What does each traffic light mean? Meanings of traffic light signals - traffic rules lessons

The movement of cars is a very complex process that requires compliance with order and rules. The rules are necessary to reduce the number of accidents, which occur quite often. One of the useful devices that allows you to maintain order is a traffic light.

To understand the importance of a traffic light, it is enough to recall a case when it did not work for some reason. At this moment, everyone begins to panic and huge traffic jams immediately form in all directions. In this case, a traffic controller is required who, based on his authority, can carry out regulation instead of a traffic light. He does not have to be a traffic police officer. In addition to this body, there are a number of other structures that are endowed with such power.

Three-section traffic light

This variety is the most popular. A three-section traffic light is installed in different positions. In any case, the signals always have the same meaning.

The three-section traffic light has the following signals:

1. Red. This signal means that driving is prohibited.
2. Yellow. This signal means that traffic is prohibited from continuing. Some motorists mistakenly believe that the color yellow allows them to pass. According to the traffic rules, driving to such a signal is allowed only if the driver would stop only with the help of emergency braking.
3. Red with yellow. Movement during this signal is also prohibited.
4. Green. This light gives permission to resume or continue movement. When you enter an intersection when the traffic light is green, you must cross the intersection.
5. Green flashing. Such a signal also allows passage of the intersection.

Traffic light with additional section

On some traffic lights you can see additional sections. They are mainly installed at large intersections. In this case, motorists can move only when the arrow starts to light up. You should know that if the arrow lights up together with the red light, then you need to let vehicles moving from other directions pass. The existing black contour arrow allows you to drive in other directions. It is needed to prevent erroneous maneuvers in poor lighting, since the driver may not notice the additional section at all.

Traffic light with flashing yellow

If there is no heavy traffic flow on the road, the traffic light can be switched to flashing yellow mode. Thanks to this, drivers significantly save their time. In this case, the yellow signal does not just light up, but blinks once a second. A yellow traffic light allows movement, but warns of the presence of an uncontrolled intersection or pedestrian crossing. Motorists driving through an intersection should proceed from the general rule “Interference on the right” (if there are no regulation signs).

Reversible traffic light

On roads with reversible traffic there is a reversible traffic light. The appearance of a yellow arrow pointing to the side means a signal change. In this case, the driver must enter the lane indicated by the yellow arrow. Moreover, the presence of a yellow arrow is not a prerequisite. This signal is necessary to clear the lane as quickly as possible, and also allows you to reduce the time required to change the direction of vehicles.

A green signal pointing downwards allows drivers to move in this lane. Such traffic lights are rarely seen here. They are mainly located in large cities. They allow us to somehow cope with huge traffic jams.

Traffic light at a railway crossing

Such a traffic light is usually located together with road signs. It has a red and additionally installed moon-white section. These signals mean the following:

• Two alternately flashing red signals mean that movement is prohibited. For best efficiency, a bell is also used;
• A flashing moon-white traffic light signal means that the system is in working order, that is, in working order, and also signals that there are no obstacles to travel through the railway crossing.

Traffic controller signals

Adjustment can be carried out by an employee of an authorized service. Its signals mean the following:

1. Arms extended to the sides or down. In this situation, from the left and right sides, cars can drive straight and also turn right, and pedestrians have the right to cross the road.
2. Right arm extended forward. From the chest side, cars can only move to the right. From the left side, the tram can only go to the left, and cars have the right to move in any direction. From the right side or back, cars must be stationary. In this case, pedestrians have the right to cross the road only behind the back of an authorized employee.
3. The traffic controller raised his hand up. This position means a ban on all vehicles and pedestrians.

The traffic controller can also use his hands to give other signals to regulate traffic. For better visibility, the employee has the right to use a baton. To make it easier to assimilate the traffic controller’s gestures, each driver must learn that when making adjustments, the officer prohibits movement on both sides, and allows the other two to move. If the traffic controller is standing with his back turned, moving is prohibited. You also need to stand still with your right outstretched arm. With this gesture, the employee blocks the movement of vehicles. If the traffic controller has extended both arms in one direction of the intersection, then the movement of stationary vehicles is permitted.

When there are special signs indicating lane movement or corresponding markings, the driver must maneuver by following them.

An authorized employee can demand that cars stop using a hand gesture or using a loudspeaker. The driver is obliged to immediately stop his car after such signals.

For more effective regulation, the traffic controller can use a whistle. It is also used in case of difficult traffic caused, for example, by incorrect operation of a traffic light.

According to the traffic rules, the driver must in any case obey the signals of an authorized officer. It is possible that they will sometimes contradict the signs and marking lines available at the intersection. That is, if there is a traffic controller at the intersection, then all attention should be directed to him.

