Jump to content

Houston Metro Area Traffic Signals


Recommended Posts

Could anyone direct me to (or supply) some good pictures of Houston-area traffic signals? The reason I ask: I'm trying to model some new signals for a computer game, and the Texas signals are what I'm trying to copy.

Specifically, I'm looking for the mast-arm designs found on most frontage roads and state highways. Variations of signals are good, too - I know there are some with double red lights, etc.

Here's a shot of what I've got so far. I will keep y'all updated on my progress.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/835/shot3ui5.png

Thanks a bunch,

Ryan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pics from wikipedia:

MIDTOWN. The traffic arm gantry shown is unique to the city.

Midtownstreetsign1.JPG

Similar example in Westchase

Image:WestchaseHoustonSign.JPG

UPTOWN

Image:UptownHoustonIntersection.JPG

DOWNTOWN. Old pic but Houston's prolly the only Texas city to have a single traffic signal hang from a pole as opposed to just all gantries.

45_pierce_59.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for those! I've never quite seen anything like the Uptown signal before. The Westchase street sign is something I've never seen before, either. I also remember seeing pictures of the single signals on poles in Dallas. It kinda makes me wonder what Houston's been up to for the past fourteen years (that's how long it's been since I've been there). I was born in Houston, but now live in Western New York.

Would you happen to know where I might be able to find pictures of TxDOT signals (ex. anything on 6, any arterials intersecting with frontage roads . . . if there's anything of that sort completed as part of the Katy FRWY expansion . . . etc.)

Thanks again! I really appreciate all the help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here, you can kind of see the chronological presentation of Houston's signal installations through the years.

Here's a downtown signal dating from the late 40's, early 50's, Crouse-Hinds, "Art Deco"

100_0244.jpg

Another "Art Deco" dating from the 60's at the beginning of Spur 527.

100_0598.jpg

A dark green "Art Deco" seen in 3rd Ward.

100_0882.jpg

Dark green "Art Deco" downtown

100_1464.jpg

Old "WAIT" Crouse-Hinds "Breadpan" pedestrian signal, only a handfull of the "WAIT" variety signals are left in Houston.

100_0859.jpg

Old and new intermingle at UH

100_0860.jpg

Early to mid 70's TxDOT setup at 59/288 feeder road.

100_0876.jpg

A 3M signal dating from the mid 80's, TxDOT installed on I-45 (North Fwy.) feeder road.

100_1001.jpg

Modern signals on old mast

100_0903.jpg

City of Houston color mix and match on a TxDOT installation.

100_1013.jpg

Brand new installation on Willowbend and Chimney Rock.

100_1796.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...
You're going to need visors over each lens, otherwise, visibility suffers big time.

Well considering it's for a computer game (see first post) the visors likely aren't needed but would be something that would just add to the polygon count of the models.

But hey, that's just my thinking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I'm a signal fan, and I love Houston traffic signals. I think what I like best about them is their horizontal layout, even on spanwire! And the black ones (as opposed to yellow) remind me of signals in South Korea and Japan.

Dallas is the exact opposite. Almost every traffic signal there is installed vertically.

Is having two red signal heads for left-on-arrow-only signals unique to Houston? Or is it seen throughout Texas? I don't remember seeing a single one like it in Dallas or anywhere else in the US for that matter.

Edited by Rail
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is having two red signal heads for left-on-arrow-only signals unique to Houston? Or is it seen throughout Texas? I don't remember seeing a single one like it in Dallas or anywhere else in the US for that matter.

I've seen them in Austin like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a signal fan, and I love Houston traffic signals. I think what I like best about them is their horizontal layout, even on spanwire! And the black ones (as opposed to yellow) remind me of signals in South Korea and Japan.

Dallas is the exact opposite. Almost every traffic signal there is installed vertically.

Is having two red signal heads for left-on-arrow-only signals unique to Houston? Or is it seen throughout Texas? I don't remember seeing a single one like it in Dallas or anywhere else in the US for that matter.

There's a whopping ONE intersection in Beaumont I can think of with the double reds. Major (FM 364) at Walden. It's a TxDOT installation from a few years ago when they widened that part of Major.

Most are either the ones with the green yield option or have a red arrow on them.

Edited by Justin
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...