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This feature is a continuation from Part One in which the context of this discussion is explained.
While there may be economic incentives to use traditional signaling equipment in historic business districts, there can be residential neighborhoods where historic / cultural issues or citizen-driven aesthetics would discourage the cluttering up of simple intersections with modern signaling equipment. In such locations, refurbishing older signals to provide extended service lives while meeting contemporary optical standards can produce low-cost compromises with respect to meeting current traffic safety standards while preserving historic residential atmospheres.
Greenwood, MS, Washington and Cotton Streets.
The city obtained discarded signals from other jurisdictions to refurbish and add to
their own in order to "double up" and meet the MUTCD optical and redundancy standards.
Newnan, GA, Murray and E. Washington Streets. A relatively simple "doubling up" to provide redundancy.
Chapel Hill, NC, Rosemary and Henderson Streets. A traditional look with modern ped signals added.
West New York, NJ, Washington and 61st Streets. Sometimes the simple approach is the most practical.
Kings Mountain, NC, W.Gold and Cansler Streets.
Adding a fourth section to provide double red indications can meet the standards.
If signals are properly positioned, their original optics are functioning properly or the indications have been upgraded, then the most salient issue involving most installations often involves managing traffic flow. With isolated signals, basic fixed time or traffic actuated controllers will often suffice. In more congested areas, more advanced sequencing and coordination between intersections is often warranted. Whether the signals themselves are new or old, a proper controller is often the most relevant investment. This feature is not intended to discuss controllers rather than to simply point out that for many basic intersections, modern controllers operating refurbished vintage signals can be a good match.
1950s vintage signals, modern ped heads, modern controller, and wireless coordination.
(Bardstown, KY, N. 3rd and E. Broadway Streets.)
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