How Does a Traffic Light Work? Here’s the Explanation!
The way traffic lights work is something that can help you understand how a traffic light operates. Knowing this method will make you realize that traffic lights actually have a number of processes, allowing them to change lights within a certain time frame.
Based on the Automatic Traffic-Light Control System (ATCS)
Overall, the operation of traffic lights is based on the ATCS system. This system determines how long a green light stays on. The duration of the green light is based on the density of vehicles occurring at that time.
Equipped with Microcontroller-Based Camera Assistance
The system in traffic lights will not function optimally without a microcontroller-based camera. That camera assists the ATCS and traffic lights in monitoring the density of vehicles on the road.
The camera's captured results will later be processed by a computer. Then, the computer will calculate the percentage of density occurring on the road at that time. Subsequently, the computer will determine how long the green light should stay on at a particular road.
After that, the traffic light will change according to the time set by the computer. Starting with the green light, yellow, and ending with the red light.
A Brief History of Traffic Lights
The presence of traffic lights is still related to the history of motor vehicles themselves. The first traffic light was created in 1868 in London.
The creation of the traffic light was due to the increasing number of motor vehicles at that time. The traffic lights back then only had two colors, red and green.
Three years later, traffic lights were banned by the London government. At that time, one of the traffic lights there exploded, injuring a nearby police officer.
Some time later, a new model of traffic light was created, equipped with 'stop' and 'go' signs. In the following years, traffic lights underwent development, evolving into what they are today.
Inspired by the Era of Warfare
Each color in traffic lights is inspired by the era of warfare, especially for the yellow and red lights. So, what do the meanings of each traffic light color signify?
Green
This color is inspired by the color of leaves. The green color is associated with tranquility. In traffic lights, green indicates that anyone can safely cross the road indicated by that light. In the operation of traffic lights, the green light is the first to turn on.
Yellow
The second color in this traffic light is inspired by the color of fire used in wartime. At that time, fire was commonly used as a weapon of war. If one side carried fire during the war, the other side would act more cautiously.
In traffic, yellow indicates that drivers should be prepared because the light will change to green. Or, they should be more cautious, as the light will change to red.
Red
In traffic lights, red means that every driver must stop for a moment. This color is inspired by the red sign used during wartime. That sign was created as a symbol to end the war, as it had already caused much bloodshed.
Thus is the way traffic lights work, along with related information. Hopefully, this can help you better understand how traffic lights operate on the roads.
Author: Anggie Warsito
