Who has been forced to run redlights?

[Guest]

My township has installed the hi-tek traffic signals that use radar to detect vehicles waiting at a side street. Unfortunately it dosen't seem to "see" motorcycles. It will constantly cycle around never letting me out unless a car comes up behind me. I end up running the light after 5-8 minutes of waiting. I have bitched to the township but no luck.

There's gotta be a better way.

Is there something I should tell the township or somewhere to stop the bike to be more visible. Wave my goddamn arms maybe?

 

[Guest]

I sometimes have the same problems with the conventional strips that are tripped by weight. I used to run it but since my driving record is now less than stellar since buying a Busa I usually move up and wait for a car to trip them. If I could be sure there were absulutely no cops around I would go on but with my luck ......

 

[OB_JohnC]

I run them, and I don’t wait 5-8 minutes. That first ticket is going to suck, but I'll fight it. If you wait for traffic to clear(chance are there isn't any, otherwise a car would be helping you trip the light), and proceed at a sane pace, I doubt a cop will give you a ticket. Unless he's just an $%^hole.

By the way, I don't think the normal strips are activated by weight, but rather metal detectors.

 

[sherm]

I've found that the best way to handle the detection strips that are embedded in the pavement is to always stop right over a strip that is oriented in the same direction you are headed. If you stop in the middle of the box formed by the strips you have the worst chance of being detected.

If some sort of radar is being used, you might try stopping at various different positions at the intersection to see what works. It might help if you knew exactly where the radar beam is pointed.

 

[OB_Badagindo]

I usually make a right turn, go about 50 feet, and U-turn at the next chance. Of course, as I pass the intersection I was just at, the light turns yellow! Ha!

 

[OB_insinu8]

There are a few which also detect headlights after dark. I constantly run afoul of the "not heavy enough to trip the light" problem. If you know the light is photosensitive, flash your high beam at it and away you go. Otherwise, I just run the thing after I wait through one whole cycle. After a certain hour (usually about 12-3 am around here) all the lights switch to detectors of some sort.

 

[AQUADIOSMED]

Motorcycles and signal "trippers" are a problem, seems the busa has more problems than my zx-11, must weigh less, but at one location, even riding double, the signal will not change.

My solutions:

when riding single, I do a "stoppie" right on the "road device" ... works about 80 % of the time;

put side stand down, walk to "pedestrian"
walking "push button", walk back to bike, get on, put side stand up, and the light goes green;

when ridng double, have passenger do the walk to push the "ped" button;

make the "right hander", then "uie";

when I can see, both ways, blast through and hope!!!

 

[OB_Martinm2]

Although I am in Civil engineering, our transprotation department takes care of signals. This is my understanding:
TRAFFIC LOOPS
Are simply coiled wire buried within the pavement, a small amount of current is run through them "Steel" creates a different induction yada yada--> "METAL DETECTOR", transportation said just to the left or right of center is your best detection.
VIDEO
Is really just a camera that picks up contrasting light, shadows etc. There are know problems with video during sunset/foggy conditions, but apparently the way to go in the longrun for cost, expect to see more.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Whine to your transportation department, they need to fix it if your not being detected. This past summer I inspected "BICYCLE LOOPS" being installed, they were just a smaller diamond version. Now if bicycles can trip the loops your busa sure ought to.

Hope this helps,
Martin

 

[OB_JRBusa]

Hey Martin, since you are the closest person I have ever come across that might be able to answer me an age old questionI just gotta ask it. why in hell are there so many left turn signal lites that dont allow you to turn left when the go ahead lite is green. what is the reasoning behind this. Its like DOT is telling me I don't have enuf stuff up top to decide when it is safe to go left, even though there is only one direction of traffic to watch. What ****ing Gives? Some intersection require that you watch up to 5 lanes of traffic going in at least 2 different directions. DOT trusts me with the ability to make a decision whether or not to go straight, left, or right. Just doesn't make sense at all. Nor consistent as to level of difficulty.