After the motorist has received an order from an employee to stop, he must immediately turn on the turn signal, and, without interfering with anyone, turn to the right and stand up. The driver has the right not to leave his car after stopping. He can go out of his own free will, to save his time.

Every driver, when getting behind the wheel, must follow all traffic rules. This will make the roads safer and reduce traffic jams.

Remember that when you get behind the wheel, you are also responsible for the lives of other citizens. And if the incident occurs through your fault as a result of a violation of the law, then you will face administrative liability and deprivation of rights for a period determined by the nature of the violation.

Classic three-section traffic light.

Any of us knows from childhood that a red traffic light prohibits movement, and now both drivers are required to stop at the stop line.

But not everyone knows how a modern “advanced” traffic light works, what signals it may have and how exactly they alternate.

During the traffic police exam you will be asked:

What does the combination of red and yellow traffic lights mean?

The answer should not leave you in doubt - A brief combination of red and yellow signals informs drivers that the green signal will soon turn on.

The red and yellow lights go out, the green lights turn on, and you can move in all directions (unless, of course, signs or markings indicate otherwise).

But don't rush to start moving. The author of these lines has seen so many troubles and tragedies when neighbors along the road blindly followed the green signal. And this is not just advice, it is a requirement of the Rules.

Rules. Section 13. Clause 13.8. When the traffic light turns on, the driver is obliged to give way to vehicles completing their movement through the intersection, and to pedestrians who have not completed crossing the roadway in this direction.

That is, before you start moving, you need to make sure that those who have now turned red have stopped. Someone may simply not have time to stop, but someone is in such a hurry that they are ready to rush through the intersection risking their lives (okay, only their own, but also someone else’s).

Well, finally, the drivers on the road being crossed have stopped at their stop lines, and now they can start driving. We still see green light.

The green one burned, burned and blinked.

And again, during the traffic police exam, someone will definitely get this question:

What does a flashing green traffic light mean?

And again the answer is obvious - The flashing green light informs drivers that its time is expiring and the yellow light will soon turn on.

Is it possible to move when the green light is flashing? Don't doubt it, it's possible. Its duration is expiring, but it has not expired yet!

Another thing is that the green light will not blink for long - it will blink only three times and then go out.

Green will go out, but then yellow will light up. And this is what is said about the lonely yellow signal in the Rules, in paragraph 6.2:

« Yellow signal prohibits movement and warns about the upcoming change of signals.”

And this is where it is important for the driver to understand!– If the lone yellow light is on, then red will be next! That is, you will definitely have to stop!

Now imagine that the yellow light turns on when there are 5 - 10 meters left to the stop line. At a speed of 60 km/h, you can only hold the car by applying emergency braking! And even then, you will have to stop at the intersection (by crossing the stop line and risking getting hit from behind). Novice drivers often do this (sharply brake when the light turns yellow), and if an aggressive “experienced driver” was driving behind, then the novice is guaranteed to be hit from behind in this situation.

Meanwhile, the Rules prohibit sudden braking anywhere and everywhere (except for cases when it is necessary to prevent an accident):

Rules. Section 10. Clause 10.5. The driver is prohibited Brake sharply unless necessary to prevent a traffic accident.

That is, if the driver of a brown car suddenly brakes now, he will violate the requirement of paragraph 10.5 of the Rules. And in the event of an accident, both will be to blame - the driver of the red car is to blame because he did not maintain a safe distance, and the driver of the brown car is to blame because he braked unduly sharply.

The Rules treated this situation with understanding and allowed movement on a yellow traffic light (if it is no longer possible to stop smoothly in front of the stop line):

Rules. Section 6. Clause 6.14. Drivers who cannot stop when the yellow light turns on without resorting to emergency braking are allowed to continue driving.

And you may also be asked about this during the exam: “Are you allowed to continue driving if, when the traffic light turns yellow after the green light, you can only stop before the intersection by applying emergency braking?”

And here the answer should be absolutely clear to you - allowed. It’s simply allowed in any direction you want.

The lone yellow light will not burn for long - literally after a couple of seconds it will change to red, and the cycle will start all over again. But when the signal is red, drivers must definitely stop at the stop line.

And that's not all about traffic lights. If the traffic is not intense, then it is irrational to keep drivers at stop lines, and the traffic light can be switched to the so-called yellow flashing signal mode.

That is, red and green are not turned on at all, and only yellow is turned on all the time. Moreover, it does not just light up, but blinks at a frequency of once per second. This is how this signal is described in the Rules:

Rules. Section 6. Clause 6.2. Yellow flashing signal allows traffic and informs about the presence of an unregulated intersection or pedestrian crossing.

In this situation, drivers must independently determine the order of passage, guided by the general principle of “interference on the right.”

