3M's PV Traffic signals used be everywhere in the US especially in California. Now Mccain's PV Traffic signals are replacing 3M.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/927fc256a93486a07d2a563abf3780dc.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/1fb6fa864317257fe9eae36be256cbb6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/e541533967528311a7d690a51aad9c72.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/30bb9564d88f9168c6b50ce6034a7f3e.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/8f0e898561bad9f6cded0e4f8aab9d52.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/a36cb46d7a1a8ba4151d419f4bf6bf6c.jpg)
LGMS210
Quote from: blue.cable82 on September 07, 2017, 08:52:20 PM
3M's PV Traffic signals used be everywhere in the US especially in California. Now Mccain's PV Traffic signals are replacing 3M.
LGMS210
There are a few of these in Tempe, AZ. Once 3M's patents expired McCain was able to make a less expensive model that most DOTs switched to.
Last time I checked, Washington DC still had 3M models in numerous locations.
Newport News, VA still has theirs at both places:
US 258 just north of VA 143
https://goo.gl/maps/4VHHCvQiQUF2
Oyster Point Rd just west of I-64 (left turn signal)
https://goo.gl/maps/1WwXjH8SXj12
Virginia Beach and Henrico County, VA used to use the 3M models for left turn signals (mostly on US 58 in VB's case) but they've all been replaced by standard LED signals with red arrows, in both localities.
When the initial section of Henrico's John Rolfe Pkwy opened, it's left turn signals used the McCain model (I'm guessing this is when 3M's patents expired), which were also replaced.
Richmond has the McCain model on two signals, one here and the other at the intersection just to the north. It's the only place in this city to ever have a PV
14th St at Canal St
https://goo.gl/maps/rNMp7rrSihQ2
Quote from: blue.cable82 on September 07, 2017, 08:52:20 PM
3M's PV Traffic signals used be everywhere in the US especially in California. Now Mccain's PV Traffic signals are replacing 3M.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/927fc256a93486a07d2a563abf3780dc.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/1fb6fa864317257fe9eae36be256cbb6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/e541533967528311a7d690a51aad9c72.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/30bb9564d88f9168c6b50ce6034a7f3e.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/8f0e898561bad9f6cded0e4f8aab9d52.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/a36cb46d7a1a8ba4151d419f4bf6bf6c.jpg)
LGMS210
Tunnel Visors are king in Arkansas, and most likely won't be changing anytime soon!
A question just came to mind regarding using masked signals. How does the multiple signal per movement rule apply here? If you are using masked signals and the one for your lane goes out, how are you supposed to see if the light is red?
In the late 1960s, one of the first signal installations put in on Highland Avenue (MA 107) in Salem MA was at the strip mall containing the First National supermarket, Salem Savings Bank, and Rich's Department Store. The left turn lane from Highland Avenue northbound into the strip mall had an early 3M PV signal head. I still recall, as a kid, how you could easily see the signal indication from the other lanes after dusk.
Quote from: JMAN12343610 on October 02, 2017, 10:42:00 PM
A question just came to mind regarding using masked signals. How does the multiple signal per movement rule apply here? If you are using masked signals and the one for your lane goes out, how are you supposed to see if the light is red?
The way it should work is if you don't see a green or yellow, you should stop. Of course, people would rather use the excuse "Well it wasn't red so I hit the gas. It's everyone else's fault but mine!"
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 03, 2017, 01:13:36 PM
Quote from: JMAN12343610 on October 02, 2017, 10:42:00 PM
A question just came to mind regarding using masked signals. How does the multiple signal per movement rule apply here? If you are using masked signals and the one for your lane goes out, how are you supposed to see if the light is red?
The way it should work is if you don't see a green or yellow, you should stop. Of course, people would rather use the excuse "Well it wasn't red so I hit the gas. It's everyone else's fault but mine!"
Coming to a full stop when all other traffic is proceeding at-speed would likely prove to be more dangerous than proceeding through, especially since cars [roughly] three or more back can see the green signals for the parallel lanes, and wouldn't be expecting traffic to stop.
