Traffic signal

[roadman65]

I noticed that Missouri installs of all its traffic signals on high pedestals like in this picture.

Also to point out the additional mast arm attached to the signal that supports a lane control sign for the other side of the road.

[noelbotevera]

I noticed that Missouri installs of all its traffic signals on high pedestals like in this picture.

Also to point out the additional mast arm attached to the signal that supports a lane control sign for the other side of the road.

That's thinking resourcefully. The only part that's not resourceful is making a nightlight (I have no idea what those things are called, that tall thing that has the signs on it) to put signs on it. I'd make it a double arch shape, put the signs and the light on there. Problem solved.

[roadfro]

I noticed that Missouri installs of all its traffic signals on high pedestals like in this picture.

Also to point out the additional mast arm attached to the signal that supports a lane control sign for the other side of the road.

I think the rationale behind the high concrete pedestal is to lessen the likelihood that a car hitting the median will knock over the signal pole. I don't know if this is actually kosher with current design standards for crashworthiness--you can achieve better by not using a signal pole in the center median.

[roadman65]

This is the rare case as most MO signals are mounted on the corners.  At least what I seen anyway, most intersections use mast arms with some rural MO signals on span wires all on the four corners (or 3 if its a three way intersection).

[steviep24]

3M signals at a very skewed intersection.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.126553,-77.7892501,3a,30y,245.4h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYxfQJyAcmsTA6shenjxWg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[Mohkfry]

3M signals at a very skewed intersection.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.126553,-77.7892501,3a,30y,245.4h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYxfQJyAcmsTA6shenjxWg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Speaking of skewed/awkward intersections, here's three worth mentioning. the first two are like this because of the railroad tracks. Play with the streetview man to look at both intersections closely.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6166494,-87.0502359,3a,75y,285.03h,82.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYKU9Q28_kVrFx-luTuJa8Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.599169,-87.2669091,3a,75y,2.7h,73.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0BARyzWfkRbDg_mXU_mFRQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

This next one is two intersections split by the South Shore railroad tracks.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5982311,-87.2664946,3a,37.5y,157.98h,86.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1skAzdAj7wrz1kqjWQL9aGQw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DkAzdAj7wrz1kqjWQL9aGQw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D256.977%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

[freebrickproductions]

3M signals at a very skewed intersection.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.126553,-77.7892501,3a,30y,245.4h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYxfQJyAcmsTA6shenjxWg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Never seen this before:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.126553,-77.7892501,3a,15y,123.03h,86.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYxfQJyAcmsTA6shenjxWg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[cl94]

3M signals at a very skewed intersection.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.126553,-77.7892501,3a,30y,245.4h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYxfQJyAcmsTA6shenjxWg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Never seen this before:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.126553,-77.7892501,3a,15y,123.03h,86.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDYxfQJyAcmsTA6shenjxWg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

That's a standard New York sign marking the end of a speed zone. Typically, it's placed when geometric conditions where a speed limit would normally increase to the default (55 mph in New York) may limit safe operation at 55. Virginia used to use similar signs. A ''State Speed Limit 55" sign should (per the State Supplement) be placed after the curve/obstruction, but in practice, several counties and local municipalities avoid the 55 sign altogether.

Across the pond, most counties have an "end speed zone" sign featuring a black slash on a white circle that may or may not have a number behind the slash. In these places, as in New York, the national/regional default speed limit applies when such a sign is encountered.

[jakeroot]

Following up on some of my previous posts on this thread about double left turns which may yield, has anyone ever compiled a list of all the intersections that permit it?

· I know in Colorado Springs, there are more than a few (here and here to start) -- probably more in Colorado that I'm not aware of.
· Seattle has at least two (here and here [first link, note the cars waiting to turn]) -- there used to be one in Silverdale (two FYAs) until it was removed a few months ago.
· Edmonton has too many to post (but here and here are two examples, just for fun [first one has a sign -- second has a bunch of people in the intersection waiting to turn]).
· A dozen pages ago, SteveG1977 compiled a list of four intersections in Illinois (here).

Don't ask me why I'm so fascinated by these. I honestly have no idea. In theory, they could massively increase the left turn throughput of an intersection, but obviously the risk of a collision is much higher. I guess the risk factor is so high that I'm surprised any jurisdiction permits them. But, I'm glad they do.

[Ace10]

Following up on some of my previous posts on this thread about double left turns which may yield, has anyone ever compiled a list of all the intersections that permit it?