There is a problem in the traffic police book (shown below), which you often make mistakes when solving. Some of you for some reason choose the third answer. Most likely, because they did not read the question carefully. And the question says “when the traffic light is flashing yellow”! And, consequently, this intersection has become unregulated. And, therefore, we must be guided by priority signs.

Traffic lights with an additional section (or with two additional sections).

A classic three-section traffic light can be equipped with an additional section (right or left) or two additional sections (right and left).

Such “rationalization” makes it possible to significantly increase the throughput of the intersection; it is only important that drivers correctly understand the signals of such a traffic light.

And, first of all, it is necessary to understand that movement in the direction of the arrow is only allowed when the additional section is turned on.

For example, traffic to the right is now open.

And only to the right and nowhere else!

Anyone who needs to go in other directions must stand and wait for the main green signal to turn on.

The main green signal is turned on, and note that there are black outline arrows on the main green signal.

This was not the case at a three-section traffic light, but for a traffic light with an additional section, the presence of contour arrows on the main green one is a must-have!

Now movement is allowed only in the directions indicated by the contour arrows.

But now traffic is open in all directions.

Traffic lights designed to regulate traffic in certain directions.

Creative thought does not stand still, and traffic organizers were not satisfied with the fact that they proposed adding additional sections to the traditional traffic light. If necessary, you can provide a classic three-section traffic light with additional functions without equipping it with additional sections.

You approach an intersection and see instead of one traffic light there are three (according to the number of lanes in your direction).

It should be assumed that the effect of each traffic light extends only to the lane above which it hangs. And since the red signal is on everywhere, it means traffic from all lanes is prohibited.

Students. But why do red arrows light up instead of the usual round signal?

Teacher. This is done so that drivers approaching the intersection can change lanes in advance.

And the same arrows will light up on the yellow signal, informing drivers about the directions in which they will be allowed to move from this lane when the green signal turns on.

Now traffic is allowed from all lanes.

BUT!

It is necessary to adhere to the instructions dictated by the arrows on traffic lights.

Traffic light with a flashing yellow signal.

The most dangerous intersections in the driver's path are an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing and an uncontrolled intersection. At these intersections, drivers must independently determine the order of passage, guided by the relevant requirements of the Rules.

Traffic safety can be significantly improved if simple traffic lights with one yellow flashing signal are installed at such intersections. The continuous flashing of the yellow signal informs the driver in advance that he is approaching an unregulated intersection or pedestrian crossing.

There was no traffic light at this intersection. We hung it here using the Photoshop graphic editor.

But if he were actually here, this accident most likely would not have happened.

And these two-way traffic lights with a flashing yellow signal are not at all superfluous at an unregulated pedestrian crossing.

Reversible traffic lights.

Until recently, roads with reversible traffic were almost exotic in our country (although they have always been in the Rules).

And today you can often see such a warning.

And here it is - a section of the road with reverse traffic.

The roadway has appropriate markings (double broken lines with long strokes), and reversible traffic lights hang above the lanes designated for reversible traffic.

Now we have green arrows on at all traffic lights, and while they are on, these three lanes are given over to traffic in our direction.

On this section of the road, only one lane is allocated for reversible traffic. And now at the reverse traffic light we see a red cross. And, therefore, now the reversible lane is given to drivers in the opposite direction.

In our country, right-hand traffic is accepted and, in principle, everyone understands that when clearing the reverse lane, you need to change lanes to the right.

However, the Rules also provide for a three-section reversible traffic light - the yellow arrow, firstly, informs about the upcoming signal change, and, secondly, shows drivers where to change lanes, freeing up the reversible lane.

Now is the time for the driver of the blue jeep to turn on the right turn signals and immediately change lanes to the right. At the next reversible traffic light, a red cross will already be on.

Traffic lights for regulating traffic through railway crossings.

To regulate the movement of traffic through railway crossings, the Rules provide for three types of traffic lights.

This can be either one red light flashing once per second.

Or two alternately flashing red signals.

Or, along with two red signals, a white-lunar signal can also be installed, which, if turned on, also blinks at a frequency of once per second.

Now let's see what the Rules say about this:

Rules. Section 6. Clause 6.9. A round white-lunar flashing signal located at a railroad crossing allows vehicles to move through the crossing. When the flashing white-lunar and red signals are turned off, movement is permitted if there is no train (locomotive, handcar) approaching the crossing within sight.

That is, if one red signal is flashing or two red signals are flashing alternately, movement through the crossing is prohibited.

If the white-lunar signal is flashing, movement through the crossing is permitted.

If nothing is flashing, movement through the crossing is also allowed. BUT! Not just allowed. First, the driver must make sure that there is no approaching train (within visibility!). And if there is one, then movement through the crossing is prohibited.

In conclusion, we note that GOST allows the use of conventional traffic lights at railway crossings.

