Pedestrian signals - Why Orange/White only in the US/Canada?

[Pink Jazz]

Back to your original question, Pink Jazz. In the mid 1970s, New York City's then Department of Traffic first began to replace countless red and green lamps in pedestrian signals with those that were Portland orange and Lunar white.

According to the traffic commissioner, the new colors were more visible than the previous pair. They were also visible in direct sunlight.

Below, is an article that mentions this occurrence in New York City. From 1975. Courtesy of the New York Times.

Speaking of NYC, I remember that the old worded signals there were three-row signals, with the "WALK" indicator in a separate row from the "DONT WALK" indicator (but in the same box), unlike the images posted here which have the "WALK" indicator in the lower half of the "DONT WALK" indicator area.

[Mdcastle]

The LPS-20 was a neat concept but used special bulbs and the reflectors were plastic that would break and even catch fire. The "three row" was a later, more conventional design eventually copied by several other manufactures.

[M3019C LPS20]

Speaking of NYC, I remember that the old worded signals there were three-row signals, with the "WALK" indicator in a separate row from the "DONT WALK" indicator (but in the same box), unlike the images posted here which have the "WALK" indicator in the lower half of the "DONT WALK" indicator area.

Bi-modal pedestrian signals were discontinued in New York City sometime after 1980. As early as 1982, new "three-row" pedestrian signals first appeared on the streets there, due to new standards that were established by the city. They ultimately replaced the older heads that were in use, and the conversion took several years to complete. By 1985, the conversion was successfully completed.

The first kind was manufactured by the Winko-Matic company, and it was the company's model VI 2L pedestrian signal. Below, is a picture of one that I own, which saw service in New York City.



Two individual lenses were in use. One piece for "DONT WALK." One piece for "WALK." A rubber gasket held both in place, and it was located in between both pieces.

This 16" pedestrian signal, like many others in New York City, had a louver attached to the door (front of the housing), in which protected the lenses mainly from vandalism. It was additionally fire-retardant.