At least here in Austria we often have left turning lanes, that have a magnetic sensor/loop in the street and the traffic light only switches, when you’re on top off it.
People stopping way too early and especially people leaving too much space between cars is really infuriating in the city…
Those sensors are the apex of Modernist arrogance, where people just decide they know every detail about any system they look at and can control everything.
There is no single place where they work. But at least people have been steadily removing them for the last 30 years.
I’ve noticed more and more what look like cameras/infrared sensors on traffic lights instead of induction loops, much more “fault tolerant” and work much better for cyclists.
In streets with high traffic, the left turning red light only goes to green, if someone is actually there waiting. Because else it would make a longer red phase for the opposite drivers going straight
It’s not like the sensors override safe lighting patterns though, no two lights that interfere should ever turn green at the same time.
And the loops can reliably detect bicycles too, as they do in the Netherlands. And there’s usually several that detect vehicles early, it’s not like a car needs to sit right on top of them.
Basically they’re a proven technology that improves safety and convenience. Obligatory NJB: https://youtu.be/knbVWXzL4-4
Well, for pedestrians there is usually a button at the crossover, so they get priority and a green light soon
Bicycles at such crossings usually have a bike lane, because it’s (usually) only at high traffic crossings - and else they can use the pedestrian button
Not sure about motorcycles though.
Haven’t seen issues personally, but I can imagine, that the sensors aren’t trimmed to motorcycles sometimes.
But have to say, that in every occasion I’ve had a motorcycle in front of me on such a sensor, it worked.
Statistically probably not relevant though…
At least here in Austria we often have left turning lanes, that have a magnetic sensor/loop in the street and the traffic light only switches, when you’re on top off it.
People stopping way too early and especially people leaving too much space between cars is really infuriating in the city…
Those sensors are the apex of Modernist arrogance, where people just decide they know every detail about any system they look at and can control everything.
There is no single place where they work. But at least people have been steadily removing them for the last 30 years.
I’ve noticed more and more what look like cameras/infrared sensors on traffic lights instead of induction loops, much more “fault tolerant” and work much better for cyclists.
I’m not really sure, if I understood you
In streets with high traffic, the left turning red light only goes to green, if someone is actually there waiting. Because else it would make a longer red phase for the opposite drivers going straight
So, it seems like an improvement to me
What am I missing?
Every traffic situation where people would need to cross but there won’t be a car stopper exactly over the sensor.
Not exhaustively:
pedestrians
motorcycles
bicycles
cars stopped at the wrong place
It’s not like the sensors override safe lighting patterns though, no two lights that interfere should ever turn green at the same time.
And the loops can reliably detect bicycles too, as they do in the Netherlands. And there’s usually several that detect vehicles early, it’s not like a car needs to sit right on top of them.
Basically they’re a proven technology that improves safety and convenience. Obligatory NJB: https://youtu.be/knbVWXzL4-4
Ah, I see, thanks
Well, for pedestrians there is usually a button at the crossover, so they get priority and a green light soon
Bicycles at such crossings usually have a bike lane, because it’s (usually) only at high traffic crossings - and else they can use the pedestrian button
Not sure about motorcycles though.
Haven’t seen issues personally, but I can imagine, that the sensors aren’t trimmed to motorcycles sometimes.
But have to say, that in every occasion I’ve had a motorcycle in front of me on such a sensor, it worked.
Statistically probably not relevant though…
Edit: auto correct fix