Four-section traffic light with moon-white signals.

The use of such traffic lights makes it possible to organize conflict-free movement of route vehicles at intersections. We are talking about trams, as well as buses and trolleybuses, if they move along a lane specially allocated for them.

Now at the traffic light all four white-lunar signals are on and, therefore, the tram (bus, trolleybus) can move in all directions.

If the bottom signal and the top left signal are on, the tram (bus, trolleybus) is allowed to move to the left.

If the lower signal and the middle upper signal are on, the tram (bus, trolleybus) is allowed to move straight.

If the bottom signal and the top right signal are on, the tram (bus, trolleybus) is allowed to move to the right.

If the bottom signal is not on, then the tram (bus, trolleybus) is turned on “brick” - entry into the intersection is prohibited.

Now the tram is allowed to go straight or to the left, and we are allowed to go straight or to the right.

Indeed, a conflict-free movement.

Now the tram is allowed to go straight or to the right, and we will stand at the stop line.

And again, no conflict.

But now the tram will be stationary, but we can go in all directions.

And again, no conflict.

At first glance, traffic light signals are all very simple and we have all known them since childhood. Red - stop, yellow - get ready, green - go. This is a very simple rule. In this article we will look at this rule deeper within the framework.

6.1. Traffic lights use green, yellow, red and white-lunar light signals.

Depending on the purpose, traffic light signals can be round, in the form of an arrow(s), a silhouette of a pedestrian or a bicycle, or X-shaped.

Traffic lights with round signals may have one or two additional sections with signals in the form of a green arrow(s), which are located at the level of the green round signal.

We will not consider white-lunar traffic lights, in the form of a silhouette of a pedestrian or a bicycle, and X-shaped ones in this article.

6.2. Round traffic lights have the following meanings:

• A green signal allows movement;
• A green flashing signal allows movement and informs that its time is expiring and a prohibitory signal will soon be turned on (digital displays can be used to inform drivers about the time in seconds remaining until the end of the green signal);
• The yellow signal prohibits movement, except in cases provided for in paragraph 6.14 of the Rules, and warns of an upcoming change of signals;
• A yellow flashing signal allows movement and informs about the presence of an unregulated intersection or pedestrian crossing, warns of danger;
• A red signal, including a flashing one, prohibits movement.

The combination of red and yellow signals prohibits movement and informs about the upcoming activation of the green signal.

This paragraph of the traffic rules describes round traffic lights. The most common traffic light, which is most often found on the roads.

6.3. Traffic light signals, made in the form of red, yellow and green arrows, have the same meaning as round signals of the corresponding color, but their effect extends only to the direction(s) indicated by the arrows. In this case, the arrow allowing a left turn also allows a U-turn, unless this is prohibited by the corresponding road sign.

The green arrow in the additional section has the same meaning. A switched off signal of an additional section means that movement in the direction regulated by this section is prohibited.

The first thing you should pay attention to is that the signals are made in the form of arrows, i.e. the arrow is a signal. The signal is not round. Traffic light signals with a contour arrow do not fit this definition, and clause 6.3 of the traffic rules is not applicable to them.

The second important point is that traffic light signals made in the form of arrows regulate only indicated directions. For example, if the red arrow to the right is on, then movement is prohibited only to the right; moving straight, turning left and turning around are not regulated by this signal.

The same applies to the green arrow signal, but only if the arrow is in the main section of the traffic light. Determining, for example, in the dark, whether this is the main section of a traffic light or an additional one is very simple - if the section is additional, then some signal in the main section of the traffic light must be on; if there are no other signals besides the arrow, then this means that the arrow is in the main sections.

6.4. If a black contour arrow(s) is applied to the main green traffic light signal, it informs drivers about the presence of an additional section of the traffic light and indicates other permitted directions of movement than the additional section signal.

This paragraph describes the purpose of the contour arrow of a traffic light signal. We see that a contour arrow can only be placed in the main section, and only on a green traffic light signal, and unlike a signal in the form of an arrow, a contour arrow allows movement only in the indicated directions. Traffic in other directions is prohibited.

We could finish our material here, if not for one very common situation in practice. We often come across a traffic light with the following signal:

In front of us is a traffic light with an additional section and a round signal. It would seem that according to paragraph 6.3, moving in the direction regulated by this section is prohibited.

But let's figure it out:

• According to clause 6.2, a round green signal allows movement in all directions, clause 6.3 regulates traffic light signals made in the form of arrows, in this case clause 6.3 is not applicable.
• The additional section may not be visible at night, and traffic signals may not have different meanings depending on the time of day.
• The direction regulated by the additional section is unknown to us, we only know that it is “different” from the signal in the main section, and in the main section we have a green signal that allows movement in all directions,
• The additional section may not contain a traffic light signal at all, but can be used, for example, for a timer.

