Eyes on the arrows

New high-tech traffic signal coming to Chester County

POCOPSON >> PennDOT is activating a new, state-of-theart traffic Flashing Yellow Arrow signal on Route 52 as part of the $8.6 million project to replace the structurally-deficient Route 926 bridge over the Brandywine Creek in Birmingham and Pocopson townships.

It will be the first such traffic signal PennDOT has used in the greater Philadelphia area, and only the second in the state. It will be operational on Feb. 8.

“This (signal) will help clear traffic from and around the active railroad tracks, and it will give people extra turning time to clear the intersection,” said George Metzger, community relations coordinator for PennDOT. “It will give motorists a few extra seconds to make a left turn.”

The Flashing Yellow Arrow is a new type of left turn traffic signal that has been proven to improve left turn safety at signalized intersections. While relatively new to Pennsylvania, the Flashing Yellow Arrow signal has become commonplace in many states across the country over the last 10 years. Based on studies and transportation agency testimonials, Flashing Yellow Arrow signals improve leftturn safety by helping motorists recognize that they should yield while making left turns when there is oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Metzger said the the new signal will be permanent at the intersection, which only utilized a stop sign at Pocopson Road.

Metzger said the new traffic signal will enhance traffic flow on Route 52 (Lenape Road), which is part of the project detour and will carry heavier traffic volumes during the Route 926 (Street Road) closure.

The proximity of this intersection with nearby active railroad tracks makes it imperative to improve mobility when more motorists will travel on Route 52 (Lenape Road). The Flashing Yellow Arrow will move additional traffic through the crossroads by allowing a greater number of drivers to make left turns onto Pocopson Road or W. Creek Road.

The new signal configuration will feature four left turn arrows:

• Steady green left arrow meaning the left turn is protected and oncoming traffic is to stop.

• Flashing yellow arrow meaning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing the left turn.

• Steady yellow arrow meaning left turns should prepare to stop because the signal is about to change to red.

• Steady red arrow meaning left turns must stop and cannot proceed.

• The new left turn traffic signal is located above the left turn lanes on Route 52 (Lenape Road). It is accompanied by a sign reading, “LEFT TURNS YIELD ON FLASHING YELLOW ARROW.”

Pennsylvania’s first Flashing Yellow Arrow signal was activated in May 2016 in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County.

The Route 926 (Street Road) bridge will close Monday, February 13. The new bridge is scheduled to open by September 1, 2017. During the bridge closure, drivers will be detoured over U.S. 202, U.S. 1 and Route 52 (Lenape Road).

More information on the Flashing Yellow Arrow signals and other traffic signal initiatives is available at www.penndot.gov in the Traffic Signals, Management section of “Travel in PA”.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA. com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.