Who Has The Best Traffic Lights?

Traffic lights seem to vary from region to region. I don’t why this is the case. I think the design of them is so much better here in my province but perhaps it’s just that I am accustomed to them being this way.

Let’s look at a few different designs I have come across.

This one seems to be popular in the United States. I can see how it takes little in the way of materials to put up. It is suspended on a wire and serves every direction of the intersection. As such, I’m sure it’s cost efficient.

The problem I find with this design is that if there is a strong wind, the traffic light can bounce around or be pushed back on an angle so that it is difficult to see.

I came across this one last week during my trip to Winterlude. Quite a few of the events were held in the province of Quebec. It’s amazing that all you need to do is simply cross a bridge and end up in a completely different world. All of the signs are in French and their traffic lights seem to be mounted sideways.

The problem is see with this design is that it relies mostly on colour. You can tell what colour the light is from the top example by colour and position a bit easier, I think.

This is the design I am most familiar with. I like how the traffic signal is mounted on an arm and not just a wire. I like how the lights are lined up vertically with red on the top and green on the bottom.

So what do you think?

Are the traffic lights different where you live?

Which design do you like best?

Or should we try to get rid of them and replace them with these, which seems to be the new trend in suburb areas?

I don’t know if I like roundabouts either. I think I much prefer the regular vertically mounted traffic lights.

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. If your comment doesn’t post the first time, please try it two or three times. It should work.

Thanks!


9 responses to “Who Has The Best Traffic Lights?”

  1. The above comment was spam and has been deleted.

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  2. Hi Chase .. I like ours!! The first one was erected outside the Houses of Parliament in 1868 – perhaps I feel a post coming. My next one features Quebec!

    It must be difficult going from French to English and back again .. also the different type of lights are tricky.

    We have so many signs now – I sometimes wonder how people drive – not time to do both read the signs and drive?!

    However I love roundabouts – they work so well and keep the traffic moving .. you don't need to stop, except in heavy traffic.

    There are mini ones here now – and they can be a challenge .. and there's double mini ones .. oh yes -such fun .. especially if you're not local ..

    All in all I vote for both .. though if everyone would get off the road when I travel I'd be happy!!

  3. Hi Ela,

    In Ontario, a blinking green light means that you have an advanced green. It means that the traffic is still stopped in the opposite direction so you can turn left.

    I wasn't live on the air last weekend. Episode 2 of Know Your History aired but there have been some technical difficulties getting it on the podcast.

    I should be live on the air this coming weekend and you will get to hear the interview I did with Shad and Grand Analog.

    Hi Hilary,

    I know what you mean about too many signs on the road. It is very distracting to go somewhere new and having to figure out all the signs, traffic lights, and roundabouts. Ah, the joys of traveling.

  4. The blinking green light here in vancouver does not mean one can turn left because the opposite line is at stop, it isn't, it is moving most definately in two directions.
    That is definate problem, don't you think? one country, yet blinking green light might cause a huge problem.
    I haven't seen one in a while, the blinking green, but it means that that particular light can be controlled by pedestrians, that is all to the blinking green light in vancouver. For left turn they use arrows.

    I'm sure going to be checking the saturday's show later when it's on internet already.
    thanks

  5. Nowadays, there are a lot of different types of traffic lights in town. There are the traditional ones, the most common ones and the new and innovative ones. But whether old or new, all of those traffic lights must have better stainless steel sign bracket and stable stainless steel strap so that it will stand tall and will not fall anytime to prevent accidents and inconvenience to the motorists.