IDOT to Host Public Meeting June 8 on Plans to Install Flashing Yellow Arrow Traffic Signals

URBANA — The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to present information on plans to install flashing yellow arrow signals at nine intersections along University Avenue. The meeting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. June 8 at the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, 1101 E. University Ave.

The signals will be located along University Avenue at Wright Street, Goodwin Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Coler Avenue, Orchard Street, McCullough Street, Race Street, Broadway Avenue and Cunningham Avenue. Pending successful award of the contract, the work is tentatively scheduled to begin in August 2018.

According to IDOT data, more than 30 percent of fatal and serious injury crashes occur in intersections. Studies by IDOT have shown that flashing yellow arrows reduced left-turn crashes in intersections by as much as 25 percent.

At intersections where left-turn signals are installed, when a flashing yellow arrow is displayed, motorists may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Flashing yellow arrows also can reduce wait times for motorists, increase opportunities to make left turns and provide better traffic flow from merging roads. The technology has been tested nationally by the Federal Highway Administration and given interim approval.

A closer look at how these signals work is available on IDOT's YouTube channel here.