Quote from: JMAN12343610 on October 02, 2017, 10:42:00 PM
A question just came to mind regarding using masked signals. How does the multiple signal per movement rule apply here? If you are using masked signals and the one for your lane goes out, how are you supposed to see if the light is red?
Sounds like the signal in this hypothetical case might be masked a bit too much? I
thought normally these signals were set to allow some visibility from the adjacent lane if the adjacent lane was making the same movement.
Although if this was that great of concern, just use a double red indication - the MUTCD does allow two circular reds to be used in the same head - see Figure 4D-2. (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part4/fig4d_02_longdesc.htm)
AFAIK, Morehead City is the only place in North Carolina that still has 3M M-131s left. These days, NCDOT prefers louvers or McCains, both of which I hate with a burning passion. (especially louvers) :banghead:
https://goo.gl/z7uVbQ
https://goo.gl/W7Fgj8
I seem to recall that the Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township, PA had this type of traffic signal at an intersection with Lambs Gap Rd, but I'm not 100% certain. My parents used to do paper routes for the Patriot-News in the late 90s to mid-2000s. They would take me with them in the car, and we would drive westbound on the Carlisle Pike to get to the center to pick up the newspapers. I distinctly remember seeing those square-shaped traffic lights, which were very different from the round ones all the others were. Over the years, the signals disappeared, and I never really knew why until now. According to some surprisingly helpful research on Google, Lambs Gap Road was relocated, which eliminated the old intersection with the Carlisle Pike, and by extension the 3M traffic signals that I think it had.
I always thought those signals looked really cool.
These are rare in NY but here's a nice set of them in Rochester.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1265743,-77.7892684,3a,37.5y,240.09h,92.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seoXCfaTY9NYoHs3lilHGyg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Quote from: kylebnjmnross on January 02, 2018, 02:56:29 PM
I seem to recall that the Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township, PA had this type of traffic signal at an intersection with Lambs Gap Rd, but I'm not 100% certain. My parents used to do paper routes for the Patriot-News in the late 90s to mid-2000s. They would take me with them in the car, and we would drive westbound on the Carlisle Pike to get to the center to pick up the newspapers. I distinctly remember seeing those square-shaped traffic lights, which were very different from the round ones all the others were. Over the years, the signals disappeared, and I never really knew why until now. According to some surprisingly helpful research on Google, Lambs Gap Road was relocated, which eliminated the old intersection with the Carlisle Pike, and by extension the 3M traffic signals that I think it had.
I always thought those signals looked really cool.
Well, it took a LOT of digging, but I found this image of what I was talking about. The image came from a PennDot PDF file and was rather squeezed, so I stretched it out a little. If you look closely, you can see the square-shaped 3M traffic lights. It appears they were for Silver Spring Road rather than Lambs Gap Road, but I'm still pleased that I found a photo and my memory was correct for once.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gSKrH7won0nH3e7uiNwwBVyjyv_DwFXurv3RKG5EHpkzFxlt2S5Rz26rOSjnpsaMQWOv5J4AZxCtSMUCZZr2m_TfRf7XN8sTyRu44s6tyFi8erLDaPzSetR42e0GHMioYoSpp59aDARsN4P6Gg8jGkT0vlpZ50QhPJYAmPcTRFZdipzGaFDl67lk4G89GqucIhz-QBRA03Ul3WqQ1IED76LuD5iH8nCgVIG90TBLLU2V5vd-CzZvZTG0Y9ImmL00HQbW0xWRw72Q5NG0sIl8XSw8hXLb_n-N9NTkjAVAE8sNaE3E0Q-83VcPz96W0QQg1Kd8k9BGHqhvba5xv9GE1aMd1SsyDuqX26evGbkLZ5AuIPSamz1e3XvkG7Er4R3ZNwNDHeFWpHgBI9iYhb7N6CT4xNmFY-FRjDgwjQkQa_m5b9ReIHKE5Q6IvgFRpKASvA_HtruoPADrqz_lxhgygycz9oqwjL5-RkbCV99G-uFeQbOqxi1VctqpYihiywNtUkFrei85U4LbhMMdGe9U03wy3Thd3OM3Zwaj-QKxo1lsb-i7wc-rwXmGkZCsSG6ulAlz07jTcnTb1ZhNXnPl17TnjJbi8bYfkzHt94w=w1200-h650-no)
EDIT: I just found some 3M signals that are actually in use. These are at the intersection of westbound Camp Hill Bypass and N 21st Street. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2499887,-76.9212593,3a,60y,250.27h,83.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssjraVDnluBv3FLv3ONF96g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Theres isn't a single 3M left in Philly
There's quite a few 3M traffic lights left in my area, I'll dig up my flickr photos later
I never knew this before until I was driving on 2nd Street in Harrisburg the other day, but Forster Street has four of them. I thought they may have somehow been a new installation, but I just never noticed them before.
