wanna see the different traffic lights of the world!!
thx!!

Netherlands:
http://nl.wikipedia.org/upload/3/34/Verkeerslicht.jpg

Belgium:
http://nl.wikipedia.org/upload/9/97/Verkeerslicht_Antwerpen.jpg

Dutch bus traffic light. Two red lights mean stop, two white light means go (white is used to prevent confusion with regular traffic lights).
http://www.xs4all.nl/~davidee/vertigo/negenoog.jpg

hmmm here we just have a red and green 'B' for the bus lights.. seems alot smarter then a white dot...

By AtD:
http://www.urbanmelbourne.com/adelaide/2002-11-27/picture016_std.jpg
http://www.urbanmelbourne.com/adelaide/2003-05-20/picture023_std.jpg

PERTH
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p154e115e6655d773e29303d06d56c017/f8616e82.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p48bd008794ac612ce55b66497200cb5d/f8616e96.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid120/p5b4ac96191e9e3f860e920899c238a4a/f862f14c.jpg

@Perthguy78:
The dutch bus (and street-tram) traffic lights are called 'nine-eyes' for they have nine dots and can thusly give signals for several directions at once in one single unit. You need to have some training to interpret them correctly: a busdriver gets this training normal chauffeurs don't. For this reason, to avoid any confusion, they chose white for go ahead instead of green.

:cheers:


http://orbita.starmedia.com/~poa2001/th/semaforo.jpg

Next to the common ones and the buslights shown by Vertigo, we have an awful lot of these in the Netherlands:

http://www.niceware.com/zebra/kids/help-b3-fietslicht-rood.jpg


@aquarius: I love the traffic light tree! Where is it?

the Netherlands :)

http://photos2.worldisround.com/photos/1/432/233.jpg

http://photos2.worldisround.com/photos/1/432/149.jpg

http://photos2.worldisround.com/photos/2/166/30.jpg

http://photos2.worldisround.com/photos/2/72/538.jpg

NZ intersections have sets of lights on both ends of the intersection (contrary to many european countries which have lights only by the stop line) as is the case in north america and australia (among others).

http://www.arizonaroads.com/nz/big/P1001080.jpg

http://www.arizonaroads.com/nz/big/P1001036.jpg

:cheers:


http://orbita.starmedia.com/~poa2001/th/semaforo.jpg

This is really unique......... :)

:cheers:


http://orbita.starmedia.com/~poa2001/th/semaforo.jpg
lol...very odd :weirdo:... looks like a chrismas tree...ho ho ho...hehe :)

Frankfurt, Germany
http://www.pbase.com/image/19132922.jpg

And yes, another shot of the famous London lights at Canary Wharf
http://www.pbase.com/image/15252463.jpg

more conventional ones in London
http://www.pbase.com/image/20618352.jpg

By the way, I heard there are traffic lights on the canals in Venice, anyone have photo's of these?

hmmm here we just have a red and green 'B' for the bus lights.. seems alot smarter then a white dot...

The white dots can also indicate if a turn is go aswell as straight ahead. Virtical whites for straight ahead, angled whites for right or left.

I dont know if the Perth ''B'' lights include arrows too.

Netherlands:
http://nl.wikipedia.org/upload/3/34/Verkeerslicht.jpg

In all honesty, I hate the traffic lights in the Netherlands. You either have to lean over your stearing wheel to look upwards or peer sideways. If a truck or van happens to pull up next to you, you have to wait till someone moves before you know if its turned green.

I prefer the lights Downunder and in N.America as you only have to look across to the other side of the intersection to see a light.

From http://expressway.vze.com/

Sydney:
http://202.173.131.107/paul/expressway/trafficlights/gallery/images/Cimg1678.jpg

http://202.173.131.107/paul/expressway/trafficlights/gallery/images/P1120002.jpg

http://202.173.131.107/paul/expressway/trafficlights/gallery/images/P1120155.jpg

http://202.173.131.107/paul/expressway/trafficlights/gallery/images/P1170590.jpg

http://202.173.131.107/paul/expressway/trafficlights/gallery/images/traffic%20light%20nb%202004.JPG

http://www.alnwick.org.uk/rwtlights.jpg

British traffic lights are some of the best. Signals are at both sides of the intersection and no green man is given when there are cars on green like in much of Europe.

I don't like the type in the picture though. They are called Pelican Crossings. After red, a flashing amber appears against a flashing green man. Hong Kong has the best light as they are similar to the UK except they remain on red until the green man has gone off completely. Also, they have a tick/whirr sound for the red/green man respectively.

:cheers:


http://orbita.starmedia.com/~poa2001/th/semaforo.jpg

How many streets converge at this intersection? :)

Here's a good site on traffic light sequences.

http://homepages.cwi.nl/~dik/english/traffic/signals/

Enjoy!

Old style British traffic lights were the best. They had stripey poles and the word stop on the red lense. Hong Kong's old traffic lights were similar.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/sense_of_place/old_leicester/images/old_leicester_clocktower_270.jpg

i would like to post some photos taken of hungarian traffic lights but i cant post them :((

i would like to post some photos taken of hungarian traffic lights but i cant post them :((

Why?

cos "You may not post attachments" :(

You can post photos though.

All the traffic lights in Singapore is made up of many LEDs rather than 1 light bulb.

All lights were upgraded to LEDs several years ago as LEDs are brighter, lasts longer and are more power-effiecient.

in guangzhou they are LED aswell... some are even animated.. the walk dont walk one.

In perth all the new lights are LED aswell.. they are much better but look strange

British traffic lights are some of the best.

