New York State
Department of Transportation
Introducing the Flashing Yellow Left Turn Arrow
The New York State Department of Transportation is
now using flashing yellow left turn arrows at select
intersections. These arrows have been used
successfully in other states and are approved by the
Federal Highway Administration.
Why:
It’s Safer: In a national study conducted by the
Transportation Research Board as part of the
National Cooperative Highway Research Program,
drivers made fewer mistakes with the new signals
than with traditional left turn arrows.
It’s More Efficient: The signals can help reduce
delays at intersections, which helps save time and
fuel.
It’s More Adaptable: The new signal configuration
provides traffic engineers with a greater variety of
options to handle variable traffic volumes.
How It Works: The following shows what drivers
will see during one full cycle of the new signal
configuration.
The steady red arrow requires left turning
vehicles to stop and wait.
The steady green arrow means that
oncoming traffic has a red signal and must
stop. Left turning vehicles have the right-of-way
and can proceed.
The steady yellow arrow warns the driver
that the left turn signal is about to turn red. A
left turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic
during this phase. Drivers should stop before they
enter the intersection, if they are able.
The steady red arrow will then be displayed
for a second time during the signal cycle.
The flashing yellow arrow permits drivers to
turn left when it is safe to do so. During this
phase, left turning traffic must yield to oncoming
traffic and can only turn left when a safe gap in
traffic is available. Pedestrians crossing have the
right-of-way over left turning vehicles.
The steady yellow arrow will then be
displayed a second time before starting the
signal cycle again.
Overview
The yellow flashing arrow is being installed on Route 441 at Linden Avenue and the Linden Oaks Office Park driveway in Brighton.
The yellow flashing arrow will appear in a cycle of other familiar arrow indications. It will fall into a cycle displaying a red arrow
which indicates the left turn is prohibited; a green arrow that indicates the driver turning left has the right-of-way at the intersection; and a yellow arrow indicates the drive should proceed with caution and be prepared to stop. A yellow flashing arrow indicates that vehicles may turn left when it is safe to do so. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians will have the right-of-way, so drivers
attempting to make a left turn during the flashing yellow phase must yield to both.
At certain times of the day, left turners will only be allowed to turn when there is a green arrow. At other times of the day, the
flashing yellow arrow will operate, typically after the green arrow. It will add a level of safety during hours when it is most
needed while keeping the delay of left turners to a minimum. .
A national study conducted by the Transportation Research Board as part of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program found that drivers made fewer mistakes with the new signals, compared to traditional left-turn arrows. The flashing yellow
signal configuration is included in the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD),
the standard for signs, signals, and pavement markings in the United States.
This new signal configuration has been implemented successfully at three locations in the Binghamton area as well as other
states including Missouri, Washington, Oregon and Kentucky.