3/23/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
REMINDER: Nampa's Exit 36 (Franklin Boulevard) to have FYA signal installed Wednesday (March 24)
BOISE
- The Idaho Transportation Department advises motorists that the
traffic signals for the on- and off-ramps at Exit 36 (Franklin Boulevard) in
Nampa will be replaced with Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) signals on Wednesday (March 24). The new FYA
signal will be operational starting Thursday morning, March 25.
The new FYA signal will govern the left turn approaches onto the on ramps. As
part of the signal conversion, the lane assignments for the southbound approach
will be changed so that left turns to get onto I-84 to go east will only be
allowed via the center left-turn lane; the other two lanes will be thru lanes
only. Currently, the middle lane allows the driver to either turn left or
go straight; starting March 24, it will be a thru lane only.
The flashing yellow arrow means "proceed with caution and yield to
oncoming traffic."
The signal has four phases:
1. Green arrow represents a protected turn
2. Flashing yellow - proceed with caution and yield to oncoming traffic
3. Solid Yellow prepare to stop
4. Solid Red - stop
The FYA will replace the permissive green ball traditionally used in traffic
signal configurations. Flashing yellow arrows indicate a permissive move for
drivers turning left; they can make a left turn but must yield to oncoming
traffic. 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 also
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 implemented the new FYA signals in several locations since
the middle of 2004. Canyon Countys FYA signals use a dual-arrow three-section
head and are being used 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
ITD uses an FYA four-section head, such as the signals at:
- Garrity Boulevard (exit 38) ramp signals
- Interstate 84, Exit 28 in Caldwell
The FYA light also is used at two other small local roads in Nampa:
- Southside Boulevard/Greenhurst Road
- Southside Boulevard/Powerline Road
The most recent flashing arrow signals were installed at the intersection of
3rd and American Legion Boulevard in Mountain Home in December 2008, and at the
intersections of SH 16/ S. Substation Road and SH 16/S. Johns Avenue in Emmett
in July 2009.
ACHD also has installed the new FYA lights on State Street between Glenwood and
Veterans Memorial Parkway.