Here is part 3 in my ongoing series of articles on traffic signals. Part 1 covered vehicle signals in general, and part 2 covered left turn indications specifically. This is really a continuation of part 2, so I won’t re-explain some terminology covered there. But flashing yellow arrows are important enough to deserve their own […]
As 2014 closes, I thought I would compile a list of some notable highway projects of the year. These are simply ones that caught my fancy, and since most of us know about the local projects, are mainly outstate or nationwide. 1) The Saint Croix Crossing ($582-$646 Million, MN share $306-$362 Million) Not really outstate, but […]
This is part two of a four part series of “Traffic Signal Trivia”, dealing with some history and interesting facts concerning traffic signals. Part 1 covered vehicle signals in general, but left turns are a whole story in themselves, so here we continue. It didn’t take long after the introduction of traffic signal until left […]
The recent post about four-lane undivided roads made me think about how many there are in Bloomington. Although I absolutely love living there in general, I tend to agree with virtually everyone else that these roads are a bad idea for all modes. Bloomington had the misfortune to grow in the 1960s with the bad […]
Previously I covered some of the history of the traffic signals in service in the area, as well as how to recognize them in the field. Due to length I didn’t really have time to detour into more of the general history of signals, so I’m taking a chance to do so now. The […]
It’s easy to laugh at the Elk Run “Interchange to Nowhere” with it’s roundabouts to cornfields, traffic signals with no traffic, and pedestrian push-buttons that don’t work. While acknowledging we’ve wasted some money on the extent that we’ve built it to accommodate vaporware, I prefer to look at the big picture and think of it […]
This is part 2 of the spotter’s guide to traffic signals. In the previous part I covered early Eagle Signal products. This second part continues with their later products and “everybody else”. Once again, I’ve noted “enthusiast / collector slang” by parenthesis to avoid confusion with official designations for products. Later Eagle models In 1987 […]
Ever look at a traffic signal and wonder how old it is or who make them? What follows is a two part “spotter’s guide” to the traffic signals of Minnesota. There is a certain slang used by people that are used by enthusiasts and collectors of traffic signals. I’ve included it here since it’s useful […]