Traffic Sensors & Signal Control

[wgraybuckley]

When I first saw these cameras at major intersections I figured we were all on tv, and that after a crash the police would have video of who ran the light. Not so.

The devices detect not only vehicles present, but the number of vehicles and in which lane they are waiting/approaching. Ride up to such an intersection in the left turn lane when your bike is the only vehicle present. Shortly thereafter you will get a green signal.

It sounds like an expensive solution but in fact it is less costly over time than the old style sensors described in Alex' article. They can be installed with relative ease and repaired without tearing up the pavement. These devices will make our old "magnet on the skid plate" devices obsolete.

[CourtFisher]

Gray,
Interesting FYI, but not sure why it's in the Ambassador forum. You might want to repost it in Clubhouse or Campfire (^_^)
Court

[DARRYL CAINEY]

Gray,
Interesting FYI, but not sure why it's in the Ambassador forum. You might want to repost it in Clubhouse or Campfire (^_^)
Court

OK: What and where is the Ambassador forum?
Didn't learn the secret handshake!

Darryl

[MCMXCIVRS]

There are a few of those systems on some recently installed lights in our neighborhood. At first I though they were traffic monitoring cameras, but then realized the true purpose. They seem to work well.

[MCohen]

I remember reading a newspaper article a while ago about similar cameras being used in Colorado. Not only can they tell if a vehicle is waiting in the turn lane but how many vehicles are waiting. Several interesections were being programmed to NOT give a green turn arrow if only one vehicle was waiting. The single vehicle was expected to creep into the intersection on a regular green (left turn yield to oncoming traffice) and wait for the signal to go yellow/red before proceeding with the turn. I was taught in driver's ed not to enter an intersection unless you knew how you were getting out, as well as hanging back in a turn lane since you have a better view around the cars waiting in the opposite turn lane so this practice seems like a bad idea. But apparently I'm told, Colorado law requires drivers to enter an intersection and wait for it to go red.

Michael Cohen