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2651843,-76.8890287,3a,75y,13.93h,90.84t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sZ0Kq38HdfkT3EMT6hxWhBg!2e0!5s20170701T000000!7i13312!8i6656
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4738/39291291072_a33f2751c7_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/22S38WY)3M Left turn signal, and a pair of McCains (https://flic.kr/p/22S38WY) by Traffic Light Guy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144426590@N04/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/33055282454_5699124110_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/SmYXR1)An array of mixed traffic signal brands (https://flic.kr/p/SmYXR1) by Traffic Light Guy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144426590@N04/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4738/39320035701_52faf55123_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/22UzsJ2)McCain left turn signal, with a pair of 3Ms (https://flic.kr/p/22UzsJ2) by Traffic Light Guy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144426590@N04/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/33055267354_1b67ee480e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/SmYTmE)3M left turn signal, McCains, and a few Durasig pedestrian signals (https://flic.kr/p/SmYTmE) by Traffic Light Guy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144426590@N04/), on Flickr
Quote from: kylebnjmnross on January 03, 2018, 09:52:02 PM
Quote from: kylebnjmnross on January 02, 2018, 02:56:29 PM
I seem to recall that the Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township, PA had this type of traffic signal at an intersection with Lambs Gap Rd, but I'm not 100% certain. My parents used to do paper routes for the Patriot-News in the late 90s to mid-2000s. They would take me with them in the car, and we would drive westbound on the Carlisle Pike to get to the center to pick up the newspapers. I distinctly remember seeing those square-shaped traffic lights, which were very different from the round ones all the others were. Over the years, the signals disappeared, and I never really knew why until now. According to some surprisingly helpful research on Google, Lambs Gap Road was relocated, which eliminated the old intersection with the Carlisle Pike, and by extension the 3M traffic signals that I think it had.
I always thought those signals looked really cool.
Well, it took a LOT of digging, but I found this image of what I was talking about. The image came from a PennDot PDF file and was rather squeezed, so I stretched it out a little. If you look closely, you can see the square-shaped 3M traffic lights. It appears they were for Silver Spring Road rather than Lambs Gap Road, but I'm still pleased that I found a photo and my memory was correct for once.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gSKrH7won0nH3e7uiNwwBVyjyv_DwFXurv3RKG5EHpkzFxlt2S5Rz26rOSjnpsaMQWOv5J4AZxCtSMUCZZr2m_TfRf7XN8sTyRu44s6tyFi8erLDaPzSetR42e0GHMioYoSpp59aDARsN4P6Gg8jGkT0vlpZ50QhPJYAmPcTRFZdipzGaFDl67lk4G89GqucIhz-QBRA03Ul3WqQ1IED76LuD5iH8nCgVIG90TBLLU2V5vd-CzZvZTG0Y9ImmL00HQbW0xWRw72Q5NG0sIl8XSw8hXLb_n-N9NTkjAVAE8sNaE3E0Q-83VcPz96W0QQg1Kd8k9BGHqhvba5xv9GE1aMd1SsyDuqX26evGbkLZ5AuIPSamz1e3XvkG7Er4R3ZNwNDHeFWpHgBI9iYhb7N6CT4xNmFY-FRjDgwjQkQa_m5b9ReIHKE5Q6IvgFRpKASvA_HtruoPADrqz_lxhgygycz9oqwjL5-RkbCV99G-uFeQbOqxi1VctqpYihiywNtUkFrei85U4LbhMMdGe9U03wy3Thd3OM3Zwaj-QKxo1lsb-i7wc-rwXmGkZCsSG6ulAlz07jTcnTb1ZhNXnPl17TnjJbi8bYfkzHt94w=w1200-h650-no)
EDIT: I just found some 3M signals that are actually in use. These are at the intersection of westbound Camp Hill Bypass and N 21st Street. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2499887,-76.9212593,3a,60y,250.27h,83.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssjraVDnluBv3FLv3ONF96g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
If you want to see 3Ms, look in the Delaware valley side of PA, there's at least twenty of them left in Philly's surrounding counties. Philly itself has no 3Ms left, they got rid of all them over a decade ago, although the city once had a ton of them according to old city photos that I found that were taken during the 1970s. New Jersey also has a hell load of 3Ms left, 3M traffic lights are way more common than you guys think.
