I personally reported this problem in person to the Town Highway Superintendent's Office at least 2 years ago. I followed up with an email approximately 6 months ago. While I never received a response to my email, the problem was fixed temporarily. It reoccurred soon thereafter.

The problem lies either with the loop detector in the left turn lane or the module in the cabinet that senses the presence of a vehicle in the loops. If there is a problem, the controller will essentially 'fail safe' and always assume that there is a vehicle in the loop and extend the protected left turn phase to its maximum time.

There is no interconnect with the signal on NY 146 at Maxwell Drive as implied in the article. In fact, none of the signals in Clifton Park are interconnected with the exception of NY 146 / US 9 & US 9 and The Crossing and those are actually in the Town of Halfmoon. It is not a question of timing as much as it is a maintenance problem.

Also the signal phasing could be modified at this location given the low speed nature of most of the traffic. I disagree with George on the removal of the green arrows but he's going in the right direction. Most of the time the arrows are not needed. Maxwell Dr is signalized as Protected/Permissive. The left turns from Maxwell are protected with a green arrow and if all the vehicles desiring to turn left are unable to do so on the arrow then they are permitted to do so after yielding to oncoming traffic. I believe that it would be more effective to use a Permissive/Protected phasing. This phasing would have left turn vehicles on Maxwell get a "green ball" first during which they would have to yield to oncoming traffic. If any vehicles remained in the left turn lane at the end of green, they would be given a green arrow.

It is important in any changes to this signal that the impact on the pedestrians at this location be taken into account.

I agree with George. There are environmental impacts to poorly timed and maintained signals.

For anyone interested, the Clifton Park Highway Safety Committee put together an informal report on Route 146 Enhancement. It can be found on the Town's website at:
http://www.cliftonpark.org/townhall/highwaysafety/pdf/Rte146Enhancement.pdf