Belisha beacon
A Belisha beacon (/bəˈliːʃə/) is a yellow-coloured globe lamp atop a tall black and white striped pole, marking pedestrian crossings of roads in the United Kingdom,[1] Ireland, and other countries historically influenced by Britain, such as Hong Kong, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore.
[3] In December 1941, a study was made into the cost effectiveness of melting down the 64,000 Belisha beacon posts to make munitions, a plan which threatened to "deprive the right hon.
"[4] In 1948, the Central Office of Information produced a short film which showed the correct way to use a pedestrian crossing (without the stripes at this time).
Beacons with an outer ring of flashing yellow LED lights, preferred for their brightness and low electricity consumption, are replacing traditional incandescent bulbs in many areas.
The clearly illuminated white sections announce the presence of the poles carrying the yellow globes, increasing the visibility of the crossings to all road users.
These illuminated white sections can, however, obscure the presence of a pedestrian waiting to cross, as a driver cannot see the dark shape behind the brighter light coming from the pole.
[citation needed] In Australia, there has been a proliferation of various kinds of beacons and bollards, illuminated, reflective, or otherwise designed for high visibility at pedestrian crossings, to which the name Belisha is occasionally erroneously applied.
These were abolished in 1977, although use was continued on major roads until the fall of the Berlin Wall In 1956 regulations allowed for Belisha beacons to be placed at zebra crossings.
[9] In Ireland, Belisha beacons are usually accompanied by much higher visibility dual flashing amber traffic lights on either side.
[12] In France and Spain, a small number of pedestrian crossings are illuminated by special lamp posts that have flashing amber lights on their sides that play the same role as Belisha beacons.
[13][14] It also inspired an anarchic Blackpool arcade game called ‘Belisha Beacons’ in which contestants would throw balls at traffic signs.
