Assessing the effect of introducing a permitted phase through the use of flashing yellow arrow signal for left-turning vehicles

Abstract

This paper evaluates the direct and indirect effects of introducing a permitted phase, through the use of flashing yellow arrow (FYA) signal for left-turning vehicles, in reducing crashes at intersections. Data for 18 study intersections in the city of Charlotte, NC, USA were used to conduct a before–after comparison study through the use of Empirical Bayes (EB) method and examine the effects. The estimated number of left-turn crashes, had the FYA signal not been installed, was compared to the actual number of left-turn crashes to assess the direct effect, while the estimated total number of crashes, had the FYA signal not been installed, was compared to the actual total number of crashes to assess the indirect effect. Only left-turn crashes along a selected FYA leg were used to examine the direct effect as the number of legs (approaches) with the FYA signal varied between the selected study intersections. The results obtained indicate that the FYA signal helps reduce the left-turn crashes (direct effect). It does not lead to any negative consequences. Instead, the FYA signal has the potential to indirectly lower the total number of crashes (indirect effect) and contribute to improved safety at intersections.

Keywords:

• flashing yellow arrow signal
• intersection
• safety
• left-turn crashes
• Empirical Bayes

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Ashton Watson and Charles Abel of CDoT for their help in providing data required for the study.