Article: When a signal goes on too long

[Alps]

Well I've witnessed loops miss calls, so take that for what it's worth. Also, TTI is a lot more reasonable than you are about other technologies. In particular, you gloss over "well documented problems with inductive loops." Kinda sinks your feeble ship there, donnit?

[tradephoric]

Below is the listed weaknesses of inductive loops according to the FHWA Traffic Control Systems Handbook:

-Installation requires pavement cut.
-Improper installation decreases pavement life.
-Installation and maintenance require lane closure.
-Wire loops subject to stresses of traffic and temperature.
-Multiple detectors usually required to monitor a location.
-Detection accuracy may decrease when design requires detection of a large variety of vehicle classes.

It's clear when you read my posts that the accuracy of vehicle detection systems is of critical importance.  Video detection that outputs 50% false calls in transitional light conditions, prolonged cycles of zero counts, and missed calls in low-light conditions is unacceptable performance.  Based on the studies, TTI's findings, and personal experience video detection is not the most accurate.  I welcome differing points of view but they are most effective when they are backed by facts. 

[Zmapper]

Is it really that troublesome to have traffic signals that cycle every time, even if it is only for two seconds for the minor street? As a bicyclist, there are plenty of intersections that are "hit or miss" regarding detection.

[Alps]

Below is the listed weaknesses of inductive loops according to the FHWA Traffic Control Systems Handbook:

-Installation requires pavement cut.
-Improper installation decreases pavement life.
-Installation and maintenance require lane closure.
-Wire loops subject to stresses of traffic and temperature.
-Multiple detectors usually required to monitor a location.
-Detection accuracy may decrease when design requires detection of a large variety of vehicle classes.

It's clear when you read my posts that the accuracy of vehicle detection systems is of critical importance.  Video detection that outputs 50% false calls in transitional light conditions, prolonged cycles of zero counts, and missed calls in low-light conditions is unacceptable performance.  Based on the studies, TTI's findings, and personal experience video detection is not the most accurate.  I welcome differing points of view but they are most effective when they are backed by facts. 

As a moderator, I will ask you for the last time why you are so pro-loop and anti-video. Do you work for someone in the industry or is this just your strong opinion?

[tradephoric]

I'm pro-vehicle detection that is accurate and inductive loops are more accurate than video detection.

Tradephoric, can you come out and say which company you work for that manufactures loops?

It's not appreciated that a moderator on this forum would be making baseless accusations. 

[Alps]

I'm pro-vehicle detection that is accurate and inductive loops are more accurate than video detection.

Tradephoric, can you come out and say which company you work for that manufactures loops?

It's not appreciated that a moderator on this forum would be making baseless accusations. 

Well look around the forum, most people aren't as vehement as you are on such a picayune topic.

[agentsteel53]

Well look around the forum, most people aren't as vehement as you are on such a picayune topic.

wtf?  we've never seen a strong opinion before?

I don't like traffic lights on freeway-to-freeway connections, preferring instead long flyover ramps, so I must be working for a concrete company.

[agentsteel53]

(That's not necessarily the right approach, but I'm sure they did the math, because they don't have the money to waste.)

they don't?  you mean flying the governor around in a helicopter was a judiciously considered reaction based on fiscal prudence?

[Alps]

(That's not necessarily the right approach, but I'm sure they did the math, because they don't have the money to waste.)

they don't?  you mean flying the governor around in a helicopter was a judiciously considered reaction based on fiscal prudence?

The NJDOT did not do that.

[cpzilliacus]

-Installation requires pavement cut.
-Improper installation decreases pavement life.
-Installation and maintenance require lane closure.
-Wire loops subject to stresses of traffic and temperature.
-Multiple detectors usually required to monitor a location.
-Detection accuracy may decrease when design requires detection of a large variety of vehicle classes.

-The loops can be damaged by brine that can seep in as a result of winter maintenance
-If there is a lot of traffic with heavy axle loadings (laden trucks and two-axle six tire transit buses) and the pavement is flexible (asphalt), then pavement can get rutted, which can damage the loops.

[kphoger]

Well look around the forum, most people aren't as vehement as you are on such a picayune topic.

wtf?  we've never seen a strong opinion before?

I don't like traffic lights on freeway-to-freeway connections, preferring instead long flyover ramps, so I must be working for a concrete company.

Better yet:  all the folks on here who are vehement about hydraulic concrete being better than asphalt must work for the cement companies.

[Alps]

Well look around the forum, most people aren't as vehement as you are on such a picayune topic.

wtf?  we've never seen a strong opinion before?

I don't like traffic lights on freeway-to-freeway connections, preferring instead long flyover ramps, so I must be working for a concrete company.

Better yet:  all the folks on here who are vehement about hydraulic concrete being better than asphalt must work for the cement companies.

I've never seen someone here argue that concrete is best in every application.

[NE2]

Those who argue against bikes on the road work for the car companies.

[Road Hog]

I looked and looked and I could not find a single Texas statute that covered what one should do at a malfunctioning red light. I did find lots of discussion about it, however.

I guess you're either supposed to turn right on red and then do a U-turn, or just patiently sit and wait for TxDOT to get off its duff and fix it. Or just damn the torpedoes and hope if there is a cop, he or she is reasonable.

[vdeane]

Those who argue against bikes on the road work for the car companies.

No, we're just the type of people who think of driving as fun rather than a chore.

And we don't object to bikes being on the road... we object to bikes being given a higher priority on the road than us and being inconvieienced (however that word's spelled... chrome's spell check is no help here) by them.