 

[OB_BUSA00021]

Local constabulatory has told me that I should wait through two complete cycles.if light has not triggered,proceed in a cautios manner.I don't trust them though.I usually avoid left turn lanes and make U turns on the main through ways.Then of course you get to make a right on red

 

[OB_falcon fool]

I do what Aquadiosmed said...let the passenger get off and press the ped. button then I shoot the gas to it..look over my shoulder and yell, " wait here I be back after a while." Funny the wife get mad every time I do it. ?????

 

[OB_RobBase]

Lyle, Martin has it mostly correct. The loops buried in the pavement detect vehicles with magnetism. The reason it doesn't work so good with most bikes is that there isn't much steel, mostly aluminum. I've never seen ones that work with radar.

There is an intersection like that half a mile from my house that doesn't work even in a car. If the intersection isn't busy, I run the light...and so do all the cars behind me! Safety in numbers!! But seriously, if you are worried about a ticket, then just make a right turn and then make a U-turn on the main road you wanted to go left on.

 

[OB_Richard]

If these detectors are 'magnetic' and depend on ferrous metals in the bike, we're screwed.

Suggestion: someone who has access to one of these detectors, please try a static or electromagnet on it.

You might try moving it over the detector by hand (on foot) for ease of repetition. If you think you see a response, then try temporarily taping it inside your belly pan, and recheck the results.
If it works, the simple minded among us will just tape a horsehoe magnet in the belly pan, the techies will design trick lightweight electromagnets with trigger wired into the horn button.

 

[OB_RobBase]

"Achem's razor-The simplest explanation is always the correct one." I got that from the movie "Contact".
If the car behind you triggers the radar light, why not just stop farther back from the light so you're in the same position as if there was a car behind you?

 

[Guest]

My problem light is radar based. My radar detector whines at me while waiting for it to let me out. It doesn't trigger well for my truck either so I have called the township and bitched.

The right on red and the U-turn seem like the best solution because there is usually very little traffic when this happens. A cage behind or beside me usually triggers it. Not this morning of course.

I have a speech for the cop all worked out. I plan to tell him that I won't go to court or whine about the ticket if he'll try to get the stop light to trigger within the limit of his patience. If it triggers I'll pay the ticket quietly. If it doesn't and he still gives me a ticket I'll see him in court.

 

[OB_JRBusa]

Hey Martin, thanks for replying, economics and ruch hour traffic,upgrades,sounds legite to me. There does seem to be new team of engineers in my area. Alot of good changes have been made lately, just hope it continues in other places. I hate sitting at left turn lites when there isn't a car in sight.

 

[Guest]

Can only offer this bit of help....move to a one light town (and that does not have an arrow). Sorry, but this must be the only advantage to living out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by corn.

 

[OB_Martinm2]

Hey JRBusa,
You need some "5-head" left turn signal heads.
These allow a cycled "left turn" for peak traffic times(wait all day for a gap in traffic) and also an optional "circle green" "left turn yield to oncomming traffic" for non-peak times. Chances are the signals you are referring to just need an upgrade, or cost was higher priority. There is also always the possibility of past traffic movement(including bicycle/pedestrian) accidents justifing this need...(turning left to oncoming traffic usually has the driver concentrating his/her attention on motorists)...?
Hope this helps,
Martin

[This message has been edited by Martinm2 (edited 24 May 2000).]

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

Write a letter to the district traffic control people in your area and a copy for your self,if you send it certified letter to the correct department they would have to answer or fix the problem.Make a third copy and send it to your local paper if they have a section that deals with road side hazards. Our city San Jose has the local newspaper called the Mercury News and they have a section called Mr. Roadside and he usually trys to answer your everyday roadside complaints and contact the proper people.I am a member of ABATE of California and do write to the district or the state when I see an injust to the motorcycle riders of the state.Most political people will read your letter and if it involves lawsuits, safety issues that might cost the city/state money they will act on the problem fast.Good Luck.

 

[OB_Quincy]

I have the same problem and this solution works for me.
I get down and walk to the pedestrian signal and push it. Then just walk back to the bike.
Works all the time.