MassDOT to Retrofit More Than 350 State Intersection Signals

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced on Thursday that it will be activating new traffic signal technology that has been proven to increase safety at intersections.

A recent press release indicated that the signal technology is being activated at the intersection of Great Road and King Street in Littleton. The signal heads have four left-turn arrows: one steady red arrow, indicating that left turns are prohibited; one steady yellow arrow, indicating the signal is changing from green to red; a new, flashing yellow arrow, indicating that drivers can proceed with left turns after yielding to oncoming vehicles; and one steady green arrow, indicating left turns are permitted.

In addition to the new signal technology, intersection improvements include reconfiguration of the travel lanes on King Street to provide a dedicated left-turn lane in both directions on to Great Road.

This is the second location where MassDOT has used this technology. On Jan. 15, 2013, MassDOT installed Flashing Yellow Arrow signal heads at the intersection of Holmes Road and Pittsfield Road in Lenox. This was the first instance where this technology was employed in Massachusetts. Since its installation, the high-crash intersection has only seen one left-turn crash.

Based on the success of its use in Lenox, MassDOT determined that its use in Littleton will achieve a similar result in improving safety at Great Road and King Street.

The Littleton intersection will precede a statewide effort to retrofit some 350 signal heads around the Commonwealth, which will begin next year.

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