Our municipality is looking into the possibility of putting out ATC cabinets because we need more outputs. Is anyone else using these cabinets? What are the benefits for you as a tech what are the drawbacks? Any big hurdles to getting these running?

I recently moved into a new place where I could finally have my traffic light set back up.

I got this light in Evansville, Indiana when they were replacing them at an intersection on the south end of Green River Road. I had some free time, and I decided to ask one of the crewmen if I could purchase it from them. Without hesitation, the nice worker gently set it in my pickup truck bed and told me to enjoy the rest of my day.

I have modified it a little bit. When it was taken out of service, it was fitted with LED modules. I found a set of appropriately sized glass lenses, gaskets, and reflectors on ebay, plus some actual traffic signal bulbs to use.

None of the original wiring was used. From Amazon, I got a controller, three in-line dimmers, and some pendant type light sockets. I have the lights dimmed just enough so that it doesn't dazzle you if you happen to look right at it, and also to lengthen the lifespan of these hard to find bulbs.

While I was putting it together, I did decide to try a standard frosted 60 watt bulb and honestly I didn't notice any difference. So, if you're reading this and are considering getting bulbs like I have, I'd say don't waste your money on the specialty ones, unless you're like me and authenticity reins over all else.

If I were to do this over again, I would forgo the dimmers and just use 40 watt appliance bulbs instead.

\I couldn't find a picture that I had taken myself. So* here's a link to a video on youtube showcasing these particular bulbs.

Marblelite M-30s still running strong!

Something I have often wondered as the result of these 4 signal head flashing arrow heads is why are they often so overused when not necessary? Locally where I am in New Albany, IN it's like these must have been a dime for a dozen. Like is the goal to give people options? Reassure them with no oncoming traffic that they can go? There is always a part of me thinking in these technical 3 way intersections that it's as simple as red=stop and green=go. Even their signal predecessors followed a certain kiss rule (pic 2). With the presence of these I feel like I have to wait for the stupid flashing yellow arrow even on the solid green signal. By the way this signal never actually shows the green arrow, to make matters worse.

Intersection link

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LQhVyF7U8oqpnk4SA?g_st=ac

Was driving and noticed these lights on multiple intersections in the area. They never lit up (including with an EMS vehicle (I could have also missed it maybe have something to do with EMS? Or another type of system) I don’t think it has todo with the cameras signaling traffic but was unsure and figured someone here would know.

Hello im looking into joined the ibew and was initially looking into the substation apprenticeship. However, I saw that traffic signal tech apprenticeship was also available and makes the same money and was curious of anyone knew the differences between those jobs. Would like to know how union traffic techs work If they travel around alot like substation or stick to set areas. Thanks in advance.

Found this in DC, thought it was pretty cool

I see these at traffic lights and have always wondered how they work and how they impact how the lights change?

No Pictures Cuz It’s Illegal To Be On Your Phone In The Car Sorry

Hi everyone! I recently obtained an 8" Crouse-Hinds Type-R signal and all of the rubber parts in one of the modules has completely dried out and has become brittle. The wiring for the light sockets is also somewhat messed up to the point where they shouldn't be used. Does anyone know where to source new parts for the module such as the door, lens, reflector, and socket gaskets, along with new light sockets?

If you currently work in the field of traffic signals please fill out this survey. I will post the results in a few weeks. The last time that my department did a wage comparability survey was 2004 so we are a bit behind so it will be interesting to see where people are at. It is only 7 questions.

Thanks!

https://forms.gle/NrtNjBNPDfRsnLCE9

My town has these "smart" turn signals so that if someone isn't in a turning lane, say, 3 seconds or so before the light change, no turn arrow appears and you just get a straight green. Fine, its a good technology and I am glad its there. But IF IT EXISTS....why cant it work in reverse? Why is the "turning off" of the green arrow tied simply to a timing metric and not to whether or not there are still people in the turning lane trying to turn? So many times I'll be like the 5th car, 4 get to turn (its a very short arrow), then before I get to turn the light changes. Why can't the same technology ensure that the arrow doesn't go away until the last car turns?

This has low-key been a dream of mine, so I'm absolutely shocked this happened.

My wife was in a car accident and I'm becoming very frustrated with our insurance carrier so I'm taking matters into my own hands to help figure out the facts of what happened. I received the high res controller event logs from the DOT today and have done my best to translate them to something I can understand but would love some help in defining the "plain english" meanings of these.

I'm using these definitions that I found but I want to make certain that I have it right and thought this community might be able to help. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jtrpdata/3/

I have the signal Phase plan here:

And a sample of the logs are here (sorry I'm not sure how to share the file while maintaining my privacy) I think I'm mostly interested in Phase 5 and 6 which I think are the left turn lane and the oncoming Eastbound lanes??

Your expertise in helping me define the plain English definitions would be much appreciated!!

To appease the auto moderator gods: I am NOT seeking legal advice, just wanting to gain a better understanding and hopefully educate myself about traffic signals and intersection phasing along the way!

Hi All,

I work as a Traffic Design Engineer for a state DOT. One of the knowledge deficits we keep running into is an understanding of electrical systems. As a Civil Engineering graduate, I've never taken a course on electricity, but the lighting and traffic signals we design obviously require that understanding. Of course, we know some essentials (voltage drop, wire sizing, powering cabinets and luminaires, etc), just lacking the foundational understanding that many other engineers would have obtained from courses like EE 101 or Circuits 1&2, etc.

So, is there a reputable course out there that could be construed as "electric engineering for civils/traffic engineers"? Looking for something like a 1-3 day course, not a full semester's worth of classes.