Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

cabman701 wrote:So this is one of the blackout boxes. A little hard to make out, but here It is displaying no left turn because the crossing to the left is activated for a train (I did a separate post in the crossing signal scavenger hunt for that).
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5133099 ... 6656?hl=en
But look what it is displaying here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5131221 ... 6656?hl=en
I guess I didn't realize these could display different things at different times. In this shot it is completely turned off.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5129505 ... 6656?hl=en

It isn't too common, but some agencies take advantage of blank out signs to do stuff like that, especially the newer LED ones.

cabman701 wrote: At the next street over, we have another blackout box displaying no left turn because of the train. Notice the doghouse signal is red. Interesting! I wouldn't expect that signal to operate separately from the rest of the lights facing this direction.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5142056 ... 6656?hl=en

Technically an MUTCD violation as well, IIRC. If they want to have a permissive left turn, but have the left turn late not allowed to turn when the crossing is active, then the blank-out sign is sufficient. Though if they want to have the signal go red to reinforce this, then they should upgrade that to a flashing yellow arrow.

cabman701 wrote: And lastly... notice these signals for the frontage road. In 2013 they were more standard light heads with "visors" in them.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5142983 ... 6656?hl=en
Back in 2009 they were 3M signals.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5142886 ... 6656?hl=en

Louvers allow for programmable visibility at a much lower cost compared to programmable visibility signals like 3Ms, along with standard LEDs being usable with them whereas 3Ms have to use special LEDs with the dimmer circuits bypassed.

freebrickproductions wrote: Though if they want to have the signal go red to reinforce this, then they should upgrade that to a flashing yellow arrow.

It actually wasn't until last year that I learned that a flashing yellow arrow signal can keep solid red when it's needed, especially at times when turning on a flashing yellow arrow would be very dangerous.

ZachL wrote:

freebrickproductions wrote: Though if they want to have the signal go red to reinforce this, then they should upgrade that to a flashing yellow arrow.

It actually wasn't until last year that I learned that a flashing yellow arrow signal can keep solid red when it's needed, especially at times when turning on a flashing yellow arrow would be very dangerous.

Yes... I recently discovered that too! There is one on my way to work that will not give a flashing yellow during rush hour, both morning and evening.

And then there is this one for a right turn lane. The ONLY time it displays a flashing yellow is if the crosswalk signals are activated (meaning you need to yield to pedestrians). The rest of the time it only shows red or green.
https://www.google.com/maps/@27.8936296 ... 6656?hl=en

On the topic of flashing yellow arrows...

This past summer, I saw a handful of 3-section FYA signals in Wisconsin that weren't bi-modals. Red <-, Yellow <-, and flashing yellow <-. I thought those were interesting and pretty neat.

Example:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0372184 ... 312!8i6656
(yes, it's yellow)

busman_49 wrote:On the topic of flashing yellow arrows...

This past summer, I saw a handful of 3-section FYA signals in Wisconsin that weren't bi-modals. Red <-, Yellow <-, and flashing yellow <-. I thought those were interesting and pretty neat.

Example:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0372184 ... 312!8i6656
(yes, it's yellow)

That's interesting... especially since the signal right behind it (for the opposite lanes) is a 4 section one. When these first came out, I thought it was odd to have 2 yellow lights, but I guess it helps people distinguish when the light is getting ready to change to red.

cabman701 wrote:

busman_49 wrote:On the topic of flashing yellow arrows...

This past summer, I saw a handful of 3-section FYA signals in Wisconsin that weren't bi-modals. Red <-, Yellow <-, and flashing yellow <-. I thought those were interesting and pretty neat.

Example:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0372184 ... 312!8i6656
(yes, it's yellow)

That's interesting... especially since the signal right behind it (for the opposite lanes) is a 4 section one. When these first came out, I thought it was odd to have 2 yellow lights, but I guess it helps people distinguish when the light is getting ready to change to red.

I think I heard/read somewhere that the double yellow indication has something to do with the way the controllers are made/programmed

busman_49 wrote:

cabman701 wrote:

busman_49 wrote:On the topic of flashing yellow arrows...

This past summer, I saw a handful of 3-section FYA signals in Wisconsin that weren't bi-modals. Red <-, Yellow <-, and flashing yellow <-. I thought those were interesting and pretty neat.

Example:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0372184 ... 312!8i6656
(yes, it's yellow)

That's interesting... especially since the signal right behind it (for the opposite lanes) is a 4 section one. When these first came out, I thought it was odd to have 2 yellow lights, but I guess it helps people distinguish when the light is getting ready to change to red.

I think I heard/read somewhere that the double yellow indication has something to do with the way the controllers are made/programmed

It also reinforces when the steady yellow light comes on by having it change position. Huntsville also has a number of three section FYA signals in the downtown, but none have been installed anywhere else in the city.

I don't get it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@31.7229284 ... 312!8i6656

Sorry for the two year bump, thought it would be more appropriate to post it here.

On or after? Why do you need to predict dates when you should be doing it on the due date.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6989572 ... 312!8i6656

NathanFromEngland wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2019 5:06 pm I don't get it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@31.7229284 ... 312!8i6656

Sorry for the two year bump, thought it would be more appropriate to post it here.

Low or soft shoulder pretty much means don't drive there and only pull over in extreme emergency. Low means that it's lower than the road. Soft means it's unpaved.