Behold, the Square Traffic Light

25 November 2008 - 1:00pm

Want to give your city a unique look? Try these new square traffic lights.

"The shape of traffic lights has barely changed since they were invented—there have always been three round lights: red, yellow and green. Initially, the sections were round simply because this allowed the spherical bulp inside light the glass evenly.

Today traffic lights use superbright light diodes that can be arranged in any way. And the sections are plastic, which also means any shape can be created.

Our idea is to produce square traffic lights. This can make the signals more easily noticeable and recognizable, with larger lit area for the same overall dimensions."

Source: Art Lebedev Studio, November 24, 2008

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Interesting, but likely to drown in a regulatory morass

To allow square sections in the US would require revisions to the Manual on Unoform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the Uniform Vehicle Code, and state traffic laws.

Unless research shows a clear benefit, I doubt it will happen.

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Congress’s lack of commitment to streets could deny the nation a genuine "shovel ready" opportunity to put dollars in circulation almost immediately. What’s more, the right investments in streets, local transit and high-speed rail will address long-term constraints that are holding America back.