100 years of traffic light: How Berlin revolutionized traffic!

100 years of traffic light: How Berlin revolutionized traffic!

Potsdamer Platz, 10117 Berlin, Deutschland - NAG/NAG editor - on October 20, 1924 a pioneering technological miracle was set up at Potsdamer Platz - the first traffic light, which still shapes the image of our urban traffic. This innovative light signal system was not only a simple color signal, but also revolutionized traffic safety and fundamentally changed mobility. The traffic tower, equipped with five pages, quickly caused order in the then chaotic road traffic and not only saved time, but also police officers who previously tried to regulate the traffic with wild whistles.

The traffic lights justified the development of centrally controlled light signal systems, which, however, brought initial problems - a massive confusion was created in 1926 when everyone switched to green at the same time. This was followed by the introduction of the "Green Welle", which became a model for other cities. The competition for the first German traffic light between Berlin and Hamburg remains to this day, but both cities have taken decisive steps to improve traffic safety. While Berlin presented the first electrical traffic light, Hamburg installed the first light signal complex in Europe in 1922, which was initially only intended for tram traffic. Despite their different origins, both contributed significantly to the development of the traffic regulation. Further details can be found read .