General Information:

Signals installed in Western Australia during the 1980s utilised incandescent bulbs to display indications to drivers. In WA, target boards were introduced to enhance the visibility of signals for approaching vehicles. These boards were entirely black with a white border around the edges, improving the visibility of the signal heads against dark backdrops. The design of these target boards included the white border on both sides, allowing signals to be mounted on either side without requiring a separate target board for each lantern. Signal posts are usually painted safety yellow.

This page concentrates on signals and related equipment released between 1980 and 1989 and used within WA. All the signals on this page have been replaced with modern equipment.

Pedestrian Signals:

NEW Pedestrian Call Button:

A typical pedestrian call button from the 1970s and 1980s in Western Australia. At some signal locations, a standard three-aspect traffic lantern is used for pedestrian crossings, as observed at this site. The call button operates similarly to a regular pedestrian signal, notifying the controller that a pedestrian is waiting to cross and triggering a green phase. While this setup remains common in WA, it is gradually being replaced by traditional pedestrian lanterns. Intersections that retain this configuration are typically controlled by older traffic signal systems. When the button in the centre is pressed, the word 'WAIT' illuminates, completing the sentence displayed along the bottom edge of the call button face. This text differs from traditional call buttons of this type, which usually display the phrase 'WAIT for WALK signal'. Corner of Erindale Road and Balcatta Road, Balcatta, May 2010.

Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)

NEW Pedestrian Call Button:

A typical pedestrian call button from the 1970s and 1980s in Western Australia. At some signal locations, a standard three-aspect traffic lantern is used for pedestrian crossings, as observed at this site. The call button operates similarly to a regular pedestrian signal, notifying the controller that a pedestrian is waiting to cross and triggering a green phase. While this setup remains common in WA, it is gradually being replaced by traditional pedestrian lanterns. Intersections that retain this configuration are typically controlled by older traffic signal systems. When the button in the centre is pressed, the word 'WAIT' illuminates, completing the sentence displayed along the bottom edge of the call button face. This text differs from traditional call buttons of this type, which usually display the phrase 'WAIT for WALK signal'. Corner of Erindale Road and Balcatta Road, Balcatta, May 2010.

Image © Sam Laybutt (Ozroads)