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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 12/1/2010
SUBJECT: New traffic signals to ease traffic delays and improve safety
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator

New traffic signals will ease traffic delays and improve safety

 

[Duluth, MN] - Motorists in Duluth will experience improved traffic flow, fewer delays, and improved safety with the implementation of new traffic signals.  The City of Duluth, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) District 1, is among a few in the nation to install flashing yellow turn signals to aid motorists making a left turn from Trinity Road (TH 53) at the Mall Drive intersection.  

The new signal features a flashing yellow arrow, in addition to the standard red, yellow and green arrows. When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow allows waiting motorists to make a left-hand turn after yielding to oncoming traffic. Otherwise, the new traffic signals work the same as traditional signals. The new signals were installed today by City of Duluth staff.

“We continually seek opportunities to partner on projects that bring innovative approaches to the management of our infrastructure. This partnership with Mn/DOT is a great example of two public entities staying at the forefront in addressing public concerns”, said Mayor Don Ness.    

A study conducted by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program determined that drivers had fewer crashes with flashing yellow left-turn arrows than with traditional yield-on-green signal configurations.

“This is the biggest change in traffic signal design and operation in the past 40 years,” said Jerry Kotzenmacher, Mn/DOT’s senior engineering specialist. “We have shop tested these signals for many months and are confident the signals will improve safety and reduce congestion.”  Mn/DOT plans to install the new flashing yellow arrow systems on most future traffic signal construction projects

An informational meeting will be held at 1:00 PM on December 2, 2010 in the Iron Range Room at Mn/DOT’s District 1 headquarters. 

To read more about the new flashing yellow arrow signals please visit:

 
 
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