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From: tatge@hpfcla.UUCP (tatge)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response
Message-ID: <43300066@hpfcms.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Jul-85 14:54:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hpfcms.43300066
Posted: Tue Jul 23 14:54:00 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 29-Jul-85 07:32:55 EDT
References: <658@ihu1g.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard - Fort Collins, CO
Lines: 40
Nf-ID: #R:ihu1g:658:hpfcms:43300066:37777777600:2227
Nf-From: hpfcms!tatge    Jul 23 10:54:00 1985

Ahhh, the wonders of modern "hi tech."  Be of good cheer that you are not
alone in this problem.  It is one that occurrs all over the country.

The sensors are simple current loops around the lane which of course
generate a magnetic field.  When any significant amount of ferrite 
metal is in the center of the loop, it increases the flux and is detected
by sensors.  The adjustment on these things has a very wide range.  I 
am told that they can set them to detect a toy Tonka truck (the real
metal kind) if they want to.  The problems are obvious, if they set 
them too sensitive then they will be getting tripped off when they
shouldn't and then you have the frustrating problem of every one
sitting at the intersection waiting for nothing to go by (which is
what these sensors are trying to avoid in the first place).  The
other problem is motorcycles and bicycles.  

Yes, there is something you can do.   I had the exact problem you
describe on my route to work.  After getting tired of running the red
light (actually getting scared I would get a ticket) I called the local
traffic engineer and explained the situation.  I gave him as many exact
details as possible.  I was able to specify exactly two sensors in
an intersection with over a dozen.  He was very happy for the input and
said he would look into it which he must have because the problem went
away after about a month.  I was not really expecting to have anything
done about it but I made sure I left the man my name, phone number, 
place of occupation, etc.  I also got his name, etc.  This way, I 
fully intended to call him as a witness in a court hearing if I got
a ticket for going through the eternal red light.

I suggest you gather data, write it down and then make the six or seven
phone calls it will take to get to the real traffic engineer whom you 
need to talk to.  Be polite, let him/her know that you understand the
difficulty in keeping the sensors fine tuned and that you just thought
you could help by pointing out a few that needed tuning.  I also 
suggest you do the personal data exchange and then call this person
as a witness if you do get a ticket.


                   George Tatge
		   Fort Collins, CO
		   ihnp4!hpfcla!tatge