Driver Comprehension of Permissive Right-Turns with a Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA)

This research explored driver comprehension and behaviors with respect to right-turn signal displays with a focus on the Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) in a driving simulator and a comprehension survey. Flashing yellow arrows are used in place of other turn signals, such as solid green or flashing yellow or red circles, to indicate that drivers may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic. These turns are considered “permissive.” Turns where no conflicting traffic is present, such as those indicated with a green arrow, are “protected” turns. The flashing yellow arrow’s inclusion in the 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices sped up the signal’s adoption to indicate a permissive turn. Results from a counter-balanced, factorial design were chosen to explore three independent variables separately: signal indication type and active display, length of the right-turn bay, and presence of pedestrians. Driver decision making and visual attention were collected and analyzed.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/trec_seminar/1158/thumbnail.jp