Why are some pedestrian traffic lights covered in shades in London?

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP





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up vote
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I recently visited London and noticed some pedestrian traffic lights are covered weirdly so they're only visible from some angles.



traffic lights in trafalgar square



Looking it up in a search here didn't bring up any results.



Does anyone know why they're going through the trouble to do this?










share|improve this question

















  • 1




    Looking at this photo made me thinking of "grills", and after searching for "traffic light grill cover", I got more keywords like "louvred covers/blinds" and "slatted covers". Hopefully that could be useful for those who are interested in searching further...
    – Andrew T.
    Sep 17 at 3:07







  • 21




    Your question already contains the answer: it's so that they're only visible from some angles. The point being that the light controls one particular stream of people and they don't want other streams thinking "That light means me" when it doesn't.
    – David Richerby
    Sep 17 at 11:11






  • 5




    @seadoggie01 It's the UK. There is no sun.
    – Mast
    Sep 19 at 7:41






  • 5




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because traffic light technology is totally unrelated to Travel. (The light-louvres mentioned are a commonplace on all traffic lights everywhere.)
    – Fattie
    Sep 20 at 6:13






  • 1




    They may be common in some parts of the world, they are surely not common all over the world and I feel this Q was closed without good reason.
    – Willeke♦
    Sep 23 at 10:20
















up vote
58
down vote

favorite
4












I recently visited London and noticed some pedestrian traffic lights are covered weirdly so they're only visible from some angles.



traffic lights in trafalgar square



Looking it up in a search here didn't bring up any results.



Does anyone know why they're going through the trouble to do this?










share|improve this question

















  • 1




    Looking at this photo made me thinking of "grills", and after searching for "traffic light grill cover", I got more keywords like "louvred covers/blinds" and "slatted covers". Hopefully that could be useful for those who are interested in searching further...
    – Andrew T.
    Sep 17 at 3:07







  • 21




    Your question already contains the answer: it's so that they're only visible from some angles. The point being that the light controls one particular stream of people and they don't want other streams thinking "That light means me" when it doesn't.
    – David Richerby
    Sep 17 at 11:11






  • 5




    @seadoggie01 It's the UK. There is no sun.
    – Mast
    Sep 19 at 7:41






  • 5




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because traffic light technology is totally unrelated to Travel. (The light-louvres mentioned are a commonplace on all traffic lights everywhere.)
    – Fattie
    Sep 20 at 6:13






  • 1




    They may be common in some parts of the world, they are surely not common all over the world and I feel this Q was closed without good reason.
    – Willeke♦
    Sep 23 at 10:20












up vote
58
down vote

favorite
4









up vote
58
down vote

favorite
4






4





I recently visited London and noticed some pedestrian traffic lights are covered weirdly so they're only visible from some angles.



traffic lights in trafalgar square



Looking it up in a search here didn't bring up any results.



Does anyone know why they're going through the trouble to do this?










share|improve this question













I recently visited London and noticed some pedestrian traffic lights are covered weirdly so they're only visible from some angles.



traffic lights in trafalgar square



Looking it up in a search here didn't bring up any results.



Does anyone know why they're going through the trouble to do this?







uk london






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Sep 16 at 19:18









Benjamin Gruenbaum

1,1321818




1,1321818







  • 1




    Looking at this photo made me thinking of "grills", and after searching for "traffic light grill cover", I got more keywords like "louvred covers/blinds" and "slatted covers". Hopefully that could be useful for those who are interested in searching further...
    – Andrew T.
    Sep 17 at 3:07







  • 21




    Your question already contains the answer: it's so that they're only visible from some angles. The point being that the light controls one particular stream of people and they don't want other streams thinking "That light means me" when it doesn't.
    – David Richerby
    Sep 17 at 11:11






  • 5




    @seadoggie01 It's the UK. There is no sun.
    – Mast
    Sep 19 at 7:41






  • 5




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because traffic light technology is totally unrelated to Travel. (The light-louvres mentioned are a commonplace on all traffic lights everywhere.)
    – Fattie
    Sep 20 at 6:13






  • 1




    They may be common in some parts of the world, they are surely not common all over the world and I feel this Q was closed without good reason.
    – Willeke♦
    Sep 23 at 10:20












  • 1




    Looking at this photo made me thinking of "grills", and after searching for "traffic light grill cover", I got more keywords like "louvred covers/blinds" and "slatted covers". Hopefully that could be useful for those who are interested in searching further...
    – Andrew T.
    Sep 17 at 3:07







  • 21




    Your question already contains the answer: it's so that they're only visible from some angles. The point being that the light controls one particular stream of people and they don't want other streams thinking "That light means me" when it doesn't.
    – David Richerby
    Sep 17 at 11:11






  • 5




    @seadoggie01 It's the UK. There is no sun.
    – Mast
    Sep 19 at 7:41






  • 5




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because traffic light technology is totally unrelated to Travel. (The light-louvres mentioned are a commonplace on all traffic lights everywhere.)
    – Fattie
    Sep 20 at 6:13






