Glossary

This page is meant to define and clarify the meanings of traffic control terms and lingo. Expand.......

Words and Meanings

Signal Phasing Terms

Leading / Lagging Arrow

When a dedicated turn arrow is offered at a signal-controlled intersection, its operation will often be defined as either 'Leading' or 'Lagging'. Leading arrows happen at the beginning of the through green cycle, and generally end with a yellow arrow before the through green is finished. Lagging arrows often happen towards the end of the through green cycle, and usually have their yellow arrows tied with the through yellow, or simply rely on the through yellow entirely.

Signals that work together at either end of a bridge or overpass often feature lagging arrows to help clear out the short span of road between the two intersections, to help prevent cars from getting stuck in line while trying to turn.

Example

Example text

Example example

Terms of Physical Signal Features

WAIT-WALK Pedestrian Signal

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Franken-Signal

When a traffic signal, whether in public or not, is composed of sections or parts from multiple manufacturers or models from the same manufacturer that aren't designed to normally go together, this signal is unofficially called a Franken-Signal, in reference to Frankenstein's Monster. Due to newer signal models being composed of individual indication sections, contractors sometimes do this in the field to help use up old sections laying around and to save money. The term Franken-Signal generally only applies to the housings; lenses are often more difficult to spot as incorrect from ground level and often don't make enough of a difference to be discernible.