About Signs & Signals
The City of San Antonio utilizes various signs and signals to enhance safety within neighborhoods, around schools and additional areas around our community.
Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) Left Turn Signal
Benefits
Research on the use of FYA left-turn signals has shown to improve intersection safety by giving drivers better understood directions while allowing traffic engineers to operate traffic signals in the most efficient manner.
A comprehensive seven-year study completed by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) on behalf of the Federal Highway Administration, found that drivers made fewer mistakes with the new FYA signals than with traditional left turn signals.
Locations
The flashing yellow arrow left-turn signal has been installed at several intersections throughout the City. Installation of the flashing yellow arrow will continue to be implemented at existing and new traffic signal locations city-wide.
Pedestrian Hybrid (HAWK) Beacons
The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, also known as High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) is an overhead flashing signal that is activated by a pedestrian and utilizes yellow and red lights to warn drivers when a pedestrian is crossing the roadway.
What to Do at a HAWK
The following displays are seen by drivers at an intersection with a HAWK or Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon:
- No light
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Drivers can proceed through intersection without stopping until the beacon is activated by a pedestrian pushing a button.
- Flashing Yellow Light
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Warns drivers approaching the crosswalk of a pedestrian crossing.
- Solid Yellow Light
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Warns drivers to prepare to stop.
- Solid Red Light
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Drivers are to stop for pedestrians crossing.
- Flashing Red Light
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Drivers are to stop and may proceed through the intersection when it is clear of pedestrians.
- No light
-
Drivers can proceed through intersection without stopping until the beacon is activated by a pedestrian.
Traffic Signals
Traffic signals help motorists take turns at an intersection, which engineers call providing right-of-way. Traffic Signals are used when other control methods, such as stop signs, do not work. A traffic signal is sometimes the best solution when cars stack up on a side street, while waiting for a gap in main street traffic.
Traffic signals are also helpful at times when a high volume of crashes occur at an intersection caused by incorrect assignment of right-of-way by drivers. These crashes typically involve two or more cars, each from the main street and side street, colliding at right angles.
The cause of these crashes can also be contributed to inadequate visibility or sight distance at an intersection. As a result, some crashes cannot be remedied with traffic signals. For that reason, traffic engineers carefully consider the types of crashes that occur at an intersection when choosing the most appropriate traffic control device.