  • 1




    They may be common in some parts of the world, they are surely not common all over the world and I feel this Q was closed without good reason.
    – Willeke♦
    Sep 23 at 10:20







1




1




Looking at this photo made me thinking of "grills", and after searching for "traffic light grill cover", I got more keywords like "louvred covers/blinds" and "slatted covers". Hopefully that could be useful for those who are interested in searching further...
– Andrew T.
Sep 17 at 3:07





Looking at this photo made me thinking of "grills", and after searching for "traffic light grill cover", I got more keywords like "louvred covers/blinds" and "slatted covers". Hopefully that could be useful for those who are interested in searching further...
– Andrew T.
Sep 17 at 3:07





21




21




Your question already contains the answer: it's so that they're only visible from some angles. The point being that the light controls one particular stream of people and they don't want other streams thinking "That light means me" when it doesn't.
– David Richerby
Sep 17 at 11:11




Your question already contains the answer: it's so that they're only visible from some angles. The point being that the light controls one particular stream of people and they don't want other streams thinking "That light means me" when it doesn't.
– David Richerby
Sep 17 at 11:11




5




5




@seadoggie01 It's the UK. There is no sun.
– Mast
Sep 19 at 7:41




@seadoggie01 It's the UK. There is no sun.
– Mast
Sep 19 at 7:41




5




5




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because traffic light technology is totally unrelated to Travel. (The light-louvres mentioned are a commonplace on all traffic lights everywhere.)
– Fattie
Sep 20 at 6:13




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because traffic light technology is totally unrelated to Travel. (The light-louvres mentioned are a commonplace on all traffic lights everywhere.)
– Fattie
Sep 20 at 6:13




1




1




They may be common in some parts of the world, they are surely not common all over the world and I feel this Q was closed without good reason.
– Willeke♦
Sep 23 at 10:20




They may be common in some parts of the world, they are surely not common all over the world and I feel this Q was closed without good reason.
– Willeke♦
Sep 23 at 10:20










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
22
down vote



accepted










We use these in the USA and that is the only place I have noticed them.



There are at least 2 general "shade" types, "visors" and "louvers".



  1. Visors: Horizontal "shades" like the ones you posted are most likely
    to block the sun overpowering the light as this intersection
    probably faces roughly East/West. They also come in a few other shapes/forms.


    The addition of a visor to a traffic-signal head that is in direct sunlight can improve visibility of the signal by providing
    additional contrast between the lens and the signal head. There are different types of visors including complete circle (or tunnel), partial (or cutaway) and angle visors. -Source




  2. Louvers: Louvers take many shapes but the most obvious is a vertical sort of
    "shade" like so. A Louver's purpose is to restrict the viewing angle of the signal. louvers

    The purpose of a louver is to block the view of the signal from another approach. They are similar to angle visors but are better in
    limiting signal visibility to a narrow cone to the front of the
    signal. - Source




It is also worth mentioning that some visor designs work well for the same purpose as Louvers, however Louvers don't generally do a very good job as Visors.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    I'm accepting this answer because it contains trustworthy sources I can verify. I appreciate both other answers for their help.
    – Benjamin Gruenbaum
    Sep 18 at 17:20






  • 1




    Note that in the UK these would be called "Louvres" :)
    – AakashM
    Sep 19 at 8:29










  • I like that better @AakashM.
    – Lucky Kleinschmidt
    Sep 19 at 15:02


















up vote
68
down vote













You are most likely to find the green light with shades on the far side of a pedestrian crossing with a safety island (i.e. a two-part crossings, most often offset to each other), as illustrated below (the o are the traffic lights):



 Kerb
_____o------____ <- Shaded light
. . >>> Traffic goes this way
. .
_____|=====o____ The safety island
o=====|
. . <<< Traffic goes this way
. .
___------o______ <- Shaded light
Kerb


Due to road layout and light configurations, sometimes it is only safe to cross half of the road (up to the safety island). The shades ensure that you do not mistake the green light on the island as the signal to cross the entire road - you can only be sure that it is a green light (but not a broken light, which the general highway code on crossing a uncontrolled crossing kicks in) once you are on the island.



Similar shades are installed on traffic lights for vehicles to reduce the risk of drivers running into an intersection thinking it is a green, when the light meant for the driver is showing red.



