Flashing Yellow Arrow Jerry Kotzenmacher Minnesota Department of Transportation

Left Turns at Traffic Signals Three types of left turns Permissive Permissive Protected/Permissive Protected/Permissive Protected only Protected only

Left Turns at Traffic Signals Permissive Left Turn Permissive Left Turn Least restrictive Least restrictive Low speeds Low speeds Low volumes Low volumes 3 section head 3 section head

Left Turns at Traffic Signals Protected/Permissive Left Turn Protected/Permissive Left Turn Protected with Green Arrow Protected with Green Arrow Permissive with Green Ball Permissive with Green Ball Speeds Under 45mph Speeds Under 45mph Low Volumes Low Volumes 5 Section Head 5 Section Head

Left Turns at Traffic Signals Protected Only Left Turn Protected Only Left Turn Most Restrictive – MUST WAIT Most Restrictive – MUST WAIT Safest Safest Speeds Over 45mph Speeds Over 45mph High Volumes High Volumes

Left Turns at Traffic Signals Three types of left turns Permissive Permissive Protected/Permissive Protected/Permissive Protected only Protected only Guidelines for Type of Left Turn SpeedVolumes Sight Distance Opposing left Turn Offset When guidelines call for protected turn only - Options limited

Flashing Yellow Arrow Protected left turn head using addition yellow flashing arrow Protected left turn head using addition yellow flashing arrow Can Operate Protected or Protected/Permissive Can Operate Protected or Protected/Permissive Time of day options. Time of day options. Protected only turns benefit most. Protected only turns benefit most.

MN/DOTs Pilot Project Traffic signal located at TH 110 & TH 149 Traffic signal located at TH 110 & TH 149 Test Equipment Test Equipment FHWA approved interim use FHWA approved interim use Removed due to operation condition with yellow clearance. Removed due to operation condition with yellow clearance. Successfully operated for 3 years Successfully operated for 3 years

Why? Continual public dissatisfaction with protected only signal phasing Continual public dissatisfaction with protected only signal phasing North Central Section Institute of Traffic Engineers (NCITE) supported North Central Section Institute of Traffic Engineers (NCITE) supported Improved signal operations Improved signal operations

Why? NCHRP Report 493 concluded that: (National Cooperative Highway Research Program) (National Cooperative Highway Research Program) The FYA was found to be the best overall alternative to the circular green The FYA was found to be the best overall alternative to the circular green FYA was found to have a high level of understanding FYA was found to have a high level of understanding The FYA display in a separate signal face for the left-turn movement offers more versatility The FYA display in a separate signal face for the left-turn movement offers more versatility

Operation Notes Red time after green/yellow arrow Red time after green/yellow arrow Lagging green arrow Lagging green arrow Flashing yellow arrow with thru red ball Flashing yellow arrow with thru red ball

Video – Yankee Doodle (Dakota 28) at Coachman

Design Criteria Must have a dedicated left turn lane Must have a dedicated left turn lane Must have dedicated indication Must have dedicated indication Must have presence detection on non- recall approach Must have presence detection on non- recall approach

Enforcement Considerations Enforcement most know left turn operation Enforcement most know left turn operation Important to keep crash records Important to keep crash records

The flashing yellow arrow today No accidents attributed to the FYA locally No accidents attributed to the FYA locally Federal MUTCD approval; FYA published in 2009 manual Federal MUTCD approval; FYA published in 2009 manual Any Minnesota agency can install a FYA Any Minnesota agency can install a FYA MN/DOT plans on installing additional FYA & standard design in new signals MN/DOT plans on installing additional FYA & standard design in new signals Nation wide installations; 500 intersections Nation wide installations; 500 intersections Has been accepted by the traveling public Has been accepted by the traveling public

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