Thus, with a given traffic light signal, according to clause 6.2, movement is allowed in all directions, unless otherwise prohibited by signs or markings.

Let's summarize:

• The round traffic light signal extends to all directions,
• The traffic light signal, made in the form of an arrow in the main section, applies only to the indicated direction and does not regulate traffic in other directions,
• The traffic light signal, made in the form of an arrow in the additional section, applies only to the indicated direction and prohibits movement in other directions,
• A round traffic light signal with a contour arrow on it applies only to the indicated direction and prohibits movement in other directions.

And this is how the TV show “Main Road” on NTV sees the situation.

Dear you without obstacles!

Traffic lights use green, yellow, red and white-lunar light signals.

Depending on the purpose, traffic light signals can be round, round with contours in the form of an arrow (arrows), with the contours of a pedestrian or bicycle silhouette, and X-shaped.

Round traffic lights have the following meanings:

• A green signal allows movement;
• A yellow signal prohibits movement (except when the driver is completing an intersection or pedestrian crossing) and warns of an upcoming change of signals;
• The red signal prohibits movement.
• The combination of red and yellow signals prohibits movement and informs about the upcoming activation of the green signal.
• A green flashing signal allows movement and informs that its time is expiring and the prohibiting signal will soon be turned on. Digital displays can be used to inform drivers and pedestrians how many seconds are left before the traffic lights change.
• A yellow flashing signal allows movement and informs that the traffic light is turned off. In this case, the intersection (pedestrian crossing) is temporarily unregulated.

Other types of traffic lights

Traffic light with
additional sections

Traffic lights with round signals may have one or two additional sections with green arrow signals. These sections are located at the height of the green circular signal.

Traffic lights of red, yellow and green, made in the form of arrows, have the same meaning as round signals, but their effect extends only to the direction that the arrow points.

Movement is only possible in this direction and only when the light is green.

An illuminated green arrow in the additional section of the traffic light allows movement in the direction indicated by this arrow. When the additional section signal is turned off, movement in the direction of the arrow is prohibited.

An arrow allowing a left turn also allows a U-turn, unless this is prohibited by road sign 3.19.

If black contour arrows are placed on the main green traffic light, they inform drivers that the traffic light has an additional section, and indicate only those directions that are allowed when the additional section is turned off.

If there are no contour arrows, it means that this traffic light does not have an additional section, and the main green signal allows traffic in all directions.

For pedestrians
and cyclists

If a traffic light signal is made in the form of a silhouette of a pedestrian (bicycle), then its effect applies only to pedestrians (cyclists).

To inform blind pedestrians about the possibility of crossing the road, the permissive signal of a pedestrian traffic light can be supplemented with an audible signal.

The movement of cyclists can be regulated by a traffic light with reduced round signals of red, yellow and green, complemented by a sign with a picture of a bicycle.

To regulate the movement of vehicles along the roadway lanes, including reversible lanes, traffic lights with a red signal in the form of a cross and a green signal in the form of an arrow pointing downwards are used.

These signals prohibit or allow movement in the lane above which they are located.

Reversible
traffic lights

If there is one reversible lane, the switched off traffic lights located above it mean that entry into this lane is prohibited from both directions.

If there are two reversible lanes, switched off reversible traffic lights mean that vehicles in both directions can move in any lane within their half of the roadway, but cannot enter the lanes intended for oncoming traffic.

To regulate the movement of trams, as well as other route vehicles moving along the lane allocated for them, traffic lights with four white-moon colored signals located in the shape of the letter “T” can be used.

The lights on at such a traffic light can be connected by lines that will show in which directions the route vehicle is allowed to move. The horizontal line of the top three lights is a prohibition signal.

Drivers of other vehicles do not obey the signals of such traffic lights.

Traffic light on
railway crossing

At railway crossings, traffic lights are used with one or two alternately flashing round red signals, the inclusion of which means that the crossing is closed.

When the red lights are off, the driver can move through the crossing, making sure that there is no approaching train.

Such traffic lights can be supplemented with a round white-moon signal located on top. Its blinking when the red lights are off indicates that the traffic light is working and movement through the crossing is allowed.

A prohibitory traffic light signal at a railway crossing can be supplemented by an audible signal, which serves as an additional warning for pedestrians about the danger associated with the approach of a train.

Signals
traffic controller

The traffic controller signals have the following meanings:

1. Hand raised up.
The movement of any vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited in all directions.

2. Arms extended to the sides or lowered.
Movement is allowed on the left and right sides:

• by tram - only straight;
• for trackless vehicles - straight or to the right;
• Pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway.

From the chest and back:

• the movement of all vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited.

