City of New York Electro-Mechanical Signal Controller
I recently obtained this signal controller from General Traffic Equipment's shop
in Newburgh, New York. This was manufactured by Marbelite, and it is
the company's model M-30. Was most likely removed from service in January of this year. Works well.
Controls two phases and a special pedestrian sequence that is commonly known as the "Barnes dance."
New York City had used electro-mechanical signal controllers for quite a long time. It was not until 2005 or so that the city officially declared to convert from electro-mechanical signal controllers to modern computerized signal controllers. There are roughly 12,000 signalized intersections in the city of New York. Half of them have been already converted, while the remaining half are still controlled by electro-mechanical signal controllers. Eventually, they will be extinct there. Kind of sad to me, because I grew up around them.
The "Barnes dance" is a special pedestrian movement at a signalized intersection. Was first used in the United States and Canada in the late 1940s. Although Henry Barnes himself didn't create it, he was in favor of it in major cities across the United States. He is known for introducing the special pedestrian movement in the cities of Denver, Baltimore, and New York City. The "Barnes dance" is benefical to the safety of pedestrians (when they cross a busy street).
Consider a two-phase signalized intersection as an example. Basically, all traffic signal indications for both phases are red, while pedestrians have the right-of-way.
The first word of the name is, of course, derived from Henry's last name. The next word is derived from the reactions of some pedestrians. When pedestrians were first introduced to this special movement, some were rather joyful. So joyful that some actually danced in the middle of a street.
Some drivers just don't give pedestrians a break when they want to cross a busy street. So, it is no surprise that some pedestrians were happy.
Yes, that's correct. Pedestrians could also cross a street diagonally. This special pedestrian movement is common to see in other countries of the world, such as Germany and Japan.
In the United States, traffic engineers are not exactly in favor of the "Barnes dance," mainly because it tends to create congestion at major signalized intersections. So, it is not too common to find in major cities.
Barnes Dance is still used on many modern controllers. Its called the exclusive pedestrian phase. When its used its actuated so that its only active when needed...
IMO, ped signals are useless unless ALL traffic is stopped becuase even if you have the "WALK", cars can take right turns on red so can still be roadkill.
Well in downtown here most intersections with enough pedestrians for a scramble crossing already have stuff like turn restrictions on them. And interestingly our scramble intersections aren't actuated, instead they are pre timed or at least during the day.
Yep but there's always the chance the driver doesn't see the pedestrian especially since the driver is on the left side of the vehicle and is making a right-hand turn (on a green light too).
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We also have some "Barnes Dance" crossings too, they were installed around 4 years ago.
Consider a two-phase signalized intersection as an example. Basically, all traffic signal indications for both phases are red, while pedestrians have the right-of-way.
The first word of the name is, of course, derived from Henry's last name. The next word is derived from the reactions of some pedestrians. When pedestrians were first introduced to this special movement, some were rather joyful. So joyful that some actually danced in the middle of a street.
Some drivers just don't give pedestrians a break when they want to cross a busy street. So, it is no surprise that some pedestrians were happy.
In the United States, traffic engineers are not exactly in favor of the "Barnes dance," mainly because it tends to create congestion at major signalized intersections. So, it is not too common to find in major cities.