Caution Optional

At first glance the link below is to a story that would appear decidedly non-signal related, but perhaps there’s more to it than you think…
http://www.designondeadline.com/digitalnewsstand/index.html

One of the reasons I enjoy collecting automobilia (traffic signals, road signs, toll booth collectors’ severed limbs, etc..) is the incongruity of seeing otherwise ubiquitous items, in an unfamiliar setting. […]

So assuming you escaped the clutches of these robots, and decided to pull over and park to catch your breath and perhaps come up with some new strategy to evade this new flood of automatons, you’d best make sure the meter is fed. Cause these are some next-generation hybrids. That’s right, we’re talking […]

Thanks to Vaughn for schooling me on the proper definition of traffic signal phases, I’ve found it necessary to change the name of the blog from “It’s just a phase:Caution Optional” to just plain old “Caution Optional”. Fortunately, WordPress (the blog software) is pretty durn kewl and made the change EXTREMELY easy. So, […]

Here’s a brief collection of my favorite traffic robots (after this one of course):
Robot safety signaling device
“It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are complying with all current traffic regulations!”

I like to imagine this robot […]

I just came across a very comprehensive site on not only Crouse Hinds signals and controllers, but also on the history of the company and its founders. It’s Josh’s http://www.crouse-hindstrafficsignals.com/. Definitely give it a look if you’ve got a chance.

Kenneth Hahn and unidentified man demonstrating “talking” cross-walk traffic signal in Los Angeles, Calif., 1965

In an effort to encourage pedestrians to notice and adhere to the new pedestrian signals installed in Bakersfield, Calif., 1958, pedestrians who attempted to cross against the lights were sprayed in the eyes with a vinegar and water solution. This […]