Discussion:
Weird Traffic Light, Lower Jackson Square, Weymouth, MA
(too old to reply)
Pac Man
2007-12-12 15:46:51 UTC
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Folks,
Okay, this one confused me, so I thought I'd post here and ask if this
is normal or makes sense in any way, shape or form.
At Lower Jackson Square in East Weymouth, you have the convergence of
High St., Broad St., and Commercial St. Commercial St. is roughly
North/South, with Broad St. to the West and High St. to the East. The
intersection is approx. 45 degrees. You might have to copy and paste the
link below:

http://maps.yahoo.com/broadband#mvt=h&q1=East%20Weymouth,%20MA&trf=0&lon=-70.922408&lat=42.215328&mag=1

There are twin traffic lights for all incoming streets to the
intersection, as there is a turning lane for all 4 directions.
The left lane traffic light for both Broad and High Streets has a new
green arrow added to the bottom of the light for left turns onto Commercial
St. in either direction. Before, all you had the was the typical
red/yellow/green ball lights.
Now the progression of lights is as follows: the lights for Broad and
High Streets are red (turning arrow is unlit). Commercial St. goes to
yellow, then red. There is a slight delay, and the next light to come on is
green arrow turn light for Broad and High Streets...while all other lights
are red, including the red light just above the green arrow. Now that's
weird.
I admit I've only been driving for 15 years (I'm 32), but has anyone
ever seen a green arrow under a red light before? A green light over a
green arrow, yes, I've seen that, or even just a green arrow alone...but the
red light over a green arrow for a left turn?

Paul A. Cutler III
*************
Weather Or No Go New Haven
*************
John F. Carr
2007-12-12 16:17:53 UTC
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Post by Pac Man
There are twin traffic lights for all incoming streets to the
intersection, as there is a turning lane for all 4 directions.
The left lane traffic light for both Broad and High Streets has a new
green arrow added to the bottom of the light for left turns onto Commercial
St. in either direction. Before, all you had the was the typical
red/yellow/green ball lights.
Now the progression of lights is as follows: the lights for Broad and
High Streets are red (turning arrow is unlit). Commercial St. goes to
yellow, then red. There is a slight delay, and the next light to come on is
green arrow turn light for Broad and High Streets...while all other lights
are red, including the red light just above the green arrow. Now that's
weird.
I admit I've only been driving for 15 years (I'm 32), but has anyone
ever seen a green arrow under a red light before? A green light over a
green arrow, yes, I've seen that, or even just a green arrow alone...but the
red light over a green arrow for a left turn?
I don't find that surprising. More often there is a separate
set of three lights for the left turn movement, or a "doghouse"
style signal with left turn arrows immediately to the left of
the balls.

The green arrow should turn yellow.
--
John Carr (***@mit.edu)
William O'Hara
2007-12-13 03:18:27 UTC
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Post by Pac Man
I admit I've only been driving for 15 years (I'm 32), but has anyone
ever seen a green arrow under a red light before? A green light over
a green arrow, yes, I've seen that, or even just a green arrow
alone...but the red light over a green arrow for a left turn?
This stuff is common around here.
--
---
William O'Hara
www.N1ey.com - Amateur Radio and Railfan Blog
www.yahoogroups.com/group/illinoiscentral - premier discussion list re:
ICRR
Ron Newman
2007-12-13 05:32:57 UTC
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Post by Pac Man
I admit I've only been driving for 15 years (I'm 32), but has anyone
ever seen a green arrow under a red light before?
Sure, plenty of times. There's one right near me, at Mass. Ave. and
Walden Street in North Cambridge.
Robert Coe
2007-12-23 12:34:26 UTC
Permalink
On Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:46:51 GMT, "Pac Man" <***@earthlink.net> wrote:
: I admit I've only been driving for 15 years (I'm 32), but has anyone
: ever seen a green arrow under a red light before? A green light over a
: green arrow, yes, I've seen that, or even just a green arrow alone...but the
: red light over a green arrow for a left turn?

Two different meanings. A green arrow with a green light means you can go any
way you like, and if you make a left turn, you won't be hit by oncoming
traffic. A green arrow with a red light means that you have to obey the red
light unless you're making a left turn.

Bob

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