Sensored traffic light junctions

[crazydj]

If i realise that if the traffic light not turning green, i will go back to the line and bounce bounce. Then it will turn green soon. Most of the time i dont have this problem. 120kg bike with 80kg rider i think can activate the sensor.

Edited June 21, 2009 by crazydj

[Fritz]

Usally I'll just go through; checking all around for unwanted eyes.

[alifk69]

Usally I'll just go through; checking all around for unwanted eyes.

 

check for eyes only? then wat abt other cars? no wonder so many accidents at junctions.. hehheh..

[Tyrian]

To: LTA

 

From: Singaporebikes.com common voice

 

The usefulness of a GLIDE system and the benefits of a countdown timer

 

The objective of this letter is to highlight the usefulness of the GLIDE system to the users of a motorcycle and a bicycle

 

The introduction of the GLIDE system is our unique answer to the countdown timer that is commonly used in foreign country. The GLIDE system would sense any vehicles that is passing through the junction and then decides if the green light duration for that particular traffic direction should be lengthen or shortened.

 

I wish to highlight a weakness to this system that most, if not all, of the motorcyclist has face everyday.

 

Motorcycle, being a much smaller vehicle than cars, has a lesser chance of being detected by the GLIDE system, hereby increasing the chances that the light will not turn green in their favour.

 

In a situation that when a motorcyclist has approached a junction and stop behind the stop line, 9 out of 10 of them will not be detected by the GLIDE system. The motorcyclist has several options:

 

1) Beat the red light

2) Dismount from motorcycle and press the pedestrian light

3) Behave like a monkey, hoping the GLIDE system detects the motorcycle

 

The first option is dangerous and is against the law, which carries a penalty of 12 demerit points and a fine.

Option 2 seems to be the best option. However, motorcyclist still run a risk of their motorcycle being run down by a vehicle should the vehicle behind fails to spot the motorcycle or having a risk of his bike being rode away by pedestrians while he was pressing the pedestrian light

Option 3 doesn't guarantee that the GLIDE system would detect his bike.

 

In this case, the use of a countdown timer would certainly be useful. The motorcyclist that stopped behind the stop line at a traffic junction would be able to gauge how long he is going to wait. With the current GLIDE system, there is no way to ascertain if the motorcycle has been detected or not. A countdown timer would solve this problem.

 

A concern for the use of a countdown timer that the authorities has thought of is that different users reacts to the amber light differently. Upon seeing the amber light, some motorist slows down to a halt whereas some try to beat the amber light. Below are some of my suggestions to reduce the risk of an accident happening should the motorist decides to beat it.

 

1) The lag time between each traffic change be lengthen. This would allow motorist more time to come to a complete stop.

2) Decrease the lag time between the red light traffic change and the operation of the red light camera. In my observation, for the red light camera to capture a shot, the GLIDE system has to be activated about 1 to 2 seconds after the light has turn red. My shortening this lag time, it gives motorist lesser incentive to beat the red light as chances are, they would be caught by the red light camera.

3) Increase the current penalty to a more severe one. Instead of 12 demerit points and a fine, motorist could be suspended for 3 months for the first offence and subsequently higher suspension period for repeat offenders.

 

Having a countdown timer is indeed a benefit to motorcyclist here in Singapore. Motorist can also need not fear the light will suddenly turn red and an emergency brake has to be applied, hereby increasing the risk of a collision. I believe the benefits outweighs the cost of having a countdown timer.

 

Please consider my proposal and I hope to hear a favourable reply from you soon.

 

Regards

 

.........

 

Anyone wanna send this?

[SV650]

Countdown timer has been evaluated by LTA previously. Their conclusion was that it's not suitable for Singapore roads.

 

You still wana try your luck sending your letter?

[Tyrian]

time changes

 

last time our dear MM says no casnio in SG but his son says otherwise

[Sean]

i used to park my bike and walk over to the traffic light to press the button for the pedestrian. haha

[steel_headz]

If its too late for u to wait, try stamping ur leg onto the road.... It works for me...

[Sean]

huh??? relli??? omg..

[Orleng]

the EM sensor works by detecting CHANGES in the EM field above it. so, it nicely turns on when the lights go red. if you happen to be right on top of it and STOPPED already. you're not moving the metal through the field, hence no disturbance.

 

if stopping on the black lines don't work, try rolling forwards or backwards off the lines and then back onto it again, at a decent speed, walking pace is fine. too slow, and not big enough disturbance of the field again, especially for smaller bikes.

 

here's a website with a quick writeup. even comes with a good ol youtube clip for those too impatient to read.

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Trigger-Green-Traffic-Lights#_note-1

 

also comes with tricks on how to trigger it, especially the one about clutching in and hitting your starter motor. it uses an electomagnet to crank the engine, the EM field disruption should help trip the sensor.

 

alternatives are to break apart old hard drives for their magnets (forget about buying them and wasting $$). glue to your shoes at the side or something. then use it to wave over the black lines at traffic junctions.

 

for those who keep insisting it is weight-activated, here's a website that shows the installation of the wire loops for the EM sensor. highly technical

 

http://www.tfhrc.gov/its/pubs/06139/chapt5b.htm

 

edited : actually, it should detect any metal objects above, regardless of whether moving or not, at least that's theoretical. in practice though, movement of said metal object is more likely to trip the detector, esp if it's old n funky n has leakage or other problems. someone correct me if wrong on these assumptions. but guaranteed that the loops in the pavement are inductance and not weight sensors.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Orleng

[zyrofillica]

omg good INFO! mods i suggest this be a sticky thread under bikes and bytes!