We know everything in better in Britain. Brits don't stop telling us :|

We know everything in better in Britain. Brits don't stop telling us :|


You're just envious, admit it ;).

http://kepek.lxp.hu/balcsi/2004_majus/.cache/640x480-PIC00501.JPG
http://kepek.lxp.hu/balcsi/2004_majus/.cache/640x480-PIC00502.JPG

finally!! :)
i can post pics :)

I'll be in Budapest the 25th (I'll be in Prague first) ;). I'll see those myself I guess.

I'll be in Budapest the 25th (I'll be in Prague first) ;). I'll those myself I guess.
ohh really ?? :)
im going to prague on 19th for the weekend :) but im sure i`ll be back by 25th :)
msg to me on irc if u like ( the nick is kucksi and i use ircnet )

I don't use IRC, I'll be in the hotel Mercure Nemzeti in Josef Körnut. Do you use MSN messenger?

The 21 I'll be in Prague, in the Kinsky Garden hotel in front of.... the Kinsky garden.

We know everything in better in Britain. Brits don't stop telling us :|

Hong Kong's traffic lights are better.

Belgrade, Serbia

Usual Traffic Lights called "Semafor".

In the city center there are new traffic lights which are in my opinion pain for the eye of pedestrian because they are too strong. Still, they are good for safety.

There are also hanging traffic lights but I don`t have any photos.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/Singidunum/105_0505.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/Singidunum/105_0507.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/Singidunum/105_0508.jpg

Paris (Champs Élysées)

http://www.pbase.com/image/3722868/original.jpg


Blois, France
http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/21/76/21_76_61_web.jpg

French traffic lights have the best design in my opinion, especially the one in the second pic is a nice one.

I found the pic of those hanging lights I have promised.

Belgrade, Serbia

http://zivotic.com/photo/fin/D100_00/dsc_0033.jpg

Here is a picture from Manila, Philippines.

http://tinypic.com/2ml1d

whats the 16 for? Speed limit?

whats the 16 for? Speed limit?

I think it is the countdown until the green light turns on.

whats the 16 for? Speed limit?


Yup.....Singidunum is right!......those numbers are for the countdown until the lights turned green and vice-versa.

We had thse countdowns for cars and pedestrian crossings too in Malaysia ;)

yup. you guys are right. they are countdowns for the green light. some drivers are just to eager to beat the red light, so the government put them to make them drivers patient :)

Holy Crap! That's actually a pretty cool idea!

Here are some from Australia...

Hobart

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid99/pe543fe91a23104a404e7476657cc7856/f9f37336.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid99/pd61dc7cf236c0c280ef94019f8f9d8f6/f9f37372.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid99/p8cc8a3888e8e24898d57437bc746569c/f9f37354.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid99/pc09ab14aaabf69d0f24e0a32ef892808/f9f3734b.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid99/p2687cbbf8831e7613bafde9146627823/f9f3732a.jpg

Geelong
At night not very good - but still!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p442d8d382998388e070878f7ab6e57b5/fa15590a.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p8bab5f6c633746b2266a07ba2113e352/fa155946.jpg

This one is next to a sign about an upcoming new roundabout that was never there before.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pab4023fc93df2550b3656884816483c5/fa1559d3.jpg

Still in Geelong. These alternately flashing lights often come before pedestrian crossings and intersections which are hard to spot from a distance due to hills or obstructions.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pabbb9af01e0b8ceb4d996be472acfa83/fa1559c6.jpg

More Geelong...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p2b12fc002cfe125ef895ec30241425aa/fa1559d5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p9ed4bfe5168149619d1896972f89fb52/fa15597a.jpg

Launceston
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/p1648ab4022273de53dfa2691a888c311/faf70e5f.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid81/p98c219e542bb351ef57bead7b5a6b535/faf70e60.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/pb31ba9474c9c59423b5481cae51790eb/fb2c5af2.jpg

Brisbane
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/pb61f159df0c3f7596d40daa210af05ff/fc04f271.jpg

Yup.....Singidunum is right!......those numbers are for the countdown until the lights turned green and vice-versa.

We had thse countdowns for cars and pedestrian crossings too in Malaysia ;)
how do the lights adjust? most lights have sensors that cause them to turn once the flow of cars has stopped... this helps reduce the number of people who have to wait through two cycles... The lights don't know when they will move into the next segment. do the lights in Malaysia not have under road sensors?

how do the lights adjust? most lights have sensors that cause them to turn once the flow of cars has stopped... this helps reduce the number of people who have to wait through two cycles... The lights don't know when they will move into the next segment. do the lights in Malaysia not have under road sensors?


All of these countdown timer traffic lights are found at busy intersections where it is too demanding for these sensors to work properly. The sensors that are previously installed are still there ( if they decided to switched back to the sensors :D ) but are not activated. Most of these sensor operated lights are found in the suburbs.

Hmm that counter is a pretty nifty idea, sounds interesting.

yup. you guys are right. they are countdowns for the green light. some drivers are just to eager to beat the red light, so the government put them to make them drivers patient :)


Not just that but the timer also let the drivers know when to shift into gear as there are those whom take ages just to get their cars movin! :D ......so it gets the traffic moving better.

Beijing's traffic lights were changed from Green color to Blue color five years ago.

All of these countdown timer traffic lights are found at busy intersections where it is too demanding for these sensors to work properly. The sensors that are previously installed are still there ( if they decided to switched back to the sensors :D ) but are not activated. Most of these sensor operated lights are found in the suburbs.
ahh that makes sense.

Beijing's traffic lights were changed from Green color to Blue color five years ago.

