AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: Brian556 on May 18, 2013, 11:49:27 PM

Title: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: Brian556 on May 18, 2013, 11:49:27 PM
These are so thin that they look like signs from the rear.

https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373794,27.760402&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373794,27.760402&panoid=Tht-ofaLiz3cB7L4APX4UA&cbp=12,115.74,,0,0&z=16 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373794,27.760402&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373794,27.760402&panoid=Tht-ofaLiz3cB7L4APX4UA&cbp=12,115.74,,0,0&z=16)

https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373791,27.760413&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373699,27.760417&panoid=zG7Z1hvk4uONiZ1Ko0470g&cbp=12,39.95,,0,0&z=16 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373791,27.760413&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373699,27.760417&panoid=zG7Z1hvk4uONiZ1Ko0470g&cbp=12,39.95,,0,0&z=16)

Three-Light Version:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360442,27.462146&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360442,27.462146&panoid=E8F5LbIW9uWwf81VlvKIJg&cbp=12,315,,0,0&z=15 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360442,27.462146&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360442,27.462146&panoid=E8F5LbIW9uWwf81VlvKIJg&cbp=12,315,,0,0&z=15)

Now i'm wondering if there are any traffic signals like this, ant whether we will see lights this thin in the US anytime soon.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360452,27.46213&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360636,27.462024&panoid=o0r3SnxqNBNFa9W8mjGSsw&cbp=12,154.37,,0,0&z=15 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360452,27.46213&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360636,27.462024&panoid=o0r3SnxqNBNFa9W8mjGSsw&cbp=12,154.37,,0,0&z=15)
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: M3019C LPS20 on May 19, 2013, 06:18:54 AM
Quote from: Brian556 on May 18, 2013, 11:49:27 PM
Now i'm wondering if there are any traffic signals like this, ant whether we will see lights this thin in the US anytime soon.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360452,27.46213&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360636,27.462024&panoid=o0r3SnxqNBNFa9W8mjGSsw&cbp=12,154.37,,0,0&z=15 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360452,27.46213&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360636,27.462024&panoid=o0r3SnxqNBNFa9W8mjGSsw&cbp=12,154.37,,0,0&z=15)

Here's something very similar that is apparently in use in Japan.



The only noticeable difference between both is that the Japanese traffic signal lacks actual visors. Interesting design, though.
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: cpzilliacus on May 19, 2013, 10:58:02 AM
Quote from: Brian556 on May 18, 2013, 11:49:27 PM
These are so thin that they look like signs from the rear.

https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373794,27.760402&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373794,27.760402&panoid=Tht-ofaLiz3cB7L4APX4UA&cbp=12,115.74,,0,0&z=16 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373794,27.760402&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373794,27.760402&panoid=Tht-ofaLiz3cB7L4APX4UA&cbp=12,115.74,,0,0&z=16)

https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373791,27.760413&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373699,27.760417&panoid=zG7Z1hvk4uONiZ1Ko0470g&cbp=12,39.95,,0,0&z=16 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.373791,27.760413&spn=0.000022,0.025063&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.373699,27.760417&panoid=zG7Z1hvk4uONiZ1Ko0470g&cbp=12,39.95,,0,0&z=16)

Three-Light Version:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360442,27.462146&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360442,27.462146&panoid=E8F5LbIW9uWwf81VlvKIJg&cbp=12,315,,0,0&z=15 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360442,27.462146&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360442,27.462146&panoid=E8F5LbIW9uWwf81VlvKIJg&cbp=12,315,,0,0&z=15)

Now i'm wondering if there are any traffic signals like this, ant whether we will see lights this thin in the US anytime soon.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360452,27.46213&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360636,27.462024&panoid=o0r3SnxqNBNFa9W8mjGSsw&cbp=12,154.37,,0,0&z=15 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360452,27.46213&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360636,27.462024&panoid=o0r3SnxqNBNFa9W8mjGSsw&cbp=12,154.37,,0,0&z=15)

Wonder if they have plans to replace the bridge nearby and then eliminate the grade crossing entirely?

This looks like Soviet-era highway infrastructure "maintenance."

And speaking of the Soviet Union, Estonia's railroad network, like some other EU nations, uses Russian imperial gauge, 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 5⁄6 in).
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: cpzilliacus on May 19, 2013, 11:00:40 AM
Quote from: Brian556 on May 18, 2013, 11:49:27 PM
Three-Light Version:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360442,27.462146&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360442,27.462146&panoid=E8F5LbIW9uWwf81VlvKIJg&cbp=12,315,,0,0&z=15 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=59.360442,27.462146&spn=0.000044,0.050125&t=m&layer=c&cbll=59.360442,27.462146&panoid=E8F5LbIW9uWwf81VlvKIJg&cbp=12,315,,0,0&z=15)

I have seen those in Finland, and at least one or two other EU nations.

The third light blinks white to inform motorists that a train is not coming.
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: Alps on May 19, 2013, 01:58:10 PM
See, current signal housings here are still built with incandescent bulbs in mind. I have to think within 10 years we'll start seeing the ultra-thin variety, just like with LCD and LED monitors/TVs.
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: mgk920 on May 20, 2013, 10:34:02 AM
How strong are they against vandals?  Railroad companies design *everything* that is attached to the ground with that in mind.

Mike
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: pctech on May 20, 2013, 11:37:34 AM
Neat stuff. If they are more economical/reliable than the current models they will win out eventually.

Mark
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: Brian556 on May 22, 2013, 01:09:42 AM
Quote
See, current signal housings here are still built with incandescent bulbs in mind. I have to think within 10 years we'll start seeing the ultra-thin variety, just like with LCD and LED monitors/TVs.

Good point, Steve. interesting that they are still designed based on a need that no longer exists, while other items have been redesigned for the new technology that they employ.
I guess our railroad /traffic lights are the same concept as an MP3 player in an old cassette walkman housing.
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: KEK Inc. on May 22, 2013, 04:11:41 AM
We have these in the states.

http://goo.gl/maps/EtP6a

Saw this while biking downtown the other day.
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: kphoger on May 28, 2013, 09:14:15 PM
I'm also noticing ultra-thin stoplights in the Ukraine.
Examples here (http://goo.gl/maps/hPyuI) and  here (http://goo.gl/maps/z7BOj).
Title: Re: New Ultra-Thin LED Railroad Crossing Signal Lights in Estonia
Post by: txstateends on June 06, 2013, 06:23:30 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 28, 2013, 09:14:15 PM
I'm also noticing ultra-thin stoplights in the Ukraine.
Examples [...] and  here (http://goo.gl/maps/z7BOj).

Wow, not only is the signal assembly thin, but the mast arm is *so thin* you can barely see it.  A mast arm like that wouldn't last very long in Amarillo, as windy as it is there.