I do not have a written source to back up what I said above, though I was told this by my driving instructor when I learnt to drive in London a few years ago.






share|improve this answer


















  • 10




    I believe that if the pedestrian light does not cover crossing teh whole road that the two crossings must be offset from each other. ie if the two crossings are aligned as in your ascii diagram that there shouldn't be separate lights covering each half. I do agree with the general comment that they are to prevent the wrong people from seeing them though.
    – Chris
    Sep 16 at 21:40










  • @Chris A request for clarification - when you say 'offset' do you include cases where the two crossings are at a very slight angle to each other?
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 6:19







  • 3




    Rule 28 in highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html explicitly says that if the crossings are not in line they are separate crossings. It does not say anywhere that inline crossings can be two separate crossings for light controlled and the fact that rule 28 exists implicitly suggests that inline crossings are a single crossing. That is also all the information I have on the technical rules for what makes a crossing offset.
    – Chris
    Sep 17 at 8:27






  • 1




    @Chris See the pedestrian crossing at Pancras Road near Euston Road for a inline pair of crossings, and the junction between City Rd and East Rd for a slightly angled pair of crossings.
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 8:44







  • 1




    AFAIK the distinction between single and two-part crossings is not the geometry, but where there is a "refuge" (technical term) for pedestrians to wait between the two parts, which is inaccessible to vehicles - i.e. at a minimum it has "vehicles must pass on one side only" bollards at each end, and usually has a raised curb, guard railings, etc, as well. Any lights in the center of the road need to be protected from vehicles, which means that "central lights" and "a central refuge" go together in practice.
    – alephzero
    Sep 17 at 20:13


















up vote
61
down vote













These type of shades are not restricted to pedestrian traffic lights. They are widely used in the UK when there are many lights controlling different streams of traffic around a junction.



Their purpose is to ensure that drivers (and pedestrians) can only see the lights that are relevant to them and avoid problems like traffic starting to move when another lane of traffic gets a green light.



The shutters are not always "horizontal" as in the OP's photograph. They may be "vertical," to prevent you seeing a light positioned to the side of the light that is relevant for you.






share|improve this answer


















  • 4




    They're also known as snoots, as in, they're snooted. In photography we use snoots to control light from flash guns. As in your answer, it's to stop lanes of traffic for which the signal does not apply from seeing and reacting to the light.
    – i-CONICA
    Sep 17 at 12:37






  • 2




    The question only asks about the UK but these also exist in parts of the USA and I'm sure other areas of the world, all for the same purpose.
    – Steve V.
    Sep 17 at 17:33







  • 2




    @SteveV. In the US (at least Seattle) I see traffic lights (but not pedestrian lights) with clear lenses on them instead of shutters/blinds and the lenses focus light so it's only visible in certain lanes and at certain distances from the light.
    – Dai
    Sep 17 at 20:53










  • I believe this is the best and most concise answer. Very well explained and straight to the point.
    – TheBlackBenzKid
    Sep 18 at 9:16










  • This does not make sense at all for horizontal shutters like the one in the question.
    – mastov
    Sep 19 at 14:04










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3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes








3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
22
down vote



accepted










We use these in the USA and that is the only place I have noticed them.



There are at least 2 general "shade" types, "visors" and "louvers".



  1. Visors: Horizontal "shades" like the ones you posted are most likely
    to block the sun overpowering the light as this intersection
    probably faces roughly East/West. They also come in a few other shapes/forms.


    The addition of a visor to a traffic-signal head that is in direct sunlight can improve visibility of the signal by providing
    additional contrast between the lens and the signal head. There are different types of visors including complete circle (or tunnel), partial (or cutaway) and angle visors. -Source




  2. Louvers: Louvers take many shapes but the most obvious is a vertical sort of
    "shade" like so. A Louver's purpose is to restrict the viewing angle of the signal. louvers

    The purpose of a louver is to block the view of the signal from another approach. They are similar to angle visors but are better in
    limiting signal visibility to a narrow cone to the front of the
    signal. - Source




It is also worth mentioning that some visor designs work well for the same purpose as Louvers, however Louvers don't generally do a very good job as Visors.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    I'm accepting this answer because it contains trustworthy sources I can verify. I appreciate both other answers for their help.
    – Benjamin Gruenbaum
    Sep 18 at 17:20






  • 1




    Note that in the UK these would be called "Louvres" :)
    – AakashM
    Sep 19 at 8:29










  • I like that better @AakashM.
    – Lucky Kleinschmidt
    Sep 19 at 15:02















up vote
22
down vote



accepted










We use these in the USA and that is the only place I have noticed them.



There are at least 2 general "shade" types, "visors" and "louvers".



  1. Visors: Horizontal "shades" like the ones you posted are most likely
    to block the sun overpowering the light as this intersection
    probably faces roughly East/West. They also come in a few other shapes/forms.


    The addition of a visor to a traffic-signal head that is in direct sunlight can improve visibility of the signal by providing
    additional contrast between the lens and the signal head. There are different types of visors including complete circle (or tunnel), partial (or cutaway) and angle visors. -Source




  2. Louvers: Louvers take many shapes but the most obvious is a vertical sort of
    "shade" like so. A Louver's purpose is to restrict the viewing angle of the signal. louvers

    The purpose of a louver is to block the view of the signal from another approach. They are similar to angle visors but are better in
    limiting signal visibility to a narrow cone to the front of the
    signal. - Source




It is also worth mentioning that some visor designs work well for the same purpose as Louvers, however Louvers don't generally do a very good job as Visors.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    I'm accepting this answer because it contains trustworthy sources I can verify. I appreciate both other answers for their help.
    – Benjamin Gruenbaum
    Sep 18 at 17:20






  • 1




    Note that in the UK these would be called "Louvres" :)
    – AakashM
    Sep 19 at 8:29










  • I like that better @AakashM.
    – Lucky Kleinschmidt
    Sep 19 at 15:02













up vote
22
down vote



accepted







up vote
22
down vote



accepted






We use these in the USA and that is the only place I have noticed them.