Philadelphia used to have a ton of 3Ms back in the 70s & 80s (ALL of them were replaced by louvered signals around the early-2000s):
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1449/24458773922_ca4790ca22_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DgkBmE)PHILADELPHIA--2099 at Erie/Broad/Germantown EB (https://flic.kr/p/DgkBmE) by Peter Ehrlich (https://www.flickr.com/photos/milantram/), on Flickr
Pete Erich owns the photo
3M signals are cool and unique looking, but they are heavy and very bulky, they take up way to much room. I've sold all mine off except for a set of 8in adapters I have on a Marbalite.
More 3Ms:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/818/26742877537_f3346bfd4a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GKbeMt)A pair of 3Ms with an 8-inch eagle mark (https://flic.kr/p/GKbeMt) by Traffic Light Guy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144426590@N04/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/873/26742874467_bf47efb1bf_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GKbdSx)A pair of 3M traffic signals (https://flic.kr/p/GKbdSx) by Traffic Light Guy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144426590@N04/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/920/39803258870_dbf7b79e24_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23Dh78Y)More 3M traffic signals (https://flic.kr/p/23Dh78Y) by Traffic Light Guy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144426590@N04/), on Flickr
In Renton, Washington, this is a retrofit on a standard round 8" signal. Street View (https://goo.gl/maps/FtuiyFviPs72) It is placed here because entering the intersection a bit in front of it is a minor street controlled by a stop sign. This light is for guiding traffic around the corner. The intersection has recently been reengineered and the masked light removed, but until then there were four identical lights, one over each lane, and then the two around the corner that matched the status of the four others. This was also where the new style of side-mounted traffic lights for a 1973 downtown redesign clashes with the standard design of overhead lights.
Here's another one on Broadway at the Arbutus railway, Vancouver BC. Street View (https://goo.gl/maps/Y9usdFAbnPu) For some reason, this railway crossing was controlled with a traffic light instead of regular railway crossing signals. The rail line has since been replaced by a trail, and a new light has been put up for pedestrian crossing.
