With the reconstruction of the State Highway 54/County Trunk QQ intersection will come a new style of traffic signals.
The new signals will be four-section signal heads with arrows.
This new style is being installed throughout the state to control left turns and improve safety at intersections.
They are gradually replacing the traditional five-section heads, which had a combination of circular lights and arrows.
The new signal heads with arrows are to provide a more direct, less confusing message.
Plans call for the new signals at the Waupaca intersection to be activated during the late afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 23.
This is how they will work:
• As usual, red means stop.
• A green arrow means a driver has the right of way to make a left turn.
• A solid yellow arrow means prepare to stop.
• A flashing yellow arrow means a driver may make a left turn if there is no oncoming traffic and there are no pedestrians crossing the street. The new flashing yellow arrow provides a more direct message for left turns: yield to opposing traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.
There are several benefits associated with the flashing yellow left turn arrow.
A decade-long national study by the Federal Highway Administration found drivers had fewer crashes with the flashing yellow arrow.
The new signal also provides more options for controlling traffic based on variable traffic volumes. The timing sequence may be made to vary throughout the day.