W. K. Lis
Superstar
Red means stop, green means go (except EXIT signs, but don't get me started), that much I do know.
I always wondered about the streetcar signals on the right-of-ways and what it meant. Since I was never given instruction (must have missed the public information message), because of my age, I decided to look it up. I maybe wrong, if so please post a correction.
I think Toronto was trying to copy European tram signals for its streetcar and light rail signals. However, they are just using one transit signal, period. The online driver's handbook only has one transit signal listed.
From the Ontario Driver's Handbook:
Apparently, the Europeans went further than just the white vertical bar.
From Wikipedia:
Now, if only we could get real transit priority signals. Ones where the streetcars and light rail vehicles actually move first before the left turners.
I always wondered about the streetcar signals on the right-of-ways and what it meant. Since I was never given instruction (must have missed the public information message), because of my age, I decided to look it up. I maybe wrong, if so please post a correction.
I think Toronto was trying to copy European tram signals for its streetcar and light rail signals. However, they are just using one transit signal, period. The online driver's handbook only has one transit signal listed.
From the Ontario Driver's Handbook:
Transit priority signals
Traffic and pedestrians must yield to public transit vehicles at a transit priority signal. The round signal is on top of a regular traffic signal and shows a white vertical bar on a dark background. This allows transit vehicles to go through, turn right or left, while all conflicting traffic faces a red light.
Apparently, the Europeans went further than just the white vertical bar.
From Wikipedia:
The Netherlands use a distinctive "negenoog" (nine-eyed) design shown on the top row of the diagram; bottom row signals are used in Belgium and France. The signals mean (from left to right):
"go straight ahead", "go left", "go right", "go in any direction" (like the "green" of a normal traffic light), "stop, unless the emergency brake is needed" (equal to "yellow"), and "stop" (equal to "red").
Now, if only we could get real transit priority signals. Ones where the streetcars and light rail vehicles actually move first before the left turners.