The Street facts & stats

Question 1

In the UK, what is a pedestrian crossing painted with broad black-and-white stripes called?

Accepted Answer

A zebra crossing. Zebra crossings are named for their stripes and usually have flashing amber Belisha beacons.

Question 2

On which side of the road do people drive in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Left. Traffic in the UK keeps left, as it does in countries such as Japan, Australia and India.

Question 3

Which ancient Roman road ran from Rome toward southern Italy?

Accepted Answer

Via Appia (the Appian Way). Begun in 312 BC, the Via Appia linked Rome with Capua and was later extended to Brindisi.

Question 4

Which San Francisco street is famous for a steep block with eight hairpin turns?

Accepted Answer

Lombard Street. Lombard Street's zigzag block was built in the 1920s to make its steep slope safer for vehicles.

Question 5

In countries that drive on the right, which way does traffic circulate around a roundabout?

Accepted Answer

Counterclockwise. Where traffic keeps right, vehicles go anticlockwise around roundabouts; in left-driving countries they go clockwise.

Question 6

In which city was the world's first traffic signal, a gas-lit semaphore, installed in 1868?

Accepted Answer

London. The first traffic signal stood near the Houses of Parliament, operated by a police officer with arms and gas lamps.

Question 7

Manhattan's famous street grid was laid out under a plan from which year?

Accepted Answer

1811. The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 set out Manhattan's regular grid of numbered streets and avenues.

The basics