Traffic Emitters

[bestcoast]

Just reading on the IAFF website about these things. I'm pretty sure this is just in the USA but who know's. People are buying these things off the internet and when they approach a red light at an intersection the infrared transmitter makes the light green!! Similar to the one's used by emergency vehicles in some parts of Canada. To top it all off these thing's are legal!!! Man i don't know about you guys but we have enough problem's with our intersection's out here without having some people out there riding a green wave everywhere they go!!! The problem's these things could cause could be tragic in some cases.....

[Red_Devil]

yup i have heard about them being used here, those scumbag vaulcher towtruck drivers use em, we are watching now for them though

[bestcoast]

Originally posted by Red_Devil
yup i have heard about them being used here, those scumbag vaulcher towtruck drivers use em, we are watching now for them though

Man RD, i really can't believe those thing's are legal in Canada. That is definately something for you guys to keep an eye on in T.O...........BC:cool:

[Red_Devil]

yup those scumsuckers are using them, to get green lights so they can race to the scene of a accident

[FireEMTGuy]

I don't believe that they have them here in Alberta (correct me if I'm wrong), however I have met a few citizens who believe "flashing their high beams" will change a light... doncha love TV! :rolleyes:

[Red_Devil]

idiots someone atta take their shoe off and wack them in the head, maybe knock some sense into them

[Leafs Fan]

Originally posted by FireEMTGuy
I don't believe that they have them here in Alberta (correct me if I'm wrong), however I have met a few citizens who believe "flashing their high beams" will change a light... doncha love TV! :rolleyes:

Actually this is not that far off the mark. In our city we have a traffic pre-emption system for some of the major intersections. It is called Opticom. There is a flashing white strobe on the front of our trucks that hits a device that is on the traffic lights which is suppose to make it turn green for us, unfortunately it doesn't work that great, we seem to be into the intersection before it turns the light. But people flashing their high beams will not make it work as they could never flash them fast enough.

[Fireknight]

I do believe that there is a model of light changer that works off a "white strobe" sensor, but I do not think anyone would be able to flash their lights fast enough, with their one hand moving that fast, they may get pulled over for something else..;)

Sorry LF we must have posted at the same time

[wilderness]

I HAVE TO GET ME ONE OF THEM........ THIS ONE RED LIGHT IN MY TOWN DRIVES ME NUTS..... IT NEVER SEEMS TO FAIL, I ALWAYS HIT IT ... I WAS ONLY KIDDING GUYS I FEEL YOUR PAIN.... THEY SHOULD BE STOPPED, ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME, TILL ONE OF YOUR TRUCKS HITS A GUY USING IT.....

[Rescue78]

Leafs Fan

Your Opticom System obviously needs adjustment. The receiver at the intersection can be adjusted so it will pick up the signal as you are closer or further to the intersection.

When we have a recurring problem with an intersection, we report it. Then a utility crew has to be there to adjust it as you make practice runs. Exposure to elements or if a crew was working on that traffic light might throw off the adjustment.

The system is only as good as it is adjusted.

[Leafs Fan]

Originally posted by Rescue78
Leafs Fan

Your Opticom System obviously needs adjustment. The receiver at the intersection can be adjusted so it will pick up the signal as you are closer or further to the intersection.

When we have a recurring problem with an intersection, we report it. Then a utility crew has to be there to adjust it as you make practice runs. Exposure to elements or if a crew was working on that traffic light might throw off the adjustment.

The system is only as good as it is adjusted.


Rescue78 , you hit the nail on the head. We gave up complaining about the opticom system 10 years ago, public works said the spiders were knocking them out and they couldn't keep up. I am sure you have driven through Belle Vegas a couple of times and you have seen the state of our traffic lights, takes 20 minutes to take a 5 minute trip.

[smoke286]

They either have or had them in Halifax, a few years ago one malfunctioned and a pumper hit a pick-up going thorugh an intersection and killed a woman. The pumper driver was charged with Murder, but IIRC it was thrown out the first day of trial. I'm amazed it got that far.

[Roadwarrior]

I am sure you have driven through Belle Vegas a couple of times and you have seen the state of our traffic lights, takes 20 minutes to take a 5 minute trip.

Yup...experience that marvellous system all the time..lol