What are those cables strung across random streets for?

[jtvang125]

I don't know if they're laid across business streets around the nation but I've noticed them here in Cal. Basically it's just a cable strung across a street and connected to a metal box placed at the curb. What are they for? I'm assuming it's something traffic related?

 

[GasX]

traffic surveys.

It is counting cars

 

[KLin]

Some kind of counter is my guess.

 

[loup garou]

It's the terrorists!

 

[R Nilla]

they read your mind.

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
traffic surveys.

It is counting cars

I kind of thought so. If so, is it also recording the average speed of cars on that road?

 

[Ramma2]

Originally posted by: jtvang125

Originally posted by: Mwilding
traffic surveys.

It is counting cars

I kind of thought so. If so, is it also recording the average speed of cars on that road?

I think they do that if there is 2 cables placed next to each other, like 1 foot or so.

 

[mattocs]

two cables = speed
one cable = amount of cars

They can't do speed with one cable, as cars have differnt lengths between axels, so it would be totally off.