Flashing Yellow Lights
(also known as: Flashing Yellow Arrows)
Kane County Division of Transportation
March 23rd 2015
Presented by: Stephen Zulkowski, P.E.
Flashing Yellow Lights
(also known as: Flashing Yellow Arrows)
Presentation Goals
Where is it?
What is it?
Why are we doing it?
When will this happen?
How will this happen?
Safety - Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA)
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It’s Safer!
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Typical Signals
Fewer driver errors = less crashes
It’s better understood/Intuitive
Reduced delays for drivers**
Public Act 098-0798 7/31/2014

Changes to IL Vehicle Code, now
includes FYA
Proposed Signals
NCHRP = National Cooperative Highway Research Program
MUTCD = Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
**Possible future benefit (Off peak – Protected LT to Permissive LT)
July 2014 - Public Act 098-0798
Changes the IL Vehicle Code to include:
Vehicular traffic facing a flashing yellow arrow indication may cautiously enter the intersection
only to make the movement indicated by the arrow and shall yield the right-of-way to other
vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time
the signal is exhibited.
Pedestrians facing a flashing yellow arrow indication, unless otherwise directed by a
pedestrian-control signal as provided in Section 11-307, may proceed across the roadway
within any marked or unmarked crosswalk that crosses the lane or lanes used to depart the
intersection by traffic controlled by the flashing yellow arrow indication. Pedestrians shall yield
the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection at the time that the flashing yellow
signal indication is first displayed.
Kane County HSIP Project
Project Overview - Scope
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Randall Road
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Traffic Signal modifications (15 intersections)
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Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA) for Left Turns
Better Signal Placement
Driver Feedback Signs (“Your Speed”)
ADA sidewalk improvements (Detectable Warnings at Intersections)
Traffic Signal Backplates (on every Traffic Signal Head)
HSIP = Highway Safety Improvement Program
Funding Background / History
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HSIP Program – IDOT
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Intended to produce measurable and significant reductions in fatalities and
series injuries.
Program covers all IDOT jurisdiction in addition to local units of governments’
jurisdiction.
Funds designated to address known safety problems contributing to fatalities
and severe injuries.
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HSIP Flow
Chart
Highway/Railway Crossing, HRRRP, HSIP Road
KDOT submitted an application for HSIP funding in April
2010
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Application involved the evaluation of recorded crash history (3-5 years), the
crash severity of those crashes, and safety improvement recommendations.
Approved projects are funded at a 90% federal / 10% local funds.
IDOT = Illinois Department of Transportation
HSIP = Highway Safety Improvement Program
HRRRP = High Risk Rural Roads Program
Traffic Signal Terminology
Permissive Left Turn
Left turners must yield
(oncoming traffic has a Green light)
Protected Left Turn
Left turners can turn
(oncoming traffic has a RED light)
FYA Operations
Traditional options
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Permissive only LT
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Protected/Permissive LT
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No separate LT arrow display
Shared LT & Thru display (5-section head)
Protected only LT
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Separate LT display (3-section head)
Kane County HSIP Project
Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA)
Dist 4
Video
FYA Operations
Overview of Displays
Steady Red Arrow
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Means STOP
Steady Yellow Arrow
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Warns traffic that the light is about to
turn red
Flashing Yellow Arrow
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Indicates left turning traffic must first
yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
before turning
Steady Green Arrow
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Provides protected left turn from
oncoming traffic
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT
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Steady Red Arrow
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT
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Steady Green Arrow
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT
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Steady Yellow Arrow
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT
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Steady Red Arrow
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT
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Flashing Yellow Arrow
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT
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Steady Yellow Arrow
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT
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Steady Red Arrow
FYA Operations
Protected/Permissive LT Overview
FYA Operations
Summary / Next Steps
Missouri (MODT) Video
• Construction activities will begin soon
• Anticipated completion by the end of this summer/fall.
• First Flashing Yellow Arrows anticipated for Mid-August to
Early September
FYA Operations
Other Planned Locations
• Randall Road
• Fabyan Parkway to Orchard Road
• Silver Glen Road to County Line Road
• Fabyan Parkway
• Entire Kane County Corridor
• Orchard Road
• Interstate 88 to Jericho Road
• Interstate 88 to Randall Road
Flashing Yellow Lights
(also known as: Flashing Yellow Arrows or FYA)
Presentation Goals
Where is it?
Randall Road from Fabyan Parkway to Silver Glen Road
(Geneva to South Elgin)
What is it?
A new signal indication.
FYA = Left Turn on Green circular indication
Why are we doing it?
For Safety, FYA reduces crashes and saves lives (& Funding)
When will this happen?
Summer/Fall 2015
How will this happen?
**
FYA Operations
Questions on FYA?
Questions on Randall Road Project?
Thank You!