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    Laporte District 315 E Boyd Boulevard, P.O. Box 429 Laporte, in 46350, 46352 Phone: (219) 362-6125 Fax: (219) 325-7516

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    nathanecker
    The document discusses the history and advantages and disadvantages of traffic signals. It notes that traffic signals were first invented in 1868 in London and consisted of a revolving lantern with red and green signals. It then summarizes that in 1920, police officer William Potts invented the first 4-way 3-color traffic light by adapting railroad signals, installing it in Detroit. While traffic signals can reduce certain accidents, they can also increase delays and rear-end collisions if not properly justified. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of thoroughly studying traffic conditions before installing signals.

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    Laporte District 315 E Boyd Boulevard, P.O. Box 429 Laporte, in 46350, 46352 Phone: (219) 362-6125 Fax: (219) 325-7516

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    nathanecker
    144 views2 pages
    The document discusses the history and advantages and disadvantages of traffic signals. It notes that traffic signals were first invented in 1868 in London and consisted of a revolving lantern with red and green signals. It then summarizes that in 1920, police officer William Potts invented the first 4-way 3-color traffic light by adapting railroad signals, installing it in Detroit. While traffic signals can reduce certain accidents, they can also increase delays and rear-end collisions if not properly justified. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of thoroughly studying traffic conditions before installing signals.

    Original Description:

    Information on Traffic Signals: How they work etc. Published by INDOT

    Original Title

    Traffic Signals

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    The document discusses the history and advantages and disadvantages of traffic signals. It notes that traffic signals were first invented in 1868 in London and consisted of a revolving lantern with red and green signals. It then summarizes that in 1920, police officer William Potts invented the first 4-way 3-color traffic light by adapting railroad signals, installing it in Detroit. While traffic signals can reduce certain accidents, they can also increase delays and rear-end collisions if not properly justified. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of thoroughly studying traffic conditions before installing signals.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    144 views2 pages

    Laporte District 315 E Boyd Boulevard, P.O. Box 429 Laporte, in 46350, 46352 Phone: (219) 362-6125 Fax: (219) 325-7516

    Uploaded by

    nathanecker
    The document discusses the history and advantages and disadvantages of traffic signals. It notes that traffic signals were first invented in 1868 in London and consisted of a revolving lantern with red and green signals. It then summarizes that in 1920, police officer William Potts invented the first 4-way 3-color traffic light by adapting railroad signals, installing it in Detroit. While traffic signals can reduce certain accidents, they can also increase delays and rear-end collisions if not properly justified. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of thoroughly studying traffic conditions before installing signals.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    LaPorte District

    315 E Boyd Boulevard, P.O. Box 429


    LaPorte, IN 46350, 46352

    PHONE: (219) 362-6125


    FAX: (219) 325-7516

    Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., Governor


    Michael B. Cline, Commissioner

    January 18, 2012


    INDOT LaPorte District would like to share some information concerning traffic signals - When they were first invented and how they play a part in
    our world today.
    ADVANTAGES OF SIGNALS
    Signals offer the maximum degree of control at intersections - they relay messages of both what to do and what not to do. The primary function of
    any traffic signal is to assign right-of-way by permitting conflicting streams of traffic to share the same intersection by means of time separation.
    When properly timed, the traffic signal increases the traffic handling capacity of an intersection, and when installed under conditions which justify
    its use, it is a valuable device for improving the safety and efficiency of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. In particular, signals may reduce
    certain types of accidents, most notably the angle (broadside) collision.
    DISADVANTAGES OF SIGNALS
    While many people realize that traffic signals can reduce the number of angle collisions at an intersection, few realize that signals can also cause an
    increase in other types of accidents (it has been well documented that other types of accidents, notably rear-end collisions, usually increase when a
    signal is installed).
    Normally, traffic engineers are willing to trade off an increase in rear-end collisions for a decrease in the more severe angle accidents; however,
    when there is no angle accident problem at an intersection, there is nothing to trade off and the installation of traffic signals can actually cause a
    deterioration in the overall safety at the intersection. This situation sometimes prompts the remark, "You mean you won't do anything until
    somebody gets killed!" What is not fully understood is that traffic signals are not a "cure-all" and that the primary goal of all traffic engineers is to
    attain the safest and most efficient traffic flow feasible.
    In addition to an increase in accident frequency, unjustified traffic signals can also cause excessive delay, disobedience of signals, and diversion of
    traffic to inadequate alternate routes.
    Traffic signals are much more costly than is commonly realized, even though they represent a sound public investment when justified. A modern
    signal can cost taxpayers between $80,000 and $100,000 to install - depending on the complexity of the intersection and the characteristics of the
    traffic using it. On top of this, there is a perpetual cost which is almost never considered - the cost of the electrical power consumed in operating a
    signalized intersection 24 hours a day. This now averages about $1,400 per year.
    UNJUSTIFIED SIGNALS
    Because of the widespread belief that traffic signals offer the solution to all intersection traffic control and accident problems, a number of signals
    have been installed nationwide where no legitimate operational warrant exists. Traffic records clearly show the attitudes and misunderstandings
    which sometimes lead to unjustified installations should be resisted. It is important that the selection and use of this traffic control device be
    preceded by a thorough study of traffic and roadway conditions and that the determination of the type of control and method of operation be
    based on the study data.
    Traffic signals should be used only where lesser forms of control have proven ineffective, since signals almost always create more "overall
    intersection delay." In fact, minor movements may experience excessive delay, particularly if the signal is improperly timed. As a result, many
    drivers switch to less desirable alternate routes or to residential streets to avoid the added delay.

