4/22/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
New Flashing Yellow Arrow signals to go in at Idaho 55, Deinhard Lane intersection in McCall Wednesday
McCALL - The Idaho Transportation Department advises McCall-area motorists that the traffic signals at Idaho 55 and Deinhard Lane on the south edge of town will be replaced with Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) signals on Wednesday (April 27). The new signals are expected to be operating by Thursday morning.
An FYA signal is already installed in McCall at Idaho 55 and Mission Street on the north end of town.
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 arrow - proceed with caution and yield to oncoming traffic
3. Solid Yellow arrow - prepare to stop
4. Solid Red arrow - stop
Click here for a picture of the Flashing Yellow Arrow signal.
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. By 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 County's 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:
- Franklin Road/I-84 (Exit 28) in Caldwell
- Garrity Boulevard (Exit 38) ramp signals in Nampa
- Franklin Boulevard (Exit 36) ramp signals in Nampa
The FYA light also is used at two other small local roads in Nampa:
- Southside Boulevard/Greenhurst Road
- Southside Boulevard/Powerline Road
Other FYA signals in the southwest region were installed at:
- 3rd and American Legion Boulevard in Mountain Home in December 2008
- Idaho 16/ S. Substation Road and Idaho 16/S. Johns Avenue in Emmett in July 2009
The Ada County Highway District has also begun installing the new FYA lights at many intersections in Ada County, such as along State Street east of Glenwood Street.