3M Dynamic Pedestrian Signal

As requested, here is a picture of 3M's Dynamic Ped. This version differed from the standard (2-section) pedestrian version in several ways. It used a motorized colored lens assembly inside near the back of the signal with an orange and clear plastic lens. It was just in front of the typical 3M diffuser lens. The motor was housed in a case on the side of the signal body.

The front lens was orange for the DONT and clear for the WALK, with the motorized lens adjusting the color of the WALK indication.

According to the advertisements for these they were made in the late 70s and were an alternative to a flashing dont walk indication that was causing some confusion (remember...before countdowns). The back lenses were programmed so that the motor adjusted the inside lens according to the crosswalk length and design.

That way when the signal would have normally went into a flashing dont walk state it would mask out show a regular white WALK to anyone still in the road, and a regular solid orange DONT WALK at the curb.

It was a very cool concept, however the motorized lenses were plastic and due to the nature of the design, the 75W sealed lamp was continuously lit. This specimen in the picture had a severely damaged inner lens.

This signal was one of many 3M traffic designs that were discontinued early on because of cost and excessive maintenance issues which ultimately doomed the whole product line.