Why? And is it only in Beijing? I was at Shenzen a few weeks ago and They were green.

Not just that but the timer also let the drivers know when to shift into gear as there are those whom take ages just to get their cars movin! :D ......so it gets the traffic moving better.

szehoong, are malaysian drivers sometimes beating the red light too? I was at KL Sentral at 6.30am after KTM arrived and I was about to corss the street going to the Monorail sudenly this bus honked at me and zoomed at a red light! I was frightened. :runaway:

I don't really believe in countdown lights for vehicles. When I was in Hong Kong last December, they were experimenting with countdown signals for pedestrians. When the green mans starts to flash, the number of seconds until it finally goes off are displayed.
I quite like this idea.

Here's alink about it: -

Hong Kong Countdown Signals (http://www.gothamist.com/archives/jen/006312.php)

Gareth : maybe it depends on the country's culture if they are strict in rules and laws or whatever. I've been to HK and SIN and you are right, they have countdown for pedestrians to make them aware if green light for vehicles is nearing.

In KL and Manila, it's countdown for vehicles for they tend to be "Eager" to get past the light.

So in conclusion, it really depends on the culture of the country.

I think Hong Kong's the closest I've came to the UK when it comes to traffic lights. I'd like the UK to take note of a few of their ways.

szehoong, are malaysian drivers sometimes beating the red light too? I was at KL Sentral at 6.30am after KTM arrived and I was about to corss the street going to the Monorail sudenly this bus honked at me and zoomed at a red light! I was frightened. :runaway:


Well.....there are always the bad apples! :D

Not that the majority is doing it.....there those whom are doing it and it had nothing to do with the counters. As I've mentioned earlier......the counters are not meant for these drivers to speed up before the lights turned red but to let those waiting for the lights to turn green to get ready. ;)

Gareth : maybe it depends on the country's culture if they are strict in rules and laws or whatever. I've been to HK and SIN and you are right, they have countdown for pedestrians to make them aware if green light for vehicles is nearing.

In KL and Manila, it's countdown for vehicles for they tend to be "Eager" to get past the light.

So in conclusion, it really depends on the culture of the country.


The countdowns in KL are available for both pedestrian and vehicle. ;)

I am sorry you've had a bad experience with a bus driver beating the lights but I personally had not encountered such experience (I am a regular public transportation user).....and I was at the KL Sentral Monorail station pedestrian crossing yesterday and all cars dutifully obeyed the lights ( I even managed to snap a few pictures in the middle of the crossing! ) :D

You've been saying that Singapore had the best drivers in your other post ....well.......just to enlightened you a lil bit - Singaporean drivers aren't exactly in their best behaviour once they've crossed over the causeway.....thanks to the less stringent traffic ruling we had here. :D

So culturally you can't change a driver's attitude but hefty fines or lawsuit could! :lol:

Some traffic Lights from Malaysia

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/traffkl1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/traffkl2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/traffkl3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/traffkl4.jpg

The countdowns in KL are available for both pedestrian and vehicle. ;)

I am sorry you've had a bad experience with a bus driver beating the lights but I personally had not encountered such experience (I am a regular public transportation user).....and I was at the KL Sentral Monorail station pedestrian crossing yesterday and all cars dutifully obeyed the lights ( I even managed to snap a few pictures in the middle of the crossing! ) :D

You've been saying that Singapore had the best drivers in your other post ....well.......just to enlightened you a lil bit - Singaporean drivers aren't exactly in their best behaviour once they've crossed over the causeway.....thanks to the less stringent traffic ruling we had here. :D

So culturally you can't change a driver's attitude but hefty fines or lawsuit could! :lol:

I second the motion :) :cheers:

Here is another shot of the traffic lights in Manila (with countdown timer)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/93Roxas-timer.jpg

baqthier, why are there so many different designs in one country? Are they regional variations or are some old style and some new? The one in the first pic looks very space age and I like the way there is a matching street lamp to go with it.

Greyx I can well imagine a drive approaching these lights from the distance and seeing a 5 on the display. I can then imagine the driver stepping on the gas as a result. Such a system can't be safe.

Yeah, the traffic lights in Malaysia are pretty stylish. I like them

Greyx I can well imagine a drive approaching these lights from the distance and seeing a 5 on the display. I can then imagine the driver stepping on the gas as a result. Such a system can't be safe.

Yeah, i guess thats the drawback. It would probably be better if there is a timer for the light to turn green from red, but not green to red.

UK Belisha Beacons. They constantly flash yellow. Pedestrians always have right of way.

http://www.funkypancake.com/blog/archives/DSC08257.jpg

http://www.cyclic.org.uk/tile_hill/tile_hill_zebra.jpg

Greyx I can well imagine a drive approaching these lights from the distance and seeing a 5 on the display. I can then imagine the driver stepping on the gas as a result. Such a system can't be safe.


Well....that could be one of the drawback but at least it is better than no warning. But 5 seconds is still possible to cross. :D

ANyway after the last second....the lights would turned amber before the red so the cars could actually stopped on time ;)

baqthier, why are there so many different designs in one country? Are they regional variations or are some old style and some new? The one in the first pic looks very space age and I like the way there is a matching street lamp to go with it.


Different City Halls / Municipal Council (that means different towns and cities) had their own traffic lights design/system. ;)

The 'space age' ones are from Putrajaya - Malaysia's new administrative capital. The ones at Petaling Jaya (a city next to KL and part of greater KL) are exactly the same as those in UK - complete with those black and white stripes! :D

UK Belisha Beacons. They constantly flash yellow. Pedestrians always have right of way.



They have these beacons in Penang many years ago.....I wonder if they still had em now :?

