Arizona and Mississippi Have Blue Lights at Intersections: What Are They For?
In the world of traffic management and law enforcement, innovations are constantly being introduced to enhance safety and efficiency on the roads. Recently, the city of Tucson, Arizona, has embarked on an intriguing experiment by installing blue lights at busy intersections. But what exactly are these blue lights for, and why do they resemble the traffic signals we commonly associate with the color green? Interestingly, Mississippi has also embraced this unique approach to traffic management. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of blue traffic lights and uncover their purpose on American roads.
A Hint of Japan’s Influence:
If you’ve ever traveled to Japan, you might have noticed streetlights that appear more blue than green. This intriguing phenomenon harkens back to Japan’s history of categorizing colors. For centuries, the Japanese language recognized only four distinct colors: black, white, red, and blue. This historical practice of categorizing green as a shade of blue has had a lasting impact on certain aspects of Japanese culture, including traffic signals.
The American Context:
However, the use of blue traffic lights in the United States serves a different purpose altogether. These lights are not equipped with cameras or radar systems, and their function is straightforward: to alert law enforcement officers to the presence of vehicles that have run a red light.
But why would police need blue lights to identify red light violators? According to Sergeant David Fritsch of the Tucson Police Department, the answer lies in the challenge of monitoring intersections effectively. In many cases, police officers may not have a clear line of sight to cross-traffic signal lights due to various obstructions or distance. This is where the blue lights come into play.
The Blue Light’s Role:
When the police arrive at an intersection equipped with these blue lights, they serve as a crucial indicator for the officers. The presence of a blue light signifies that the cross traffic facing them has a red light. In other words, it’s a blue light for a red light. This ingenious system enables officers to determine if a vehicle has run a red light by simply observing whether it crosses the intersection while the blue light is illuminated.
Sergeant Fritsch explains that the distance between the crosswalk lines or the white stop bar and the actual intersection can be more significant than many drivers realize. For instance, the Craycroft and Grant intersection in Tucson has between 10 to 15 feet between the crosswalk and the official start of the intersection. Therefore, if a vehicle enters the intersection before the police officers can see the blue light, it is considered legally entering the intersection.
Fritsch also emphasizes the human element of law enforcement, acknowledging that officers understand factors like reaction time and proper braking distance. While the law may strictly prohibit stopping within a crosswalk, officers often apply a degree of reasonableness when assessing such situations.
The Future of Traffic Lights:
Beyond the traditional red, yellow, green, and the occasional blue, the world of traffic lights is on the cusp of a significant change. White lights are gradually becoming part of the intersection traffic light landscape. The rationale behind this development is to enhance traffic flow through intersections, particularly in light of the increasing prevalence of vehicles equipped with Connected Vehicle (CV) and Automated Vehicle (AV) technology.
As the automotive industry evolves and vehicles become more interconnected and automated, the introduction of white lights represents a promising step forward. These lights are expected to optimize traffic management by supporting the communication and coordination of vehicles at intersections, ultimately reducing congestion and improving safety.
In conclusion, the introduction of blue traffic lights in Arizona and Mississippi serves as a testament to the ever-evolving nature of traffic management and law enforcement strategies. While Japan’s historical influence on color categorization may explain the hue of these lights, their purpose in the United States is clear: to assist police officers in identifying red light violators and promoting road safety. As we look to the future, innovations like white traffic lights signal a promising era of enhanced traffic flow and increased safety on our roads, driven by advancements in vehicle technology.
As always, staying informed about these developments is essential for both drivers and policymakers as we strive to create a safer and more efficient transportation system for all.