[Archived] Alexandria Replaces Left-Turn Signal with Flashing Yellow Arrow City Becomes One of First Jurisdictions in U.S. to Replace Light

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

For Immediate Release
August 23, 2004
PIO 203-04/rdo

Alexandria Replaces Left-Turn Signal with Flashing Yellow Arrow
City Becomes One of First Jurisdictions in U.S. to Replace Light

The City of Alexandria will become one of the first jurisdictions in the United States to replace the left-turn signal light with a new, flashing yellow arrow light. The flashing yellow arrow replaces the circular green indication light that directs motorists who are turning to proceed after yielding to oncoming traffic. The City’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) will begin installing the light within the next 30 days.

The new signal display will consist of a steady green arrow, a flashing yellow arrow, a steady yellow arrow, and a steady red arrow. The green arrow protects left-turning traffic from oncoming traffic, and the flashing yellow arrow tells left-turning traffic to first yield to oncoming traffic before turning.

T&ES will initially install the new flashing yellow light at the intersections of Washington Street and Madison Street; Duke Street and Jordan Street; Duke Street and the Fox Chase Shopping Center; and Duke Street and Cameron Station Boulevard/North Picket Street.

The new light will help to improve safety and reduce traffic delays. Implementation of the new light is a result of research conducted by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 3-54. The program found the flashing yellow arrow to be highly effective at reducing driver confusion. It is seen as a low-cost measure that greatly improves motorist safety in urban areas. The yellow arrow provides a clear distinction between when motorists who are turning their vehicles are protected from oncoming traffic and when they must yield.

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