Svetoforus-2 (Isiklarius) Istanbul traffic lights

	Task:	To design new traffic lights for Istanbul.

For the ISBAK company and the Istanbul city municipality our studio has designed a new traffic light from scratch.

ISBAK services the Istanbul transport system since 1986.

Metaphor

The traffic light is shaped as an exclamation mark—an established sign calling for attention and stressing important points. Yet the object remains instantly recognizable as a traffic signal.

Istanbul has tens of thousands of traffic lights today.

Technology

Svetoforus-2 is the world’s first traffic light to use signal panels based on the PHOLED (phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode) technology.

Mounting

The mount has a pivot and adjustable arm’s length, which allows you to rotate or tilt the body.

Safety

Svetoforus-2 is equipped with a system developed in our studio that detects visually impaired and handicapped pedestrians. It uses special icons on the signal panel to warn drivers when such persons approach the crossing.

There is a sound signal for visually impaired that also alerts other pedestrians and drivers.

The body is made of linen-colored plastic

The back panel is black with a light-reflecting outline

This modular traffic light is easy to assemble in any combination—just use inverted lower sections for any extras you need

Release date: July 01 2011

Cast:

artistic director

Artemy Lebedev

art director

Timur Burbaev

industrial designers

Aleksey Sharshakov
Andrey Fabishevsky
Vasily Markin
Maria Borzilova
Sushi Chao

modeller

Aleksandr Pozdeev

visualization

Filipp Gorbachev

project managers

Andrey Dyakov
Evgeny Volodin

ISBAK team:

Sadula Uzun
Yusuf Dursun
Fatikh Oztyurk
Alie Akchil
Mukhamed Alyuryuk
Kevser Simcek
Khakan Chelik

World history of traffic light development


1868 The first traffic light installed in London	1913 G. Morgan designed a cross-shaped traffic signal	1921 William Potts created the first three-section traffic light	1924 Traffic light towers appeared on Fifth avenue. They were twenty-five feet high and policemen operated them manually	1936 The Marshalite traffic signal used a dial and was created by Charles Marshall	Three-section traffic lights became dominant in traffic control	1990 Traffic signals acquire super-bright LEDs, which consume less power	2008 Art. Lebedev Studio designed a traffic light with square sections

Structure elements

This traffic light is engineered to work with a base of any profile or diameter. Brackets are put in place with off-the-shelf tools and do not require particular precision.

The Isiklarius is engineered down to four main elements

Maintenance

The body and the visor are designed as one piece, allowing for easier installation, maintenance, stocking, and transportation as well as reducing the number of parts.

Hinge mounting

Fine-tuning its vertical and horizontal positions

Opening 160°

The signal covering glass is decorated with a traditional Turkish ornament

With love for architecture

For the Istanbul historical peninsula the traffic light is produced using natural materials.

For the surface we used wood veneer with a varnish or special wood-imitating film applied.

The body walls are tilted at a particular angle, improving the visibility and preventing water, snow, or dust from collecting on it

Modular structure

The upper portion with two sections is build as a mono-unit. It doubles as a pedestrian light, which further improves maintenance cost.