Look at this FINE piece of craftsmanship!

[dillon]

Over this side of the Atlantic River our traffic light go green/amber/red then red and amber together/green. Supposedly because a single amber in red/amber/green would then be ambiguous.

I never understood the green-amber(yellow)-red part of that sequence. The semaforos do that in Buenos Aires too, but everyone explodes through the intersection when the light goes yellow. So what's the point in that extra yellow? We eliminated it here.

[crfriend]

I never understood the green-amber(yellow)-red part of that sequence. The semaforos do that in Buenos Aires too, but everyone explodes through the intersection when the light goes yellow. So what's the point in that extra yellow? We eliminated it here.

The single-amber aspect is an indication that the signal is about to go to full red (a statutory stop) and to "Stop if it is safe to do so". So, people being the impatient types that they are quite naturally interpret the single amber as, "Gun it, else we'll be stuck here!" (There are lights in Framingham, MA that if one misses them can keep one stopped for upwards of three minutes -- which measurably affects the cooi-down of one's take-away lunch on the way back to the office.)

[moonshadow]

I never understood the green-amber(yellow)-red part of that sequence. The semaforos do that in Buenos Aires too, but everyone explodes through the intersection when the light goes yellow. So what's the point in that extra yellow? We eliminated it here.

The single-amber aspect is an indication that the signal is about to go to full red (a statutory stop) and to "Stop if it is safe to do so". So, people being the impatient types that they are quite naturally interpret the single amber as, "Gun it, else we'll be stuck here!" (There are lights in Framingham, MA that if one misses them can keep one stopped for upwards of three minutes -- which measurably affects the cooi-down of one's take-away lunch on the way back to the office.)

Then there is the phenomenon of being "caught in a light cycle", when you have to travel several miles of traffic light intersections, you hit one light, and from that point onward, you hit every single light hence forth. However, often times, gunning that first yellow can likewise set off a smooth ride through all the others unencumbered.

[Kilted_John]

Moon,

It depends. Most 8" indications (the smaller size) are 67-69 watt. Might be 116 watt, if the jurisdiction is using them as caution beacons (example: signal ahead). 12" indications usually range between 135 and 169 watt. The 3M signal uses a 5.75" sealed beam halogen lamp (not unlike what was seen in older cars with four round headlamps). 150 watt for vehicle indications, 75 watt for pedestrian indications. Most installations around here are all-LED, though, which use anywhere between 6 watts and 15 watts, per indication in each head.

We also do have to account for the power usage for the flasher in the case of the beacon you're referring to, or, if it's a full RYG install, the controller, load switches, flasher (which flashes even if it's not being used), conflict monitor, vehicle detection system (video, microwave, or magnetic loop detection are most common), etc... My install, which, except for three missing ped signal heads, is a complete 5-phase 4-way intersection replica, uses about 6 amps when running. All heads are incandescent, except for the 3M, which has a red LED module, the left turn heads, which are red/green LED, one of the through heads (a late 1930's Eagle Signal Company Eaglelux 8" head), which is also red/green LED, and one of the ped signals, which has a General Electric branded LED hand/man countdown module installed.

-J

[Sinned]

I thought that roundabouts were completely alien to the US motorist. We use them here as a way of introducing fairness to junctions and in particular crossroads because everyone knows the rule- give way to traffic already on the roundabout or traffic from the right. And MS what a quaint phrase - traffic circles. As well as normal large roundabouts we have the concept of mini-roundabouts which are put on junctions typically for side streets with some sort of main traffic flow and yes, most motorists here just ignore them and drive straight over them as they are just a slight mound in the road painted white. Of course over a period of time the white concrete paint gets eroded away and you're just left with a black mound in the road.

We also have the concept of sleeping policemen which again are slightly built up sections, only about an inch or so, in the road, either all across the road or just a mound in either lane about the same width as the inner track of the car and you are supposed to slow down for them. Again they seem to be a signal for the motorist to either ignore them or to speed up and get past them. Crazy and not particularly good for the car.

[crfriend]

I thought that roundabouts were completely alien to the US motorist.

Much depends on where in the country you are. They're still somewhat common in New England (although being gradually replaced by signalled intersections (thereby making things vastly more difficult for all involved). A number of years ago the City of Cambridge, MA (or perhaps it was the state Department of Transportation) replaced "Fresh Pond Circle" with a signalled intersection and what was a 5-minute nuisance at the foot of the hill turned into a 5-mile backup requiring almost an hour to get through. I wanted to hang the "traffic engineer" from the overhead works, upside-down.

