What are the types of traffic lights?

It is difficult for a modern person to imagine a traffic that is not regulated by traffic lights. This device helps to organize the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. There is a wide classification, depending on the purpose of the traffic light. Types and types of the device are also different in design, form of regulation and direction of movement.

Traffic light, its functions

This means of organizing movement is an optical device that transmits color signals. For all common vehicles, there is a separate traffic light. Types and types of devices are a wide system, including a variety of designs. Ordinary citizen most often meets a tricolor automobile traffic light, but the knowledge of other forms and structures will help to avoid unforeseen situations and remain safe on the roads. Signaling devices perform the following functions:

• Reducing the risk of accidents;
• Improvement of traffic quality;
• Maintenance of the environment (contributes to a more even course of cars, thereby reducing the level of emissions into the atmosphere).

Classification

Types of traffic lights regarding the destination for certain vehicles:

• Road-street;
• Railway;
• River.

In this case, each species is divided into types that depend on the purpose, design and nature of the movement.

Railway

Such signaling devices are designed to regulate the movement of trains and the speed of descent from the sorting hump. There are 13 kinds of traffic lights on the railway:

• Route (between areas of the station);
• Input (from the station to the station);
• Weekend (from station to station);
• Pass-through (between interposters);
• Barrier (stop);
• Cover (crossing paths);
• Repeated (the indication of the main traffic light with poor visibility);
• Warning (before the main traffic lights);
• Maneuverable;
• Locomotive;
• Mountainous;
• Technological (permit cleaning or filing of the composition);
• Entrance or exit (travel to the production premises).

Devices with red, yellow, green, white and blue lights are used. Different types of traffic lights for the purpose of railway transport can be combined in one common construction.

The meaning of colors can be studied in the following table.

River transport

Devices of this kind regulate movement with the help of two colors - green and red or only orange. In the latter case, the structure is installed in places where it is impossible to drop anchor.

Two-color traffic lights exist for the organization of passage through locks - structures through which the vessels move from one water body to another, with a different level. There are two types of river signaling device - far and near.

Road and pedestrian

For drivers of transport and participants of traffic there is a separate classification. Types of traffic lights and their names are as follows:

• Automotive;
• For route vehicles;
• Pedestrian;
• For cyclists.

In addition, the devices are divided into types relative to their purpose and design. They are all alike, but they have some peculiarities.

Automotive

The most common type of traffic lights is a device with three color signals:

• Green - travel is allowed;
• Yellow (orange) - braking at low speed;
• Red - stop.

At the same time in each traffic light lights are placed in a strict order. If the lamps are located vertically, the red color is at the top, and if horizontally - on the left. In some cases, before the fire of a green fire, yellow is skipped.

Sometimes the lamps in the traffic light do not shine permanently, but flash. If this happens with green color, drivers have the opportunity to stop in time. There are separate types of traffic lights for cars. Their classification is based on the structure of the mechanism, the nature of the signal, the purpose and direction of motion.

Types of traffic light regulation

Some devices constantly work on the installed system, while others can change the signaling interval. According to this feature, these types of traffic lights are distinguished:

• Constant regulation;
• Adaptive regulation.

In the first case, the device operates in a permanent mode, regardless of the day of the week, traffic and time of day. In large cities such structures are often replaced by traffic lights of adaptive regulation. The duration of the periods for signaling changes in such a way as to more efficiently organize traffic. The traffic light mode is different at rush hour and during business / night time. Such a mechanism helps to avoid tense traffic and traffic jams.

Structure

The following types of traffic lights are distinguished by design:

• LED Light;
• On halogen or incandescent lamps.

Devices of the first type appeared not so long ago and have a number of undeniable advantages. They work on the basis of lightblocks (matrix of LEDs), creating a complete picture. Such designs are distinguished by their bright color and reliability. If the device breaks due to the burning of the incandescent lamp, the LED mechanisms continue to work. In addition, less electricity is needed to operate them. At low temperatures, such mechanisms require additional heating.

Classification in relation to direction

There are also types of traffic lights, depending on the direction in which traffic is permitted. The most common for us is the device for all possible directions. The traffic light operates in three colors: red, yellow and green.

