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Triggering a Red Light in-ground sensor

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Triggering a Red Light in-ground sensor

Old 11-04-09, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by woodway
2. In the winter, when I ride with my light on my helmet, I also aim the light right at the camera. This seems to be pretty effective!
Didn't work last night. I have 10 watt halogen Nightrider on helmet
 
Old 11-04-09, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by fast
Didn't work last night. I have 10 watt halogen Nightrider on helmet
Aim it right at the sensor and sweep back and forth across it. Even a 10W light should have some effect. Just make sure you know where the sensor is
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Old 11-04-09, 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Aim it right at the sensor and sweep back and forth across it. Even a 10W light should have some effect. Just make sure you know where the sensor is
Make sure you are positioned in the center of the lane where a car would stop as well. I ride with a 600 lumen light and it seems to work.
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Old 11-04-09, 12:24 PM
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I've read some stuff about extremely strong magnets. Mount one on your frame and they should be able to make the sensors register your bike as if it's a car.
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Old 11-04-09, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by FreddyV
I've read some stuff about extremely strong magnets. Mount one on your frame and they should be able to make the sensors register your bike as if it's a car.
No! Need to say on every page that this doesn't work, because someone says on every page that it does.
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Old 11-04-09, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by woodway
Make sure you are positioned in the center of the lane where a car would stop as well. I ride with a 600 lumen light and it seems to work.
You are correct. I forget to mention this because I'm always in the middle of lanes when I stop. It's a habit I developed because of the trick of triggering lights usually requires it
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Old 11-04-09, 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by SSP
Have you reported the problem intersection to the local authorities? It's my understanding that sensors can be adjusted to better detect bikes...perhaps a complaint to local traffic control would get the problem resolved.

You might also check with local cycling advocacy groups - getting a traffic signal changed for cyclists might require more than just one voice.
Our city engineer is quite active on a local web forum. That's my next stop.
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Old 11-04-09, 11:19 PM
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what do the video sensors look like?
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Old 11-05-09, 06:44 AM
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Here, fig. 4: https://www.humantransport.org/bicycl...nals/green.htm
 
Old 11-05-09, 07:37 AM
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So if you're trying all the good tips in this thread and there's still a light on your commute that you can't trip, don't take it personally. Motorcyclists, with a heck of a lot more metal at their disposal, have the same issue.

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Old 11-05-09, 10:38 AM
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you might not take it personally, but you could report it. I should do that with one of the lights near me; it's on a Pennsylvania bike route.
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Old 11-06-09, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by dellwilson
Our city engineer is quite active on a local web forum. That's my next stop.
The reply from our City Engineer:
The sensors at Madison Blvd and Intergraph Way are radio sensors and they will pick up a bicycle. You can see them as small circular patches, approximately 6" in diameter, generally located near the center of the lane. There are three per lane.
I guess I'll be experimenting this evening.
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Old 11-06-09, 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by dellwilson
The reply from our City Engineer:
The sensors at Madison Blvd and Intergraph Way are radio sensors and they will pick up a bicycle. You can see them as small circular patches, approximately 6" in diameter, generally located near the center of the lane. There are three per lane.
I guess I'll be experimenting this evening.
Could you post photos of these?
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Old 11-06-09, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Shimagnolo
Could you post photos of these?
Ok. If it's not tool dark when I leave this evening I'll snap it with my phone. Otherwise, I'll get them Monday morning on my way in.
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Old 11-06-09, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
The ones that have become buried due to repaving are a problem. Can you adjust your route so that you avoid this particular intersection? Or perhaps a magnetic field detector and a spot or two of paint might solve the problem
call diggers hotline and tell them you're gonna rip up the intersection and need it hotlined, they'll get marked!
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Old 11-06-09, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by dedhed
call diggers hotline and tell them you're gonna rip up the intersection and need it hotlined, they'll get marked!
That's evil! I like it!
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Old 11-06-09, 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Shimagnolo
Could you post photos of these?
Ok. I left work a little early so I got a photo of one of these. It is about four inches in diameter.

Unfortunately, two cars pulled into the turn lanes with me so I could not tell if I was triggering the light or not.

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Old 11-07-09, 06:17 AM
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Originally Posted by dellwilson
Ok. I left work a little early so I got a photo of one of these. It is about four inches in diameter.

Unfortunately, two cars pulled into the turn lanes with me so I could not tell if I was triggering the light or not.

Thanks
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Old 11-07-09, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by dellwilson
Ok. I left work a little early so I got a photo of one of these. It is about four inches in diameter.

Unfortunately, two cars pulled into the turn lanes with me so I could not tell if I was triggering the light or not.
Kermit? Or does the frog in the glue make it work better?
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Old 11-19-09, 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by soho2009
Monday Morning 8:00 am (approximately) I attempted to test the right edge of the frame. 10 seconds to make sure I was aligned properly. 15 seconds later a car comes up and sits at the back of the frame allowing me space to stay where I was leaning into the frame but in a position to make me unsure if it was me or her disrupting the current. Moved over, waved them up to ensure the light changed green, and crossed the street.

At this rate, I should have an answer by mid winter.

2 for 2 (no interefence from cagers) now with the right side of frame, rims over frame edge, lean in a bit toward center of frame method. Thanks for the insight, experience, and links!
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Old 11-19-09, 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by soho2009
2 for 2 (no interefence from cagers) now with the right side of frame, rims over frame edge, lean in a bit toward center of frame method. Thanks for the insight, experience, and links!
A convert! The lodge meeting is next Tuesday. We'll show you the secret handshake then.
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Old 11-20-09, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by X-LinkedRider
Most traffic scales and cable triggers have a 500lb minimum threshold. I would say good luck but you'll only be wasting your time short of riding over to the light and hitting the button.
Near where I live, there is a shared-use crossing (pedestrians and cycles) to cross over one of the main arterial roads coming into the city. The push-button is automatically activated by an approaching bike.
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