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Q&A

Lee on yellow light timing review and studies

New York City Council · May 29, 2026 · starts 0:36:50 · 1 min

Lee asks how often yellow light timings are reviewed and whether extending duration reduces violations. Forgione explains yellow phase is set as a ratio of speed limit, so it shouldn't be variable.

Linda Lee

And how often are yellow light timings reviewed and adjusted?

Mike Flynn

How often is it calibrated or checked?

Mike Flynn

Is that the question?

Mike Flynn

Yes.

Mike Flynn

I need to confirm that unless any of my colleagues have that.

Linda Lee

Because I know that some traffic lights have longer yellow light timings versus others, so I just wanted to see.

Mike Flynn

We'll have to get back to you on that.

Linda Lee

Okay.

Linda Lee

And have you done any studies about whether extending the yellow light duration reduces violations?

Margaret Forgione

So the yellow phase is set as basically a ratio of the speed limit.

Margaret Forgione

So whatever speed we expect drivers to be going or that they should be going or staying under, that's what the time is.

Margaret Forgione

based on and so it shouldn't really be a variable thing in terms of the results, if that makes sense.

Linda Lee

Okay.

Linda Lee

What engineering alternatives were considered besides enforcement cameras?