[taaouicha]

guy the sensor dun work on weight.....it actually sense car bcos of a large piece of metal in within the sensoring zone. Hence current induction (or induce emf ..watever la) occur and the light will chg shortly

 

tt the reason why the sensor cannot accurately sense bike due to the small metal mass tt we carry (oso a reason why sometime bike beating red light and the red light camera got no flash)

 

second reason is tt bikers tend to hav the habit of stoppin the bike way too near the white lines, thus we missed the sensor area.

 

agree with the second reason >.>

sometimes wait damn long till sian reverse bike to the sensor then it will activate lolz

[CSV]

try sticking magnets to underbelly of your bike? you can get normal magnets but i doubt it is strong enough.

 

to really be sure the EM loop inductor will sense the magnet, you gotta get neodyme magnets aka strongest magnet naturally produced by the earth.

 

magnets do rust so what you can do is place them inside a small plastic box and then stick the box to underbelly.

 

it worked in other countries. i think it is possible it will work here.

[rage3114]

The traffic light sensor reminds me of SengKang area.

Back in 2004, my license nearly got katong because of this stupid feature.

 

The sensor usually activates after midnight when there are not much traffic. I remember I waited for 3 light changes (about 15mins), and it still dun bloody turn green for me to pass through.

Just so happen that a police scooter was also at the same time beside me waiting.

Cannot tahan to wait anymore, I squeeze the throttle and made a left turn.

 

Guess what, the police petrol turn on siren and chase me and signal me to stop.....

I got booked for passing the red light.... That bugger wouldnt listen to my explanation even though he knows why i did it lol.... perhaps he think i nv give police face and just bochap him and beat the red light.

 

Anyway, in the end I know i sure kana 12 demerit points when i only left with 6 points and that means license going to be katong..

I went to look for MP (Meet the People Session) and explained the situation I'm in, luckily they helped me write a letter to TP and I never hear from TP anymore on that incident since now, so I guess they let me off, ;D

[exige]

worst comes to worst we could anticipate the red light by afew SIMPLEsteps

 

 

1- when approaching red light, make sure u chiong like hell until RPM at red zone.

 

2. close throttle and make sure front tyre is about 3 metres before sensors

 

3. quickly but carefully engage FRONT brakes ONLY - this will cause rear tyre to lift up (also known as STOPPIE)

 

4. maximum weight will be targeted to the front when u slowly, skilfully, stylefully go over the sensors. but not foolishly ah

 

5. too much front brake will result in your own helmet triggering the sensors

 

6. this way, even if u exceed the red light and the camera cathes u - at least you will be summoned IN STYLE

 

LoL.. this is hilarious..

 

this is, to the best of the traffic light nearest to my house, the best position you should place your bike

 

the pic is kinda self explanatory

 

position your bike in the red rectangle with sprayed red paint on it

 

front and back wheel should touch the diagonal lines nearer to the vertical line but not on it.

 

please provide feedbacks

 

bike tested is a honda super 4. may not work on smaller bikes

 

Good job / analysis.

I used to ride a TA150 for 5 years, and have recently moved on to S4. Havent had any problems with the traffic light sensors before, whether I was on the TA150 or S4. I always made an effort to stop both my front and rear wheels within the boxes.

 

But only after reading this thread then i realised that the detection goes by metal detection rather than weight. Good thing I never did any bouncing on the detectors before. hehhh

[Unagi]

Hey guys, I read this news on the net, just wanna share with you all,

 

States green-light new red-light laws for motorcycles

 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-10-red-light-laws_N.htm

 

Quote: "Motorcyclists in a growing number of states are being allowed to go through red lights when sensors aren't able to detect they are there."

 

It's for other country, but I think can be applied in Singapore too. Anyway we also have the left-turn-on-red rule which IMO is useful.

 

Your views pls.

[kraikk]

I wrote to TODAY forum in 2008 regarding this problem with GLIDE. I never experienced it before on motorcycles but it is very common when I ride a bicycle. Usually I will just make sure no traffic (usually late night or early morning when this happens) and go through. It doesn't really inconvenience me but it discourages cyclists from following traffic signals.

 

The letter was published and I still have the clipping. They even drew a big cartoon of a cyclist stuck at a traffic light to go with my letter. But no one from LTA ever replied.

[DeusExMachina]

Sometimes getting off the bike and doing a raindance inside the sensor perimeters help too.

 

It's about as helpful as fuel broquets are in catalyzing it for better efficiency, or more performance, or to make your petrol drinkable/edible; whichever suits you better.

[crazydj]

I wrote to TODAY forum in 2008 regarding this problem with GLIDE. I never experienced it before on motorcycles but it is very common when I ride a bicycle. Usually I will just make sure no traffic (usually late night or early morning when this happens) and go through. It doesn't really inconvenience me but it discourages cyclists from following traffic signals.

 

The letter was published and I still have the clipping. They even drew a big cartoon of a cyclist stuck at a traffic light to go with my letter. But no one from LTA ever replied.

 

Can you scan that news paper clipping and post it here? I think it would be an interesting read...

[kraikk]

Can you scan that news paper clipping and post it here? I think it would be an interesting read...

 

Here it is. I redacted my name.