Non-detection at traffic lights in the United States

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In order to improve intersection capacity in the United States, intelligent transport systems such as vehicle detection have been introduced at intersections controlled by traffic lights. However, these lights sometimes do not detect smaller vehicles such as bikes or motorcycles.

Contents

Traffic lights that do not service traffic due to non-detection may not meet the federal legal definition adopted by most states for a traffic control signal, which is any device "by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed". [1] [2] [3] Meeting this definition is required for any citation to be upheld; traffic signals that fail to meet it may be considered "defective" or "inoperative." [4]

Some jurisdictions require operators to "bring the vehicle to a complete stop before entering the intersection and may proceed with caution only when it is safe to do so," [5] while others may construe any action to force it to cycle as tampering. [6]

Background

In some instances, small vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles may not be detected, leaving the traffic light controller unaware of their presence. When this occurs, the small vehicle may fail to receive the right of way when the traffic light controller skips their phase, such as at traffic lights that are programmed to remain green for the main street and to only service minor movements, such as the side street or a main street left turn lane, on an as-needed basis when there is demand.

For example, small vehicles may not be detected by an induction loop sensor, such as one whose sensitivity has been set too high in an attempt to avoid false triggers. While a typical motor vehicle has a sufficient mass of metal such as steel that interacts with the sensor's magnetic field, [7] motorcycles and scooters have much less mass than cars, and bicycles may not even be constructed with metal. This situation most often occurs at the times of day when other traffic is sparse as well as when the small vehicle is coming from a direction that does not have a high volume of traffic. [8]

Laws by state

Over 20 states [9] [10] in the United States have enacted "dead red" laws that give motorcyclists and sometimes bicyclists an affirmative defense to proceed through a red light with caution after stopping when they are not detected by the traffic light controller. [11] [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic</span> Phenomenon of movement by humans on foot or using vehicles

Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads/sidewalks) for travel and transportation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersection (road)</span> Road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade

An intersection or an at-grade junction is a junction where two or more roads converge, diverge, meet or cross at the same height, as opposed to an interchange, which uses bridges or tunnels to separate different roads. Major intersections are often delineated by gores and may be classified by road segments, traffic controls and lane design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic light</span> Signaling device to control competing flows of traffic

Traffic lights, traffic signals, or stoplights – also known as robots in South Africa and Namibia – are signaling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings, and other locations in order to control the flow of traffic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaywalking</span> Pedestrian crossing of a carriageway outside of a crosswalk

Jaywalking is the act of pedestrians walking in or crossing a roadway if that act contravenes traffic regulations. The term originated in the United States as a derivation of the phrase jay-drivers, people who drove horse-drawn carriages and automobiles on the wrong side of the road, before taking its current meaning. Jaywalking was coined as the automobile arrived in the street in the context of the conflict between pedestrian and automobiles, more specifically the nascent automobile industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red light camera</span> Type of traffic enforcement camera

A red light camera is a type of traffic enforcement camera that photographs a vehicle that has entered an intersection after the traffic signal controlling the intersection has turned red. By automatically photographing vehicles that run red lights, the photo is evidence that assists authorities in their enforcement of traffic laws. Generally the camera is triggered when a vehicle enters the intersection after the traffic signal has turned red.

An induction or inductive loop is an electromagnetic communication or detection system which uses a moving magnet or an alternating current to induce an electric current in a nearby wire. Induction loops are used for transmission and reception of communication signals, or for detection of metal objects in metal detectors or vehicle presence indicators. A common modern use for induction loops is to provide hearing assistance to hearing-aid users.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advanced stop line</span> Road junction markings giving some vehicles a head start

An advanced stop line (ASL), also called advanced stop box or bike box, is a type of road marking at signalised road junctions allowing certain types of vehicle a head start when the traffic signal changes from red to green. Advanced stop lines are implemented widely in Denmark, the United Kingdom, and other European countries.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">School bus traffic stop laws</span>

School bus stop laws are laws dictating what a motorist must do in the vicinity of a bus stop being used by a school bus or other bus, coach or minibus providing school transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road junction</span> Location where two or more roads meet

A junction is where two or more roads meet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn on red</span> Traffic principle

Turn on red is a principle of law permitting vehicles at a traffic light showing a red signal to turn into the direction of traffic nearer to them when the way is clear, without having to wait for a green signal.

