Posted on Dec 1, 2024
Traffic signals: A brief history | Washington State Magazine | Washington State University
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Before automobiles even swarmed over the roads and streets, there was a need to control traffic to avoid accidents and keep vehicles moving smoothly.
The current systems have developed over more than a century, and they’re poised to change once again as vehicles become more connected and traffic control moves toward AI and complex computer-driven systems.
A signal history
December 10, 1868 — The first gas-lit traffic lights were installed outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Proposed by British railway engineer J.P. Knight to control the traffic of horse carriages, gas lights were manually controlled by a police officer using semaphore arms. At night, gas-lit red and green lights were used, but still changed by a police officer. The lights became a safety hazard as they sometimes exploded and injured police officers.
The current systems have developed over more than a century, and they’re poised to change once again as vehicles become more connected and traffic control moves toward AI and complex computer-driven systems.
A signal history
December 10, 1868 — The first gas-lit traffic lights were installed outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Proposed by British railway engineer J.P. Knight to control the traffic of horse carriages, gas lights were manually controlled by a police officer using semaphore arms. At night, gas-lit red and green lights were used, but still changed by a police officer. The lights became a safety hazard as they sometimes exploded and injured police officers.
Traffic signals: A brief history | Washington State Magazine | Washington State University
Posted from magazine.wsu.edu
World History
Driving
Transportation
England
Posted 1 d ago
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Although largely standardized, I have been amused at finding differences in the lights themselves and the laws pertaining to them as I've traversed the nation and the years. I had two favorites. The first was NYC in the 1950s when their traffic signals had just two colors, red and green, and no lag between them. When yours turned red, crossing traffic saw green, instantly! Woe to those caught in the middle. The second was Atlantic City, New Jersey, which had three colors but only three bulbs. While amber occupied the middle, red was on top for one direction and green was on top for crossing traffic. Obviously, the arrangement of red and green was reversed for the crossing traffic. You can figure out the rest. Personally, I prefer traffic circles...
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Traffic circles or Rotaries as places in New England call them both work. Most places including other countries I've been to follow pretty much the same pattern it seems.
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