Rob
August 5th 11, 08:48 AM
Green for go if you are on two wheels: Motion sensors change traffic
signals for cyclists
Cycling just became a lot safer for residents in the city of Pleasanton,
California, after military technology has started being used to trigger
traffic lights.
The device, dubbed the Intersector, can sense when a bicycle is
approaching the intersection and extend a green signal for the cyclist
by about 13 to 15 seconds.
The Intersector uses microwave motion sensors to recognise the bike and
prolongs the green light so the cyclist has more time to clear the
intersection.
Military technology: The Intersector has been attached to traffic light
poles in Pleasanton, San Francisco
Military technology: The Intersector has been attached to traffic light
poles in Pleasanton, San Francisco
Pleasanton, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the first city in
the U.S. to use the $5,000 devices.
The city has installed half a dozen on a selection of intersection poles
to make the changing of traffic lights less frightening for cyclists.
Senior transportation engineer, Joshua Pack, told CBS San Francisco that
the microwave motion sensor wasn’t initially intended to promote bicycle
safety.
Safer for cyclists: Pleasanton is the first city in the U.S. to use the
$5,000 devices
Safer for cyclists: Pleasanton is the first city in the U.S. to use the
$5,000 devices
But said: ‘Light bulbs went off and we had that ‘a-ha moment.’
And Mr Pack said the Intersectors have received ‘rave reviews’ since the
first one was installed in January 2010.
Since then, the city has installed another six and has ordered four more
to replace existing video and sensor systems.
Explore more:
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2022079/Green-wheels-Motion-sensors-change-traffic-signals-cyclists.html#ixzz1U8ePIjXL
signals for cyclists
Cycling just became a lot safer for residents in the city of Pleasanton,
California, after military technology has started being used to trigger
traffic lights.
The device, dubbed the Intersector, can sense when a bicycle is
approaching the intersection and extend a green signal for the cyclist
by about 13 to 15 seconds.
The Intersector uses microwave motion sensors to recognise the bike and
prolongs the green light so the cyclist has more time to clear the
intersection.
Military technology: The Intersector has been attached to traffic light
poles in Pleasanton, San Francisco
Military technology: The Intersector has been attached to traffic light
poles in Pleasanton, San Francisco
Pleasanton, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the first city in
the U.S. to use the $5,000 devices.
The city has installed half a dozen on a selection of intersection poles
to make the changing of traffic lights less frightening for cyclists.
Senior transportation engineer, Joshua Pack, told CBS San Francisco that
the microwave motion sensor wasn’t initially intended to promote bicycle
safety.
Safer for cyclists: Pleasanton is the first city in the U.S. to use the
$5,000 devices
Safer for cyclists: Pleasanton is the first city in the U.S. to use the
$5,000 devices
But said: ‘Light bulbs went off and we had that ‘a-ha moment.’
And Mr Pack said the Intersectors have received ‘rave reviews’ since the
first one was installed in January 2010.
Since then, the city has installed another six and has ordered four more
to replace existing video and sensor systems.
Explore more:
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2022079/Green-wheels-Motion-sensors-change-traffic-signals-cyclists.html#ixzz1U8ePIjXL