[Lintu]

Is it just me, or are all the lights on timers? I read somewhere that CT has some of the most inefficient traffic lights in the country as a result. I encounter this a lot. Is it too expensive to change, or is it a philosophical decision somehow?

[Stylo]

Not sure where you're driving, but most of the traffic lights I encounter in CT are on sensors.

On town roads, it's up to the town.

[smackfu]

There are plenty of lights on sensors. They are more expensive, so if the traffic flow is pretty regular, they may just use timers. But a little T intersection where they recently added a light uses sensors so that it's green 95% of the time, and only changes when a car comes at the bottom of the T. Works great.

[kidyankee764]

Yes most are on sensors. I agree that the stoplights here are terrible. Driving on Ella Grasso, the Post Road in Milford/Orange or any other road like that is painful. IMO putting them on timers would make more sense than sensors, that way they can all agree with each other on a given route.

[Lintu]

Ah, interesting. It seems that around here (Stratford), many of them are just on timers. I sit at the end of my street for a long time waiting for it to change when there's absolutely no one coming (and no right on red...gah).

[TheRoot]

Originally Posted by Lintu

Ah, interesting. It seems that around here (Stratford), many of them are just on timers. I sit at the end of my street for a long time waiting for it to change when there's absolutely no one coming (and no right on red...gah).

Sometimes it's less expensive in areas where the ice rips up the street. You don't have to potentially replace an expensive sensor that way.

[JayCT]

Timers? Sensors? What are you talking about?

Most traffic signals in the state (all really) have detectors which are designed to detect when there is a vehicle waiting on the side street. A signal operates on a cycle usually anywhere from 60 to 90 seconds in length. Some signals are part of a system of signals that are connected together along a corridor or area like a downtown. These are run by a central computer that allocates time to approaches as needed to best move traffic. These are the same type of signals that are located all over the country. Ours are no different.

Sometimes signal detectors malfunction which causes the signal to either return to a set phasing and timing or fails to detect a vehicle on an approach. If this happens you should notify the local police (do not call 911) to do this or if located on a state highway, ConnDOT. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Timers? Sensors? What are you talking about?

Most traffic signals in the state (all really) have detectors which are designed to detect when there is a vehicle waiting on the side street. A signal operates on a cycle usually anywhere from 60 to 90 seconds in length. Some signals are part of a system of signals that are connected together along a corridor or area like a downtown. These are run by a central computer that allocates time to approaches as needed to best move traffic. These are the same type of signals that are located all over the country. Ours are no different.

Sometimes signal detectors malfunction which causes the signal to either return to a set phasing and timing or fails to detect a vehicle on an approach. If this happens you should notify the local police (do not call 911) to do this or if located on a state highway, ConnDOT. Jay

Sensor can be translated to "Detector" while timer can be translated to "cycle".

[Tetto]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Timers? Sensors? What are you talking about?

Most traffic signals in the state (all really) have detectors which are designed to detect when there is a vehicle waiting on the side street. A signal operates on a cycle usually anywhere from 60 to 90 seconds in length. Some signals are part of a system of signals that are connected together along a corridor or area like a downtown. These are run by a central computer that allocates time to approaches as needed to best move traffic. These are the same type of signals that are located all over the country. Ours are no different.

Sometimes signal detectors malfunction which causes the signal to either return to a set phasing and timing or fails to detect a vehicle on an approach. If this happens you should notify the local police (do not call 911) to do this or if located on a state highway, ConnDOT. Jay

Jay, what are you some sort of traffic engineer? I always thought the sensors were buried load cells that detect when a vehicle is static on or near it. Please enlighten me.

[Hatehumidity]

Motorcycles always have these problems because they are not big enough or weigh enough to be detected by the 'sensors'. There always should be an option at the very least to turn on red.