RACV Heritage collection. This old signal was
photographed in the Wellington Entertainment Centre at Sale during a display
by the RACV celebrating 100 years. Notice the 'command' lens. It has the
word "STOP" embossed on the inside of the red lens. Most traffic
lights used to have this until the 1960's.
Unfortunately it was not operating
correctly (whoever saw a traffic light go from green to red?). By
coincidence I managed to photograph it changing from red to amber and look
like both lights were on at once. In fact, this is how they used to operate
in Victoria up to the 1980's. The use of the green arrow beside the red
light was also how they used to be positioned in Melbourne before use of
amber and red arrows.
Pedestrian Crossing lights. In Victoria, these kind
of signals were once very common at 'Zebra' crossings. Pedestrian activated
traffic lights have replaced them at many busy locations although they are
still installed at other places.
The earlier examples shown here were painted yellow and had lights to show
the 'walking legs' signs at night.
The first photo shows a typical signal using Eagle 'lanterns' and flasher
(the box near the top). The sign is a modern one.
The second photo shows the old components re-mounted on a modern streetlight
pole. Notice the lantern assemblies have been remounted the wrong way as
evidenced by the sideways visors.
Richmond, Vic.
The two images to the left illustrate the original and
intermediate versions of the Walking Legs regulatory sign.
Yes, they are regulatory sign despite the yellow colour. These and the
Safety Zone signs are the last examples of this once common standard for
Australian road signs.
Vintage Pedestrian Crossing Sign. Here's an example of
one of the original styles of Pedestrian Crossing signs still in use in
2007. Unfortunately the lights are not working and have tape over them. The
second photo shows the lights above the signs. These signs are not
reflective. The lanterns in this photo are modern ones, however, some
original ones were still in place.
Port Melbourne.
Pedestrian Crossing. A more modern
version of the alternating flashing light pedestrian signal. Still with the
yellow pole, but with later style lanterns and target board. The positioning
of the walking legs sign above the lanterns is unusual.
Melbourne Airport,
Vic.
Current style pedestrian crossing lights.
Unpainted pole, modern lights with target board and walking legs sign
Sale, Vic.
Something different. Unusual placement of
the lantern assembly for improved visibility along a tree-lined street.
Orbost, Vic.
No U turn or right turn. This unusual
signal prevents U turns and right turns into a lane close to a major
intersection at certain times when this would be dangerous due to poor
visibility and higher speeds.
Richmond, Vic.
Side road activated. It would appear that
(at this location at least) the often frowned upon act of sprinting out of
the car and pushing the pedestrian button to stop traffic and be able to
enter a busy road has been somewhat legitimised here by adding detector
loops in a side road.
Officer, Vic.
Roundabout metering signals. Here's a variation on
the above. Red / amber signals at a roundabout designed to stop traffic on a
lesser road creating long queues on a highway. It would appear that when
traffic banks up or stops moving for a pre-determined time, these signal
turn red on the side road and give the highway traffic a chance to enter the
roundabout.
Carrum Downs, Vic.
Advance signals warning. Warning signals
such as this are used in some locations with poor visibility or, as here,
where large volumes of high speed traffic is approaching traffic signals.
Morwell, Vic.
LED pedestrian signal. Although these
have been around for a few years now, I've yet to actually see an example.
This one is in Adelaide, SA.
Photo by Greg Bowering.
Older cantilever mast. This older mast
contrasts with the modern style version on the other side of the
intersection.
Burwood.
Red and amber before green. Although
extremely rare these days, a number of old traffic signal controllers are
still soldiering on. Notice the red and amber lights are on at the same
time. This was once how many Australian traffic signals operated just before
changing to green.
Dandenong, Vic.
Another view of the above intersection. The
signals here appear to be on a fixed timer. Not activated by approaching
vehicles.
A disappearing style of pedestrian push button.
Dandenong, Vic.
Still at the same location. The intersection
also has an earlier Eagle symbolic pedestrian signal. Note the square lenses
rather than the now common round lenses.
Dandenong, Vic.
A final view of the red and amber before green
intersection. This phase lasted in common use in Victoria into the early
1980s. So it is unusual to see it in 2004 when these photos were taken. I
understand there are several more examples scattered around Melbourne.
Dandenong, Vic.
Very short YouTube video of the red and amber before green sequence for
those not familiar with it.
This video was taken in Pascoe Vale, Melbourne.
