In 2006, the Federal Highway Administration provided Interim Approval for the optional use of the Flashing Yellow Arrow signal display for permissive left turns. This was based on research conducted as part of an NCHRP investigation into developing uniform traffic signal displays for protected/permitted left turn control, which was completed in 2003, and found that drivers found the Flashing Yellow Arrow display to be more intuitive than the existing five-section display. The 2009 MUTCD included guidelines for the optional use of the display. Since that initial study, there has been additional research into the display and further refinement of operational applications. The recently published Eleventh Edition of the MUTCD expanded upon its discussion of the Flashing Yellow Arrow display, which includes applications for both left turning and right turning movements.
Additional research has demonstrated the safety benefits of the Flashing Yellow Arrow display. The Crash Modification Clearinghouse provides estimated crash reduction data of the display on both left turn and all intersection crashes, and all severities, and finds significant improvements can be obtained.
This webinar will summarize the history and benefits of the Flashing Yellow Arrow and review how the Flashing Yellow Arrow is implemented in operations. Benefits include enhanced driver understanding of the intent of the left turn display, the elimination of the “left turn trap” (aka “yellow trap” that occurs with lead-lag left turns and protected/permitted displays, improved opportunities for pedestrian protection from turning vehicles, and the time of day/day of week omission of permissive movements. The webinar will also describe how the flashing display is generated, as well as how the Flashing Yellow Arrow is able to significantly improve a variety of signal coordination timing plan objectives.
The objectives of this course are to:
- Identify the benefits of permissive turn applications using the Flashing Yellow Arrow display and the ability to utilize “variable mode” left turn or right turn phasing.
- Recognize the requirements for the use of the display as defined in the MUTCD.
- Understand the traffic signal controller programming required for implementation.
- Understand how to improve Signal Coordination Bandwidth with Flashing Yellow Arrow display on the Time-Space Diagram.
- Recognize the available off peak and/or late-night operational signal timing strategies with the Flashing Yellow Arrow displays.
David Champoux, P.E., PTOE, RSP, 
IMSA Traffic Signal Senior Field Technician (Level III), is a Traffic Signal Timing / Operations Engineer with Mead & Hunt in Florida. He serves a variety of clients as the lead signal timing engineer for various traffic signal operational improvement projects. His previous experience includes operating and managing traffic signal systems for agencies in Georgia and Florida. David has been timing signals for over a decade and thoroughly enjoys the challenge. He excels in solving puzzles to improve the operational efficiency and safety for the communities in which he serves. He has a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University and a Masters of Science in Transportation Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. When not analyzing signal operations, David enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs.
Peter J. (Pete) Yauch, P.E., PTOE, RSP2i, IMSA Level III, is Vice President Emeritus for Iteris, Inc., in the firm’s Tampa, Florida office. During his 47-year career, he has worked in both the public and private sectors, including serving as the Director of Transportation and Public Works for Pinellas County, City Traffic Engineer for the City of Clearwater, Florida, and the District Signal Systems and Safety Engineer for the Tampa Bay area district of the Florida Department of Transportation. His specialties include traffic operations and traffic safety. He has a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
RECORDING
To earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a Certificate of Completion for each recorded webinar, you must view the entire webinar. After viewing, please fill out the web form at the link below to request your certificate. The Florida LTAP Center will follow-up within 2-3 weeks.
This webinar will award 1.5 PDHs.
Click the link below to view the recorded webinars
Left Turn Movements and the Flashing Yellow Arrow Display