3. The right arm is extended forward.
Movement from the left side is allowed:

• by tram - only to the left;
• for trackless vehicles - in all directions;

From the chest side movement is allowed:

• by tram - only to the right;
• for trackless vehicles - only to the right.

No Pedestrians.

From the right side:

• movement of all vehicles is prohibited;
• pedestrians can cross the road behind the traffic controller.

From the back:

• The movement of any vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited.

The traffic controller can give hand gestures and other signals that are understandable to drivers and pedestrians.

A request to stop a vehicle is made using a loudspeaker device or a hand gesture directed at the vehicle. The driver must stop at the place indicated to him.

An additional whistle signal is given to attract the attention of traffic participants.

It is important to know!

Drivers and pedestrians must follow the instructions of the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic lights, road signs or markings. However, in cases where one does not contradict the other, drivers must comply with the requirements of the traffic controller, signs, and road markings.

Procedure for using traffic lights and traffic controller signals

When there is a prohibiting signal from a traffic light or a traffic controller, the driver must stop in front of the stop line or sign 6.16, and in the absence of a stop line and sign:

• at an intersection - in front of the roadway being crossed, without interfering with pedestrians;
• in other places - in front of a traffic light or traffic controller, without interfering with those vehicles and pedestrians whose movement is permitted.

If, when a traffic light suddenly turns yellow after a green one or when the traffic controller raises his hand up, the driver can stop in the indicated places only by applying emergency braking, then he must not stop, but continue driving and clear the intersection of roadways as soon as possible.

Pedestrians who were on the roadway when the prohibiting signal was given must clear it, and if this is not possible, stop on the center line dividing traffic flows in opposite directions and wait for the next permitting signal, which will allow them to complete the crossing of the road.

It is important to know!

If the meanings of traffic light signals contradict the requirements of priority road signs, then drivers must be guided only by the traffic light signals. However, road signs from other groups (prohibiting, prescriptive, etc.) operate in conjunction with a traffic light, and in this case, the driver, moving towards a permitting signal, must comply with the requirements of such signs.

Traffic light

Traffic light

In connection with the history of the traffic light, the name of the American inventor Garrett Morgan is often mentioned. Garrett Morgan), who patented a traffic light of an original design in 1922. However, he went down in history for the fact that for the first time in the world, in addition to the technical design, a patent indicated a purpose: “The purpose of the product is to make the order of passage through an intersection independent of the person of the car owner.”

Types of traffic lights

Street and road traffic lights

Car traffic lights

The most common are traffic lights with signals (usually round) of three colors: red, yellow (lit for 0.5-1 seconds) and green. In some countries, including Russia, orange is used instead of yellow. Signals can be positioned either vertically (with the red signal always located on top and the green signal on the bottom) or horizontally (with the red signal always located on the left and the green signal on the right). In the absence of other, special traffic lights, they regulate the movement of all types of vehicles and pedestrians (but at the intersection there may be no traffic lights for the latter). Sometimes traffic light signals are supplemented with a special countdown board, which shows how long the signal will remain on. Most often, a countdown board is made for a green traffic light, but in some cases the board also displays the remaining time of the red light.

Basic traffic light signals are widespread everywhere:

• a red traffic light prohibits driving beyond the stop line (if there is no traffic light) or the vehicle in front into the area protected by the traffic light,
• yellow allows driving beyond the stop line, but requires a reduction in speed when entering an area protected by a traffic light, being prepared for the traffic light to switch to red,
• green - allows movement at a speed not exceeding the maximum level for a given highway.

It is common, but not universal, to use a combination of red and yellow signals to indicate the upcoming turn on of the green signal. Sometimes the green signal comes on immediately after the red signal without an intermediate yellow signal, but not vice versa. Details of the use of signals vary depending on the rules of the road adopted in a particular country.

• Some traffic lights have one lunar white or several lunar white lights for a special vehicle lane that allows route traffic of vehicles. The moon-white signal is placed, as a rule, at non-standard intersections, on roads with a second double solid road, or in cases where one lane changes places with another (for example, when a tram line running in the center of a highway moves to the side of the road).

There are traffic lights of two sections - red and green. Such traffic lights are usually installed at points where cars are allowed to pass on an individual basis, for example, at border crossings, when entering or leaving a parking lot, protected area, etc.

Flashing signals may also appear, the meaning of which may vary depending on local regulations. In Russia and many European countries, a flashing green signal means an upcoming switch to yellow. Cars approaching a traffic light with a flashing green signal can take timely braking measures to avoid entering an intersection guarded by the traffic light or crossing into a prohibitory signal. In some provinces of Canada (Atlantic Coast, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta), a flashing green traffic light indicates permission to turn left and go straight (oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light). In British Columbia, a flashing green light at an intersection means that there are no traffic lights on the road being crossed, only stop signs (but the green flashing light is also on for oncoming traffic). A flashing yellow signal requires you to reduce speed to pass through an intersection or pedestrian crossing as unregulated (for example, at night, when regulation is not required due to low traffic volume). Sometimes special traffic lights are used for these purposes, consisting of one flashing or alternately flashing two yellow sections. A flashing red signal may indicate an upcoming switch to green if there is no red + yellow combination at this traffic light.

