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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRight Turn on Red Signal Right Turn on Red Signal CHAPTER 948 LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE OF 1976 1. Section eleven hundred ten of the vehicle and traffic law is hereby amended by adding thereto a new subdivision, to be subdivision (e) to read as follows: (e) For purposes of this article, "intersection" shall include the area embracing the juncture of a highway with a private road or driveway and "intersecting roadway" shall include an intersecting private road or driveway. 2. Paragraph two of subdivision (d) of section eleven hundred eleven of such law, as added by chapter seven hundred sixty of the laws of nineteen hundred seventy-four, is hereby amended to read as follows: (2) Except in a city having a population of one million or more, unless a sign is in place prohibiting such turn, traffic, facing a steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping as required by paragraph one of this subdivision. Such traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at the intersection and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any city having a population of one million or more, is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt a local law authorizing this paragraph to be applicable within such city. Upon the adoption of such local law the exception provided herein for a city having a population of one million or more shall no longer be applicable within such city. 3. Paragraph fifteen of subdivision (a) of section sixteen hundred twenty-one, paragraph fifteen of subdivision (a) of section sixteen hundred forty and paragraph twenty of subdivision (a) of section sixteen hundred sixty of such law are hereby repealed. Effective January 1, 1977 ~EW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Sec. 209.10 No turn on red sign. Devices NO TURN ON RED White b~ ckg,~'ound Black ~eflee tot ~ zed Letter Size and Series SiRn No. Size Mar~in Border Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 R 54 24" x 30" 3/8" 5/8" 9"-E 4"-D 4"-D 4"-D R 54A 18" x 24" 3/8" 5/8" 4"-E 3"-D 3"-D R 5&B 36" x 48" 5/8" 7/8" g"-E 6"-D 6"-D 6"-D (a) This sign shall be used st traffic control signals where traffic is prohibited from turning right on red signal indications, (b) Right turns on red ,should be prohibited at shy location where: (1) The right-turn-on-red movement would conflict with pedestrians crossing on a steady WALK pedestrian signal indicstion. (2) Right turns are controlled by a signal face which includes a right red arrow indication. (c) Right turns on red should also be prohibited wherever a traffic engineering review indicates that such turns are causing, or are likely to cause, operational and/or safety problems. Each approach to a signal should be considered separately. (d) The following are examples of situations where a prohibition of right turns on red may be appropriate: (1) The 89th percentile speed of traffic approaching the intersection from the left on the intersecting roadway, or the legal speed limit for that traffic, exceeds 40 miles per hour. (2) Visibility of traffic approaching from the left on ~!.e in~ersectlng roadway is limited. A plotted point (representing sight ~ist~,nce to, and the 85th percentile speed of, vehicles approaching fro,, the ]e~'t) that falls in the blue or black areas on Figure WS-5 (see ^]~pendi~ }i' is indicative of inadequate visibility. (3) Significant conflicts between right-turn-on-rea vehicles and pedestrians exist, or are likely. This would include loc~tlons where elderly or very young pedestrians are the concern, ss we!] -~s h{~h- volume pedestrian crossings. (4) A railroad grade crossing exists within, or immediately adjacent to, the intersection and turns on red would involve conflict with train movements. (5) Unusual geometrics exist (e.g., intersections with more than four approaches). (6) The intersection has offset approaches or is very close to another signalized intersection. (7) The right turn is allowed from more than one lane. (8) A two-abreast left turn is allowed from the opposite approach. (9) Motorists turning right on red may encounter unusual or unexpected conflicts (e.g., as at multi-phase signals). (10) There is unbalanced queuing or lane use on a multi-lane approach because thru motorists tend to stay out of the right-hand lane to avoid blocking a potential right-turn-on-red movement (result could be s net loss in operating efficiency). (e) The sign shall be placed at the near right corner of the intersection. A supplemental sign (see section 201.11), preferably near the right-hand signal face, is desirable in ma~y instances. When used at an overhead signal, the additional sign should be positioned immediately to the right of the signal face. When used at a post- or pedestal-mounted signal, it should be installed immediately below the signal face. Supplemental signs at other appropriate locations may also be instaIled, as necessary. (f) The R 54 sign is standard. The R 54A sign may be used where approach speeds are low and physical conditions make the use of the standard size sign impractical. The R 54B sign may be used where greater emphasis or visibility is required. NEW~ORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRAJ~ORTATION Raymond T. Sehuler, Commi~ion~ 1220 Washington Avenue, State Campus, Albany, New York 12226 ~ September 22, 1976 All Holders of the New York State Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devises Dear Sir or Madam: As of January 1, 1977, a new state law becomes