Beacon on Lake Samammish Parkway at Northup Way, Bellevue, Washington. It may be unusual to make a beacon directional, but the cross street comes in at an angle that might see the yellow beacon. That cross street does not itself get a flashing red beacon, just a stop sign.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bv_RLrFhygZ7O-CgUQlO-U3fF9Bb6-DxavP_YZrBXEJixRkW-O4ECjYkjgLagO9NGqMa7iFvgBvT5azYdXxgXRqbne9wH5aiG-F7RPqeh87OcMmgokpFT_nkmrDuEV1ISN0Vo1jychl48-dZebL_yVfASGkHu15VaX8Q3b-qhvL00aDZ7ZQbCP9ICZlkFE3qghh5pUbHAUYnb11KIEvl_81lhhuWHMp2NACuejEtDA60GcbJytPrleEWevzpCv2Wzdbmy5NJtcmySGLNMucD9lGmLbvyvfTjvwNEQF6qPKJhmLLYgUFMcmFW4F3SpX6JOsacrV0ry2x7OA4zx34t7nxbO2Xmmxj1bJfc71oGXCGqTk3SewIgba2Ly37X4dwEVa5MseLhogj-flZ5RfQJIetHs0aac-1ASeW8cQ9M5NUD2rPfluo0T4noL4hKUD1bWvoIzL4yJj6kKG3wgpdDWxzsfDNF8lVeuf0NaDfPWzKV_0MK31UvFI40H6WB4_XO-LYykkqTKu9AWTb6v83PSKdFd949utpbhLvlZTRo-rsGK7LNt5HpGJiDr0mU1E1jrMn6WosQrps8v4NS7ZvBOvI-1zXHpG5U6gxCJMk=w872-h654-no)
Yeah, all the 3Ms in Illinois are steadily being replaced by McCains as well. Look no further than US30 in Joliet (but also go ahead and look further if you want to find more lol)
Check out this six-way intersection at US30, Raynor, and Black Road: https://goo.gl/maps/aG9TrSrMSeA2
The corner of US30 and Ingalls Ave is interesting because each mast arm employs half-usage of 3Ms, alongside regular IDOT signals. Google also happened to catch this light during a yellow phase so you can see a yellow composite LED alongside a yellow 3M indication: https://goo.gl/maps/HXjy395d8QB2
And further up the road, at Caton Farm Rd, you can see some post-mounted (or mast-mounted) McCains, installed either 2016 or 2017 (I forget). This intersection had no PV signals at all until the last couple years--then IDOT decided they wanted to use them. https://goo.gl/maps/xbUxmAhsCSk
Here's a nice side-view of a 3M, that was once used for the left arrow at US34 and North Aurora Road going eastbound. If you click around, you'll see that this signal head was replaced in the last couple years with a normal signal, as IDOT no longer recognized the need for only partial visibility. https://goo.gl/maps/HxCU3Asap9y
Quote from: ErmineNotyours on May 29, 2018, 09:46:22 AM
Beacon on Lake Samammish Parkway at Northup Way, Bellevue, Washington. It may be unusual to make a beacon directional, but the cross street comes in at an angle that might see the yellow beacon. That cross street does not itself get a flashing red beacon, just a stop sign.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bv_RLrFhygZ7O-CgUQlO-U3fF9Bb6-DxavP_YZrBXEJixRkW-O4ECjYkjgLagO9NGqMa7iFvgBvT5azYdXxgXRqbne9wH5aiG-F7RPqeh87OcMmgokpFT_nkmrDuEV1ISN0Vo1jychl48-dZebL_yVfASGkHu15VaX8Q3b-qhvL00aDZ7ZQbCP9ICZlkFE3qghh5pUbHAUYnb11KIEvl_81lhhuWHMp2NACuejEtDA60GcbJytPrleEWevzpCv2Wzdbmy5NJtcmySGLNMucD9lGmLbvyvfTjvwNEQF6qPKJhmLLYgUFMcmFW4F3SpX6JOsacrV0ry2x7OA4zx34t7nxbO2Xmmxj1bJfc71oGXCGqTk3SewIgba2Ly37X4dwEVa5MseLhogj-flZ5RfQJIetHs0aac-1ASeW8cQ9M5NUD2rPfluo0T4noL4hKUD1bWvoIzL4yJj6kKG3wgpdDWxzsfDNF8lVeuf0NaDfPWzKV_0MK31UvFI40H6WB4_XO-LYykkqTKu9AWTb6v83PSKdFd949utpbhLvlZTRo-rsGK7LNt5HpGJiDr0mU1E1jrMn6WosQrps8v4NS7ZvBOvI-1zXHpG5U6gxCJMk=w872-h654-no)
The picture doesn't work for me.
