3M Model 131 Programmable Visibility Signal
Manufactured:
1990
Location of Final Assembly:
Foley, Minnesota
Original Service Location:
None; Purchased by Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), never used in street service.
Date Added to Collection:
June, 2003
Illumination Source:
150 watt PAR 46 bulb specially designed for traffic service
What Makes it Special:
This was the first signal designed specifically for America's ever-expanding suburbs and complicated, vehicle-dominated intersections. Released in 1967 as the M-123 and later refined into the M-131 in 1969, these signals addressed the issue of lens burn (by placing the bulb at the rear and away from the lens) as well as sun phantom (by eliminating the reflector assembly). These signals were designed to be 'masked' to prevent drivers in opposing lanes from viewing an indication meant for another driver. This feature was also useful at odd-angle or near-distance intersections where viewing the wrong signal could lead to a serious accident. They also included high-tech (for the time) features such as Fresnel lenses, a halogen PAR46 bulb and an electronic dimming circuit that helped to minimize motorist glare at night.
Although many of these signals were made by 3M between 1969 and 2007, they were most popular in the 1980s and 90s. They have also proven elusive in preservation and are popular with scrap metal operations due to the copious amounts of aluminum and copper wiring they contain over a standard signal. I believe that these signals are destined become extremely rare in the coming years and those that do survive are likely to remain popular with collectors for generations to come.
This signal came to me in June of 2003 after a search that started a year and a half prior and involved no fewer than three government agencies each pointing me to the next. I nearly gave up on my quest but, on a hunch, I cold emailed my contact at the City of Portland and he said he had one set aside for me. I never expected something like this...I'll own it until the day I die.
3M Model 131 Programmable Visibility Signal
Manufactured:
1990
Location of Final Assembly:
Foley, Minnesota
Original Service Location:
None; Purchased by Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), never used in street service.
Date Added to Collection:
June, 2003
Illumination Source:
150 watt PAR 46 bulb specially designed for traffic service
What Makes it Special:
This was the first signal designed specifically for America's ever-expanding suburbs and complicated, vehicle-dominated intersections. Released in 1967 as the M-123 and later refined into the M-131 in 1969, these signals addressed the issue of lens burn (by placing the bulb at the rear and away from the lens) as well as sun phantom (by eliminating the reflector assembly). These signals were designed to be 'masked' to prevent drivers in opposing lanes from viewing an indication meant for another driver. This feature was also useful at odd-angle or near-distance intersections where viewing the wrong signal could lead to a serious accident. They also included high-tech (for the time) features such as Fresnel lenses, a halogen PAR46 bulb and an electronic dimming circuit that helped to minimize motorist glare at night.
Although many of these signals were made by 3M between 1969 and 2007, they were most popular in the 1980s and 90s. They have also proven elusive in preservation and are popular with scrap metal operations due to the copious amounts of aluminum and copper wiring they contain over a standard signal. I believe that these signals are destined become extremely rare in the coming years and those that do survive are likely to remain popular with collectors for generations to come.
This signal came to me in June of 2003 after a search that started a year and a half prior and involved no fewer than three government agencies each pointing me to the next. I nearly gave up on my quest but, on a hunch, I cold emailed my contact at the City of Portland and he said he had one set aside for me. I never expected something like this...I'll own it until the day I die.