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This week Der Spiegel has an article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the introduction of pedestrian Don’t Walk/Walk signals to East Germany.
The hat became the trademark of East German pedestrian crossings. It made them unique. Nowhere else in the world had traffic figures ever worn hats. The German Democratic Republic (GDR), at least when it came to this, was in the lead… and today, 50 years after their birth, Peglau’s traffic light men are not only used as traffic signals, but can be seen on T-shirts of Hollywood stars like Dennis Quaid.
The link provides background history of the East German icons, and a photo gallery shows examples from countries around the world, some of which are frankly bizarre.
Link. Photo gallery (27 images).
A design award has been given for a concept that would allow existing traffic lights to be retrofitted with progress bars that offer a visual representation of when the light will change. Several benefits have been suggested…
- Less pollution, as drivers can turn their engines off and cut carbon emissions while waiting for the green light,
- Less fuel consumption, as turning off vehicle engines lowers fuel consumption in the long run,
- Less stress, since drivers know exactly how long to wait, and
- Safer driving, as all traffic participants are fully aware of how much time they have left before the light changes, reducing the chance for potential traffic accidents.
Link, via Gizmodo and Reddit (where the discussion thread is decidedly less sanguine regarding the consequences of such lights).
The following is a collaboration with Signspotting, a website dedicated to weird and funny signs by Doug Lansky Somehow we're expected to navigate the road and pick up the traffic nuances - perhaps even adjust to a steering wheel on the opposite side of the car while driving on the opposite side of the road - all before the first lane change. All this is, of course, before you even throw a few wacked-out signs into the equation: the road-side traffic symbols that look more confusing than psych-test ink blots, mangled English, and the occasional screwball posting that almost stops us in our tracks (if we could just locate the brakes fast enough in that rental car!). At least the stickfigures are easy to understand, often suffering miserably so that we might stay safe. 1. Way Off Piste
2. Wheelchair vs. Alligator
How many unattended relatives, you suppose, rolled to their tragic fate before local officials were prompted to put up this sign? 3. Officers Can Get a Little Frisky
4. Messiah Crossing?
5. World's Most Uncomfortable Ski Lift
You decide: uncomfortable chairlift or ski-in/ski-out medical clinic 6. Um, No Lap Dancing? No Red Underwear?
May look like a “no lap dancing” sign, but this is actually asking women not to urinate here. Presumably topless urination is common in this part of Croatia. 7. Warning: Giant Spikes!
C’mon, jump in! It’s not like there are giant spikes in the water specially placed to spear you in the nether regions. 8. It's Raining Men
Location: Mertola, Portugal __________
If you like the funny signs above (and who doesn't?), head on over to
Signspotting website for hundreds
more. Or get the book, Signspotting: Absurd & Amusing Signs From Around The World |
and 
, both compiled
by Doug Lansky.
