UFO-Style Traffic Light to be Removed

Jul 23, 2024 | News On Japan

SENDAI, Jul 23, 2024 (News On Japan) - The last three 'UFO-style' traffic lights in Japan, which appear to hover like UFOs, will be removed by the end of this month due to aging.

The "UFO-style traffic light," which integrates four traffic lights for vehicles and four for pedestrians on a single pole, is formally known as the "suspended traffic light." Its name comes from the way it lights up in the center of intersections, appearing to float like a UFO.

Because it only requires one pole, these lights were installed on narrow roads in Miyagi, Aichi, and Gunma prefectures starting in the late 1970s.

A local resident commented, "It's rare and has an interesting shape, so I hope it doesn't get removed."

Currently, only three of these traffic lights remain in Japan, with the other two located in Sendai.

Another resident said, "If it's old and dangerous, especially near a school, I think it should be replaced."

Takashi Sugawara, Vice Principal of Sendai City Nagamachi Elementary School, expressed his sentiments, "The UFO-style traffic light has watched over the safety of the community and children for many years, so it's very disappointing."

The UFO-style traffic light will be replaced with a standard "LED (light-emitting diode) traffic light" by the end of this month.

Source: ANN

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