Hey, it is not exactly accurate to showcase the traffic lights in Putrajaya....they have probably at least 10 different designs in one city right (and no where else have the same styles)? :D

Hey, it is not exactly accurate to showcase the traffic lights in Putrajaya....they have probably at least 10 different designs in one city right (and no where else have the same styles)? :D


hehehe......so far they only had 2 styles.......one is the space age ones and the other the regular ones (I am not too sure if they are replacing the regular ones) :D

As for lamp posts...yes.....they have different designs for every avenues! :D

Gareth : maybe it depends on the country's culture if they are strict in rules and laws or whatever. I've been to HK and SIN and you are right, they have countdown for pedestrians to make them aware if green light for vehicles is nearing.

In KL and Manila, it's countdown for vehicles for they tend to be "Eager" to get past the light.

So in conclusion, it really depends on the culture of the country.


I don't know about any other cities in Asia but in HK while you are waiting for the red light to turn green, it gives you a clue when to get ready when the yellow light comes on while the red light is still on, then both red and yellow lights dissappears and the green light comes on, its same as stopping whereas green and yellow appear then both off and red comes on.

All the traffic lights in Singapore is made up of many LEDs rather than 1 light bulb.

All lights were upgraded to LEDs several years ago as LEDs are brighter, lasts longer and are more power-effiecient.


Thats good, its much brighter. Los Angeles started using LED lights 4 yrs ago and it looks so much clearer and brighter even when the sunlight shines on it.

I think the ones in KL are sexy... :) the traffic lights are curved! very modern

Thats good, its much brighter. Los Angeles started using LED lights 4 yrs ago and it looks so much clearer and brighter even when the sunlight shines on it.

Yeah, Singapore's traffic lights seem weell illuminated with those minute lights...LED's

Metro Manila started using LED traffic light systems in some intersections at Makati Central Business District too...

HK has also used it.

Thats good, its much brighter. Los Angeles started using LED lights 4 yrs ago and it looks so much clearer and brighter even when the sunlight shines on it.


yea......LEDs are so much better .....longer lasting and much clearer! :okay:

Most of KL's traffic lights are LEDs (been upgrading since 1999). ;)




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/traffkl3.jpg

^^^ All traffic lights in this picture are LEDs ;) ^^^

Here's a traffic light in Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila. This one doesnt have a counter.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/93BGC-trafficlight.jpg

weird how two brand new honda civics ended up side by side...oh well.

and the traffic light is red, btw. its just not so clear from the picture

The traffic light in this picture is sort of far...but thats an example of the more "ordinary" traffic lights in Manila.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/93Filinvest-intersection.jpg

in HK while you are waiting for the red light to turn green, it gives you a clue when to get ready when the yellow light comes on while the red light is still on, then both red and yellow lights dissappears and the green light comes on, its same as stopping whereas green and yellow appear then both off and red comes on.

Yes, they got this from the UK where it is the same. Most countries just go from red straight to green, the UK, Hong Kong and some European countries such as Germany have a red and yellow together phase for a couple of seconds before green.

how do you post pics?

I've got a few you havent seen yet (UK and France) but dont know how to share them

Simon

how do you post pics?

I've got a few you havent seen yet (UK and France) but dont know how to share them

Simon

you may upload ur photos to www.imageshack.us first

ImageShack is highly recommended. I use it! :)

http://img69.exs.cx/img69/9486/35_riga_trafficlight.jpg

This is at Llandudno, North Wales and shows a combined British traffic light & light rail signal - the light rail section is at "go" because the vehicle is about to cut accross the other traffic and obviously we dont want a collision!

this is my first attempt to poste an image - if it works then more will follow in a few days (when I have time)

Simon

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD13e_047.jpg

edited to add - I was hoping I would see the image, not a link to it!

-----------------------------------------------------------

further edited - it seems that I am not able to post attchments, which probably explains why I am unable to share any pics.

Simon

Calgary Traffic lights:

http://albertaroads.homestead.com/files/calgary_dt4_0802.jpg

http://albertaroads.homestead.com/files/ab_hwy201south_nosehill2.jpg

Almost all Calgary Traffic lights are in this horizontal orientation above the road, and have yellow surrounds. Currently the City is in the process of replacing the lights with LED signals that are brighter and last longer.

http://img69.exs.cx/img69/9486/35_riga_trafficlight.jpg

Where is Riga? And what does the Yellow diamond mean? INtersection ahead?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/p92cec52e0ca16f5f2115db3386f31871/f7342746.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/giergel/Dscf2326.jpg
The weird traffic lights in my city, Ghent!

Where is Riga? And what does the Yellow diamond mean? INtersection ahead?


Riga is in Latvia. The yellow diamond denotes right of way. It's the opposite to Yield. Most of Europe uses it though the UK does not.

gierge, I like the look those traffic lights in your picture. Are they used throughout the country or just Gent?

Everywhere in the country they have the same shape, only in Brussels they are a bit different (nicer) Also they don't have everywhere the same black/jellow color. Mostly they are red and white.

Yes, I thought Belgiums traffic lights were red and white. They seem to be close relatives to the ones in the Nehterlands.

Some places have traffic lights identical to the UK.

Gibraltar (These signals guide traffic and pedestrians across an airport runway)

http://img75.exs.cx/img75/1168/gibraltarsignals.jpg

Cyprus

http://img75.exs.cx/img75/9859/cyprussignals1.jpg
http://img75.exs.cx/img75/7530/cyprussignals2.jpg
http://img75.exs.cx/img75/8753/cyprussignal3.jpg

Gibraltar is a British colony. Cyprus was part of the British Empire but continues close relations, notably in the Commonwealth of Nations.

