New Technology

[snorri]

Well, new technology for me
I have had road works to contend with on my regular run to the shops for a few weeks now. Along with the road works there is single lane working managed by traffic lights. There are two, and sometimes four sets of traffic lights on my 8 mile round trip, it's all a bit of a novelty.
Anyway, to the point, I am most impressed by the advance in traffic light technology. As I approach and see no oncoming traffic with the lights on red I can maintain my speed towards the red light and just as I come up to the 'Wait here when light is red' sign, hey presto the lights go to green. I thought it was just my good luck on the first ocasion but it happens every time.
No brake wear, no loss of momentum, just thought I would share the joy

 

[biggs682]

ones near here must be olde fashioned

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

ones near here must be olde fashioned

In the early hours of the morning here, you would be there waiting for about 3 hours before anything car sized came along and triggered the lights for you!

 

[G2EWS]

The radar technology that is used has been with us on traffic lights for some years.

I was under the impression, obviously misguided by others comments, that all mobile lights have got to use this technology. They communicate using 458 MHz which is or was known as the MPT1329 band. The problem I have is, if you use this band you are 'supposed' to scan to see which of the 32 frequencies are free to use. But you cannot imagine someone doing their job, holding a scanner up for 30 minutes! When they set up, we have had complete water supply lines shutting down. Been a bit of a nightmare over the last few years. But we have just brought out some newer technology for our radio systems, so you, the public can keep your minds at ease as we continue to ensure water flows out of your taps!!

Best regards

Chris

 

[rich p]

Well, new technology for me
I have had road works to contend with on my regular run to the shops for a few weeks now. Along with the road works there is single lane working managed by traffic lights. There are two, and sometimes four sets of traffic lights on my 8 mile round trip, it's all a bit of a novelty.
Anyway, to the point, I am most impressed by the advance in traffic light technology. As I approach and see no oncoming traffic with the lights on red I can maintain my speed towards the red light and just as I come up to the 'Wait here when light is red' sign, hey presto the lights go to green. I thought it was just my good luck on the first ocasion but it happens every time.
No brake wear, no loss of momentum, just thought I would share the joy

In other news, snorri, Mafeking has been relieved

 

[summerdays]

There are loads of road works near where my friend lives (mains water digging up the area for last year I think!!! - no not exaggerating), and they have those type but if the angle of the traffic light is wrong - especially as most of the roads slope up or down, they can seem to get mis-aligned. Hopefully the one to get to their house the normal way disappears next week (even if it still is in the area for ages yet).

 

[snorri]

The radar technology that is used has been with us on traffic lights for some years.

Yes, but I have not seen any which can be relied upon to respond to the approach of a bicycle in sufficient time to permit passage through the obstruction without delay.

 

[G2EWS]

Yes, but I have not seen any which can be relied upon to respond to the approach of a bicycle in sufficient time to permit passage through the obstruction without delay.

They are designed to pick up something as small as a bike and rider and if set up properly will react instantly. That is assuming no vehicle has just passed either way. If the lights have not just been used then both ends will be on red.

The older systems kept one side on green so it would take the appropriate time for any vehicle - even if there was not one there - to pass the length of the road works before it changed to green on the other side.

The design and operation of them is almost foolproof now, so unless they have been messed around with or damaged you should indeed get through, almost without stopping in any vehicle.

Best regards

Chris

 

[Davidc]

Another big improvement has been the move to LED lamps. The temporary lights used to rely on a generator, which would often fail, get nicked, or have its fuel syphoned overnight, and they were bright enough at night but not on a bright day in daylight. Now it's batteries and if anything too much brightness. The set farthest from the generator was often very poor owing to voltage drop on the cable.

Wessex water have a scheme on to dig up every road in Taunton in turn, I just wish I had shares in the company that provides the temporary lights. They work as described in the OP. Still cause traffic chaos for the motorised though. As said above their no vehicle present default at night is red both ways, and the range for detection of anything including my bikes is about 100m as set here.

 

[snorri]

The design and operation of them is almost foolproof now,

Indeed, that is just what my first post was celebrating.