There are at least 2 general "shade" types, "visors" and "louvers".



  1. Visors: Horizontal "shades" like the ones you posted are most likely
    to block the sun overpowering the light as this intersection
    probably faces roughly East/West. They also come in a few other shapes/forms.


    The addition of a visor to a traffic-signal head that is in direct sunlight can improve visibility of the signal by providing
    additional contrast between the lens and the signal head. There are different types of visors including complete circle (or tunnel), partial (or cutaway) and angle visors. -Source




  2. Louvers: Louvers take many shapes but the most obvious is a vertical sort of
    "shade" like so. A Louver's purpose is to restrict the viewing angle of the signal. louvers

    The purpose of a louver is to block the view of the signal from another approach. They are similar to angle visors but are better in
    limiting signal visibility to a narrow cone to the front of the
    signal. - Source




It is also worth mentioning that some visor designs work well for the same purpose as Louvers, however Louvers don't generally do a very good job as Visors.






share|improve this answer












We use these in the USA and that is the only place I have noticed them.



There are at least 2 general "shade" types, "visors" and "louvers".



  1. Visors: Horizontal "shades" like the ones you posted are most likely
    to block the sun overpowering the light as this intersection
    probably faces roughly East/West. They also come in a few other shapes/forms.


    The addition of a visor to a traffic-signal head that is in direct sunlight can improve visibility of the signal by providing
    additional contrast between the lens and the signal head. There are different types of visors including complete circle (or tunnel), partial (or cutaway) and angle visors. -Source




  2. Louvers: Louvers take many shapes but the most obvious is a vertical sort of
    "shade" like so. A Louver's purpose is to restrict the viewing angle of the signal. louvers

    The purpose of a louver is to block the view of the signal from another approach. They are similar to angle visors but are better in
    limiting signal visibility to a narrow cone to the front of the
    signal. - Source




It is also worth mentioning that some visor designs work well for the same purpose as Louvers, however Louvers don't generally do a very good job as Visors.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Sep 18 at 14:35









Lucky Kleinschmidt

3365




3365







  • 1




    I'm accepting this answer because it contains trustworthy sources I can verify. I appreciate both other answers for their help.
    – Benjamin Gruenbaum
    Sep 18 at 17:20






  • 1




    Note that in the UK these would be called "Louvres" :)
    – AakashM
    Sep 19 at 8:29










  • I like that better @AakashM.
    – Lucky Kleinschmidt
    Sep 19 at 15:02













  • 1




    I'm accepting this answer because it contains trustworthy sources I can verify. I appreciate both other answers for their help.
    – Benjamin Gruenbaum
    Sep 18 at 17:20






  • 1




    Note that in the UK these would be called "Louvres" :)
    – AakashM
    Sep 19 at 8:29










  • I like that better @AakashM.
    – Lucky Kleinschmidt
    Sep 19 at 15:02








1




1




I'm accepting this answer because it contains trustworthy sources I can verify. I appreciate both other answers for their help.
– Benjamin Gruenbaum
Sep 18 at 17:20




I'm accepting this answer because it contains trustworthy sources I can verify. I appreciate both other answers for their help.
– Benjamin Gruenbaum
Sep 18 at 17:20




1




1




Note that in the UK these would be called "Louvres" :)
– AakashM
Sep 19 at 8:29




Note that in the UK these would be called "Louvres" :)
– AakashM
Sep 19 at 8:29












I like that better @AakashM.
– Lucky Kleinschmidt
Sep 19 at 15:02





I like that better @AakashM.
– Lucky Kleinschmidt
Sep 19 at 15:02













up vote
68
down vote













You are most likely to find the green light with shades on the far side of a pedestrian crossing with a safety island (i.e. a two-part crossings, most often offset to each other), as illustrated below (the o are the traffic lights):



 Kerb
_____o------____ <- Shaded light
. . >>> Traffic goes this way
. .
_____|=====o____ The safety island
o=====|
. . <<< Traffic goes this way
. .
___------o______ <- Shaded light
Kerb


Due to road layout and light configurations, sometimes it is only safe to cross half of the road (up to the safety island). The shades ensure that you do not mistake the green light on the island as the signal to cross the entire road - you can only be sure that it is a green light (but not a broken light, which the general highway code on crossing a uncontrolled crossing kicks in) once you are on the island.



Similar shades are installed on traffic lights for vehicles to reduce the risk of drivers running into an intersection thinking it is a green, when the light meant for the driver is showing red.



