I really hate intersections with traffic cameras

[SSSnail]

Seems to me, they intentionally shorten the time that these lights stay green in an effort to catch more people that are in a hurry. And before you say it, no I didn't get pwned.

I was sitting at a red light, there were 10 cars in front of me trying to turn left, it took me three lights before I can turn left. Grrrrr...

 

[Kalvin00]

Motos FTW. I zip to the front and laugh at all the cagers.

 

[mugs]

I don't think they intentionally set the timings to catch people, I think the timings are set for normal traffic conditions, and the heavier traffic of the holiday season causes it to back up.

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: mugs
I don't think they intentionally set the timings to catch people, I think the timings are set for normal traffic conditions, and the heavier traffic of the holiday season causes it to back up.

I think idiots set traffic light times (but they hire the homeless to do it in Atlanta).

 

[fleshconsumed]

Originally posted by: mugs
I don't think they intentionally set the timings to catch people, I think the timings are set for normal traffic conditions, and the heavier traffic of the holiday season causes it to back up.

I don't know. Over here all lights are motion sensitive, i.e. if there is no car in the left turn late there will be no left arrow and lights timing depends on the time of day. At certain intersections at night lights go blinking yellow, ie proceed with caution.

If they can do that they can certainly change timings around holiday season. I'm not saying they are doing that, but it's definitely possible.

 

[chambersc]

Woe is me. That's traffic, OP.

 

[Colt45]

Over here, the traffic lights analyze the situation and pick the WORST possible operation. I think it's intentional.

like a small road getting an arrow at 2AM.. explain that one.

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: mugs
I don't think they intentionally set the timings to catch people, I think the timings are set for normal traffic conditions, and the heavier traffic of the holiday season causes it to back up.

But there wasn't any back ups though, and it shouldn't take me three lights to turn left. There are no exaggeration either, it barely turns green, and as soon as two cars passed, it turns yellow.

This light is by a mall, and I do go by it everyday, I know how long it usually takes. I just think it's crappy that they're doing this. You should stand at the corner and count the number those cameras flash (the city is getting theirs).

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: fleshconsumed

Originally posted by: mugs
I don't think they intentionally set the timings to catch people, I think the timings are set for normal traffic conditions, and the heavier traffic of the holiday season causes it to back up.

I don't know. Over here all lights are motion sensitive, i.e. if there is no car in the left turn late there will be no left arrow and lights timing depends on the time of day. At certain intersections at night lights go blinking yellow, ie proceed with caution.

If they can do that they can certainly change timings around holiday season. I'm not saying they are doing that, but it's definitely possible.

They're the same here - sensors in the ground detect the presence of a car - but they still have maximum time limits so there are lights where I have to wait a few cycles to get through. Although a maximum time limit that only allows 3 cars though is kind of absurd.

They certainly can change the timings around the holiday season, but coordinating traffic is a complex science - everything you do will have effects other than the effect you're trying to achieve. The holiday traffic pattern would have to be modeled and studied to determine the optimal timings.

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: Colt45
Over here, the traffic lights analyze the situation and pick the WORST possible operation. I think it's intentional.

like a small road getting an arrow at 2AM.. explain that one.

I seriously think that the books written for traffic engineering are written by bed ridden old men who haven't seen the wheel of a car for 10 years, and rely solely on theory rather than common sense.