Sophomore Rider
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Post by jdmsoldier on Jan 25, 2014 7:24:48 GMT -5
Typing this on my mobile so sorry for any grammar. Its been bugging me that sometimes the traffic light wont change for my scooter, and wondering why. Is there some kind of detectors and its not picking up my ride. I once waited 5min. Sometimes I have to wait till a car pull s up behind me just for the light to turn green what's up with that?
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 25, 2014 8:31:09 GMT -5
soldier, yes there are sensors (usually, nowadays). I don't know the specifics, but they seem to be weight or metal related. And our scoots typically don't have enough to trip the sensors.
My MSF coach said if there's a light you regularly sit at, call your DMV and tell them. Offer to meet at the intersection with your bike so they can determine if they've reset it to read your bike.
Otherwise, in KS if you've waited "a reasonable time" then you can run the red when safe. Which of course means just as you run it, a cop crests the hill and busts you, ha.
I've only had two lights that wouldn't read me. One, I turned right instead. The other, God bless him, the guy behind me stayed way back, so his car wasn't tripping the sensor, either. I finally got him to understand to pull up on my tail so the light would change.
There's magnets and things you can attach to the bottom of your bike that supposedly trips those sensors. I've heard mixed results.
>'Kat
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Post by ramblinman on Jan 25, 2014 12:48:21 GMT -5
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Post by spandi on Jan 25, 2014 13:09:06 GMT -5
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Post by americanpsycho on Jan 25, 2014 13:39:27 GMT -5
soldier, yes there are sensors (usually, nowadays). I don't know the specifics, but they seem to be weight or metal related. And our scoots typically don't have enough to trip the sensors. My MSF coach said if there's a light you regularly sit at, call your DMV and tell them. Offer to meet at the intersection with your bike so they can determine if they've reset it to read your bike. Otherwise, in KS if you've waited "a reasonable time" then you can run the red when safe. Which of course means just as you run it, a cop crests the hill and busts you, ha. I've only had two lights that wouldn't read me. One, I turned right instead. The other, God bless him, the guy behind me stayed way back, so his car wasn't tripping the sensor, either. I finally got him to understand to pull up on my tail so the light would change. There's magnets and things you can attach to the bottom of your bike that supposedly trips those sensors. I've heard mixed results. >'Kat They have to be mounted as low as possible. |
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Post by alleyoop on Jan 25, 2014 14:13:31 GMT -5
That is just like any others A magnet they do not work I have already tried don't waste your money. I guarantee you will be returning it IF they will take it back, they will give you a hard time saying its the sensors problem in the street. Alleyoop  |
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Post by americanpsycho on Jan 25, 2014 14:15:12 GMT -5
That is just like any others A magnet they do not work I have already tried. Alleyoop How strong is that magnet? |
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Post by alleyoop on Jan 25, 2014 14:18:06 GMT -5
Very strong I even added more and it would pick up a BIG HAMMER (hehe).
Alleyoop
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Post by 2wheelfun on Jan 25, 2014 14:28:52 GMT -5
That's been a scooter/mc/bicycle's biggest pain in the tush since the 70s. Lots or cussing going on when that happens LOL.
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Sophomore Rider
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Post by buford1488 on Jan 25, 2014 14:39:54 GMT -5
yea there should be red reflectors on the one side of the road at the light i sat a very long time too one time but it was like 1oclock am..........if im not mistaking them for some thing else......
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Post by bandito2 on Jan 25, 2014 21:39:39 GMT -5
The sensors in the roadway work similar to metal detectors. I am pretty sure it is a matter of the sensors detecting enough of a magnetic interference; the vehicle weight has virtually nothing to do with it. Often one may be able to see where they have placed the coils in the road. Get somewhere along that loop if you can. I think most jurisdictions require you to wait through at least one full cycle of the lights before you can proceed through a clear intersection with utmost caution. But some are set to function always green for the main throughway, changing only if enough crossing traffic arrives. If you get cited, explain and try to demonstrate that your ride does not trigger the lights if you can.
Those magnets they sell are of dubious value IMO. It requires enough metal mass to affect the magnetic field set up in the sensors to cause it to trigger the lights. Sure, the magnets have metallic mass, but so does some cheap to free scrap steel. (if that is what it takes at frequently visited intersections with that kind of system for triggering traffic lights) I think the fact that those things they sell are magnetic is irrelevant to how those detectors may work.
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Post by spandi on Jan 25, 2014 21:54:10 GMT -5
I wonder if Vespas (with steel bodies) have this problem?  |
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Post by skuttadawg on Jan 25, 2014 22:01:15 GMT -5
In SC we use weight sensors instead of metallic or magnetic . I bought a Green Light Trigger , which is magnet mounted underneath and it did not work at all . Sometimes I try to allow a car to get pole position at the traffic light so it trips . I even wave for the car behind me to pull up forward at bust intersections .
In SC if you are one two wheels and the light does not turn and it is clear to proceed then I can legally run a red light . Check your state laws to see if yours also has this . If not suggest it to your representatives . I sometimes cut through to avoid intersections where I have to turn left as it is legal to turn right on red .
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Post by JerryScript on Jan 25, 2014 22:20:06 GMT -5
In Vegas, they just passed a law this past year allowing you to proceed through a red light if it doesn't change through two sequences. There are other caveats about safety etc, but the point is you shouldn't be held hostage by a traffic signal!
In many cities, they are moving to OSR (optical shape recognition) and motion detection with cameras above the lights (they aren't just there to give you tickets). Much cheaper to repair a camera on a traffic light than it is to dig up an intersection to repair a weight or metal sensor!
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Post by Paladin on Jan 25, 2014 23:18:53 GMT -5
I wonder if Vespas (with steel bodies) have this problem? I have never had a problem. On the other hand, I am in La La Land where the city/county road departments know how to adjust the sensitivity so it can see a pedal bicycle. |
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..BAD TO THE BONE..
