The information aesthetics blog described an interesting use for a pie chart: directing traffic. In marshalite alternative traffic light, there was a picture and short description.
“an alternative, rotary traffic signal designed by Charles Marshall in 1936 & used from the 1940s through 1970s in Australia. 2 rotors pointing at colored sections denote whether traffic in either direction should proceed, prepare, or stop. based on a traditional clock face, it has the advantage of clearly showing signal phase timing.”
This type of signal has advantages and disadvantages:
- advantage: shows the timing of the green-amber-red cycle
- disadvantage: transition between phases is not as distinct as changing lights
- disadvantage: doesn’t allow for sensor-driven dynamic timing
- disadvantage: mechanical devices are typically more prone to failure than electronic ones *
* probably not a factor in 1936
The photo came to information aesthetics via Wikipedia.
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