Traffic signal preemption is a system that allows an operator to override the normal operation of traffic lights. The most common use of these systems manipulates traffic signals in the path of an emergency vehicle, halting conflicting traffic and allowing the emergency vehicle right-of-way, thereby reducing response times and enhancing traffic safety. Signal preemption can also be used on tram, light-rail and bus rapid transit systems, to allow public transportation priority access through intersections, and by railroad systems at crossings to prevent collisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Variations in traffic light operation</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bus priority signal</span> Faster mass transit at intersections

Bus priority or transit signal priority (TSP) is a name for various techniques to improve service and reduce delay for mass transit vehicles at intersections controlled by traffic signals. TSP techniques are most commonly associated with buses, but can also be used along tram/streetcar or light rail lines, especially those that mix with or conflict with general vehicular traffic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All-way stop</span> Road intersection with stop signs on all approaches

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">HAWK beacon</span> Traffic control device

A HAWK beacon is a traffic control device used to stop road traffic and allow pedestrians to cross safely. It is officially known as a pedestrian hybrid beacon. The purpose of a HAWK beacon is to allow protected pedestrian crossings, stopping vehicular traffic only as needed. The HAWK beacon is a type of traffic control alternative to traffic control signals and/or where an intersection does not meet traffic signal warrants.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idaho stop</span> Idaho law allowing bicyclists to yield at stop signs; precedent for similar laws in other areas

The Idaho stop is the common name for laws that allow bicyclists to treat a stop sign as a yield sign, and a red light as a stop sign. It first became law in Idaho in 1982, but was not adopted elsewhere until Delaware adopted a limited stop-as-yield law, the "Delaware Yield", in 2017. Arkansas was the second US state to legalize both stop-as-yield and red-light-as-stop in April 2019. Studies in Delaware and Idaho have shown significant decreases in crashes at stop-controlled intersections. In France and Belgium, some intersections use red-light-as-yield signs.

Traffic lights – devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations – control flows of traffic with social norms and laws created by the state. Traffic signals have to convey messages to drivers in a short period of time about constantly-changing road rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crosswalks in North America</span>

Crosswalks in the United States and Canada are normally found at intersections, though sometimes may be found mid-block. Crosswalk installations must follow the regulations specified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). At signalized intersections, crosswalks may have pedestrian signals which display symbols to mandate when pedestrians may cross the street.

References

  1. ↑ United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration. "Chapter 4B. Traffic Control Signals—General" . Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  2. ↑ United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration. "Section 4A.02 Definitions Relating to Highway Traffic Signals, #73" . Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  3. ↑ Ohio Revised Code. "4511.01 Traffic laws - operation of motor vehicles definitions. section (RR)" . Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "What exactly is an Inoperative Traffic Signal?". 20 January 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  5. ↑ "Arizona Revised Statutes, 28-645 C." Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Kansas Statutes Annotated, 21-5817. Tampering with a traffic signal; aggravated tampering with a traffic signal" . Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  7. ↑ "How does a traffic light detect that a car has pulled up and is waiting for the light to change?". Howstuffworks. April 2000. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  8. ↑ "Motorcycles And Stoplights". Motorcycle Assistant.
  9. ↑ Smith, Summer (30 April 2014). "16 States Pass 'Dead Red' Laws, Allowing Cyclists To Run Red Lights".
  10. ↑ BikeBandit. "How "Dead Red" Laws Let Motorcycles Run Red Lights Legally - BikeBandit.com".[ permanent dead link ]
  11. ↑ "Kansas Statutes Annotated, 8-1508(c)(4)" . Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  12. ↑ Ron Barnett (6 June 2008). "States green-light new red-light laws for motorcycles". USA Today. Gannett Co. Inc. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  13. ↑ "OKLAHOMA STATUTES". www.oklegislature.gov.
  14. ↑ ""Ride on Red" law allows Pennsylvania drivers to drive through some red lights". WGAL. 22 July 2016.
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