Flashing Yellow Arrow Traffic Signals

An example of a new signal head featuring a flashing yellow indication.

RIDOT is joining other cities and states that have adopted the use of Flashing Yellow Arrow traffic signals to improve safety and move traffic more efficiently at intersections with certain types of left-turn signals.

Motorists will see the Flashing Yellow Arrow signals at select intersections starting in 2012. The first was installed on April 17 on Route 3 (Tiogue Avenue) in Coventry. The second is scheduled for installation on June 19 at the intersection of Route 1 (Post Road) and Langworthy Road in Westerly.

Flashing Yellow Arrow signals are:

• Safer: A national study demonstrated drivers had fewer crashes with flashing yellow left-turn arrows than with traditional signals.
• Minimize Delay: Motorists have more opportunities to make a left turn with the flashing yellow left-turn arrow than with the traditional yielding left-turn indications, which keeps traffic moving.
• More Flexible: The new yellow flashing turn display provides more options to most effectively handle all types of traffic volume and reduce traffic back-ups.

RIDOT is committed to bringing the latest technology and innovations in traffic engineering to Rhode Island. It is a proven technology elesehwere in the country, including in New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Nevada, Wisconsin, and the City of Boulder, Colorado.

Watch the Signal in Action

The following websites display videos and animations made by other DOTs to help explain how Flashing Yellow Arrow signals work:

• Missouri DOT
• City of Norman, Oaklahoma (third video in the list)

How it works:

	Steady Red Arrow: Stop and wait.
	Steady Yellow Arrow: Prepare to stop. Signal is changing.
	Flashing Yellow Arrow: Proceed with left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic has a green light.
	Steady Green Arrow: Proceed with left turn. Oncoming traffic has a red light.