Seriously? Those cars and pedestrians cross the airport runway? Isnt that a bit unsafe, even with a traffic light? And also not good for airport security.

Yeah! Woah... :) GreyX... also in Baguio... cars cross the runway.... :)

another attempt, having been advised what to do.

Simon

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD13e_047.jpg

This is at Llandudno, North Wales and shows a combined British traffic light & light rail signal - the light rail section is at "go" because the vehicle is about to cut accross the other traffic and obviously we dont want a collision!

this is my first attempt to poste an image - if it works then more will follow in a few days (when I have time)

Simon

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD13e_047.jpg

edited to add - I was hoping I would see the image, not a link to it!

-----------------------------------------------------------

further edited - it seems that I am not able to post attchments, which probably explains why I am unable to share any pics.

Simon

the Netherlands :)

That traffic light tree is not in the Netherlands, look at which way round that lorry is going round the roundabout!!! Its near Canary Wharf.

http://kisrael.com/journal.aux/2001.06.26.tree.big.jpg

http://www.skampi.co.uk/images/docklands/traffic%20lights.jpg

is there really such a thing? i thought that was just a photoshopped picture!

No it really does exist. It quite confusing when you come to it as well.

So how many roads are there there?

I can't remember ive only seen it once. Its a standard roundabout though.

Or unless you were making a funny

The roundabout's real. The signals are just a sculpture though. They do sequence however.

Yeah, i guess thats the drawback. It would probably be better if there is a timer for the light to turn green from red, but not green to red.But they do.. as form Federals pics, it counts for both.

http://tinypic.com/2ml1d

We, as many other cities in the country, have been starting to get these in San Francisco:

You may start walking:
http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/traffic_safety/countdown_walk_1.JPG

If flashing (and showing time), continue crossing intersection, but do not start walking (or cross at your own risk).
If solid, and no time is shown, do not walk.
http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/traffic_safety/countdown_dont_walk_2.JPG

Not only do they help the pedestrians beat the lights, they also help the drivers (not the intent) make decisions whether to cross an intersection or to start slowing down. These are especially helpful on streets where there are green "waves" (you get all green lights if you go a certain speed). Sometimes, during rush hour, you tend to fall out of the "wave" and you may have to stop. That's why the lights are helpful.

But they do.. as form Federals pics, it counts for both.

I know...i was just saying that they should only have it like Federal's pic, but not like mine;)

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD13e_047.jpg

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD13e_047.jpg

ah! finally cracked it - this pic shows the "white dots" signal used by trams and light rail vehicles in Britain. In this instance the tram signals are on the same traffic signal head as the ordinary traffic signals for the general traffic.

This location is the (lower) Great Orme line in Llandudno, Wales. This signal is showing 'go' and as the descending tramcar must cut across the path of the road traffic all the other signals are at red (stop).

Simon

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/1328_21.jpg

Tram and traffic signals in Basle, Switzerland.

In this view the tram signal for turning left is changing to 'go', when it changes back the coloured signals for the road traffic will then change to green. The illuminated indicator hanging across the junction (see red arrowhead) advises tram drivers in which direction the points are set. This helps ensure they take the correct route!


More to come over the next few days.

Simon

weird lights' pic I've found in the net:

http://i.frazpc.pl/ftp/funy/Swiatla.jpg

PERTH - (lights being updated with LED technology)
http://users.bigpond.net.au/miller_site/Pictures/Models/Traffic_lights03.jpg
http://users.bigpond.net.au/miller_site/Pictures/Models/Traffic_lights09.jpg
http://users.bigpond.net.au/miller_site/Pictures/Models/Traffic_lights07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/giergel/Dscf2326.jpg
The weird traffic lights in my city, Ghent!
What's so weird? :dunno:

(and most trafic lights are yellow with black.Red and White is more for the older trafic lights.All the new ones are yellow and black

BTW:How different are the trafic lights in Brussels?I thought they use the same one as we use here in Flanders and Wallonia.)

Never been to Belgium but on pics I'm sure they're red and white usually. Belgian traffic lights seem to be the same model as Dutch traffic lights but they are black and white and usually on mast arms.

Interesting pics and comments in this thread.

I live in Bournemouth in the south of England. Here are some examples of signals used in Bournemouth. Here the poles are painted in the trademark dark green colour. Also a terrible example of using overhead signals being right at the stop line, I don’t see why they didn’t use a longer mast putting the two signals on it rather than two separate masts.

The red/green men and cycles are mounted in nearside style they are right above the button rather than across the road. They are supposed to help the visually impaired to cross.

But the councils surrounding the Bournemouth area are developing a trend for using nearside pedestrian signals when installing or refurbishing signals. The standard pedestrian signals were last installed two years ago and so far they are no longer being used. Personally I think it is terrible because one crossing in a town centre in the area is equipped with nearside pedestrian signals, it gets crowded and the red/green men are hardly visible as people get in the way. The only thing I know it is safe to cross is to see the cars on both ends of the crossing stop at the lights, silly huh?

The good things that British signals have are the curved poles, not many countries do this apart from Ireland but I think Singapore does this similarly.
And they go red and yellow before green, I like to prepare before setting off rather than having to look at the red light before it goes green because if you look away and it already has gone green then the horns are honking behind you!

Sorry if some of the photos seem to be dark, the sun was going in and out of the clouds.

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/junc.gif

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/left.gif

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/red.gif

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/amber.gif

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/green.gif

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/redman.gif

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/greenman2.gif

http://www11.brinkster.com/southwestspirit/greenman.gif

They don't work!!!

