Traffic lights

[phw115wvwx]

Is this a red light camera installed on this traffic light (between the first light and no turn on red sign)? This is a new set installed within the past few months. Sorry it's hard to see, caught it with my camera phone.

That's a motion detector sensor to detect traffic so that the light changes properly.  I've seen those in my area, too.

Yes, Patrick is right. Red light cameras are usually much bigger and may not even be on the traffic light itself. I wish they had these sensors on every traffic light, though, as some lights take so long to change.

Andy, most traffic lights are just set to a timer, so they aren't always efficient.  Furthermore, have you seen a traffic light where a line flashes at you from within the red light when it's on?  That's a traffic camera looking for people running the red light as I've seen them in places, so don't think that all traffic cameras are big.

[Mike M]

Almost all the lights here have a sensor, though it usually just has the sensor underneath the road surface and not on the pole.

[LFMusicFan]

I had one of those darn cameras take my picture the other night. IDK why. The light was red, and I stopped and proceeded to turn right when all the sudden *FLASH*. Also note that it IS legal to turn right when it's red at this intersection. I'm fricken worried.........

[Mike M]

Hmm, maybe it thought you were going straight so it took your picture :/

[wxntrafficfan]

Well for now, all you can do is wait and see. If you do indeed get a ticket, there's no reason you can't take it to court.

[WeatherWitness]

Andy...have you seen a traffic light where a line flashes at you from within the red light when it's on?  That's a traffic camera looking for people running the red light as I've seen them in places, so don't think that all traffic cameras are big.

No, I haven't seen that Patrick. But I have seen a big camera that is on a separate post from the traffic light flash when someone ran the red light.

[Mike M]

No, I haven't seen that Patrick. But I have seen a big camera that is on a separate post from the traffic light flash when someone ran the red light.

Yep, I've seen those. A lot of the intersections along the Roosevelt Blvd in Northeast Philly have those cameras, and I think there are a few downtown as well. I think New Jersey was thinking about installing these too, but I haven't heard anything about that in awhile.

[kpetree10]

Interesting story....

http://consumerist.com/2009/12/power-saving-led-traffic-lights-cant-melt-snow-cause-accident.html

[TWCToday]

Interesting story....

http://consumerist.com/2009/12/power-saving-led-traffic-lights-cant-melt-snow-cause-accident.html

Yep I read that and its quite interesting.

[Mike M]

Sorry to bump, but I haven't really posted any traffic lights seen here in NJ, so here are some pics I took last month.

Pictures 1-3 are sets typically seen at divided highways, such as the Garden State Parkway, and NJ highway 70 and 73.

Picture 4 is a set seen at a four-lane highway without a divider.

Picture 5 is an example of a 3M signal. These are seen typically at intersections that are very close to each other, or intersections where 3 or more roads intersect (to avoid confusion for motorists).

Picture 6 is a set seen at typical one-lane roads.

Picture 7 is a temporary set of lights hanging on wire. This is at the scene at the former Route 70/73 circle, where an overpass over NJ 70 is currently being built to significantly ease traffic in this congested area. The roundabout was closed off to traffic last Spring, and the picture here is the temporary 4-way intersection that is used until construction on the overpass nearby is complete in late 2011.

[TWCToday]

Is this a red light camera installed on this traffic light (between the first light and no turn on red sign)? This is a new set installed within the past few months. Sorry it's hard to see, caught it with my camera phone.

That's a motion detector sensor to detect traffic so that the light changes properly.  I've seen those in my area, too.

The pic is corrupted but by chance is it a little black sensor? If so its actually an RF receiver for emergency vehicles to change the lights faster.

[TWCToday]

Just FYI cameras like these are not red light cameras. Only traffic monitoring cameras.


Here is what we have in our area. These are red light cameras. If its a huge box, its a red light camera! haha

[curtjr4]

Just FYI cameras like these are not red light cameras. Only traffic monitoring cameras.


Here is what we have in our area. These are red light cameras. If its a huge box, its a red light camera! haha

Do I see Smokey Bones in the background, to the left?
Anyways, we only have the traffic monitoring cameras here. None of those ones in the boxes, and all traffic control is provided by Federal Signal as far as I know (for my area).