in Arlington MA. Street Signs will be installed later when signs are posted. Here are the design plans: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=36925

Thanks. The existing signal is pretty ancient.

Oh yeah. I made a map just now if our traffic lights. We have a lot of old ones but the important ones are newer.
The blue signals are the old ones. Likely pre 1990s. Orange are 1990-2000 installs. 2000-2014 or so. Then Reds are new installs (these have reflective back plates). 2015-present.


iPhone

Cool! I once tried to make a map of span wires vs mast arms in the St Louis area (we have 10-15% wires), but I never completed it.

[Amtrakprod]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

Sorry this is Brooks Av At Lake St in Arlington MA. Street Signs will be installed later when signs are posted. Here are the design plans: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=36925

Thanks. The existing signal is pretty ancient.

Oh yeah. I made a map just now if our traffic lights. We have a lot of old ones but the important ones are newer.
The blue signals are the old ones. Likely pre 1990s. Orange are 1990-2000 installs. 2000-2014 or so. Then Reds are new installs (these have reflective back plates). 2015-present.


iPhone

Cool! I once tried to make a map of span wires vs mast arms in the St Louis area (we have 10-15% wires), but I never completed it.

We have 2 span wire signals.

Here which is the worst traffic light in my town (No need for it!):

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4116029,-71.1581765,3a,75y,190.87h,91.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sKEjQ6c8ux3oSfiZUn-ivpg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Then this MassDOT signal (which I guess is two signals):
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4025445,-71.1570995,3a,32.4y,264.88h,93.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sL2AEgqadEXDZwS-DsVvjPQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4026286,-71.1558792,3a,32.3y,79.23h,92.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAOOBFOOKckk-hmhlP41M2Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

and what a weird backplate, never seen something like this in MA.:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4026286,-71.1558792,3a,15y,94.94h,95.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAOOBFOOKckk-hmhlP41M2Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[STLmapboy]

Ever seen anything quite like this? Four signals overhead for two lanes terminating at a T junction. Interesting sign also.

Nearby in Tuscaloosa: https://www.google.pl/maps/@33.2062956,-87.5256723,3a,24.9y,93.87h,97.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sr4X-X-JpJD2VqtFhWS0rEQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/50250774273/in/dateposted-public/

Noticed lately that some areas at one way streets is using a straight arrow on the signal head closest to the side of the intersection that is DO NOT ENTER.

Reminds me of Newark, NJ.  In the City of Newark at one way street intersections the city would use 2 arrows instead of the usual green ball to show the only two turns that a motorist can make at the intersection.  However, that became problematic when the one way was to left as it would give a green left arrow which means protected left when you still had to yield to oncoming traffic.  As at one time left turn signals were scarce in NJ and growing up in Union County, NJ we had only two protected left turns in my area  which were along NJ Route 28 in Roselle Park.  Now of course the state is full of them, and I am sure Newark was pressured into ridding those arrow configurations to avoid collisions from motorists thinking that the turn is completely protected when it is not.

[mrsman]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

Sorry this is Brooks Av At Lake St in Arlington MA. Street Signs will be installed later when signs are posted. Here are the design plans: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=36925

The newer MA signals are quite nice.  I wouldn't judge the signal until it is completed.  Like Amtrakprod said, the signs will come eventually.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/50250774273/in/dateposted-public/

Noticed lately that some areas at one way streets is using a straight arrow on the signal head closest to the side of the intersection that is DO NOT ENTER.

Reminds me of Newark, NJ.  In the City of Newark at one way street intersections the city would use 2 arrows instead of the usual green ball to show the only two turns that a motorist can make at the intersection.  However, that became problematic when the one way was to left as it would give a green left arrow which means protected left when you still had to yield to oncoming traffic.  As at one time left turn signals were scarce in NJ and growing up in Union County, NJ we had only two protected left turns in my area  which were along NJ Route 28 in Roselle Park.  Now of course the state is full of them, and I am sure Newark was pressured into ridding those arrow configurations to avoid collisions from motorists thinking that the turn is completely protected when it is not.

While the Newark thing is quite dangerous, the first signal you posted is quite common.  A green straight arrow is another indication that a left or a right is prohibited at all times. And it is quite a useful thing.