The cost of one traffic light facility, depending on its technical equipment and the complexity of the road section, ranges from 800 thousand rubles to 2.5 million rubles.

Arrows and arrow sections

Traffic light with side section

“Always burning” green section (Kyiv, 2008)

Traffic lights may have additional sections in the form of arrows or arrow outlines that regulate traffic in one direction or another. The rules (in Ukraine, but not in all countries of the former USSR) are as follows:

In the traffic rules of the Russian Federation in paragraph 6.3, contour arrows and a colored arrow on a black background are equivalent and do not provide an advantage when passing when the red signal is on in the main section.

Most often, the additional section “to the right” either lights up constantly, or lights up a few seconds before the main green signal turns on, or continues to light up for a few seconds after the main green signal turns off.

The extra "left" section in most cases means a dedicated left turn, since this maneuver creates more traffic disruption than a right turn.

In some countries, for example in Ukraine, at traffic lights there are “always on” green sections, made in the form of a sign with a green arrow on a white background. The sign is located at the level of the red signal and points to the right (an arrow to the left is also provided, but can only be installed at an intersection of one-way roads). The green arrow on the sign indicates that a right (left) turn is allowed when the signal in the main section is red. When turning along such an arrow, the driver is obliged to: take the extreme right (left) lane and give way to pedestrians and vehicles moving from other directions.

Traffic light with flashing red signal

A red flashing signal (as a rule, on traffic lights with one red section flashing or two red sections flashing alternately) is used to fence intersections with tram lines when a tram is approaching, bridges during routing, road sections near airport runways when planes take off and land at a dangerous altitude . These traffic lights are similar to those used at railway crossings (see below).

Traffic lights installed at railway crossings

It consists of two horizontally located red lanterns and, at some crossings, one lunar-white lantern. The white lantern is located between the red ones, below or above the line connecting them. The meaning of the signals is as follows:

• two alternately flashing red lights - traffic through the crossing is prohibited; this signal is usually accompanied by an audible alarm (bell);
• A flashing white light means that the crossing's technical system is in good working order. Because it is not illuminated when the crossing is closed or closed, the white-moon lantern is often incorrectly considered a permissive signal.

Sometimes, instead of a lunar-white lantern, a green non-blinking lantern is installed, which, unlike the lunar-white one, is a permissive signal. Often there is no moon-white light, the traffic light consists of only two red lights.

Reversible traffic light

Reversible traffic light

To regulate traffic along the lanes of the roadway (especially where reversible traffic is possible), special lane control traffic lights (reversible) are used. In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, such traffic lights may have two or three signals:

• red X-shaped signal prohibits movement in the lane;
• a green arrow pointing down allows movement;
• an additional signal in the form of a diagonal yellow arrow informs about a change in the operating mode of the lane and indicates the direction in which it must be left.

Traffic lights for route vehicles

A T-shaped traffic light in Moscow shows the signal “traffic is prohibited”

To regulate the movement of route vehicles (trams, buses, trolleybuses), or the route movement of all vehicles, special traffic lights are used, the type of which differs from country to country.

Meaning of signals (from left to right)

• Driving straight ahead is allowed
• Driving to the left is allowed
• Driving to the right is allowed
• Movement in all directions is allowed (similar to the green signal of a car traffic light)
• Driving is prohibited unless emergency braking is required to stop (similar to a yellow traffic light)
• Traffic is prohibited (similar to a red traffic light)

Because of its specific appearance, the Dutch traffic light received the nickname negenoog, that is, “nine eyes”.

Traffic light for pedestrians

Traffic light for bicycles in Vienna

Such traffic lights regulate the movement of pedestrians through a pedestrian crossing. As a rule, it has two types of signals: permissive and prohibitive. Typically, green and red light are used for this purpose, respectively. The signals themselves have different shapes. Most often, signals are used in the form of a silhouette of a person: red - standing, green - walking. In the United States, the red signal is often performed in the form of a silhouette of a raised palm (the “stop” gesture). Sometimes the inscriptions “don’t walk” and “walk” are used (in English “Don’t Walk” and “Walk”, in other languages ​​- similarly). In the Norwegian capital, two standing figures painted red are used to prohibit pedestrian traffic. This is done so that the visually impaired or people suffering from color blindness can understand whether they can walk or need to stand. On busy highways, as a rule, automatically switching traffic lights are installed. But an option is often used when the traffic light switches after pressing a special button and allows the transition for a certain time after that.

