Road Photos & Information: New South Wales
Pre-1980s Traffic Signals
General Information:
Signals that were installed in New South Wales prior to the 1980s used incandescent bulbs to provide a signal to drivers. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Department of Main Roads started using target boards to improve the visibility of signals to approaching vehicles, unless space constraints prevented their use, or in selected circumstances, such as improving the signal visibility on overhead or mast arm installations.
New South Wales first set of traffic signals were installed on the corner of Kent Street & Market Street in the Sydney CBD, back in 1933.
In 1940, the Burwood Traffic Signals Depot replaced the former one in Jamieson Street, Sydney. In 1949, the Commissioner for Road Transport installed a set of pedestrian actuated traffic lights on the Pacific Highway at Lindfield Railway Station. In a list of notable dates later compiled by the Department of Motor Transport, it gave 1953 as the date of the installation of the first pedestrian actuated crossing lights but gave no location. 1
On 9 October 1959, the Department of Motor Transport, linked a set of vehicle actuated traffic lights at the intersection of Parramatta Road and Crystal Street, Petersham, with another set at Parramatta and Norton Street, thus creating the first vehicle actuated co-ordinated traffic light system in Australia. Two sets of pedestrian operated co-ordinated signals in Swanson Street, Erskineville, were completed soon afterwards. They were followed on 18 May 1961, by the first set of co-ordinated traffic lights, which were installed in Church Street, Parramatta. They allowed traffic to pass through the busiest shopping streets in successive waves with minimal disruption. In 1961, a new building for the Department of Motor Transport's traffic signals section was completed at Burwood. 1
A major project on traffic management was the completion of a set of overhead traffic signs and signals at Villawood where Woodville Road, Henry Lawson Drive and the Hume Highway met. Due to large traffic volumes at this intersection, it was selected as a suitable location to install the system. The site has become known as the "Meccano set". It was in operation by December 1962. 1
A computer regulated traffic light system was introduced in the Sydney Central Business District in 1964 as part of the Inner City Signals Project as a way of better handling traffic flows. The computer was originally located in the basement of the DMR building in 309 Castlereagh Street. The control equipment was transferred to 4 Brisbane Street, Sydney when it was extended to cover more city streets. It was followed by the switching on of televisions used to aid in traffic flow on 29 January 1964. The first set of signals installed outside the Sydney-Wollongong-Newcastle area was a set of pedestrian lights at Lochinvar and a set of intersection signals at Tamworth installed in 1966. 1
This section focuses on traffic signal equipment installed prior to 1980, and features devices used within NSW. All the signals on this page have been replaced with modern equipment.
Pedestrian Signals:
Eagle Pedestrian Signal:
From the 1970s, this signal was still in use in 2004, alongside an Aldridge Quartz Halogen lantern on the corner of Blaxland Rd & Church St, Ryde.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
Eagle Pedestrian Signal:
This 1970s signal is made by the Eagle Signal Company of Australia. 2004, corner of Blaxland Rd & Church St, Ryde.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
Raised Pedestrian Call Button:
Taken April 2005 on the corner of James Ruse Drive and Prospect Street near Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney, this image shows an old pedestrian signal instruction sign mounted to an original post . The call button is up higher so horse riders don't have to dismount to press it. 2
Image © Paul Rands
1960s Pedestrian Call Button:
1960s pedestrian button in excellent condition on the New England Highway (then NH15) at Glen Innes. The entire crossing (outside a church) had been upgraded to newer Aldridge polycarbonate Quartz Halogen signals and current style call buttons, but this call button on the traffic island was missed. The crossing would have originally been made up of Eagle or AWA lanterns. July 2007.