It is not always for do not enter, they also exist at prohibited left turns, even when the cross street is not a one-way.

https://www.google.pl/maps/@34.076293,-118.2917625,3a,75y,271.39h,89.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sg6KOP2zJBFTpJ0ma1QRz5Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Amtrakprod]

Well my town is finally installing its first FYA left turn signal. And they plan to use TOD phasing!!
(images clipped)

What's the intersection? Also, is it standard MassDOT practice to not sign FYAs?
I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole like so.

Also that street sign system wouldn't work here or in most of the Nottheast. We don't have large roads like those (which is good!)


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[hobsini2]

Ever seen anything quite like this? Four signals overhead for two lanes terminating at a T junction. Interesting sign also.

Nearby in Tuscaloosa: https://www.google.pl/maps/@33.2062956,-87.5256723,3a,24.9y,93.87h,97.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sr4X-X-JpJD2VqtFhWS0rEQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Do you one better. 5 at the end of Rickert Dr at Ogden Ave in Naperville, IL. Plus a single near right side one.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.759524,-88.1874096,3a,75y,318.01h,94.27t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAChVezlCnrWh9KhIIWYEMg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DAChVezlCnrWh9KhIIWYEMg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D26.885906%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

[mrsman]

Anyone have any idea what's going on here? Right outside Nakatomi Plaza in Century City, Los Angeles:

Right-facing green arrow in bottom left of doghouse

The bottom right lens is a green orb.

Are the two mixed up? Or is this correct?

There's also this funny situation (same intersection) where, even though no through movement exists here, the red orb is always lit because of the adjacent pedestrian crossing. Only when that is activated, is the red orb extinguished.

This is a weird setup.  IIRC, when I lived in L.A. in the 80s and 90s there was no restriction on requiring a turn at this intersection.  Cars from Fox Plaza could continue down Galaxy,if they wanted.

From the pictures, it is hard to tell what the signal phasing is at this corner.  It would also make sense to have a FYA signal for the right turn: R-YA-FYA-GA which would be a little more intuitive.

[fwydriver405]

Been curious about this for quite a while now. What states other than New Hampshire*, Rhode Island, and New Jersey primarily use 4-section bimodal signals (R-Y-G-G&YA) for PP(L/R)T signals?

I'm not sure if I should really include Maine or Massachusetts as "primary" users of 4-section bimodal signals becuase while both liked to use both 4 and 5-section signals in the past, AFAIK, new Maine and MassDOT signal installs are starting to primarily use 5-section doghouse signals instead of 4-section bimodal signals for right turns.

*NHDOT installs and maintained signals only use 4-section (bimodal) signals for a shared signal option. The 5-section signals (examples: 1, 2, 3, and 4) that are seen in New Hampshire are NOT NHDOT installs, those are usually installed by an outside contractor for a town/city.

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I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole.

NHDOT-maintained signals sometimes do include the street signs on the pole, like here on Route 125 at Harvey Hill / Wadleigh Falls Rd in Lee.

[STLmapboy]

City of Joliet IL installing new horizontal traffic signals?!?!

[Amtrakprod]

Been curious about this for quite a while now. What states other than New Hampshire*, Rhode Island, and New Jersey primarily use 4-section bimodal signals (R-Y-G-G&YA) for PP(L/R)T signals?

I'm not sure if I should really include Maine or Massachusetts as "primary" users of 4-section bimodal signals becuase while both liked to use both 4 and 5-section signals in the past, AFAIK, new Maine and MassDOT signal installs are starting to primarily use 5-section doghouse signals instead of 4-section bimodal signals for right turns.

*NHDOT installs and maintained signals only use 4-section (bimodal) signals for a shared signal option. The 5-section signals (examples: 1, 2, 3, and 4) that are seen in New Hampshire are NOT NHDOT installs, those are usually installed by an outside contractor for a town/city.

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I wish more northeastern states would have street name signs on or hanging from the signal pole.

NHDOT-maintained signals sometimes do include the street signs on the pole, like here on Route 125 at Harvey Hill / Wadleigh Falls Rd in Lee.

As you said Massachusetts definitely does. But yeah that's typically used for a cheap town who doesn't want to buy another signal section. MassDOT currently uses 4 section FYAs for PPTL and Right turn doghouses for PPTR. They do not use inline 5 section signals for an odd reason (like Spokane Washington). Local quirk I assume.


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