Traffic Lights of Orloj

Traffic Lights of Orloj are so called because they have been designed to imitate the actions of the famous mechanical and astronomical clock that stands in the centre of Prague. (see link)

A richly decorated, gothic tower encases the upper part of the traffic light, which now contains an elaborate mechanism. When the timing mechanism calls for the lights to change, a skeletal figure emerges from a hatch, waving a red lantern. Other, meaningful effigies trundle out in order from lower hatches to signify amber and green.

Folk waiting impatiently in lines of traffic are thus reminded of their own mortality, as the Lights of Orloj circle through a sequence of clanking saintly figure changes.

Drivers, and pedestrians, also have an incentive to stop, by being rewarded for not racing through just as the lights are about to change to red.