5/16/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
New FYA traffic light going in at Exit 28 in Caldwell on Wednesday night (May 21)
BOISE - Motorists will encounter a new Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) traffic signal at Exit 28 in Caldwell, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The flashing yellow arrow means "proceed with caution, yield to oncoming traffic" and will be installed Wednesday night (May 21) governing left turns onto the on-ramps at the exit.
Exit 28 serves 10th Street and Illinois Avenue in Caldwell.
The flashing yellow arrow is used to replace the permissive green ball traditionally used in traffic signal configurations. Flashing yellow arrows indicate a permissive move for drivers turning left; meaning they can make a left turn but they have to yield to traffic coming from the opposite direction. If the signal detects that vehicles are not moving through the left-turn lane, a solid green arrow phase will follow, providing protected left-turn movements.
The FYA signal is more efficient and improves safety. The signal has three heads rather than five, and saves on motorists' fuel and time at the intersection.
Historically, the green ball governing left turns has led some motorists to wrongly think they have a protected turning movement. In contrast, highway users seem to intuitively know the flashing yellow is communicating the need for caution in the turn.
Canyon County has used the new FYA signal in several locations since the middle of 2004.
The FYA signal is in place at the following locations:
Karcher Mall/Lowe's on Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard (I-84B)
K-Mart/ShopKo on Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard
Orchard/Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard
The FYA light also is used at two other small local roads in Nampa:
Southside Blvd./Greenhurst Road
Southside Blvd./Powerline Road