Methods for Operation and Detection of the Flashing Yellow Arrow Display

The Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) display is a form of protected-permitted left-turn phasing (PPLT) approved in 2006 by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and is anticipated for inclusion in the next release of the MUTCD. The FYA display eliminates the yellow trap, allows lead-lag phasing with PPLT, and allows time of day selection of protected-only or permitted-only phasing. This paper describes operational and efficiency benefits of the Flashing Yellow Arrow display and how they are achieved by selection of phasing, timing elements, and modified detection methods. In addition, the paper will describe some lessons learned that will be valuable for other engineers who are contemplating or just starting to use the FYA. The question then becomes how the traffic engineer should utilize the power and flexibility of the FYA display and when to exercise restraint. The real power of the FYA becomes available when the engineer starts to break away from “leading lefts only” phasing typically required by traditional PPLT. This paper will discuss different phasing options with the FYA and the pluses and minuses of each in terms of what existing problems they might solve or mitigate. Along with this will be a discussion of detection strategies from simple to complex that can greatly improve the efficiency of the FYA. Finally, there will be a description of a “perceived” yellow trap that can occur in some circumstances with the FYA and how to recognize when it may be a problem.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9781933452388
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Deskins, John
• Conference:
  • ITE 2008 Annual Meeting and Exhibit
  • Location: Anaheim CA, United States
  • Date: 2008-8-17 to 2008-8-20
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: ITE 2008 Annual Meeting and Exhibit. Compendium of Technical Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Exclusive phasing; Flashing traffic signals; Lead-lag phasing; Left turn phase; Permissive phasing; Traffic signal phases; Yellow interval (Traffic signal cycle)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01164355
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9781933452388
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 2010 8:28AM