I do not have a written source to back up what I said above, though I was told this by my driving instructor when I learnt to drive in London a few years ago.






share|improve this answer


















  • 10




    I believe that if the pedestrian light does not cover crossing teh whole road that the two crossings must be offset from each other. ie if the two crossings are aligned as in your ascii diagram that there shouldn't be separate lights covering each half. I do agree with the general comment that they are to prevent the wrong people from seeing them though.
    – Chris
    Sep 16 at 21:40










  • @Chris A request for clarification - when you say 'offset' do you include cases where the two crossings are at a very slight angle to each other?
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 6:19







  • 3




    Rule 28 in highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html explicitly says that if the crossings are not in line they are separate crossings. It does not say anywhere that inline crossings can be two separate crossings for light controlled and the fact that rule 28 exists implicitly suggests that inline crossings are a single crossing. That is also all the information I have on the technical rules for what makes a crossing offset.
    – Chris
    Sep 17 at 8:27






  • 1




    @Chris See the pedestrian crossing at Pancras Road near Euston Road for a inline pair of crossings, and the junction between City Rd and East Rd for a slightly angled pair of crossings.
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 8:44







  • 1




    AFAIK the distinction between single and two-part crossings is not the geometry, but where there is a "refuge" (technical term) for pedestrians to wait between the two parts, which is inaccessible to vehicles - i.e. at a minimum it has "vehicles must pass on one side only" bollards at each end, and usually has a raised curb, guard railings, etc, as well. Any lights in the center of the road need to be protected from vehicles, which means that "central lights" and "a central refuge" go together in practice.
    – alephzero
    Sep 17 at 20:13















up vote
68
down vote













You are most likely to find the green light with shades on the far side of a pedestrian crossing with a safety island (i.e. a two-part crossings, most often offset to each other), as illustrated below (the o are the traffic lights):



 Kerb
_____o------____ <- Shaded light
. . >>> Traffic goes this way
. .
_____|=====o____ The safety island
o=====|
. . <<< Traffic goes this way
. .
___------o______ <- Shaded light
Kerb


Due to road layout and light configurations, sometimes it is only safe to cross half of the road (up to the safety island). The shades ensure that you do not mistake the green light on the island as the signal to cross the entire road - you can only be sure that it is a green light (but not a broken light, which the general highway code on crossing a uncontrolled crossing kicks in) once you are on the island.



Similar shades are installed on traffic lights for vehicles to reduce the risk of drivers running into an intersection thinking it is a green, when the light meant for the driver is showing red.



I do not have a written source to back up what I said above, though I was told this by my driving instructor when I learnt to drive in London a few years ago.






share|improve this answer


















  • 10




    I believe that if the pedestrian light does not cover crossing teh whole road that the two crossings must be offset from each other. ie if the two crossings are aligned as in your ascii diagram that there shouldn't be separate lights covering each half. I do agree with the general comment that they are to prevent the wrong people from seeing them though.
    – Chris
    Sep 16 at 21:40










  • @Chris A request for clarification - when you say 'offset' do you include cases where the two crossings are at a very slight angle to each other?
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 6:19







  • 3




    Rule 28 in highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html explicitly says that if the crossings are not in line they are separate crossings. It does not say anywhere that inline crossings can be two separate crossings for light controlled and the fact that rule 28 exists implicitly suggests that inline crossings are a single crossing. That is also all the information I have on the technical rules for what makes a crossing offset.
    – Chris
    Sep 17 at 8:27






  • 1




    @Chris See the pedestrian crossing at Pancras Road near Euston Road for a inline pair of crossings, and the junction between City Rd and East Rd for a slightly angled pair of crossings.
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 8:44







  • 1




    AFAIK the distinction between single and two-part crossings is not the geometry, but where there is a "refuge" (technical term) for pedestrians to wait between the two parts, which is inaccessible to vehicles - i.e. at a minimum it has "vehicles must pass on one side only" bollards at each end, and usually has a raised curb, guard railings, etc, as well. Any lights in the center of the road need to be protected from vehicles, which means that "central lights" and "a central refuge" go together in practice.
    – alephzero
    Sep 17 at 20:13













up vote
68
down vote










up vote
68
down vote









You are most likely to find the green light with shades on the far side of a pedestrian crossing with a safety island (i.e. a two-part crossings, most often offset to each other), as illustrated below (the o are the traffic lights):



 Kerb
_____o------____ <- Shaded light
. . >>> Traffic goes this way
. .
_____|=====o____ The safety island
o=====|
. . <<< Traffic goes this way
. .
___------o______ <- Shaded light
Kerb


Due to road layout and light configurations, sometimes it is only safe to cross half of the road (up to the safety island). The shades ensure that you do not mistake the green light on the island as the signal to cross the entire road - you can only be sure that it is a green light (but not a broken light, which the general highway code on crossing a uncontrolled crossing kicks in) once you are on the island.



Similar shades are installed on traffic lights for vehicles to reduce the risk of drivers running into an intersection thinking it is a green, when the light meant for the driver is showing red.