Here are two more:

The intersection of Popps Ferry Rd and Cedar Lake Rd in Biloxi MS. Traffic turning from EB Popps Ferry to NB Cedar Lake can make permissive left turns from two turn lanes. This intersection was reconfigured sometime in the past 10 years. The middle lane was actually an optional left/through lane, and the signals operated in both protected and permissive phases.

Westbound Rodriguez St to southbound I-110 in D'Iberville MS. Left-turning traffic from Rodriguez onto I-110 can make permissive turns from both left turn lanes.

I learned how to drive in this area, so I'm comfortable with the idea of dual permissive lefts. Now that I live in the Portland metro area, I haven't noticed any dual permissive lefts anywhere, and I kinda don't like it. But I'll take my free lefts on red anyday over a dual permissive left.

[FreewayDan]

Following up on some of my previous posts on this thread about double left turns which may yield, has anyone ever compiled a list of all the intersections that permit it?

Here are two more:

The intersection of Popps Ferry Rd and Cedar Lake Rd in Biloxi MS. Traffic turning from EB Popps Ferry to NB Cedar Lake can make permissive left turns from two turn lanes. This intersection was reconfigured sometime in the past 10 years. The middle lane was actually an optional left/through lane, and the signals operated in both protected and permissive phases.

Westbound Rodriguez St to southbound I-110 in D'Iberville MS. Left-turning traffic from Rodriguez onto I-110 can make permissive turns from both left turn lanes.

I learned how to drive in this area, so I'm comfortable with the idea of dual permissive lefts. Now that I live in the Portland metro area, I haven't noticed any dual permissive lefts anywhere, and I kinda don't like it. But I'll take my free lefts on red anyday over a dual permissive left.

A couple of examples of dual permissive lefts that I found:

Tucson, AZ (Campbell Avenue at Speedway Blvd):
https://goo.gl/maps/8yoWSjFTd4n

Dallas, TX (Coit Road at Frankford Road south of the PGBT):
https://goo.gl/maps/EkAS8iwYJnF2

Fort Worth, TX (Hulen Street at IH 20; a restrictive dual permissive left):
https://goo.gl/maps/xVJ8QdXra882

[freebrickproductions]

Following up on some of my previous posts on this thread about double left turns which may yield, has anyone ever compiled a list of all the intersections that permit it?

Here are two more:

The intersection of Popps Ferry Rd and Cedar Lake Rd in Biloxi MS. Traffic turning from EB Popps Ferry to NB Cedar Lake can make permissive left turns from two turn lanes. This intersection was reconfigured sometime in the past 10 years. The middle lane was actually an optional left/through lane, and the signals operated in both protected and permissive phases.

Westbound Rodriguez St to southbound I-110 in D'Iberville MS. Left-turning traffic from Rodriguez onto I-110 can make permissive turns from both left turn lanes.

I learned how to drive in this area, so I'm comfortable with the idea of dual permissive lefts. Now that I live in the Portland metro area, I haven't noticed any dual permissive lefts anywhere, and I kinda don't like it. But I'll take my free lefts on red anyday over a dual permissive left.

A couple of examples of dual permissive lefts that I found:

Tucson, AZ (Campbell Avenue at Speedway Blvd):
https://goo.gl/maps/8yoWSjFTd4n

Dallas, TX (Coit Road at Frankford Road south of the PGBT):
https://goo.gl/maps/EkAS8iwYJnF2

Fort Worth, TX (Hulen Street at IH 20; a restrictive dual permissive left):
https://goo.gl/maps/xVJ8QdXra882

We have several here in Huntsville, AL.
Oakwood Avenue & Lee High Drive:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.749096,-86.577904,3a,66.8y,287.61h,84.69t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sf-H6flxawZxMa2UkQjcCpg!2e0
Meridian Street and Pratt Avenue:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.738622,-86.584819,3a,66.8y,5.26h,85.6t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szOHteKq6yIngN04I7QvQ4A!2e0
Pratt Avenue and Washington Street:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.738915,-86.589362,3a,66.8y,11.8h,84.91t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sjeiRnpO_CE3gj-lcX81B6Q!2e0
Monroe Street and Washington Street:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.73415,-86.587881,3a,66.8y,81.27h,80.37t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s7Db5aLCPAzGChCnxYWqC3g!2e0
Airport Road and Balmoral Drive:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.691171,-86.578965,3a,66.8y,167.68h,81.69t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1soLVods_ApZ4kEuBsAB2jng!2e0

That's all that I can think of off the top of my head.

