CARSON CITY, Nev. – Over coming months, drivers will see changes to flashing warning systems placed in advance of select traffic signals on Pyramid and Mt. Rose highways as the Nevada Department of Transportation updates the warning signals to provide uniformity and promote safer driver behavior. 

Beginning March 13, drivers will see brief shoulder and lane closures in three phases on Pyramid Highway between Calle de la Plata and Farr Lane, as well as Mt. Rose Highway in south Reno.

• Week of March 13: intermittent daytime shoulder (6 a.m.-9 p.m.) and evening lane closures (9 p.m.-6 a.m.) will take place. 
• Mid-April: A second round of brief daytime shoulder and evening lane closures will take place. Select signs which currently flash as the signal readies to change will be updated to continuously flash.
• Mid-May: A third round of brief daytime shoulder and evening lane closures will take place. At locations where advance signals are being removed, the outdated signals and signal poles will be replaced with signs.

All traffic signals will remain. At locations where advance signal warning systems are being removed, the existing advance system will first temporarily change to continuously flashing for approximately 30 days before being replaced by static traffic signs. This phased approach will provide an additional visual reminder to drivers of the changes taking place, and remind motorists to remain aware of the changing traffic signage. To enhance traffic consistency and safety, the following advance signal warning systems will change:

PYRAMID HIGHWAY

Remove Advance Warning Signals

• Northbound at Calle de la Plata
• Northbound and Southbound at Eagle Canyon/La Posada Drive
• Northbound and Southbound at Wingfield Springs Road/Lazy Five Parkway        
• Northbound and Southbound at Sparks Boulevard
• Northbound and Southbound at Golden View Drive
• Northbound and Southbound at Los Altos Parkway
• Southbound Pyramid Highway at Disc Drive

Modify Timing of Advance Warning Signals

• Northbound Pyramid Highway at Disc Drive
• Southbound Pyramid Highway at Farr Lane/Queen Way

VETERANS PARKWAY

Remove Advance Warning Signal

• Northbound Veterans Parkway at Greg Street

MT. ROSE HIGHWAY

Remove Advance Warning Signals

• Southbound U.S. 395A and Mt. Rose Highway 
• Westbound Mt. Rose Highway at Thomas Creek Road

Convert to Continuously-Flashing Advance Warning Signal

• Northbound U.S. 395A and Mt. Rose Highway intersection

Modify Timing of Advance Warning Signal

• Eastbound Mt. Rose Highway at Wedge Parkway
• Eastbound Mt. Rose Highway at Thomas Creek Road

Known as advance signal warning systems, the signs are placed ahead of certain traffic signals. Some advance signal warning signs contain lights which continuously flash. Others begin flashing when the traffic signal ahead readies to turn yellow and red, allowing drivers time to prepare to stop in advance of a signal that has limited visibility. 

Advance signal warning systems can assist drivers under certain circumstances, such as when visibility of the approaching traffic signal is limited or a traffic signal is unexpected or isolated. If the driver has adequate sight distance to view and safely stop at the signal ahead, the advanced warning system may no longer be necessary. In fact, it has potential to influence some drivers to unsafely speed up to "beat the light," leading to crashes. 

Red-light running is one of the most serious traffic problems in the nation. It is estimated that vehicles running red lights cause more than 200,000 crashes and approximately 900 deaths nationwide per year.  NDOT conducted an engineering study to establish guidelines for most effective use of the different types of signal warning systems, compliant with federal guidelines.

Full information on advance signal warning system changes is available at NVSafeSignals.com. Additional state highway information is available at dot.nv.gov or by calling (775) 888-7000. Also follow @NevadaDOTReno on Twitter for traffic and project updates in northern Nevada, and @nevadadot on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from across the state.