How do Richmond’s left turn arrows work?
Protected-permissive left turn signals are the most common in Richmond. Left turn lanes share the same Red/Yellow/Green signal indications with the parallel through movement. A “flashing” left turn arrow is activated when a queue of four or more vehicles are detected in the left lane. This type of left turn phasing is designed to minimize delay to all intersection traffic since left turns can also be made during gaps in opposing traffic when the green ball is displayed. These left arrows are turned off by the traffic computers when traffic volumes are low and adequate gaps exists to turn left.
