[magmastonealex]

Now you start to get into the differences between the various standards :)

In NEMA TS2 (and the more modern ITE ATC), the MMU does enforce a yellow clearance time - you need the light to turn yellow for a period of time before a conflicting phase goes green. Usually this is a few seconds. Changing phases rapidly would likely confuse drivers, but in _theory_ shouldn't cause a collision if people respect yellows.

(believe it or not, in some localities a "red clearance" time - all red - is not required and lights will go from yellow in one direction to green in another.)

In CalTrans TEES, I do not believe the standard calls for the MMU to enforce clearance times - the attack you describe would potentially be possible.

[rootusrootus]

> (believe it or not, in some localities a "red clearance" time - all red - is not required and lights will go from yellow in one direction to green in another.)

This was definitely true in the past, I feel like the concept of a 'red clearance time' is something that only became common within the last 5-10 years. Do you think it has become (with rare exceptions) ubiquitous at this point?

[magmastonealex]

I'd like to think it's become ubiquitous - it has been a while since I've seen a signal without a red clearance configured.

However, the Federal Highway Administration in the US (which sets guidelines, but most states define actual rules at the state level) still says in their Signal Timing Manual [1]

> The use of a red clearance interval is optional, and there is no consensus on its application or duration. [...] there may not be safety benefits associated with increased red clearance intervals.

and goes on to describe how it has negative traffic flow implications.

so I suspect at least some agencies out there still are not using them.

[1]: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08024/chapter5....

[pests]

I feel like my area (where I've lived my whole life) does not have red clearance interval. It's not something Ive paid attention to before.

I'm sure it's proper driving technique but I feel it's ingrained in my head to give a couple seconds when a red turns into a green for all cross traffic to finish / anyone who runs the light. It's a common thing around me and I don't think it would be happening as much if an all-red period was implemented.

[0xffff2]

I moved up to Oregon for a few years during/after the pandemic. I can say from experience that the entire state consistently did not have red clearance times at least up to when I left in late 2023.

[mcswell]

"...if people respect yellows." Of course they respect yellows! Yellow means "go faster so you can make it through the intersection."