Benefits

• Safer – Studies have shown that traffic signals equipped with flashing yellow left turn arrows reduce collisions involving left turn yield movements, when compared with solid green indications.
• Less delay – Motorists have more opportunities to make a left turn with the flashing yellow left turn arrow than with the solid green yielding indications, which keeps traffic moving.
• More flexible – The new flashing yellow arrows provide more options to most effectively handle all types of traffic volume and reduce traffic back-ups.

New Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals from Alaska DOT&PF on Vimeo.

Project Description

As part of the grant-funded Left Turn Traffic Signal Improvements Project (CS02G), the four intersections listed below will receive protected/permissive left turn operations and convert left turn signal heads from green indicators to flashing yellow left turn arrows (FYA). The City currently has one existing intersection, Vulcan Avenue/D Street, with flashing yellow left turn arrows. A FYA functions the same as the traditional green circular indicator (yield on green) meaning that you must yield to oncoming traffic as well as pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk.

1. Encinitas Boulevard/Vulcan Avenue
2. Leucadia Boulevard/Vulcan Avenue
3. Santa Fe Drive/Scripps Hospital Driveway
4. Leucadia Boulevard/Quail Gardens Drive

For project status: https://www.encinitasca.gov/government/city-projects-initiatives/left-turn-traffic-signal-improvements-project-912

How to Use 

As with circular yield on green signals, the FYA means to turn with caution and when clear, after yielding to oncoming motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. 

1. Before entering the intersection, look left and look straight ahead. Do you see oncoming traffic, bicyclists or pedestrians? If so, provide them the right-of-way. 
2. Once you determine it is clear and safe to do so, proceed with caution and make your left turn. 
3. After the flashing yellow left-turn arrow, you will see the traditional solid yellow left-turn arrow. The solid yellow left-turn arrow means what it has always meant in that the signal is about to turn red, and you should prepare to stop.

Research 

Traffic signals equipped with flashing yellow left turn arrows have been shown to reduce collisions involving left turn yield movements where motorists are allowed to make their left turn only when approaching opposing vehicular traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the crosswalk are clear of the intersection. Flashing yellow left turn arrows (FYA) are utilized regularly throughout the United States, including in California. In 2009, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) authorized use of FYAs after extensive analysis. Subsequent studies have been conducted, such as through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, that have found that use of FYAs result in better motorist conformance and fewer collisions than the traditional yield-on-green signal configurations for left turns. The FYA left-turn signal is included in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).