Retromodo: Astounding Analogue Traffic Signal
This analogue traffic signal was in use from the 1940s through the 1970s in Australia, eventually replaced by whatever it is they’ve got going there now (Koala bears on poles holding flash cards, we think). It’s fantastic.
AU: Ha. Ha.
Instead of solid lights, the analogue rotating signal shows you exactly how much time you’ve got left in a green or a red, allowing you to better time your “floor it, we can make it” so as to not run the light and get caught by the intersection cameras. It’s an easy solution that can be rigged into current light schemes by putting a countdown number in each light instead of just a solid colour. I need to patent this. [Infosthetics via Make via Boing Boing Gadgets]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Idiots… Koalas are not even bears. :)
Ooh I feel so old…
As a child, I remember these lights, on what was then, the Nepean Highway, Aspendale(I think it was Aspendale or Edithvale?)which is more or less a suburban road these days.
I remember that before they were removed it was as Giz has observed (less the cameras)a case of “floor it, before it goes to red”
Down here in Melbourne , its a bit more complicated. If you have to do a hook turn right (we drive on the left side of the road) because there are tram lines along your street (so cars are not in the way of them), you use the yellow light to turn before it goes red. So in the city, people should use the yellow light to stop and allow other cars to safely turn. This doesnt happen because people still try to run through the yellow and some stupid people turning wait for it to go red for some reason before turning.
sorry, the danes beat you to the number game….
Matt. You’re incorrect on the hook turns.
The law is now that you must wait until the light controlling the road you are turning into turns green.
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licensing/InformationForTourists.htm
G’day. I have a few photo’s of the lights set up in a park South of Melbourne and some video footage if you want it emailed to you.