The device for moving in one direction also includes these lights with a slight nuance. Green color consists of several lamps with arrows indicating the side on which the passage is allowed. This traffic light is also used for isolated traffic.

Reversible device

These mechanisms should control the lanes when moving vehicles along the carriageway. These lights use three lights - red, yellow and green (from left to right). The first has the form of the letter X, means a ban on travel on this strip. Green looks like an arrow pointing down, and allows further movement. The yellow color is in the center, it warns about changing the mode of the strip and indicates the side to which you want to go.

On bridges

Often at the crossings, one can meet signaling devices consisting of three lights arranged horizontally. They are used in cases where the passage of cars passes through the drawbridge. Most often on one ferry there are two such traffic lights on the sides of the sign. When the bridge is being reared, a signal is sent that prohibits further driving of the vehicle.

In the tunnels

In such cases, different kinds of traffic lights may be standing at the entrance. Most often this is an ordinary three- or two-color device, indicating whether it is possible to continue moving. Usually the green color is on. For safe passage through the tunnel, it is important to maintain a uniform speed and spacing between cars. Therefore, when entering, you can often see the vehicle's speed sensor and the recommended speed of movement. In addition, these traffic lights are installed inside the tunnel, if it has a long length.

At the enterprises

In vast areas, where cars or trucks with goods often pass, two-color traffic lights are installed at the entrance. They use only two colors: red and green (prohibition or permission for further movement).

Crossing of railway crossings and tram tracks

Above it was written about traffic lights Railways. The types of these devices are discussed in detail, but they concern only trains. Also, near the railway tracks, a signaling mechanism for cars is installed. It can be seen in places where the road intersects with the rails.

Such traffic lights consist of two colors: red and white. The first one unconditionally prohibits the movement of cars through the crossing. White color means the ability to cross paths, but drivers must first make sure that the train does not approach them. Near the traffic lights is usually located the sign "STOP".

Similarly, the device with a flashing red lamp works. It is installed near the runways, at the intersection of tramways, etc.

For pedestrians

Most often these traffic lights consist of two colors: green and red. In the CIS countries, such devices represent a standing and walking person. Such traffic lights are installed near pedestrian crossings. Most of them switch automatically, but there are signaling devices that work for a certain period after the button is pressed. Some traffic lights produce a sound signal that helps people with disabilities to orient themselves.

However, special signaling devices for pedestrians are not installed in all locations, and it is necessary to orient themselves according to the devices intended for cars. Therefore, even people who can not drive, you need to know what kinds of traffic lights exist.

The tramway signaling device

The device is intended exclusively for this type of public transport. The traffic light uses two colors - red and green, which, accordingly, can prohibit or permit further movement. Such devices are installed on the ascent and descent, in front of the arrows or at the entrance to the tram depot.

Since transport moves along a separate path, drivers need to know whether the road is ahead. This task is carried out by the signaling device for trams.

For route vehicles

Types of traffic lights include a separate category for public transport. This alarm device has a specific mechanism of operation and is used only by the drivers of the tram, bus or trolleybus. The traffic light consists of four lights of white color, arranged in the form of the letter T (3 - horizontally and one - at the bottom, under the middle). The three upper signals indicate the direction of public transport (left, right and right). If one of these lights is lit at the same time as the lower one, the driver can go to the specified direction.

For bicycles

Often athletes do not know what kinds of traffic lights are available, which you should pay attention to while cycling. Nevertheless, such devices are used in large cities, especially if there are special tracks. To detect such a traffic light among the rest is quite simple - there is a corresponding sign on it or a cyclist is depicted. Two- and three-color devices are used.

In motorsports

In this case, traffic lights with red, green and sometimes yellow lights are installed at the start, exit or on the marshal's posts. At the exit from the pit lane, known prohibiting and resolving colors are used, and also blinking blue, meaning the approach of another car.

At the start, the lights have a different meaning:

• Red - preparation for start;
• Red out - start from the spot;
• Green - starting from the turn.

Above we examined in detail the types of traffic lights and their destination.