Old 3 section Ruleta or Horni traffic signal

Though red and green signal indications were the norm in New York City in the early 20th century, some neighborhoods there had three-section traffic signals in use. Normally, such a traffic signal was located in the area of a school. The idea here was that when school was in session, this operated normally; however, the amber signal indication was not used. Only the red and green signal sections were in use, so the traffic signal operated similarly to that of an ordinary two-section traffic signal. Now, when children were not present in school, the signal controller cabinet was set to flash mode, and one direction flashed amber, while the other one flashed red.

Though these traffic signals in particular are long along with the older two-section traffic signals, it is interesting to make notice of this at this period in time in New York City's traffic control history.

The photograph above was taken by a man named Robert Mulero. From Brooklyn, N.Y. Circa 1978.