I do not have a written source to back up what I said above, though I was told this by my driving instructor when I learnt to drive in London a few years ago.






share|improve this answer














You are most likely to find the green light with shades on the far side of a pedestrian crossing with a safety island (i.e. a two-part crossings, most often offset to each other), as illustrated below (the o are the traffic lights):



 Kerb
_____o------____ <- Shaded light
. . >>> Traffic goes this way
. .
_____|=====o____ The safety island
o=====|
. . <<< Traffic goes this way
. .
___------o______ <- Shaded light
Kerb


Due to road layout and light configurations, sometimes it is only safe to cross half of the road (up to the safety island). The shades ensure that you do not mistake the green light on the island as the signal to cross the entire road - you can only be sure that it is a green light (but not a broken light, which the general highway code on crossing a uncontrolled crossing kicks in) once you are on the island.



Similar shades are installed on traffic lights for vehicles to reduce the risk of drivers running into an intersection thinking it is a green, when the light meant for the driver is showing red.



I do not have a written source to back up what I said above, though I was told this by my driving instructor when I learnt to drive in London a few years ago.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Sep 18 at 6:43

























answered Sep 16 at 19:22









B.Liu

1,0461214




1,0461214







  • 10




    I believe that if the pedestrian light does not cover crossing teh whole road that the two crossings must be offset from each other. ie if the two crossings are aligned as in your ascii diagram that there shouldn't be separate lights covering each half. I do agree with the general comment that they are to prevent the wrong people from seeing them though.
    – Chris
    Sep 16 at 21:40










  • @Chris A request for clarification - when you say 'offset' do you include cases where the two crossings are at a very slight angle to each other?
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 6:19







  • 3




    Rule 28 in highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html explicitly says that if the crossings are not in line they are separate crossings. It does not say anywhere that inline crossings can be two separate crossings for light controlled and the fact that rule 28 exists implicitly suggests that inline crossings are a single crossing. That is also all the information I have on the technical rules for what makes a crossing offset.
    – Chris
    Sep 17 at 8:27






  • 1




    @Chris See the pedestrian crossing at Pancras Road near Euston Road for a inline pair of crossings, and the junction between City Rd and East Rd for a slightly angled pair of crossings.
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 8:44







  • 1




    AFAIK the distinction between single and two-part crossings is not the geometry, but where there is a "refuge" (technical term) for pedestrians to wait between the two parts, which is inaccessible to vehicles - i.e. at a minimum it has "vehicles must pass on one side only" bollards at each end, and usually has a raised curb, guard railings, etc, as well. Any lights in the center of the road need to be protected from vehicles, which means that "central lights" and "a central refuge" go together in practice.
    – alephzero
    Sep 17 at 20:13













  • 10




    I believe that if the pedestrian light does not cover crossing teh whole road that the two crossings must be offset from each other. ie if the two crossings are aligned as in your ascii diagram that there shouldn't be separate lights covering each half. I do agree with the general comment that they are to prevent the wrong people from seeing them though.
    – Chris
    Sep 16 at 21:40










  • @Chris A request for clarification - when you say 'offset' do you include cases where the two crossings are at a very slight angle to each other?
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 6:19







  • 3




    Rule 28 in highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html explicitly says that if the crossings are not in line they are separate crossings. It does not say anywhere that inline crossings can be two separate crossings for light controlled and the fact that rule 28 exists implicitly suggests that inline crossings are a single crossing. That is also all the information I have on the technical rules for what makes a crossing offset.
    – Chris
    Sep 17 at 8:27






  • 1




    @Chris See the pedestrian crossing at Pancras Road near Euston Road for a inline pair of crossings, and the junction between City Rd and East Rd for a slightly angled pair of crossings.
    – B.Liu
    Sep 17 at 8:44







  • 1




    AFAIK the distinction between single and two-part crossings is not the geometry, but where there is a "refuge" (technical term) for pedestrians to wait between the two parts, which is inaccessible to vehicles - i.e. at a minimum it has "vehicles must pass on one side only" bollards at each end, and usually has a raised curb, guard railings, etc, as well. Any lights in the center of the road need to be protected from vehicles, which means that "central lights" and "a central refuge" go together in practice.
    – alephzero
    Sep 17 at 20:13








10




10




I believe that if the pedestrian light does not cover crossing teh whole road that the two crossings must be offset from each other. ie if the two crossings are aligned as in your ascii diagram that there shouldn't be separate lights covering each half. I do agree with the general comment that they are to prevent the wrong people from seeing them though.
– Chris
Sep 16 at 21:40




I believe that if the pedestrian light does not cover crossing teh whole road that the two crossings must be offset from each other. ie if the two crossings are aligned as in your ascii diagram that there shouldn't be separate lights covering each half. I do agree with the general comment that they are to prevent the wrong people from seeing them though.
– Chris
Sep 16 at 21:40












@Chris A request for clarification - when you say 'offset' do you include cases where the two crossings are at a very slight angle to each other?
– B.Liu
Sep 17 at 6:19