Seeing this thread encouraged me to dive deeper and I found a relatively dormant wiki on this topic. I'm not sure if there's any interest from signal fans here to contribute to this but here's the link:
https://highwaydivides.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
There were several 3M’s in the Salt Lake City area, but almost all of them have been replaced by the new McCains. Only ones left I know of are at E St/500 East and South Temple, 500 West and a railroad spur between 500 and 600 South, and one left-turn signal on the Jordan Gateway in South Jordan
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 09:59:59 AM
Yeah, all the 3Ms in Illinois are steadily being replaced by McCains as well. Look no further than US30 in Joliet (but also go ahead and look further if you want to find more lol)
Check out this six-way intersection at US30, Raynor, and Black Road: https://goo.gl/maps/aG9TrSrMSeA2
The corner of US30 and Ingalls Ave is interesting because each mast arm employs half-usage of 3Ms, alongside regular IDOT signals. Google also happened to catch this light during a yellow phase so you can see a yellow composite LED alongside a yellow 3M indication: https://goo.gl/maps/HXjy395d8QB2
And further up the road, at Caton Farm Rd, you can see some post-mounted (or mast-mounted) McCains, installed either 2016 or 2017 (I forget). This intersection had no PV signals at all until the last couple years--then IDOT decided they wanted to use them. https://goo.gl/maps/xbUxmAhsCSk
Here's a nice side-view of a 3M, that was once used for the left arrow at US34 and North Aurora Road going eastbound. If you click around, you'll see that this signal head was replaced in the last couple years with a normal signal, as IDOT no longer recognized the need for only partial visibility. https://goo.gl/maps/HxCU3Asap9y
The delays at the Raynor/Black/US 30 intersection must be insane. Not only are there 3 different streets coming together, but each street also has protected left turn arrows. I wonder how long the cycle is at that corner.
Quote from: mrsman on August 08, 2018, 08:30:30 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 09:59:59 AM
Yeah, all the 3Ms in Illinois are steadily being replaced by McCains as well. Look no further than US30 in Joliet (but also go ahead and look further if you want to find more lol)
Check out this six-way intersection at US30, Raynor, and Black Road: https://goo.gl/maps/aG9TrSrMSeA2
The delays at the Raynor/Black/US 30 intersection must be insane. Not only are there 3 different streets coming together, but each street also has protected left turn arrows. I wonder how long the cycle is at that corner.
It must be insane. A similar intersection here in WA would have limited left turn options, to reduce the number of phases (with left-turning traffic using nearby streets to complete the maneuver).
I think that intersection has the most amount of 3M signals that I have ever seen in one place.
3Ms are still relitvely common in the eastern U.S., don't know much about the south, and the hillbilly states
Quote from: traffic light guy on August 10, 2018, 12:23:24 PM
3Ms are still relitvely common in the eastern U.S., don't know much about the south, and the hillbilly states
Pretty common in WA. Disappeared for a while when that Intelight thing was around for a couple years, but a few have shown up since. They were standard for left turn heads for a while.
Intelight moved much of their production of their signal head to China and as typical of Chinese made components, the quality suffered after about 2011.
Final assembly and circuit boards were made at Intelight's Tucson Arizona facility but housings, lenses and hardware were molded out of their China joint venture and they leaked like crazy. Because of the nature of Intelight's signal the electronics inside are exposed so leaking housings usually was the cause of most of the failures
The signal was discontinued in 2015 so that Intelight could focus on controllers, advanced transporation system hardware and software, and connected vehicle technology. The signal head had almost no profit margin and wasn't worth redesigning for such a niche market. One 3-light Intelight signal head cost $2,300 which is on par with 3M and McCain's optically programmable signal heads.
There is a small chance that the Intelight signal head be made by someone else, there was interest in the patents. Also, Intelight has mentioned to me that if they did revisit the concept it would be in a package similar to a conventional traffic signal LED module mountable in any conventional signal housing
-Nick
Quote from: basilicon89 on August 10, 2018, 10:36:04 PM
Also, Intelight has mentioned to me that if they did revisit the concept it would be in a package similar to a conventional traffic signal LED module mountable in any conventional signal housing
They should probably try that, especially if it would cost about as much (or less) than standard LEDs in conventional heads + louvers. Not to mention it'd make retrofitting an install that needed the PV abilities easier.
Thanks for the write-up, Nick! Some good info, there. Not totally sure I agree that Chinese-made is automatically poor quality, though.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on August 11, 2018, 01:09:36 AM
Quote from: basilicon89 on August 10, 2018, 10:36:04 PM
Also, Intelight has mentioned to me that if they did revisit the concept it would be in a package similar to a conventional traffic signal LED module mountable in any conventional signal housing
They should probably try that, especially if it would cost about as much (or less) than standard LEDs in conventional heads + louvers. Not to mention it'd make retrofitting an install that needed the PV abilities easier.