effective which will permit right turns at red lights after stopping except where prohibiting signs are posted. This is a change from current New York State regulations which allow right turns on red o~ly where permissive signs are posted. The change is in- tended to promote wider application of the turm-on-red principle, as a measure to facilitate traffic flow and conserve fuel. The new turn-on-red rule will N0% apply within New York City. New York City will have no right turn on red law unless it chooses to adopt the law the state has just enacted. The yew York State ~anual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices has been revised to provide guidelines for identifying locations where turn-on-red prohibitions may be determined necessary, and to provide the standard signs for properly and legally posting such prohibitions. Attached is a copy of Manual Authorization 76-37 which, like the new Law, becmnes effective on January l, 1977. As of that date it will supercede the Manual's current provisions for turns on red (Manual Section 209.10) as established by Authorizations 74-5 and 74-8. Any "LEMI ON XED AFrER STOP" signs which are in place must be removed by January l, since the revised Law has no provision for left turns on red. Existing "RIGHT ON RED A~ERSTOP" signs may remain until January l, but should thereafter be removed as soon as practicable, including those signs in New York City. Motor vehiclists and bicyclists must remain aware that when legally turning on red they must stoo and yield the right of way to pedestrians and all other treffic lawfully using the intersection before making the turn. Forty-two states have now enacted similar laws permitting right turns on red, but of the states bordering New York State, Massachusetts~ Connecticut and Vermont are among the eight remaining states that permit right turn on red only where signed. The other states with limiting right turn on red laws are Alabama, Maine, Mary- land, South Carolina and Wyoming. Again, I urge your caution and that of every motorist in observing this new law. This turn movement made properly and safely will facilitate the flow of traffic and help conserve energy. RAYMOND T. SCHULER Commissioner 76-37 Hereby amends section 209,10 to read as follows: 209.10 No turn on red sign. NO TURN ON RED White background Black legend Reflectorized Letter Size and Series Si~n No. Size Mar~in Border Line I Line 2 Line 3 Line R 54 24" X 30" 3/8" 5/8" 5"-E 4"-D 4"-D 4"-D R 5Z~ 18" X 24" 3/8" 5/8" 4"-E 3"-D 3"-D 3"-D R 54B 36" x 48" 5/8" 7/8" 8"-E 6"-D 6"-D 6"-D (a) This sign shall be used at traffic control signsls where traffic is prohibited from turning right on red signal indications. (b) Right turns on red should be prohibited at any location where: (1) The right-turn-on-red movement would conflict with pedestrians crossing on a steady WALK pedestrian signal indication. (2) Right turns are controlled by a signal face which includes a right red arrow indication. (c) Right turns on red should also be prohibited wherever a traffic engineering review indicates that such turns are causing, or are likely to cause, operational and/or safety problems. Each approach to a signal should be considered separately. (d) The following are examples of situations where a prohibition of right turns on red may be appropriate: (1) The 85th percentile speed of traffic approaching the intersection from the left on the intersecting roadway, or the legal speed limit for that traffic, exceeds 40 miles per hour. (2) Visibility of traffic approaching from the left on the intersecting roadway is limited. A plotted point (representing sight distance to, and the 85th percentile speed of, vehicles approaching from the left) that'falls in the blue or black areas on Figure WS-5 (see Appendix 3) is indicative of inadequate visibility. (3) Significant confliets between right-turn-on-red vehicles and pedestrians exist, or are likely. This would include locations where elderly or very young pedestrians are the concern, as well as high- volume pedestrian crossings. (4) A railroad grade crossing exists within, or immediately adjacent to, the intersection and turns on red would involve conflict with train movements. (5) Unusual geometrics exist (e.g., intersections with more than four approaches). (6) The intersection has offset approaches or is very close to another signalized intersection. (7) The right turn is allowed from more than one lane. (8) A two-abreast left turn is allowed from the opposite approach. (9) Motorists turning right on red may encounter unusual or unexpected conflicts (e.g., as at multi-phase signals). (10) There is unbalanced queuing or lane use on a multi-lane approach because thru motorists tend to stay out of the right-hand lane to avoid blocking a potential right-turn-on-red movement (result could be a net loss in operating efficiency). (e) The sign shall be placed at the near right corner of the intersection. A supplemental sign (see section 2Ol.ll), preferably near the right-hand signal face, is desirable lu ma~y instances. When used at an overhead signal, the additional sign should be positioned immediately to the right of the signal face. When used at a post- or pedestal-mounted signal, it should be installed immediately below the signal face. Supplemental signs at other appropriate locations may also be installed, as necessary. (f) The R 54 sign is standard. The R 54A sign may be used where approach speeds ara low and physical conditions make the use of the standard size sign impractical. The R 54B sign may be used where greater emphasis or visibility is required.