@Chris A request for clarification - when you say 'offset' do you include cases where the two crossings are at a very slight angle to each other?
– B.Liu
Sep 17 at 6:19





3




3




Rule 28 in highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html explicitly says that if the crossings are not in line they are separate crossings. It does not say anywhere that inline crossings can be two separate crossings for light controlled and the fact that rule 28 exists implicitly suggests that inline crossings are a single crossing. That is also all the information I have on the technical rules for what makes a crossing offset.
– Chris
Sep 17 at 8:27




Rule 28 in highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html explicitly says that if the crossings are not in line they are separate crossings. It does not say anywhere that inline crossings can be two separate crossings for light controlled and the fact that rule 28 exists implicitly suggests that inline crossings are a single crossing. That is also all the information I have on the technical rules for what makes a crossing offset.
– Chris
Sep 17 at 8:27




1




1




@Chris See the pedestrian crossing at Pancras Road near Euston Road for a inline pair of crossings, and the junction between City Rd and East Rd for a slightly angled pair of crossings.
– B.Liu
Sep 17 at 8:44





@Chris See the pedestrian crossing at Pancras Road near Euston Road for a inline pair of crossings, and the junction between City Rd and East Rd for a slightly angled pair of crossings.
– B.Liu
Sep 17 at 8:44





1




1




AFAIK the distinction between single and two-part crossings is not the geometry, but where there is a "refuge" (technical term) for pedestrians to wait between the two parts, which is inaccessible to vehicles - i.e. at a minimum it has "vehicles must pass on one side only" bollards at each end, and usually has a raised curb, guard railings, etc, as well. Any lights in the center of the road need to be protected from vehicles, which means that "central lights" and "a central refuge" go together in practice.
– alephzero
Sep 17 at 20:13





AFAIK the distinction between single and two-part crossings is not the geometry, but where there is a "refuge" (technical term) for pedestrians to wait between the two parts, which is inaccessible to vehicles - i.e. at a minimum it has "vehicles must pass on one side only" bollards at each end, and usually has a raised curb, guard railings, etc, as well. Any lights in the center of the road need to be protected from vehicles, which means that "central lights" and "a central refuge" go together in practice.
– alephzero
Sep 17 at 20:13











up vote
61
down vote













These type of shades are not restricted to pedestrian traffic lights. They are widely used in the UK when there are many lights controlling different streams of traffic around a junction.



Their purpose is to ensure that drivers (and pedestrians) can only see the lights that are relevant to them and avoid problems like traffic starting to move when another lane of traffic gets a green light.



The shutters are not always "horizontal" as in the OP's photograph. They may be "vertical," to prevent you seeing a light positioned to the side of the light that is relevant for you.






share|improve this answer


















  • 4




    They're also known as snoots, as in, they're snooted. In photography we use snoots to control light from flash guns. As in your answer, it's to stop lanes of traffic for which the signal does not apply from seeing and reacting to the light.
    – i-CONICA
    Sep 17 at 12:37






  • 2




    The question only asks about the UK but these also exist in parts of the USA and I'm sure other areas of the world, all for the same purpose.
    – Steve V.
    Sep 17 at 17:33







  • 2




    @SteveV. In the US (at least Seattle) I see traffic lights (but not pedestrian lights) with clear lenses on them instead of shutters/blinds and the lenses focus light so it's only visible in certain lanes and at certain distances from the light.
    – Dai
    Sep 17 at 20:53










  • I believe this is the best and most concise answer. Very well explained and straight to the point.
    – TheBlackBenzKid
    Sep 18 at 9:16










  • This does not make sense at all for horizontal shutters like the one in the question.
    – mastov
    Sep 19 at 14:04














up vote
61
down vote













These type of shades are not restricted to pedestrian traffic lights. They are widely used in the UK when there are many lights controlling different streams of traffic around a junction.



Their purpose is to ensure that drivers (and pedestrians) can only see the lights that are relevant to them and avoid problems like traffic starting to move when another lane of traffic gets a green light.



The shutters are not always "horizontal" as in the OP's photograph. They may be "vertical," to prevent you seeing a light positioned to the side of the light that is relevant for you.






share|improve this answer


















  • 4




    They're also known as snoots, as in, they're snooted. In photography we use snoots to control light from flash guns. As in your answer, it's to stop lanes of traffic for which the signal does not apply from seeing and reacting to the light.
    – i-CONICA
    Sep 17 at 12:37






  • 2




    The question only asks about the UK but these also exist in parts of the USA and I'm sure other areas of the world, all for the same purpose.
    – Steve V.
    Sep 17 at 17:33







  • 2




    @SteveV. In the US (at least Seattle) I see traffic lights (but not pedestrian lights) with clear lenses on them instead of shutters/blinds and the lenses focus light so it's only visible in certain lanes and at certain distances from the light.
    – Dai
    Sep 17 at 20:53










  • I believe this is the best and most concise answer. Very well explained and straight to the point.
    – TheBlackBenzKid
    Sep 18 at 9:16










  • This does not make sense at all for horizontal shutters like the one in the question.
    – mastov
    Sep 19 at 14:04












up vote
61
down vote










up vote
61
down vote









These type of shades are not restricted to pedestrian traffic lights. They are widely used in the UK when there are many lights controlling different streams of traffic around a junction.



