Germany. A century ago, Frankfurt installed its first traffic light, a milestone that marked the beginning of electric traffic control and that today reflects the evolution towards smarter, safer and more efficient mobility. This technological transformation will be one of the highlights of Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, which will take place from 8 to 12 September 2026.
The first public appearance of the traffic light occurred during the "Traffic Control Show", a special exhibition held in April 1926 within the framework of the Frankfurt Spring Fair. However, the system officially began operating on April 7, 1930, at the intersection of Kaiserstraße and Neue Mainzer Straße, in the city center.
Although Germany had already inaugurated its first traffic light in Berlin in 1924, the one in Frankfurt represented the beginning of electric traffic control in the city. In its early days, the device was operated manually by a police officer from a control box located on the sidewalk.
The curiosity of passers-by was such that the police officer in charge had difficulty monitoring the flow of vehicles, which led to the system being turned off just a week after it became operational. Subsequently, it was equipped with an automatic system that changed the lights at fixed intervals.
With the increase in traffic and accidents at the intersection, new challenges emerged. Due to the tram's overhead lines, the traffic light had to be installed at a high altitude, which made it difficult for drivers unfamiliar with the area to see. Finally, in 1937, the Frankfurt building authorities decided to remove it.
After World War II, the city resumed the installation of traffic lights in 1951. Decades later, in the 1960s, Frankfurt set out to electronically centralise traffic control, a goal that was achieved with the inauguration of the new control centre in 1992.
Currently, the evolution of mobility systems is marked by the integration of advanced electronics, software and connected solutions. These technologies will be the protagonists at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, especially in Hall 4.1, where nearly 200 exhibitors will present innovations in automotive electronics, smart lighting, electrical architectures, battery systems and e-powertrain technologies.
Among the participating companies will be Clarios Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Osram GmbH, EXIDE Technologies S.A., EH Europe GmbH and VIGNAL Group SAS.
The fair will also showcase solutions for thermal and battery management, charging infrastructure, charging stations and energy storage, reflecting how the mobility of the future will be increasingly connected and automated.
