Comments on: What do you do at a flashing red arrow? http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/what-do-you-do-at-a-flashing-red-arrow/ From Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's "Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness" Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:52:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jim Osborn http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/what-do-you-do-at-a-flashing-red-arrow/#comment-1555 Jim Osborn Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:37:49 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=133#comment-1555 Burbank California has solid red arrows to prevent a left turn. At one intersection, Buena Vista and San Fernando Rd, there is a reairoad crossing 25 feet to the north. if a train is coming, this arrow stays red until the train gets very close. Then, it begins to flash red. This led to a grade crossing collision on Jan 6, 2003. The NTSB report said to keep the light solid. Sadly, the light blinks as the train gets close as I write this. Peter makes some good points. When I moved to Florida, I was so pleased to see the end of a solid red left turn when it was green to go straight. Michigan's blinking red is better than California's solid red, but inferior to the eastern states as Peter Kaplan mentions. Burbank California has solid red arrows to prevent a left turn. At one intersection, Buena Vista and San Fernando Rd, there is a reairoad crossing 25 feet to the north. if a train is coming, this arrow stays red until the train gets very close. Then, it begins to flash red. This led to a grade crossing collision on Jan 6, 2003. The NTSB report said to keep the light solid. Sadly, the light blinks as the train gets close as I write this.

Peter makes some good points.
When I moved to Florida, I was so pleased to see the end of a solid red left turn when it was green to go straight. Michigan’s blinking red is better than California’s solid red, but inferior to the eastern states as Peter Kaplan mentions.

]]> By: Peter Kaplan http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/what-do-you-do-at-a-flashing-red-arrow/#comment-155 Peter Kaplan Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:33:05 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=133#comment-155 Actually the biggest problem with Michigan traffic lights, at least in terms of traffic flow, is the solid red left turn light. In most states, the left turn light (where there is one at all) stays green after the green arrow disappears, signaling that a left turn remains permissible but is no longer guarded. (Presumably this solid green will become flashing yellow in the near future across the country.) However, in many parts of Michigan, left turns are permitted SOLELY during the green arrow, which is quickly followed by a solid red lasting the duration of the cycle. I can't tell you how many times I've just had to sit there watching the cycle go around, knowing that in any other state I'd be on my way via an unguarded but permitted left turn. Actually the biggest problem with Michigan traffic lights, at least in terms of traffic flow, is the solid red left turn light. In most states, the left turn light (where there is one at all) stays green after the green arrow disappears, signaling that a left turn remains permissible but is no longer guarded. (Presumably this solid green will become flashing yellow in the near future across the country.) However, in many parts of Michigan, left turns are permitted SOLELY during the green arrow, which is quickly followed by a solid red lasting the duration of the cycle. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve just had to sit there watching the cycle go around, knowing that in any other state I’d be on my way via an unguarded but permitted left turn.

]]> By: Pete W http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/what-do-you-do-at-a-flashing-red-arrow/#comment-142 Pete W Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:22:46 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=133#comment-142 Fullerton, California has had flashing yellow arrows for awhile. At first I found them confusing, but a newspaper article clarified that it was "left on yield." A feature like this should be adopted nationally and communicated via mass media. Fullerton, California has had flashing yellow arrows for awhile. At first I found them confusing, but a newspaper article clarified that it was “left on yield.” A feature like this should be adopted nationally and communicated via mass media.

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