Image © Paul Rands
Rare Pedestrian Call Button:
The majority of these pedestrian call buttons featured the word 'WAIT' that illuminated in a small window when the button was pressed. This version of the call button used in the 1970s and 1980s, but this particular version does not feature a light-up window and has the word 'WAIT' printed on the front panel of the call button. The signals at this junction were activated in December 1983. Corner of Dehli Rd, Millwood Av, Lady Game Dr and Fullers Rd, Chatswood West.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
Call Button Decals:
Found on most pedestrian signals in NSW, this sticker instructs users to press the call button to gain a 'Walk' signal. These labels became regularly used throughout NSW in the 1960s and still used today.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
Traffic Lanterns:
1970s Short Mast Signal Installation:
Found in many parts of Sydney and NSW, this was the average setup for short overhang signals. Taken on the corner of Falcon & Alexander Streets, Crows Nest. Newer signals are fitted to the post in this photo.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
1970s Mast Signal Installation:
Typical 1970s mast arm used for mounting signals in NSW. Taken in 2004, this example was at the corner of Blaxland Rd and Church St, Ryde.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
3-aspect Eagle Signal:
This Eagle 3-aspect traffic lantern sits with a 1980s traffic lantern at the corner of Blaxland Rd and Church St, Ryde, 2004.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
5-aspect Signal:
Typical 5-aspect signal setup used in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with metal blank above the 2 aspect segment of the signal. From the late 1980s, signals arranged in this way use a piece of black metal or plastic in place of a lens on a 3 aspect lantern. This was taken in 2004 on the corner of Wentworth Av & Denison St, Eastgardens.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
Eagle 3-aspect Signal:
1970s Eagle 3-aspect traffic lantern on the corner of Rawson Street & Carlingford Rd, Epping. 2004.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
Eagle 6-aspect Signal:
1970s Eagle 6-aspect signal mounted to telegraph pole and using special conduit. Image taken 2004 on the corner of Boundary and Archer Streets in Roseville.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
Eagle Signals and 1970s Mast Arm:
1970s mast arm and Eagle signals on the corner of Richmond Rd & Lyton St, Marayong, outside the public school, 2004.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
1950s Signal Installation:
1950s AWA signals with later Eagle Pedestrian signals, outside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, at the corner of Missenden Rd & Salisbury Rd, Camperdown, April 2005. At the time this photo was taken, this site featured the oldest signal equipment still in use in Sydney.
Image © Paul Rands
1950s Signal Installation:
1950s AWA signals showing black and yellow striped colour scheme showing through peeling paint, with later Eagle Pedestrian signals, outside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, at the corner of Missenden Rd & Salisbury Rd, Camperdown, April 2005. At the time this photo was taken, this site featured the oldest signal equipment still in use in Sydney.
Image © Paul Rands
1950s Signal Installation:
1950s AWA signal showing black and yellow striped colour scheme showing through peeling paint, with later Eagle Pedestrian signal, outside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, at the corner of Missenden Rd & Salisbury Rd, Camperdown, April 2005. At the time this photo was taken, this site featured the oldest signal equipment still in use in Sydney.
Image © Paul Rands
1950s Signal Installation:
1950s AWA signal with later Eagle Pedestrian signal, outside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, at the corner of Missenden Rd & Salisbury Rd, Camperdown, April 2005. At the time this photo was taken, this site featured the oldest signal equipment still in use in Sydney.
Image © Paul Rands
1950s Signal Installation:
Set of old signals, outside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, at the corner of Missenden Rd & Salisbury Rd, Camperdown, April 2005. At the time this photo was taken, this site featured the oldest signal equipment still in use in Sydney, and included 1950s AWA traffic lanterns, 1960s or 70s Eagle pedestrian lanterns, with a 1980s ATS lantern and modern pedestrian call buttons and tactile units.
Image © Paul Rands
1960s AWA signal:
1960s AWA signal at the corner of Auburn and Montague Streets in Goulburn. This original signal remained operational as of April 2006, while all but one other signal head at the intersection had been replaced. The signals use separate housing for each signal aspect and is connected to the other sections via a tubular framework within the signal head.
Image © Paul Rands
1960s AWA signal:
1960s AWA signal at the corner of Auburn and Montague Streets in Goulburn. This original signal remained operational as of April 2006, while all but one other signal head at the intersection had been replaced. The signals use separate housing for each signal aspect and is connected to the other sections via a tubular framework within the signal head.
Image © Paul Rands
1960s Mast Arm:
An original 1960s mast arm with its target board welded to the structure, located at the corner of Grosvenor Street and Lang Street in the Sydney CBD. In this photo, taken in October 2006, the original signal head has been replaced with a modern LED unit featuring an updated target board. However, within weeks of this image being captured, the 1960s target board was removed.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
1960s Mast Arm:
An original 1960s mast arm with its target board welded to the structure, located at the corner of Grosvenor Street and Lang Street in the Sydney CBD. In this photo, taken in October 2006, the original signal head has been replaced with a modern LED unit featuring an updated target board. However, within weeks of this image being captured, the 1960s target board was removed.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
1960s Mast Arm:
An original 1960s mast arm with its target board welded to the structure, located at the corner of Grosvenor Street and Lang Street in the Sydney CBD. In this photo, taken in October 2006, the original signal head has been replaced with a modern LED unit featuring an updated target board. However, within weeks of this image being captured, the 1960s target board was removed.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
1960s Mast Arm:
An original 1960s mast arm with its target board welded to the structure, located at the corner of Grosvenor Street and Lang Street in the Sydney CBD. In this photo, taken in October 2006, the original signal head has been replaced with a modern LED unit featuring an updated target board. However, within weeks of this image being captured, the 1960s target board was removed.
Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)
2 Robert Parnell.