Modern traffic lights for pedestrians are additionally equipped with sound signals intended for blind pedestrians, and sometimes with a countdown display (first appeared in France in 1998).

• red - the path is busy, travel is prohibited;
• yellow - travel is permitted with a speed limit (40 km/h) and until the next section of the stretch;
• green - 2 or more areas are free, travel is allowed;
• lunar white - an invitation signal (placed at railway stations, marshalling and freight stations).

Also, traffic lights or additional light signs can inform the driver about the route or otherwise specify the indication. If two yellow lights are on at the entrance traffic light, this means that the train will deviate along the arrows, the next signal is closed, and if there are two yellow lights and the top one is flashing, the next signal is open.

There is a separate type of two-color railway traffic lights - shunting ones, which give the following signals:

Sometimes a railway traffic light is mistakenly called a semaphore.

River traffic lights

River traffic lights are designed to regulate the movement of river vessels. Mainly used to regulate the passage of ships through locks. Such traffic lights have signals of two colors - red and green.

Distinguish distant And neighbors river traffic lights. Distant traffic lights allow or prohibit ships from approaching the lock. Nearby traffic lights are installed directly in front of and inside the lock chamber on the right side in the direction of the vessel. They regulate the entry of ships into and out of the lock chamber.

It should be noted that a non-working river traffic light (none of the signals is lit) prohibits the movement of vessels.

There are also river traffic lights in the form of a single yellow-orange lantern, built into the “No anchoring” sign to indicate this sign at night. They have three lenses of the specified color, directed downstream, against the current and perpendicular.

Traffic lights in motorsport

In motorsports, traffic lights may be installed at marshal's stations, at the pit lane exit and at the starting line.

The starting traffic light is suspended above the track so that it is clearly visible to everyone standing at the start. Arrangement of lights: “red - green” or “yellow - green - red”. The traffic lights are duplicated on the opposite side (so that all fans and judges can see the start procedure). Often at a racing traffic light there is not one red light, but several (in case the lamp burns out).

The starting traffic lights are as follows:

• Red: Prepare to start!
• Red goes out: Start! (start from a place)
• Green: Start! (running start, qualifying, warm-up lap)
• Flashing yellow: Stop engines!

The signals for a standing start and a rolling start are different for this reason. The fading red does not allow you to start reflexively - this reduces the likelihood that someone will move off at the “alarming” yellow light. During a rolling start, this problem does not arise, but it is important for the drivers to know whether the start has been given (if the judge considers the starting formation to be inappropriate, the cars are sent to a second formation lap). In this case, the green start signal is more informative.

In some racing series there are other signals.

Marshal traffic lights are found mainly on oval tracks and give the same commands that marshals give with flags (red - stop the race, yellow - dangerous section, etc.)

Traffic light object control unit

In the language of road services traffic light object are called several traffic lights that are controlled by a common electronic unit and act as a single unit.

The simplest way to control a traffic light is electromechanical, using a cam mechanism. More advanced electromechanical controllers had several operating programs (several cam packages) - for different intersection loads. Modern traffic lights use microprocessor circuits.

In large cities suffering from traffic jams, traffic light objects are connected to a unified traffic control system (usually via a GSM modem). This allows you to quickly change traffic light operating programs (including temporarily, for several hours or days) and synchronize traffic light objects with each other with an accuracy of seconds. All programs are drawn up and approved by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.

For the passage of pedestrians through a busy highway, as well as at unequal intersections, call controllers are used, giving a green signal when a car is approaching from a secondary direction (for this purpose, an inductive sensor is located under the asphalt), or when the pedestrian presses a button.

Railway traffic lights are connected to the executive part of the signaling, centralization and blocking system.

Additional Interfaces

Traffic light with sound for blind pedestrians

Traffic light with countdown

In some countries, traffic lights are additionally equipped with a TOV (time display), showing how many seconds are left before the traffic light status changes. In Russia, such traffic lights are relatively rare; they are most often found in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities.

One way to improve the efficiency of a traffic light is to adapt it for use by blind people. In conditions where increased attention is needed, such additions are also useful for ordinary people.

This is the sound that is triggered when the colors change: a slow tick (“wait”) or a fast tick (“go”).

In Germany and the Netherlands, the area in front of a pedestrian crossing is lined with ribbed tiles and soft rubber plates, when stepped on, the foot sags a little and the person involuntarily stops.

Traffic lights in other areas of human activity

Notes

Links

• Green wave - coordinated switching of traffic lights.
• Traffic lights and traffic signals established by the Traffic Rules
• GOST R 52282-2004: Technical means of organizing road traffic. Road traffic lights. Types and basic parameters. General technical requirements. Test methods