The first traffic signal in the world was installed in 1868 outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Its purpose was to allow Members of Parliament to cross the road safely. the signal was operated manually by plliceman who used semaphore arms during the day and gas-lit red and green lights at night. However, it once exploded and the idea was abandoned in 1872. Manually controlled electric traffic lights were introduced in Cleveland, Ohio, USA,in 1914. The first set in Britain were put up at Leeds in 1923;the first in London in 1926. Automatic lights wee first used in 1927.