Traffic signal with directional indicator

Abstract

Substantially translucent lenses to be used in combination with standard traffic control signals. Information relating to the direction of vehicles are provided in such a manner on the lenses that motorists are constrained to view the information.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for displaying adjacent a roadway orientational information indicative of the compass heading direction in which a vehicle must be traveling if the vehicle operator can view the apparatus, in such a manner that motorists on said roadway must of necessity observe it, comprising: a traffic signal comprised of at least three different-colored lenses and means of illuminating said lenses .[.selectively.]., said traffic signal installed with said lenses directed toward a first compass heading; and   means for permanently modifying the light beam transmitted by one of said lenses to convey information indicative of a second compass heading opposite said first compass heading to provide information as to the direction in which vehicles approaching the traffic signal are traveling.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 in which said means for modifying the light beam transmitted by said one of said lenses of traffic signal comprises the provision on said one of said lenses of an abbreviation for the compass heading direction in which vehicles subject to the instructions of said traffic signal are traveling. 
     
     
       3. A traffic signal comprising, in combination: a plurality of different-colored lenses adapted to be illuminated from behind and facing so as to be clearly directed for visibility by vehicle traffic heading in only one compass direction;   means for .[.selectively.]. illuminating each of said lenses; and   vehicle heading information provided on one of said lenses such that the light transmission characteristics of said one of said lenses are altered thereby, said vehicle heading information comprising an abbreviation for said one compass direction.   
     
     
       4. The traffic signal apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said vehicle heading information is provided on the green lens of said traffic signal.