    CREDITS
    This document is based on a booklet called "Are Traffic Signals Really a Cure-All?", published by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

    www.in.gov/dot/
    An Equal Opportunity Employer

    AT A GLANCE:
    Police Officer William L. Potts of Detroit, Michigan, decided to do something about the problem caused by
    the ever increasing number of automobiles on the streets. What he had in mind was figuring out a way to
    adapt railroad signals for street use. Potts used red, amber, and green railroad lights and about thirtyseven dollars worth of wire and electrical controls to make the worlds first 4-way three color traffic light.
    It was installed in 1920 on the corner of Woodward and Michigan Avenues in Detroit. Within a year,
    Detroit had installed a total of fifteen of the new automatic lights.

    THE STORY
    RELATED INFO
    BOOKS
    WEB SITES
    DID YOU KNOW?

    Invention: Traffic Light


    Function: noun / traffic signal / stoplight
    Definition: A road signal for directing vehicular traffic by means of colored lights, typically red for
    stop, green for go, and yellow for proceed with caution.
    Patent:

    As a government employee Potts could not patent his invention.

    Inventor: William L. Potts


    Criteria: First practical. Modern prototype.
    Birth: Unknown
    Death: Unknown
    Nationality: Unknown
    Milestones:
    1918 U.S.Patent # 1,251,666 issued January 1, to J.B. Hoge of Cleveland, OH
    1919 U.S.Patent # 1,307,544 issued June 24, to Oscar A. Erdmann of Detroit, MI
    1920 William Potts invents and installs a three color, four direction traffic light in Detroit, MI
    1923 U.S.Patent # 1,475,024 issued November 20, 1923 to Garrett Morgan for traffic signal
    ARYs: traffic light, traffic signal, stop light, William Potts, Garrett Morgan, J Hoge, Oscar Erdmann, history, invention, story, facts,
    biography, inventor.

    Story:
    Even during the horse and buggy days, traffic in big cities was often heavy. Police officers had to be stationed full time directing traffic
    at busy intersections.
    The worlds first traffic light came into being before the automobile was in use, and traffic consisted only of pedestrians, buggies, and
    wagons. Installed at an intersection in London in 1868, it was a revolving lantern with red and green signals. Red meant "stop" and
    green meant "caution." The lantern, illuminated by gas, was turned by means of a lever at its base so that the appropriate light faced
    traffic. On January 2, 1869, this crude traffic light exploded, injuring the policeman who was operating it.
    With the coming of automobiles, the situation got even worse. Police Officer William L. Potts of Detroit, Michigan, decided to do
    something about the problem. What he had in mind was figuring out a way to adapt railroad signals for street use. The railroads were
    already utilizing automatic controls. But railroad traffic traveled along parallel lines. Street traffic traveled at right angles. Potts used
    red, amber, and green railroad lights and about thirty-seven dollars worth of wire and electrical controls to make the worlds first 4-way
    three color traffic light. It was installed in 1920 on the corner of Woodward and Michigan Avenues in Detroit. Within a year, Detroit had
    installed a total of fifteen of the new automatic lights.
    At about the same time, Garrett Morgan of Cleveland, Ohio realized the need to control the flow of traffic. A gifted inventor and
    reportedly the first African American to own an automobile in Cleveland, Ohio, he invented the electric automatic traffic light. Though it
    looked more like the semaphore signals you see at train crossings today.
    Many others had obtained US Patents for Traffic Signals, some as early as 1918. But Morgan's Patent was purchased by General Electric
    Corporation and provided the protection they needed to begin building a monopoly on traffic light manufacture.

    Information from www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions.trafficlight.htm

    We hope youll share this information with your co-workers and families.

    Jim Pinkerton
    On Behalf of the Staff of LaPorte District - INDOT

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