11/17/2009
Area motorists are beginning to notice new left-turn traffic signals
COEUR D'ALENE - Motorists in northern Idaho have begun to notice a new style of left-turn signal on Idaho's highways and local roads, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. The new signal heads are being used on U.S. 95 at the traffic signals with Idaho 53 and Garwood Road.
The new signals are known as flashing yellow arrow left-turn signals, and offer several advantages over the old left-turn signals:
- It's safer - A national study conducted by the Federal Highway Administration demonstrated that drivers made fewer mistakes with the new signals than with traditional left-turn-arrow signals.
- It's more efficient - The new signals provide traffic engineers with more options to handle variable traffic volumes.
- It's more consistent - Motorists will see the new signals in every state because the signals are being introduced throughout the U.S.
The new signals are placed over the left-turn lane at a signalized intersection. The signal display includes a flashing yellow arrow. Other displays on the signal are a steady green arrow, steady yellow arrow and steady red arrow. In coming years, this type of signal will be used in place of the flashing-red left-turn signals that are now common.
The signal operation uses four phases:
1. - Flashing Yellow Arrow allows the motorist to turn left when oncoming traffic is clear (oncoming traffic has a green light).
2. - Steady Green Arrow allows vehicles to turn left, proceeding with caution.
3. - Steady Yellow Arrow warns the motorist that the left-turn signal is about to change to red, and they should prepare to stop, or complete the left-turning movement if they are legally within the intersection.
4. - Steady Red Arrow requires traffic to stop and wait during this interval.
The Federal Highway Administration has begun the process of making this display the preferred standard for signalized left-turns. It will, however, likely take several years for this display to be implemented by all road agencies and municipalities in Idaho.
*************************************************
NOTE TO NEWS DIRECTORS: Examples of the new signal head are located at the intersections of U.S. 95 and Idaho 53, and Garwood Road. In Coeur d'Alene, the new signal head is in use at the Ramsey Road intersection at the Kroc Center.