Discussion
Does anyone know what the little boxes on top of traffic lights are for? They're rectangular with a black lens and approx 6" long and are mounted so the lens bit faces traffic. Are they red light cameras or the much rumored 'blue flash' detector which picks up emergency vehicles and sets the lights to green?
Matt
Matt
Does anyone know what the little boxes on top of traffic lights are for? They're rectangular with a black lens and approx 6" long and are mounted so the lens bit faces traffic. Are they red light cameras or the much rumored 'blue flash' detector which picks up emergency vehicles and sets the lights to green?
Matt
I believe they're some sort of traffic sensor to monitor traffic flow. If the road's pretty empty then the lights will change quickly when a pedestrian presses the button. In heavy traffic the delay is longer to allow more cars to pass.
How long it's been since the lights last changed may also factor in to how quickly they switch from green to red.
... although I may well be completely wrong about all of this.
Edited to add: must type faster.
Dan
>> Edited by DanL on Thursday 27th February 12:20
I think they're a combination of radar trafic detection and strobe detection.
The radar helps to adapt the timings (car coming- lights go green if nothing else about).
The strobe detector detects errr... strobes. I don't think they all do this though. Detects patterns of 3? strobe flashes then puts the whole lot onto red.
The radar helps to adapt the timings (car coming- lights go green if nothing else about).
The strobe detector detects errr... strobes. I don't think they all do this though. Detects patterns of 3? strobe flashes then puts the whole lot onto red.
They are a secret goverment camera.
They are ready to be adopted for a new "speed kills" campaign where all pedestrians must not walk above 5mph.
Recently published statistics proved that the faster you walk the more damage is done when you trip. It has been deemed by the government that it is no longer OK for people to judge their own walking pace with respect to the walking conditions, hence the need for these new cameras.
Big brother is watching you
>> Edited by robp on Thursday 27th February 13:35
They are ready to be adopted for a new "speed kills" campaign where all pedestrians must not walk above 5mph.
Recently published statistics proved that the faster you walk the more damage is done when you trip. It has been deemed by the government that it is no longer OK for people to judge their own walking pace with respect to the walking conditions, hence the need for these new cameras.
Big brother is watching you
>> Edited by robp on Thursday 27th February 13:35
They're all over the place in my local area, and I think they change the lights when they see you comming if there's nobody else around.
There's one junction that always seems to be on red when I approach it, then it changes the instant my wheels stop turning. I'm sure it does it on purpose!
There's also a set on some lights controlling a bridge in Guildford Stroughton Road I think. They definately change as soon as they see you. A very effective solution.
There's one junction that always seems to be on red when I approach it, then it changes the instant my wheels stop turning. I'm sure it does it on purpose!
There's also a set on some lights controlling a bridge in Guildford Stroughton Road I think. They definately change as soon as they see you. A very effective solution.
ashes said: I had heard (could be rubbish mind) that these are transponders designed to recognise emergency vehicles and change the lights for them???
Hi,
I can't say for sure, but here in the States, we do have a system where a coded strobe on emergency vehicles (Ambulance, Fire and Police) will switch all the lights green in advance of the vehicle and stop the cross traffic. Generally, these are accompanied by a simple flood lamp which lights to alert the driver of the Emergency vehicle that the light has 'sensed' him and that the cross traffic will be stopped.
Theoretically, you could mount your own strobe and get clear sailing here, but you'd need to know the frequency of the flashes. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
They are for monitoring traffic flow and adjusting the light phasing accordingly - whan the traffic is normal then the system uses pre-determined settings, at night the major road taked precedence with the sensors used to detect traffic approaching from minor roads. They can also be used to change lights for emergency service vehicles and where they are used on temporary roadworks lights, you can get them to change by flashing your lights at them provided no traffic is coming the other way.
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