TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1939, Page 8

TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln reply to "Still Blocked's" letter in tonight's issue, I still maintain that the "vehicle actuated" type of traffic signal fully and uniquely meets all traffic requirements. Apparently "Blocked" is not at all-conversant with this type of signal or its capabilities. "Blocked" appears perturbed regarding the possibility of accidents when traffic is permitted to turn to the right, but in actual practice serious difficulties do not appear to arise and, in any case, the position with signals is no worse than without them; right turn-, ing traffic having to give way to oncoming traffic, and in no, circumstances is a driver taking this right-hand turn justified in running down a pedestrian, as he must give way to pedestrians on. recognised crossings. A number of methods of dealing with j night-hand turning traffic have been j ! devised for cases where this inconvenient movement occurs with great frequency, one such method being that at the Post Office Square, Welling|ton, whereby traffic travelling north along Jervois Quay and wishing to make a right-hand turn to the wharf actuates a detector in the roadway, thereby transmitting an impulse to the controller, which in turn either extends or allots a green signal for right of way. Green arrows indicating righthand turns could also be installed where the necessity arose. It might interest "Blocked" to learn that any one of these controllers (V.AJ type could be wired to give nothing but right-hand turns if required but in New Zealand the regulation distantly states that on a green signal ahead traffic may proceed straight through, turn left, or right, but, as "Blocked must surely know, traffic can only filter through an oncoming stream when an opportunity offers, whether there are any signals there *r not; and, even if controlled by a traffic officei they will invariably have -to filter through a pedestrian procession to | whom I'll state once more they must give way.—l am, etc., "TIME STILL MARCHES ON." Other letters are published on page 16.