YELLOW TRAP LOCATIONS

In the Bloomington Indiana area

The dangerous condition known as yellow trap (or lag trap) is manifesting itself at many intersections in the Bloomington Indiana area. This has caused many traffic accidents.

A simple explanation of yellow trap can be found here. It usually happens with the signal face shown here.

A simple explanation of second yellow trap can be found here. It happens when right turn signals are present.

A simple explanation of third yellow trap can be found here. It happens when a phase is reserviced.

The list was updated on 10/04/2023.

Bloomington Area Signals with Yellow Trap

The Bloomington area has many signals where yellow trap occurs. THESE INTERSECTIONS ARE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW USDOT 2009 MUTCD*, Section 4D.05, and were (as of 2008) out of compliance with the 2003 MUTCD*. The out-of-compliance intersections are listed below, with the following information: Signal locations, listed from highest to lowest probability of trouble Signal face locations violating 2009 MUTCD* are shown in pink Left turn phasing at the intersection. The probability of encountering the hazard at the location The jurisdiction in control of the signal Which approaches require extra caution * United States Department of Transportation, Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Note that existing signals are allowed to remain in violation until redesigned. But the signs warning of yellow trap must be posted as of 2008.

To Prevent the Yellow Trap Sequence The MUTCD requires one of these to be in place by 2008: The yellow trap condition must be removed or prevented by modifying the signal sequence. Flashing Yellow Arrows must be used. This is the new 2009 MUTCD standard display that allows permissive turns on a flashing yellow arrow. This is not allowed where a lane is shared by the left turn and other traffic. Exclusively-protected left turn signals must be used in both directions. Dallas Phasing (This was a solution to yellow trap, but the 2009 MUTCD* no longer allows it. Existing signals may remain.) If yellow trap is not removed, the sign at right must be posted near the left turn signal.

If yellow trap occurs every cycle, the sign must read, "ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAS EXTENDED GREEN" instead.

Left Turn Signals with Yellow Trap

* Recent sighting or accident after the federal grace period for yellow trap ended.
** Multiple recent sightings or accidents after the grace period ended.
† Signal and intersection removed when I-69 completed.
♣ Not using flashing yellow arrows even though installed after 01/01/2011.
♦ Needed double clearance period not provided for offset intersection (could remove yellow trap).

Signals with Second Yellow Trap

Signals at these locations cause Second Yellow Trap, where a right turn arrow prevents permissive left turns from clearing:

* Recent sighting or accident after the federal grace period for yellow trap ended.
** Multiple recent sightings or accidents after the grace period ended.
† Signal and intersection removed when I-69 completed.
♣ Not using flashing yellow arrows even though installed after 01/01/2011.

Signals with Little Yellow Trap

The signals at these locations cause Little Yellow Trap, where the yellow lights in opposite directions end at different times:

* Recent sighting or accident after the federal grace period for yellow trap ended.
** Multiple recent sightings or accidents after the grace period ended.
† Signal and intersection removed when I-69 completed.
♣ Not using flashing yellow arrows even though installed after 01/01/2011.

Signals with Green Trap

The signals at these locations cause Green Trap, where the green lights in opposite directions begin at different times without left turn signals.

* Recent sighting or accident after the federal grace period for yellow trap ended.
** Multiple recent sightings or accidents after the grace period ended.
† Signal and intersection removed when I-69 completed.
♣ Not using flashing yellow arrows even though installed after 01/01/2011.

Future Signals with Yellow Trap

The signals at these locations will cause yellow trap problems when they are completed:

* Recent sighting or accident after the federal grace period for yellow trap ended.
** Multiple recent sightings or accidents after the grace period ended.
† Signal and intersection removed when I-69 completed.
♣ Not using flashing yellow arrows even though installed after 01/01/2011.

Signals with Yellow Trap Unknown

The signals at these locations might cause yellow trap problems when they are completed:

* Recent sighting or accident after the federal grace period for yellow trap ended.
** Multiple recent sightings or accidents after the grace period ended.
† Signal and intersection removed when I-69 completed.
♣ Not using flashing yellow arrows even though installed after 01/01/2011.

Left Turn Signals without Yellow Trap

These locations do not yellow trap due to left turn signal operation, even though they have left turn signals. The reason is given in the table:

† Signal and intersection removed when I-69 completed.
‡ Signal was previously modified from GL.xx phasing to --.xx phasing.
♠ Intersection offset was removed.
♣ Not using flashing yellow arrows even though installed after 01/01/2011.
♥ Multiple phasing plans (plan in Type column plus additional plans to right of symbol).
∇ Jordan Av was renamed Eagleson Av.
◊ Either traffic is too heavy to use FYA, or engineer didn't know FYA could be used with lead-lag.

These locations have those wonderful new television detectors that can see bicycles:

• Third St at Landmark Av
• Third St at Cory Ln
• Third St at Kimble Dr
• Third St at High St / Bryan St
• Patterson Dr at Rogers St
• Patterson Dr at Fairview St
• College Mall Rd at Eastland Dr
• College Mall Rd at Second St
• College Mall Rd at Buick-Cadillac Dr
• College Mall Rd at Covenanter Dr
• Curry Pk at Vernal Pk
• Curry Pk at Gifford Road / United Technologies
• Second St at Adams St
• Winslow Rd at Henderson St
• Rogers St at Country Club Dr
• Kirkwood Av at Walnut St
• Kirkwood Av at College Av
• Tenth St at Fee Ln
• Tenth St at Eagleson Av ∇
• Union St at Tenth St
• 17th St at Fee Ln
• 17th St at Woodlawn Av

All locations now have those wonderful energy-saving LED signals. Only a few that have programmed visibility signals still have incandescent lamps. LEDs use only a sixth of the power a regular signal lamp uses.

One problem with LED signals is that the LEDs don't produce enough heat to melt snow off the lenses.

Links

1. All Yellow Trap Links are here:
   YELLOW TRAP INDEX PAGE
2. Do you understand yellow trap (lag trap)?
3. WORST INTERSECTIONS IN BLOOMINGTON INDIANA
4. Unusual Traffic Problems, Hazards, and Solutions
5. Home