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Light cameras help the flow of traffic |
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Written by Amanda Moreno
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Thursday, 18 February 2010 |
True or False?
Those cameras that you see above the traffic lights are red light cameras?
False.
Even though these cameras may barely be catching your attention, they are not new. The cameras that are located on the intersection of Pine and Broadway and Hailey and Broadway are part of the traffic detection system. The cameras are classified as a video imaging vehicle detection system, according to Mary Beth Kilgore, public information officer for TxDOT.
"The cameras are known strictly a detection device," Patrick McKennon, engineer technician for TxDOT said.
According to a press release from 2002, the cameras were installed at the end of May 2002 in the Abilene area. The cities include Albany, Anson, Colorado City, Hamlin, Haskell, Stamford, Snyder and Sweetwater. The Abilene maintenance department with TxDOT does all the maintenance associated with the cameras.
McKennon said that the lights are intended to make the traffic flow smoother.
"As long as they are running correctly, and the sun light isn't in the way, they help the traffic flow," McKennon said.
The lights will be kept green in the direction of heavier traffic, when the side streets are not busy. The video camera system will read the traffic and not cycle the light sequence until it captures a car in sight.
"We've all sat through red lights while the cross street, with no cars in sight, had the green light," McKennon said in the 2002 press release. "This new system will alleviate that to a great degree."
He said that the system also has a max green and minimum green. This range helps the traffic once the green light has been given.
"If there are cars that continue coming, after the green light," McKennon said. "There will be an extra few seconds added on to keep the traffic flowing, instead of having to wait, up until the maximum green limit is reached."
When adding a new system, one of the big questions is how much maintenance it will require. The traffic camera system was expected to not require a lot of maintenance. It was actually said to be "virtually maintenance-free."
According to McKennon, the only maintenance that has been needed is the typical maintenance. Every so often there will be technicians that go out and make sure that the cameras are working and that nothing needs to be replaced.
No need to worry, the cameras above the traffic lights are only a detection device and no red light cameras have been discussed, according to numerous sources. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 19 February 2010 )
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