Probably the city with the most instantly recognizable traffic-light infrastructure in the world is Los Angeles (curved overheads with black devices, one on the top, one on the side) or New York (classic yellow with two overheads per intersection holding 2-4 actual devices at once).

I'm surprised, the designs in Manila are a LOT like the ones in LA.

they started installing 2-4 overhead traffic lights per intersection at major avenues in Manila City. Hope they do it to nearby Makati City.

the city neighbour to mine has traffic lights with numeric counters telling you the time before it goes red. That gives drivers a better time measurement than the "yellow" light normally used.

Here's a fact for you. In South African English, traffic lights are referred to as robots!!!

Now there's one to amaze you're friends with.

Here's a fact for you. In South African English, traffic lights are referred to as robots!!!

Now there's one to amaze you're friends with.

Yeah, i heard that on a HSBC advertisment. :) funny thing though.

ROBOTS?? It makes no sense at all!! :P

Yup.....Singidunum is right!......those numbers are for the countdown until the lights turned green and vice-versa.

We had thse countdowns for cars and pedestrian crossings too in Malaysia ;)

We just got these in Seattle as well, although for now they are just for the pedestrians and they count down until the lights turn red.

they have those counters will some parts of china

We just got these in Seattle as well, although for now they are just for the pedestrians and they count down until the lights turn red.

Like I said, we have the same in SF, but many drivers use 'em too.

I've never seen countdown displays in London - but then most British pedestrians pay scant regard to traffic signals and as long as nothing is coming will cross the road whatever the lights are showing...

Simon

About a month ago I said I have more pics to come - but I've been too busy.

Now I have a little time here are some of them...


http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD13e_179.jpg

Many French traffic signals include lower level lights located half way up the pole - this being at about the right height for car drivers to see even when they have stopped very close to the stop line.

This pic comes from Nancy; the vehicle on the right is a rubber-tyred tram (streetcar) which here uses electric trolleybus style twin trolleypoles because for part of its route it disengages from the guidance rail and becomes an ordinary driver-steered electric bus.

In Caen (also France) they use similar vehicles which are fitted with pantographs to collect power from a single overhead wire with the the electrical return being via the guide rail.


More info at my website (http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Buses03.htm) (note however that although this page is complete several others still need working on)

Simon

This comes from Schaffhausen in Switzerland.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/0376_48p.jpg


The main traffic flow turns left (two lanes) with the secondary flow going straight ahead (one lane)

The buses also turn left here, and to get them past the junction and any possible delays they are able to influence the signals so that the other left-turning traffic is held behind a red light and they (the buses) can use the straight ahead (kerbside) lane.

The buses also have special white dot signals which as the bus is turning left are in the form of two white dots angled to the left.

The yellow diamond has something to do with telling road users who has priority at unsignaled junctions. I think it dates from a ruling made in Roman times (when, incidentally the horse & carts travelled on the left, and the right-handed driver could whip the horses without hitting pedestrians on the footpath!) which says that road users on the right have priority - except where specified otherwise - so they are meant to stop road users on minor roads from being allowed to enter a busier road with fast free flowing traffic without even stopping (remember, the minor road is on the right so they have right of way!) - in Britain we drive on the left and dont use these diamonds; despite over 20 years of travelling in europe I still have not worked out their exact meaning.

Sorry its a small pic but it was edited for my website - I did not realise that I might use it elsewhere too

Simon

Salzburg in Austria, signals which give buses & taxis priority over other traffic (these change to 'go' first)

2 different types

the third image shows what happens in Salzburg if you park at a bus stop - even on a Sunday!

btw, Salzburg is converting its few remaining diesel bus routes to electric trolleybus (overhead wire) operation. this is being done because diesel bus exhuast fumes can cause asthma and cancer... once completed they intend to ban diesel buses from their city.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Digi/1230.jpg
http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Digi/1229.jpg
http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Digi/1302.jpg

Britain - Nottingham.

A very unusual junction - a busy road junction alongside a level crossing AND the new tram (streetcar) line.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Digi/802.jpg

Note the pedestrian push-button on the pole, even though this is a traffic island located halfway accross the junction!

So how do things work? Well, when no rail vehicles are coming, just like any ordinary traffic signals.

When a northbound light rail vehicle is coming the lights will (usually) change so that it can pass the junction without stopping; however as there is a station just to the north (right) of here so southbound light rail vehicles must call at the station and await a green signal.

When a heavy rail (mainline) train comes then not only do the traffic lights change in its favour but also the "wig wag" lights activate and the barriers come down. However this only happens every 20/30 minutes or so as the mainline trains are not very frequent and nowadays there are no express trains on this route (at one time this line carried intercity trains from London but sadly in the 1960's British Railways disinvested in this route, which is a shame as other routes are now so busy that they they do not have the capacity for all the trains which want to use them).

The wig-wag lights always start with a solid yellow (centre light) and then a few seconds later the two reds start to flash alternately. Plus a bell sounds. Then the barriers lower - as this crossing has full barriers so the ones on the approach side lower first and then the pair of the otherside lower. When I say "approach" I mean relative to traffic direction.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Digi/787800.jpg
This second picture shows the junction from a different angle and hopefully will help you work out the junction configuration better. (The previous pic was taken with me off-camera to the right).

Simon

As a contrast, a level crossing on the Tyne & Wear Metro, which is based around the city of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

here there are just flashing wig-wag lights, no barriers.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD09_08.jpg
-------------------------------

Another contrast - traffic signals where the Croydon tramway crosses a road - here they decided to use regular traffic signals.

