What's up with traffic light failure?

[SilverLexus]

We seem to have this problem a lot in Georgia despite very good roads. Lots of traffic lights fail and traffic snarls.

Why can't backup commercial batteries be easily added?

If the 9 volt battery works in my alarm clock radio, why not this more critical light.

A related mystery to me:

Why does timing traffic lights near one another cost so much money?

[a.k.a. Patrick]

Lee most signalized intersections have two 12v battery backups. Normally this will offer a flashing red program to motorists until computers can be reset, or the issue can be resolved. Sometimes however, if these signal cabinet componants are not properly maintained, it leads to failure. As for timing on thoroughfaires, in this day and age, they should be, especially in your neck of the woods. Have you noticed what type of vehicle detection is existant? Are there traffic loops in the asphalt surface (Well, actually under the surface, but loops are cut into the asphalt, wires are layed, then sealed over with an epoxy) or are there cameras on the signal mast arms (which detect traffic as they approach the cameras pickup area)? Call your local municipality and speak with a traffic engineer in the Public Works dept.

[SilverLexus]

Why don't the backups permit full operation though? Flashing reds don't work well in Atlanta as no one knows which car goes next so it's a free for all.

[a.k.a. Patrick]

Originally Posted by SilverLexus

Why don't the backups permit full operation though? Flashing reds don't work well in Atlanta as no one knows which car goes next so it's a free for all.

The batteries cant support full operation for more then a couple hrs, whereas the flashing red can last a whole day until someone arrives for repairs.....
On a sidenote, like most computers, those cabinets also have fans which keep the equipment cool.....

[paul34]

Yup. We have battery backups for most of our lights, but they can only hold out for so long (trust me, we found out the hard way that one year we got hit by multiple hurricanes in the same summer).

What annoys me the most isn't that lights go out (I haven't encountered a situation like that, our utliity companies are usually privatized or otherwise well managed), but people who just run through stop lights that are out!

The rules is that you MUST STOP and treat the intersection like a four way stop in case of traffic light failure (and no officer is present)! People just blow on through like it just wasn't there.

Idiots.

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by SilverLexus

Why does timing traffic lights near one another cost so much money?

It doesn't but putting up red light cameras to generate revenue actually makes money for the city. Frustrate enough people because they stop at every single damn light and a few are going to run it. Bingo! $75 for the city.

Why do you think they mostly just run speed traps on wide multi-lane divided roads with unreasonably low speed limits? Money, not safety. If safety was the primary concern, the cops would actually patrol the roads and pull people over for not signaling, tailgating, pulling out suddenly into oncoming traffic, texting while driving 20 mph under the limit, blocking the left lane on the freeway, etc. Takes longer to write tickets that way and reduces city revenues...and of course, they don't want to piss off the tax base by raising sales/housing taxes. They use traffic enforcement under the guise of 'safety' to generate revenue, pure and simple.