July 31, 2008
LEFT TURN SIGNAL PROJECT EXPANDING ALONG U.S. 50
PUEBLO – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is expanding “flashing” left-turn signals in Pueblo, a system designed to enhance safety at busy intersections.
Initially installed to control nighttime left turn movements at the U.S. 50-Fortino/Morris intersection in 2007, the flashing yellow left-turn arrow signals were recently installed at the U.S. 50/Club Manor Drive intersection and, later this year, will be installed at the Baltimore Avenue and Wills Boulevard intersections. The new signals will be operational 24 hours a day/seven days a week, with Morris/Fortino remaining as a flashing signal at night only.
The signal phases are:
Red: STOP.
Steady yellow arrow: The left-turn signal is about to change to red; prepare to stop, or prepare to complete your left turn if you are within the intersection.
Flashing yellow arrow: Left turns permitted. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. [Oncoming traffic has a green light.]
Green arrow: Safe to turn left. [Oncoming traffic must stop.]
“It’s designed to make left turns safer and reduce the number of accidents and the severity of accidents between through and turning traffic,” says CDOT Traffic Engineer Terry Shippy. “After it was installed, we began monitoring it and it did improve safety at Morris/Fortino, so the decision was made to add this type of signal at other intersections. We’ll also monitor the new ones and evaluate their effectiveness as well.”
In 2006, before the new turn signal was installed at Morris/Fortino, there were 17 east/west approach turn accidents during the day (6 a.m.-7 p.m.). After the 2007 installation, there were two east/west approach turn accidents during the daytime protected-only operation (6 a.m.-7 p.m.). In 2006, there was one east/west approach turn accident during the night (7 p.m.-6 a.m.). In 2007, no approach turn accidents were reported during nighttime flashing yellow arrow operations (7 p.m.-6 a.m.).
The signal system is part of a Federal Highway Administration project, which is looking at amending the federal standards for left-turn signals. Benefits of the new turn arrows include:
Eliminating motorist confusion to the meaning of the circular green light – occasionally mistaken as a protected left turn – and the simultaneous circular red light and green arrow, where some drivers stop
Use at all intersections and signal configurations
More opportunities for drivers to turn left
Requires no supplemental signing
Can be used for right turns
“In addition to improving safety, these signals give us the opportunity to reduce wait times along the corridor by allowing better synchronization of the traffic signals in both directions,” added Shippy.
The new signals are being installed in other states as well, including Utah, Missouri, Oregon and Michigan. CDOT expects the flashing left turn signals to be installed at other state-controlled intersections in coming years.
Additional information is available at: www.dot.state.co.us/Traffic_Manuals_Guidelines/Informational_Brochures/Flashing%20Yellow%20Arrow%20Flyer.pdf
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