New York City Intersections

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Timeline

The 1920s

Throughout New York City, various intersections (those that were typically major) were controlled mainly by either police officers or traffic control towers. With regards to traffic control towers, these were generally operated by police officers and red and green and red, amber, and green sets were in use. One kind of traffic control tower that is well known to date is the bronze tower, in which was designed by Joseph H. Freedlander and first unveiled by the 5th Av. Association in 1922. Approximately seven were installed on one segment of the major thoroughfare, and these were in use throughout the 1920s. The decorative design of the tower stood out the most, since Freedlander strongly believed in aesthetics. At the top, a police officer was stationed within the inside, and a set of red, amber, and green signal indications were in use.

One of the seven bronze towers in use on 5th Avenue. This one in particular was located at 5th Av. and W. 42nd St.

While the bronze towers were able to provide adequate traffic control, there were some disadvantages. One to point out is the placement of the tower. The ideal spot at an intersection for this tower was the middle, and this eventually proved to be an obstacle for motorists that wanted to make left and right turns at intersections. Another disadvantage to take into consideration is the use of the amber indication. Though it indicates to motorists to slow down and come to a full stop, many motorists were rather confused by the indication and either tried to speed up to clear the intersection or stopped too early, in which either situation sometimes resulted in a bad accident. A solution to alleviate these common issues was necessary.

By the mid 1920s, New York City's police department introduced the first automatically-controlled traffic signals. These first appeared in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, and they would soon spread to the rest of the other boroughs in the following decade. The new traffic signals, in which were manufactured by the Ruleta company, showed red and green signal indications to motorists, in which became a permanent standard for New York City traffic signals, and the amber signal indication was abandoned until its revitalization in the 1950s. The police department's new system of traffic signals were synchronized, in which were intended for an ideal flow of traffic, and various precincts throughout the city had control centers for police officers to manually adjust signal timing (if necessary).

The earliest traffic signals in New York City were commonly attached to unusually tall pedestals, and solely one was in use at a major intersection. Because the traffic signals showed red and green signal indications to motorists, the original form of caution was what is commonly know as a "dark-out period." Both signal indications appeared unlit in between 1 to 3 seconds before the red signal indication then appeared lit. A red clearance then typically followed prior to when the other direction changed from red to green.

One of the earliest traffic signals in use on Park Avenue in Manhattan. Observe the tall pedestal as well. Late 1920s. From NYC.gov/records.

As traffic signals began to appear at more locations throughout the city, the ultimate removal of traffic control towers took place at the of end of the 1920s. This includes the seven bronze towers of 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Regarding these in particular, none were saved and preserved when the removal process took place at this time. Even so, an original model of Joseph H. Freedlander's traffic control tower is in the hands of a private collector today, while a replica of this is on display at the Museum of the city of New York. This is true for his original designs of the bronze tower as well.

With regards to 5th Avenue in Manhattan, in 1929, the 5th Avenue Association was in the process of planning to install red and green traffic signals on one segment of the thoroughfare. Joseph H. Freedlander was, once again, hired to design a traffic signal solely for 5th Avenue, and the bronze signal was born. Like the bronze traffic control tower, its design was decorative. A total of 4 sides were used for red and green signal indications, and at the very top of the traffic signal was a statuette of the Roman god Mercury, in which was made from gilded bronze. It was manufactured by General Electric, and Freedlander's bronze signal was first unveiled and tested at the corner of 5th Avenue and W. 57th Street on July 22nd, 1929. In total, 104 would be installed by 1931 on one segment of 5th Avenue. From Washington Square Park to W. 59th Street at Central Park.

The first bronze signal is unveiled on 5th Avenue in 1929.

The 1930s to 1950s