The city of Wichita is beginning to install a new type of traffic signal for left turns at some intersections. It involves a flashing yellow arrow that will warn motorists to use caution before making the turn.
Traffic Engineer Mike Armour said drivers currently have a green arrow for a protected turn, then a yellow arrow quickly appears and then there will be a circular green light, allowing drivers to make the left turn only if there is no oncoming traffic. He said a flashing yellow arrow will replace the circular green light. Armour said studies around the country have shown that a flashing yellow arrow is more effective at communicating to drivers that they must yield before turning left. He said the studies have determined that the flashing arrow has helped to reduce left turn crashes, in some locations by as much as 20 percent.
Armour said the flashing yellow light has been installed at West Street and Walker, and another will be installed at West and Harry. The next light is planned for Hoover and Zoo Boulevard. He said the flashing yellow arrow will be installed with all new traffic signals when its appropriate, but it won’t be used in every signal location. Most existing signals will continue to have the circular green light to allow left turns when there is no oncoming traffic.
Wichita has about 500 intersections that have traffic signals.