Their purpose is to ensure that drivers (and pedestrians) can only see the lights that are relevant to them and avoid problems like traffic starting to move when another lane of traffic gets a green light.



The shutters are not always "horizontal" as in the OP's photograph. They may be "vertical," to prevent you seeing a light positioned to the side of the light that is relevant for you.






share|improve this answer














These type of shades are not restricted to pedestrian traffic lights. They are widely used in the UK when there are many lights controlling different streams of traffic around a junction.



Their purpose is to ensure that drivers (and pedestrians) can only see the lights that are relevant to them and avoid problems like traffic starting to move when another lane of traffic gets a green light.



The shutters are not always "horizontal" as in the OP's photograph. They may be "vertical," to prevent you seeing a light positioned to the side of the light that is relevant for you.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Sep 17 at 9:21

























answered Sep 16 at 22:42









alephzero

1,324510




1,324510







  • 4




    They're also known as snoots, as in, they're snooted. In photography we use snoots to control light from flash guns. As in your answer, it's to stop lanes of traffic for which the signal does not apply from seeing and reacting to the light.
    – i-CONICA
    Sep 17 at 12:37






  • 2




    The question only asks about the UK but these also exist in parts of the USA and I'm sure other areas of the world, all for the same purpose.
    – Steve V.
    Sep 17 at 17:33







  • 2




    @SteveV. In the US (at least Seattle) I see traffic lights (but not pedestrian lights) with clear lenses on them instead of shutters/blinds and the lenses focus light so it's only visible in certain lanes and at certain distances from the light.
    – Dai
    Sep 17 at 20:53










  • I believe this is the best and most concise answer. Very well explained and straight to the point.
    – TheBlackBenzKid
    Sep 18 at 9:16










  • This does not make sense at all for horizontal shutters like the one in the question.
    – mastov
    Sep 19 at 14:04












  • 4




    They're also known as snoots, as in, they're snooted. In photography we use snoots to control light from flash guns. As in your answer, it's to stop lanes of traffic for which the signal does not apply from seeing and reacting to the light.
    – i-CONICA
    Sep 17 at 12:37






  • 2




    The question only asks about the UK but these also exist in parts of the USA and I'm sure other areas of the world, all for the same purpose.
    – Steve V.
    Sep 17 at 17:33







  • 2




    @SteveV. In the US (at least Seattle) I see traffic lights (but not pedestrian lights) with clear lenses on them instead of shutters/blinds and the lenses focus light so it's only visible in certain lanes and at certain distances from the light.
    – Dai
    Sep 17 at 20:53










  • I believe this is the best and most concise answer. Very well explained and straight to the point.
    – TheBlackBenzKid
    Sep 18 at 9:16










  • This does not make sense at all for horizontal shutters like the one in the question.
    – mastov
    Sep 19 at 14:04







4




4




They're also known as snoots, as in, they're snooted. In photography we use snoots to control light from flash guns. As in your answer, it's to stop lanes of traffic for which the signal does not apply from seeing and reacting to the light.
– i-CONICA
Sep 17 at 12:37




They're also known as snoots, as in, they're snooted. In photography we use snoots to control light from flash guns. As in your answer, it's to stop lanes of traffic for which the signal does not apply from seeing and reacting to the light.
– i-CONICA
Sep 17 at 12:37




2




2




The question only asks about the UK but these also exist in parts of the USA and I'm sure other areas of the world, all for the same purpose.
– Steve V.
Sep 17 at 17:33





The question only asks about the UK but these also exist in parts of the USA and I'm sure other areas of the world, all for the same purpose.
– Steve V.
Sep 17 at 17:33





2




2




@SteveV. In the US (at least Seattle) I see traffic lights (but not pedestrian lights) with clear lenses on them instead of shutters/blinds and the lenses focus light so it's only visible in certain lanes and at certain distances from the light.
– Dai
Sep 17 at 20:53




@SteveV. In the US (at least Seattle) I see traffic lights (but not pedestrian lights) with clear lenses on them instead of shutters/blinds and the lenses focus light so it's only visible in certain lanes and at certain distances from the light.
– Dai
Sep 17 at 20:53












I believe this is the best and most concise answer. Very well explained and straight to the point.
– TheBlackBenzKid
Sep 18 at 9:16




I believe this is the best and most concise answer. Very well explained and straight to the point.
– TheBlackBenzKid
Sep 18 at 9:16












This does not make sense at all for horizontal shutters like the one in the question.
– mastov
Sep 19 at 14:04




This does not make sense at all for horizontal shutters like the one in the question.
– mastov
Sep 19 at 14:04

















 

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