Temp traffic lights, are they breeding ??
Discussion
There seems to have been an explosion in temporary traffic lights (last couple of years). I experienced six sets on a three mile journey today.
Have we completely lost common sense, drivers can cope with going around a parked car (in turn), so why not a small barrier around a hole in the road?
Do we really need the temp traffic lights?
Is this the result of private equity buying up traffic management companies and then pushing temp lights onto councils, or is that just my tin foil hat conspiracy theory ?
Have we completely lost common sense, drivers can cope with going around a parked car (in turn), so why not a small barrier around a hole in the road?
Do we really need the temp traffic lights?
Is this the result of private equity buying up traffic management companies and then pushing temp lights onto councils, or is that just my tin foil hat conspiracy theory ?
Wilmslowboy said:
There seems to have been an explosion in temporary traffic lights (last couple of years). I experienced six sets on a three mile journey today.
Have we completely lost common sense, drivers can cope with going around a parked car (in turn), so why not a small barrier around a hole in the road?
Do we really need the temp traffic lights?
Is this the result of private equity buying up traffic management companies and then pushing temp lights onto councils, or is that just my tin foil hat conspiracy theory ?
No, it s not just you. These lights have multiplied around the most trivial minor excavations, including works in the grass verge. I suspect that contractors are being warned to cover their own backsides. So patronising and frustrating to drivers , causing missed appointments,and increased pollution. An example only yesterday on the important , narrow in places, and busy A65 .Have we completely lost common sense, drivers can cope with going around a parked car (in turn), so why not a small barrier around a hole in the road?
Do we really need the temp traffic lights?
Is this the result of private equity buying up traffic management companies and then pushing temp lights onto councils, or is that just my tin foil hat conspiracy theory ?
Edited by Lester H on Wednesday 3rd June 21:30
Edited by Lester H on Wednesday 3rd June 21:33
Edited by Lester H on Wednesday 3rd June 21:34
You should try Bristol . They are everywhere. A few things annoy me;
Often they freeze on red and traffic just sits there until someone with balls pulls out from behind the car at the front and speeds through them. Surely they should be managed remotely and fixed.
The 100s of meters of road out of action for a small hole on the pavement. Everyone who goes to work should go home at the end of the their day , I agree with that, but why 100s of meters for what appears such a small job.
Often they freeze on red and traffic just sits there until someone with balls pulls out from behind the car at the front and speeds through them. Surely they should be managed remotely and fixed.
The 100s of meters of road out of action for a small hole on the pavement. Everyone who goes to work should go home at the end of the their day , I agree with that, but why 100s of meters for what appears such a small job.
Edited by oldaudi on Thursday 4th June 07:28
The problem with TTLs are that they aren't always that intelligent. The microwave sensors are meant to be able to pick up traffic and volume, but sometimes they are left on default settings. You could have a crossroads on a main road and the main road has 40 cars per minute and the 2 side roads have 2 cars, yet the same timings are given to all leading to build
My view is that if you need TTLs on an A-road, then they should be managed manually by an operative at all times. It's going to bump up costs, but why should I wait because City Fibre want to rip up the road and leave the hole open for ages.
My view is that if you need TTLs on an A-road, then they should be managed manually by an operative at all times. It's going to bump up costs, but why should I wait because City Fibre want to rip up the road and leave the hole open for ages.
vikingaero said:
The problem with TTLs are that they aren't always that intelligent. The microwave sensors are meant to be able to pick up traffic and volume, but sometimes they are left on default settings. You could have a crossroads on a main road and the main road has 40 cars per minute and the 2 side roads have 2 cars, yet the same timings are given to all leading to build
My view is that if you need TTLs on an A-road, then they should be managed manually by an operative at all times. It's going to bump up costs, but why should I wait because City Fibre want to rip up the road and leave the hole open for ages.
Many on main roads I see do have an operative managing it. Normally sat in a car looking bored out of their mind. It's big business doing this kind of traffic control I expect.My view is that if you need TTLs on an A-road, then they should be managed manually by an operative at all times. It's going to bump up costs, but why should I wait because City Fibre want to rip up the road and leave the hole open for ages.
Traffic management is now a huge industry, causing untold misery to folk trying to go about their daily grind.
Mini Loto needed a new electricity connection for his house - we are in a small rural village, 30mph zone.
ENW turned up and traced the cable in the pavement and put some cones around it. 2 days later traffic management Co turns up and installs lights in both directions. 3 days later an excavation Co turns up and digs the hole. Next day ENW arrive and do the connection, then we wait another 3 days for excavation Co to arrive with a grab unit and fill it back in (10 mins and done). Then another firm comes to make good the black top. Then wait another 2 days for traffic man Co to come and take down the lights and cones.
...all for a connection in the bloody pavement. Once upon a time leccy Co would have come and done everything with some cones and signage.
Mini Loto needed a new electricity connection for his house - we are in a small rural village, 30mph zone.
ENW turned up and traced the cable in the pavement and put some cones around it. 2 days later traffic management Co turns up and installs lights in both directions. 3 days later an excavation Co turns up and digs the hole. Next day ENW arrive and do the connection, then we wait another 3 days for excavation Co to arrive with a grab unit and fill it back in (10 mins and done). Then another firm comes to make good the black top. Then wait another 2 days for traffic man Co to come and take down the lights and cones.
...all for a connection in the bloody pavement. Once upon a time leccy Co would have come and done everything with some cones and signage.
I suspect it's the "safe to start" mentality.
There's a narrow bridge behind Portsdown Hill that has been fine for probably as long as cars have existed. Something has gone through the barrier so a 6ft section of concrete posts and steel poles is missing, no other damage or restriction to the road. Now there is a 3 way set of battery powered traffic lights guarding it for some reason. Even though a quiet road the cars build up very quickly.
Often they stop working and normal traffic resumes perfectly. So frustrating.
There's a narrow bridge behind Portsdown Hill that has been fine for probably as long as cars have existed. Something has gone through the barrier so a 6ft section of concrete posts and steel poles is missing, no other damage or restriction to the road. Now there is a 3 way set of battery powered traffic lights guarding it for some reason. Even though a quiet road the cars build up very quickly.
Often they stop working and normal traffic resumes perfectly. So frustrating.
Health and safety for the contractors.
Even if this means them working on the pavement or indeed verge quite often they will still have those temporary lights in place after giving themselves a few extra feet safety space with the use of barriers.
What I find slightly irritating is the fact that often these lights cover only a few cars length and in 2 way quiet country roads waiting if needed without lights would be an option.
Quite often these lights also seem to fail or both sets remain on red which over a weekend when they aren’t working on the repair itself becomes paradoxic.
Even if this means them working on the pavement or indeed verge quite often they will still have those temporary lights in place after giving themselves a few extra feet safety space with the use of barriers.
What I find slightly irritating is the fact that often these lights cover only a few cars length and in 2 way quiet country roads waiting if needed without lights would be an option.
Quite often these lights also seem to fail or both sets remain on red which over a weekend when they aren’t working on the repair itself becomes paradoxic.
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