Crews have begun to install new traffic signals in Lake County that have flashing yellow arrows, which officials say has been shown to reduce car crashes.
The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) activated new traffic signals last week at the intersection of Butterfield Road and Allanson Road in Mundelein.
The new signals have flashing yellow arrows and are the first in Lake County to have this feature.
A project to install new traffic signals with flashing yellow arrows is in progress at seven intersections along the Butterfield Road corridor between Route 137 and Allanson Road in Libertyville and Mundelein, according to LCDOT.
The project will also utilize a new adaptive signal control technology system that monitors and continually adjusts the traffic signal timings to efficiently move traffic through the corridor.
Work is expected to be completed this summer on the project, LCDOT said.
A decade-long national study by the Federal Highway Administration found there were fewer crashes at intersections with flashing yellow arrows.
A study conducted by researchers at Bradley University in Peoria found a 32% reduction in left turn-related crashes.
“Flashing yellow arrow signals have been shown to help drivers make fewer mistakes,” said Jon Nelson, Engineer of Traffic for LCDOT.
“They keep motorists safer during heavy traffic and can reduce delays when traffic is light,” Nelson said.
When approaching a flashing yellow arrow, motorists must first yield to oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, then turn left with caution.
Flashing yellow arrows can be found in Kane and McHenry counties, throughout areas of southern Illinois and in many neighboring states.
LCDOT said they will be evaluating the new signals along the Butterfield Road corridor to see if flashing yellow arrows would be an ideal addition to increase safety and traffic flow on other roads maintained by Lake County.