We don't seem to have the concept of "mini-roundabouts", though.

We also have the concept of sleeping policemen which again are slightly built up sections, only about an inch or so, in the road, either all across the road or just a mound in either lane about the same width as the inner track of the car and you are supposed to slow down for them.

That sounds suspiciously like a "mini-speedbump" -- another form of "traffic calming" device which I'd like to see be made illegal. However, the auto-repair shops love them so they're not likely to go anyplace soon. "None shall pass!"

[Jim]

I thought that roundabouts were completely alien to the US motorist.

There are many (about 40) traffic circles (just called circles locally) in Washington DC. I grew up near Chevy Chase Circle on the DC-Maryland border. It has a fountain, trees, and park benches in the middle. Very pleasant.

[Gordon]

Around me they are putting in more and more traffic circles. I like them. No big long lines at red lights any more.

[john62]

Here in Oz we also have rumble strips, the idea is to wake the driver up.

John

[Fred in Skirts]

Here in Oz we also have rumble strips, the idea is to wake the driver up. John

We have them too! They are a series of 1 in high strips of tar and gravel spaced so that they cause a sound like an automatic weapon as the tires go over them. They sure do work too I can vouch for that!!

Fred

[skirtingtheissue]

Ribbons are on the way!

In boarding school and college I used an electric Smith Corona with a BLUE ribbon. I thought it was cool to order those ribbons through the mail and get a look no one else had… only black and red ribbons were available in the local stores.

[moonshadow]

In boarding school and college I used an electric Smith Corona with a BLUE ribbon. I thought it was cool to order those ribbons through the mail and get a look no one else had… only black and red ribbons were available in the local stores.

Funny, Amber was asking me when I ordered them if they came in different colors. Blue was mentioned. I wasn't sure, but I figured, on a 40 year old typewriter, she's lucky to have ribbon at all!

[dillon]

I thought that roundabouts were completely alien to the US motorist. We use them here as a way of introducing fairness to junctions and in particular crossroads because everyone knows the rule- give way to traffic already on the roundabout or traffic from the right. And MS what a quaint phrase - traffic circles.

We have them occasionally here, but we drive around them in the right direction. And some are being added, but crossroads here in small towns often have convenience stores or fast food, so converting them can be costly. I drove around so many in Spain that they began to lose their appeal, especially in swift traffic when trying to figure out the signage.

[moonshadow]

I thought that roundabouts were completely alien to the US motorist. We use them here as a way of introducing fairness to junctions and in particular crossroads because everyone knows the rule- give way to traffic already on the roundabout or traffic from the right. And MS what a quaint phrase - traffic circles.

We have them occasionally here, but we drive around them in the right direction. And some are being added, but crossroads here in small towns often have convenience stores or fast food, so converting them can be costly. I drove around so many in Spain that they began to lose their appeal, especially in swift traffic when trying to figure out the signage.

Okay, question for the traffic circle experts.... look at this video:

https://youtu.be/seaIQYKORGc

Now I'll go on ahead and say that I've probably traveled maybe 10 traffic circles in my life, so I'm FAAAR for an expert on them, yet I too have always figured the basic rule is to yield to traffic already in the circle.

So explain the video... why are so many cars plowing right into the circle, and vehicles already in the circle are stopped?

And MS what a quaint phrase - traffic circles.

Funny how terminology changes between two countries that share the same basic "language" isn't it? On this side of the Atlantic the only people who call them "roundabouts" are the same people who insist on spelling color with a "u". (colour) "motorist" isn't a phrase I hear a lot. I've always heard them simply referred to as "drivers".

[Disaffected.citizen]

Okay, question for the traffic circle experts.... look at this video:

https://youtu.be/seaIQYKORGc

Now I'll go on ahead and say that I've probably traveled maybe 10 traffic circles in my life, so I'm FAAAR for an expert on them, yet I too have always figured the basic rule is to yield to traffic already in the circle.

So explain the video... why are so many cars plowing right into the circle, and vehicles already in the circle are stopped?

Unless I'm very much mistaken, that's the Arc de Triomphe, Paris. The French often do things differently ; I believe they used to have a "rule of the road" that you gave way to traffic from the right, regardless of whether or not you were on a main road and they were joining from a minor road or track - quite scarey ! It has been changing, but in some places "old habits die hard". No doubt some of our members who are, or have been, resident in France will be able to clarify.