Can someone explain this traffic signal in Thomasville?

Ok, so, Thomasville NC. There's a traffic light there I noticed, at the railroad crossing on Randolph St/main st. If you're a certain distance, and such from the light when it's green, the light, is actually not visible, until you get closer... My question is, HOW IN THE HELL DOES THAT WORK!? O_O? Special lens or, something..? And if so, what's the bloody point of it if you can't see the light is green till you're almost right under it..?