Traffic Signal Photo Gallery: 1980s Signals

Photo Gallery

Traffic Signal Photo Gallery:
1980s Signals

This gallery concentrates on traffic signals used in the 1980s. Several brands were popular with authories during the decade including Eagle, ATS, AWA and Excelsior. Several styles of overhead masts were used and each state has its own choice for installations. Queensland did not use target boards for the signals, except on overhead signals, prior to the mid 1990s.

Below are some photos of some installations from various states and territories.

Gold Coast Intersection
Common to Queensland's Gold Coast, this intersection has an older more arced overhang post.

Taken on the Gold Coast Highway (State Route 2), Broadbeach, QLD.

Image © Paul Rands

1980s NSW Overhang Signal
Typical short overhang signal setup from the 80s and 90s in NSW urban areas. This one is on the New England Highway at Singleton.

Image © Paul Rands

Pedestrian Signal with Round Visors
Unusual - these normally have square visors, these may have replaced damaged ones. Taken 2004 on the corner of Blacktown Rd (State Route 61), Bourke and Lennox St Richmond NSW. This signal was replaced in July of 2004.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 166 R3

Typical 1980's / 90s ACT Signal Installation
In Canberra, the Stormwater & Roads people seem to favour 12 inch signals. This is a fairly typical ACT setup from the 80s or 90s on the corner of Canberra Avenue and National Circuit Forrest. Note the extensive use of 4-way signals and no borders like you usually see in NSW. However the ACT has begun buying signals with the white border on them as can be seen along Northbourne Avenue.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)

8 Way Signal
Found on the Queensland Gold Coast, this is an unusual 1980s installation on a suburban road.

Image © Paul Rands

Old Signal Assembly
Old signal assembly in Queensland, note new Aldridge signal behind it. Looks like some yellow paint is showing through...

Image © Paul Rands

ATS signals without visors
Taken in Springwood QLD, this is a typical 1980 / 90s setup for signals. Taken November 2003 near IKEA.

Image © Paul Rands

Round Visors on Pedestrian Signal
Normally visors are square on pedestrian signals. This one has round visors with louvres to reduce the sun reflecing back on the signals reflectors. Taken 2004 on the corner of King & Kent Streets Wynyard.

Image © Paul Rands
Sydway Ref: 277 H17

Old AWA Signals
Taken on the corner of Hindmarsh Drive & Callam Street, Woden, ACT. This a typical 1970s signal used in Canberra.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)

6-way Canberra Signal
The quality of ACT roads is generally amazing, as this image shows. Here's yet another typical 12 inch signal in Canberra. Taken on the corner of Hindmarsh Drive and Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrahbundah.

Signal Without Backplate
ATS poly signals on traffic island. In some instances the islands are too narrow to have backplates installed. If they did have them, they'd be constantly damaged by trucks. Taken on the corner of Church St (Metroad 3) & Junction St, Ryde NSW.

South Australian Style Installation in NSW
This installation on the corner of Moorefields Road & Chapel Street, Kingsgrove in Sydney is more typical of SA because of the single target board used on back to back signals.

Modified ATS signal installation
Signal sans backplate to accommodate the awning.

Taken 2004 looking North on the corner of Pacific Hwy & St Johns Ave Gordon.

Old Pedestrian Installation
Located at Lindfield on the Pacific Highway, this set has been around for quite a number of years as evidenced by the older signal in the background - it has an older signal, probably an AWA or Eagle, and the old post cap, which is shorter and a yellow post. Posts were repainted grey or green back in the late 60's.

1980s Traffic Lanterns
Signal heads from the 80s on older posts. Located on Plenty Road in Bundoora, Victoria. August 2006.