ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades Signs & Symbols

It amazes me how some people go to another country and just automatically assume that everything should be the same as at home.

The pedestrian signals are another difference. As ThinkGood mentioned, American lights go from white (WALK) to flashing red (DON'T WALK), then to steady red. On British pedestrian lights (now all the symbol type) the flashing phase is on the green, i.e. steady green. flashing green, steady red). Historical note: The old-style U.K. pedestrian signals were more like U.S. types, a red WAIT light and a white CROSS NOW light.

France also uses flashing amber arrows at some intersections, with the same meaning as you describe for Ireland. In some places they add a flashing version of the pedestrian crossing (red triangle) sign (or the older PRIORITE AUX PIETONS light) as an extra warning that drivers turning right must yield to pedestrians.




[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 01-08-2003).]

Pedestrian Crossings in Ireland have the following:

Red Man (Don't cross)
Green Man (Cross now)
Amber man (sometimes flashing green) (HURRY UP about to change to red man)

busy crossings also have a count down on them when the crossing is red..

So you'll have a little display over the crossing lights with a count down from 99 seconds to green. The idea was to stop people dodging across busy roads as they know how long they need to wait b4 the lights will change.

Since we're talking about traffic lights in a electric forum, can I ask how do they work in your country? Always with a countdown system, with sensors or with a different system?

Here they have invented (as a trial project) traffic lights which turn to red if you are sppeding. At least that way you don't get a fine for speeding and you have to stop! What do you think?

Sweden also had a flashing green man before red, but he has disappeared: Harmonization with UN rules is blamed. (Yes, United Nations, not European Union)

[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 01-08-2003).]