Croydon is a town which as London expanded was engulfed by the growing metropolis. Nowadays most people think of it as just a large suburb in South London but it is in fact a small city in its own right with the largest town-centre commercial & shopping centre in southern England away from Central London.


http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD13a_027.jpg

--------------------------

with both the above crossings sometimes road users do not stop - and then there is often a smash. And many people blame the transport system as being unsafe - or even for being there! Even though it was the car drivers who jumped the red lights!

Simon

Flashing light signals for pedestrians on a street running section of the Manchester Metrolink light rail system. The lights should flash alternately but this video-still captured them as they swap, so they are both illuminated.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Video/Mcstr_ped_xing.jpg

---------------------

Another pic from Manchester - look above the lady with the purple jumper; to the right of the pole is a row of white dots - this is the special British signals for street running light rail / trams and they are different to ordinary traffic signals because the intention is to avoid confusiing other road users. Because these are in fact ordinary light bulbs and not LED's it is quite common to see them with one (or more) bulbs not working.
http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/PCD16_55.jpg

Simon

Special traffic signals in the village of Linkenheim, near the German City of Karlsruhe, where a long distance light rail vehicle leaves the semi-pedestrianised village centre and switches to its own track along the side of the roadway.

Normally these signals are off - they only illuminate when a rail vehicle is coming. First the lower lamp shows yellow then the upper red lamp comes on, until the rail vehicle has passed.

btw, because of the attractive scenery in the area these vehicles feature panoramic windows in the centre sections (ie. the windows go up to and wrap around the sides of the roof)

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/4552_30.jpg

Similar types of signals in Stuttgart, Germany, where the cog wheel light rail line crosses a roadway.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/4073_30.jpg
Simon

(sorry the lower image is not yet online - will be soon)

Now here's a traffic signal doing something that it is not supposed to! I had my camcorder with me at the time and was fortunate as this was not pre-planned!

This comes from London, albeit in the mid 1990's. Its leaning at a strange angle because its actually a temporary signal located at long term roadworks - it had been concreted into a large metal drum (such as oil drum) and not fixed into the ground.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Video/Red_grn_tsigs.jpg

Simon

Amsterdam, Holland

Tram signals on the left (two red lights illuminated) and cyclist signals right, again red illuminated. I dont know why they bother with signals for cyclists as few cyclists observe them - as I found out, painfully, when crossing a road.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Video/Adam6.jpg

-----------------------
Melbourne, Australia, traffic signals for road users and trams (letter T).

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/Video/Melb_signals.jpg


--------------------
still to come, Zürich & Geneva Switzerland. (another day)

Simon

Crikey, that's a vast collection. You must like your traffic signals.

Is there anyone who has a good picture of the old style UK signals. Those being the ones with the stripey poles and the word STOP imprinted on the red lense?

Almost certainly I have some pics of these - but not digitised, so I cant share them here.

But I will look to see what I find - and if successful scan them.

btw, its not so much that I like signals - more that I have a website about urban transport and include signals on some of the pages.

My website looks at over 10 different types of transport technologies, most of which are electric as I feel it is a serious injustice that people are dying from urban air pollution simply because the politicians care more about the tax income gained from motorists when they buy petrol & diesel than about people's health. Especially here in Britain!

That said, for urban communities good affordable and attractive public transports are essential to avoid stagnation caused by gridlocked traffic. Experience has shown that electric transports do attract more people to them - especially people who have a choice whether to use private cars or public transport.

I am also into electric transports because our so called civilisation is burning fossil fuels at an alarming and short sighted rate - already here in Britain we have reached a situation where North Sea Gas supplies are starting to run out - we only started using the stuff when I was a child (I am now 44) and effectively this means that by the time present-day schoolchildren reach maturity supplies will be exhausted.

Only electricity can be sourced renewably. Yes I know that zero point energies are coming, but they are currently being stifled by powerful vested interests and politicians. (For instance, in 1944 the Germans almost perfected aircraft which flew on vortex energy sourced from water - the test flights worked - but the invading US & Russian armies took everything away and thats the last we've ever heard of it)

There is lots more I could say on this, but this is not the right place. Plus I would like to see 2005!

Simon

This comes from Schaffhausen in Switzerland.

http://www.garden.force9.co.uk/PhotoCD/0376_48p.jpg

despite over 20 years of travelling in europe I still have not worked out their exact meaning.
Simon

AFAIK, they mean that you have the right of way. The side roads are supposed to have "Yield" ("Give Way") Triangle signs. In case the power goes out, the diamonds are to be used as a guidance.

In most places in the US, we have stop signs, not Yield signs. Most states now have adopted a policy: stop first - go first (as opposed to the right-hand rule policy, where the driver on the right has the right of way) at intersections with all-way stops. First person to arrive, leaves the intersection first. When the traffic lights go out, unless there's someone directing traffic, all cars must come to a stop at every traffic light and observe the stop first- go first policy (sometimes doesn't happen on busier roads). That's when all hell breaks loose :).

Yes, South Africans call them 'robots'. You can't blame us, we didn't get legal TV until the '70's... lol

On posts:
http://www.whatsnewinprocessing.co.za/7.3/pics7.3/LED%20traffic%20signals.jpg
http://instrumentation.co.za/articles/SA%20Instrumentation%20&%20Control%20-%20Published%20by%20Technews/c4966.jpg

Above road (they look breakable, I know:
http://img154.exs.cx/img154/4359/pretoria122pj.jpg
http://img154.exs.cx/img154/2938/saintersection1ou.jpg

More of Adelaide's traffic signals, taken by smeghead:

http://home.exetel.com.au/smeghead/DSC06021.jpg

http://home.exetel.com.au/smeghead/DSC06064.jpg

http://home.exetel.com.au/smeghead/DSC06091.jpg

AG, you prat!! You pinched my pics!!