The Intelights definitely had a unique look to them that I will miss, should the technology ever make its way to a more traditional signal housing. Nevertheless, the technology is too impressive to die, IMO, so whatever gets the tech back out and running is good with me.
Quote from: jakeroot on August 11, 2018, 02:14:40 AM
Not totally sure I agree that Chinese-made is automatically poor quality, though.
Well, the later Intelights did have issues with water leakage and pre-mature "deaths", especially compared to the older ones. Wouldn't be surprised if the plastic just wasn't able to survive the voyage across the Pacific as well as they had hoped.
Quote from: jakeroot on August 11, 2018, 02:14:40 AM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on August 11, 2018, 01:09:36 AM
Quote from: basilicon89 on August 10, 2018, 10:36:04 PM
Also, Intelight has mentioned to me that if they did revisit the concept it would be in a package similar to a conventional traffic signal LED module mountable in any conventional signal housing
They should probably try that, especially if it would cost about as much (or less) than standard LEDs in conventional heads + louvers. Not to mention it'd make retrofitting an install that needed the PV abilities easier.
The Intelights definitely had a unique look to them that I will miss, should the technology ever make its way to a more traditional signal housing. Nevertheless, the technology is too impressive to die, IMO, so whatever gets the tech back out and running is good with me.
I have to agree on both counts. PV technology (especially LED PV technology) shouldn't be allowed to stagnate or die. Currently, PV signals have stagnated as the only one left on the market is a reverse-engineered 3M made by McCain, with the only other PV options being extra long visors and/or louvers in the visors...
Quote from: freebrickproductions on August 11, 2018, 02:35:30 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 11, 2018, 02:14:40 AM
Not totally sure I agree that Chinese-made is automatically poor quality, though.
Well, the later Intelights did have issues with water leakage and pre-mature "deaths", especially compared to the older ones. Wouldn't be surprised if the plastic just wasn't able to survive the voyage across the Pacific as well as they had hoped.
Yikes. That's no good. Signals that were, at the earliest, made in 2011 should not already be dying.
One of the Intelights in my area might have been affected by the leaking. This one (https://goo.gl/UywyJt), an FYA, is visible from a wider number of angles than one might expect from a PV signal. Either it was never programmed, or the leaking caused the appropriate electronics to malfunction. Weirdly, the post-mounted signal, to it's left, has no PV features, despite being visible to more vehicles than the overhead signal...starting to think they might have just never programmed it. I do know that the FYA is not visible from all angles, but the viewable angle is wider than I'd expect. Could be that was how it was programmed. Where's the shrug emoji....
Here are some setups of 3M PV signals in Michigan:
Ann Arbor:
Main Street at Ann Arbor-Saline Road (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2551449,-83.751215,3a,61y,264.96h,96.81t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1snVsM2NjFhP00UZOGbmfImA!2e0!5s20071001T000000!7i13312!8i6656)
Washtenaw Avenue at Huron Pkwy (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2568645,-83.6960529,3a,49y,126.49h,103.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swcXWVueQ8cYzXsenpvm5Wg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
Packard Street at State Street (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.270951,-83.7406443,3a,35.4y,193.09h,99.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snuFtsxV-0V0dUCkJPWuWig!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) (the way the intersection was kinda made sense to have 3M's)
To be honest, I never really understood why ann arbor put 3M PV signals in the places they did most of the time. There used to be a few setups of these along Fuller Road, just north of U of M, but now they're gone.
Tecumseh:
Occidental Highway at Russell Road (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9918865,-83.9646039,3a,23.9y,78.72h,98.9t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sCZiNFyC5B5PgC1JKzCGK8w!2e0)
Lansing: Cedar Street at Edgewodd Blvd (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6657316,-84.541742,3a,45.8y,354.25h,100.48t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK9i2xHy9hIPkuCh9P3znGQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
https://youtu.be/uW4irf46QMk
The ones in this video are at the Pennsylvania Avenue-Business I-96 intersection