Our US Traffic lights are standard no matter where you go except some uncivilized places like FL, TX, and WI.
Our pedestrian signals are pretty much standard too, with little variation on the walk/don’t walk theme.
In Germany after the reunification all traffic control signs and lights were being changed over to the West German Standard.
The walk/don’t walk figure called Ampelmann caused some people to wax nostalgic for the East Berlin figure.
Unlike traffic lights pedestrian lights aren’t a big deal safety wise, but apparently can be disproportionate emotion wise.
Some cities or regions wanted local connections to heroes, legends or something else. It's a country where following the rules
and laws handed down is a tradition, and doesn’t get much push-back from the common folk.
This is an opportunity to voice dissent and flout the law in a socially acceptable manner.
Some places have come up with their own designs to honor the city or region in spite of national law.
It’s symbolic and doesn’t make any difference in function or safety.
Actually it’s just a mask blocking part of a standard red or green light so not expensive/difficult (read cheap) to change.
In reality it’s so cheap and quick some people have taken it upon themselves to do it surreptitiously to promote some cause or
just for shits and giggles.
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These are only the links I remembered to save. You wouldn’t believe how much time I spent on this.
