The Big Apple's Blinking Bonanza: How Many Traffic Lights Does NYC Actually Have?
Ever felt like you've spent more time waiting at a red light in New York City than, well, anywhere else? You're not wrong. The city that never sleeps sure knows how to make its drivers wait. But have you ever stopped to wonder, just how many traffic lights are out there controlling this urban jungle?
A Number that Would Make Your Head Spin (Just Like a Taxi Driver)
Let's get down to brass tacks. The exact number can be a bit of a moving target, depending on who you ask and when they last did a headcount. But according to the New York City Department of Transportation (fancy way of saying the folks in charge of those pesky lights), as of March 2022, there were a whopping 13,543 intersections with traffic signals citywide.
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That's a lot of red, yellow, and green, folks! We're talking more blinking lights than a Times Square New Year's Eve celebration. Imagine the conductor needed for this light show!
Breaking it Down by Borough (Because Brooklyn Doesn't Want to Share the Spotlight)
Tip: Don’t skip the small notes — they often matter.
Now, New Yorkers are a proud bunch, and even traffic lights get the borough brag-down treatment. Here's a breakdown of the light-y situation by borough:
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- Manhattan: 2,862 (Seems fitting for a city that never stops)
- The Bronx: 1,768 (Enough to keep even the most enthusiastic Yankee fan in check)
- Brooklyn: 4,848 (No surprise there, Brooklyn's gotta be big in everything)
- Queens: 3,432 (Keeping the "borough of everything" well-lit)
- Staten Island: 633 (Maybe the green light here actually means "go" unlike the rest of the city?)
So, How Many Lights Have You Waited At Today?
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
There you have it, folks. The next time you're stuck at a seemingly endless red light, take solace in the fact that you're part of a well-orchestrated (or maybe not-so-orchestrated) traffic dance. Just try not to count all the lights, you might end up needing one of those.
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
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| How Many Traffic Lights Are There In New York City |
How To FAQs:
- How to avoid traffic lights altogether? Good luck! But hey, maybe a bike or becoming the next Spider-man?
- How to make a traffic light change faster? Telekinesis? It hasn't been invented yet (as far as we know). Patience is your best bet.
- How to tell a New Yorker from another city dweller? Ask them about their favorite traffic light story. New Yorkers have a lifetime supply.
- How to get a traffic light named after you? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe a crosswalk first?
- How to appreciate a traffic light? See it as a chance to catch your breath, listen to a good song, or people-watch. You never know what you might see!
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