[Michael]

While visiting a friend in Oneida a month ago, I saw this weird traffic light setup.  Note the second light in the background.  Both lights change at the same time.  When I first saw them, it was dark out, and after noticing the hospital off to the right, I thought maybe it was to keep a clear area for ambulances to access the hospital.  When I went through again in the daytime, I noticed that the hospital entrance was at the second light.  After looking at the road ahead, I noticed that it would be hard, if not impossible to see cars stopped at the second light.  I'm guessing that the first light stops cars before they go down the hill so they can be seen while they're stopped.  Does anyone have any other ideas?

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Flushing,+Queens,+NY/@40.757885,-73.860777,3a,66.8y,199.57h,87.89t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s-4eNr5Uf2WOlXiUZIYv40w!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c260054dc0633f:0xfaec24d1b474281e

This one is pretty fascinating in Queens, NY on Northern Blvd at 108th Street.  The way that they added the red lens above the main signal head leaving a spacing between it and the rest of the housing.  I remember when adding a twelve inch green arrow on Staten Island they did it similar.  They would take out the original green ball 8 inch lens, and replace it with the 12 inch green arrow, while replacing the amber light with green, and the red with yellow.  They also would attach the new red above the original head, but not directly to it as well as they did here.

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Flushing,+Queens,+NY/@40.75765,-73.865873,3a,66.8y,93.1h,88.59t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sHbGZ7BXiyplzDvfwUlFtcA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c260054dc0633f:0xfaec24d1b474281e

Here is another interesting add on signal.  The permissive left arrow is the one mounted separately, however its very old school as it has no yellow lens unless fiber optic lighting is used as some signals in NJ used to have them where the green arrow would change to yellow.

One thing I must say about NYC traffic lights, its never a dull moment for signal watching as they have various signal heads and additions.  Also on another note, rather then here in Florida where they usually take down the old and replace the whole head just to add an arrow or change the phasing out for the extra permissive turn ( I think I got it right this time).  Why waste a good signal head when you can just add on and rewire the whole signal head for the arrangement of orientations.

[Big John]

^^ The last photo shows it as a doghouse with a yellow arrow added in the 2015 view.

[D-Dey65]

Hey, is there a name for using traffic signals as object markers? I'll give you a couple of examples in The Bronx:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NB_Baychester_Avenue_under_Dyre_Avenue_Line_Bridge.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SB_Baychester_Avenue_under_Dyre_Ave_Line_Bridge.jpg

[roadman65]

^^ The last photo shows it as a doghouse with a yellow arrow added in the 2015 view.

I finally found out how to switch years.  My computer defaults on 2013 always and now I see its a doghouse with 12-12 & 8-8-8.

[DaBigE]

Hey, is there a name for using traffic signals as object markers? I'll give you a couple of examples in The Bronx:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NB_Baychester_Avenue_under_Dyre_Avenue_Line_Bridge.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SB_Baychester_Avenue_under_Dyre_Ave_Line_Bridge.jpg

We'd normally just call it a warning beacon.

[roadman65]

DC had them on PA Avenue between the White House and the Capitol at the base of the center aisle traffic signal posts.

Staten Island had little yellow bulbs at the base of some of the signal bases that were close to the traffic lanes particularly on islands in the road on Hylan Boulevard.

[Mohkfry]

Chicago is loaded with them as well as back-lit "Keep Right" signs on some of the underpasses. Gary has one as well, but other than that I can't think of any.

[M3019C LPS20]

The separation between the red and amber signals in New York City is a thing of the past, even though they are still fairly common at some intersections.

It has been discontinued since at least the late-2000s. The new setup with only a green arrow (lagging left turn movement) in use in a traffic signal cluster looks almost identical to what you posted in your second comment, but the 12" section is generally placed on the bottom rather than on the top.

[M3019C LPS20]

Also on another note, rather then here in Florida where they usually take down the old and replace the whole head just to add an arrow or change the phasing out for the extra permissive turn ( I think I got it right this time).  Why waste a good signal head when you can just add on and rewire the whole signal head for the arrangement of orientations.

That was a common practice by NYCDOT for years, but it seems nowadays that old traffic signals are trashed and replaced by new heads if an alteration is required at an intersection.

[peterj920]

Here's a unique traffic signal/ railroad crossing signal combo in Menasha, WI.

[MASTERNC]

Following up on some of my previous posts on this thread about double left turns which may yield, has anyone ever compiled a list of all the intersections that permit it?

· I know in Colorado Springs, there are more than a few (here and here to start) -- probably more in Colorado that I'm not aware of.

Ran into a couple in Castle Rock outside Denver

https://goo.gl/maps/P5EdRRainU52

https://goo.gl/maps/3JLSoyK8pDx