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IT’S THE FLASHING YELLOW ARROW!Caution Sign

The RTC and its member entities, in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), have launched a Pilot Program to install
the new Flashing Yellow Arrow left turn signals at selected intersections around the Valley.

 

What’s the purpose of the Pilot Program?
The Pilot Program is the first phase of a multi-year project that will convert existing Protected/Permissive left turn signals throughout the Las Vegas Valley from the existing 5-section displays (OLD) to the 4-section Flashing Yellow Arrow displays (NEW).

From this (OLD): To this (NEW):
Old Signal New Signal

Pilot Program Intersections:

ENTITY

INTERSECTION

DATE ACTIVATED

CONTACT

Clark County

Tropicana/Topaz

September 13, 2011

ClarkCountyNV.gov

Clark County

Tropicana/Andover

September 8, 2011

ClarkCountyNV.gov

Henderson

Pacific/Van Wagenen

July 6, 2010

laura.nelson@cityofhenderson.com

Henderson

Horizon Ridge/Carnegie

January 10, 2011

laura.nelson@cityofhenderson.com

Las Vegas

Alta/Town Center

August 16, 2011

City of Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Smoke Ranch/Decatur

August 16, 2011

City of Las Vegas

North Las Vegas

Craig/Clayton

February 9, 2011

City of North Las Vegas

When will the rest of the Protected/Permissive intersections be changed over Valley-wide?
The schedule for the Valley-wide change over is dependent on funding availability. The table below is updated as construction contracts and schedules are announced by the entities:

ENTITY SIGNAL LOCATIONS ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE CONTACT
Clark County Map Begin 1st Quarter 2012, End 4th Quarter 2012
(Night Work – Monday nights through Thursday mornings).
ClarkCountyNV.gov
Henderson Map Begin 1st Quarter 2012, End 3rd Quarter 2012
(Night Work - Sunday nights through Wednesday mornings).
laura.nelson@cityofhenderson.com

What’s a Protected/Permissive left turn signal?
Protected/Permissive left-turn traffic controls increase the left-turn capacity and reduce delay at intersections by providing an exclusive turn phase for left turns as well as a phase during which left turns can be made as opposing traffic will allow.  (Source: NCHRP Report 493, Foreword).

What do the signals mean, and how do I drive through them?
Traffic signals and correct driver behavior when driving through them are described on page 22 of the Nevada Driver's Manual.

Why the change-over from the 5-section display to the 4-section Flashing Yellow Arrow display?
A National Study found that the Flashing Yellow Arrow’s left turn display was easier for drivers to understand than the circular green indication (aka “the green ball”) in the left turn lane (see page 10 of the study).

Links:
NDOT's Flashing Yellow Arrow webpage
National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 493 - Evaluation of Traffic Signal Displays for Protected/Permissive Left-Turn Control

Frequently Asked Questions - Part 4 Highway Traffic Signals - FHWA MUTCD
USA TODAY Article - Yellow left-turn signals get their chance to shine


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