I suppose I should be grateful that you credited me...

Lyon

Tramway's traffic light
http://mboulahia.free.fr/Phototheque/albums/userpics/10001/normal_feu%20tag%20tram%20allume.JPG
http://mboulahia.free.fr/Phototheque/albums/userpics/10001/normal_P1000102.JPG
http://mboulahia.free.fr/Phototheque/albums/userpics/10001/normal_P1000110.JPG http://mboulahia.free.fr/Phototheque/albums/userpics/10001/normal_P1000109.JPG

For Gareth.

Simon

I have a fascination with traffic lights that stems from my fascination with roads. I've only see horizontally-aligned traffic lights common in three countries: US, Japan, and South Korea. In Japan and South Korea, just about every traffic light overhead is horizontally aligned. In South Korea, you need a left-turn arrow to turn left at a light, so the vast majority of lights in South Korea have four faces, not the usual three (red, yellow, green arrow, green). Japan uses mostly three, and any green arrow is added as an attachment. South Korea's are all black as well. Japan's are grey.

The US uses mostly the standard three-face combination, and the structural design in the US varies from state to state, sometimes city to city. Lights hanging from wires are common in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest. In the Northeast and urban Midwest, it's more common to have them on fixtures hanging above the intersection. Almost all US traffic lights are either yellow or black. It's also common to have those shades surrounding traffic lights to help block the sun and reduce glare.

LA probably has the most well-known design, with one light hanging over the intersection on a curved bar and the other light on the vertical support itself with the street sign being in blue. Most of the Western US has a similar format to those pictures of ones in the Phillipines.

NY's are also famous, they're yellow and usually two or four to a fixture all hanging from one support. That format is not common in most of the country.

The vast majority of lights in Texas are horizontal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v514/krzycho/chicago%20maj05/P8300041.jpg

Typical lights in Chicago.

WOW - those countdown timers are awsome.

For Gareth.

Simon


Was this supposed to be the old stripey UK signal you promised me?

Oh well. :|

Vancouver- (its taken in chinatown, and in a few blocks, in downtown)
http://tinypic.com/kb3xxv.jpg

Barcelona

The left one is for the tram, the right for normal traffic
http://www.tramvia.org/galeria/060110-tram/DSCN9989.jpg

The new traffic lights of BCN from the back
http://www.tramvia.org/galeria/040415-trambesos-ric/dscf0034.jpg

Tram & Traffic lights
http://www.tramvia.org/galeria/040426-trambaix/dscf0111.jpg

Overview of Avenida Diagonal in BCN, the largest avenue in the city
http://www.tramvia.org/galeria/050215-trambaix/DSCN3897.jpg

Buenos Aires traffic lights all have a larger red light and some I have seen have two red lights (brilliant idea if one of the lights fails!) http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8151/mzn015khdm9.jpg & http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5378/10000178rf.jpg & http://img262.echo.cx/img262/5044/madero166bl.jpg - Photos taken from other forums within SkyscraperCity

Australian signals.
LED signals
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7503/cimg0121550x415mx2.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7519/dsc02026ep3.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/48/125142376_bbd8e81b0e.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/43/79249785_7f0a375bb0.jpg?v=0

Older, non-LED signals
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5863/21oo1.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8288/18ii3.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/39/79249783_d2d6f6fab0.jpg?v=0
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2561/26dj9.jpg

I really like the countdown timers used around the world. Some of those would be great, particularly at busy pedestrian crossings.

Trent.

Unfortunatly, the picture didnt come out well, but you have a general idea.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_4710.jpg

This is a traffic light in Curitiba, Brazil, but these are only installed on the avenue from the airport to the city.

On the left:
5 lights, red.
When its showing red, the top and bottom are lit up. As the time goes by, the red "goes down" so the bottom one remains lit, and the 2nd from the top is lit. Then the 3rd from the top until only the bottom red is left.

Then it goes to green.

These are on the right, same idea.
When green just started, the bottom and top are lit. As the time goes by, the green goes down until only the bottom green is lit.

Then it goes to the yellow (middle, bottom) and then back to red.

In this picture you can barely see the top and bottom green lit up (light just turned green)

On the bottom right of the pole there is a standard light for drivers close to the line, and a pedestrian signal (red on top, green below, flashes red when time runs out)

The rest of the city uses this setup. Not visible in the photo is the second light on the pole lowered for the drivers near the line (stoplights are placed on the stop line instead of across the street so people dont stop on the pedestrian crossing)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_0561.jpg

Outside of the center, the lights are not striped.

There is only one traffic light in the city that has a left turn arrow. In this case, you have two standard lights next to each other (without the double red) and the one on the left turns red/gree/yellow when you can or cant turn. Left turn lanes are extremely rare.

Certain intersections with more lanes (4 or 4 in one direction) have two stoplights, one coming from each side.


Edit:

None striped model, one for cars, and one for the bus lanes on the left. There are 5 buses in this picture, showing how mucht he city relies on them. (the fifth is across the street, in red, its bi-articulated)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_4846.jpg

Here's a fact for you. In South African English, traffic lights are referred to as robots!!!

Now there's one to amaze you're friends with.

Another unrelated funny thing is that Taxi's in Jamaica are referred to as robots!... The more you know.

Hey, why hasn't anyone posted the traffic lights that are just outside Montreal, now those are some wierd lights.