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Would an Hourglass Traffic Light Work Better?

The designer Thanva Tivawong proposes a new design for the traffic light based on the age-old hourglass.

Andrew Price
By Andrew PriceNov 22, 2010
Andrew Price
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Mark Frauenfelder found this interesting new traffic light design by Thanva Tivawong. LED lights trickle down like sand in a virtual hourglass, letting you know when the light will change. I actually find this to be pretty confusing the more I look at it—a simple numerical countdown or a design like Damjan Stankovic's might be clearer—but Tivawong's proposal does make you think about the opportunities for improving traffic lights.

technologytransportationcitiestraffic lighttransportation innovationthanva tivawonghourglass

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