It is interesting seeing these videos of a modern Traffic Lights controller. Since I am 73 years old, I remember seeing old electromechanical based traffic controllers, that had clock motors, camshafts, microswitches and electromechanical relays. I have noticed that these modern traffic lights controllers can be programmed to handle a lot more traffic lights situations than the old style controllers could handle.
I graduated in electrical automation and robotics, we did PLC projects programming traffic signals for intersections. It's funny to see that even that's outdated since they can be so much more efficient just using camera's to detect the level of traffic without having to bury sensors etc.
@@zr2ee1 Bowling alleys found cameras were very useful for automatic scoring, before that I remember laser pin counters. And I guess electromechanical before that, when a pin is picked up it is registered as standing by a switch in the machine, but I don't know if that was automatic score counting yet. I remember a light 4 houses up in the city, all day long, ca chunk, ca chunk and the lights changed on a clock and flashed caution at night.
Great video! Could you also make some videos of a “traffic controller 101” style where you explain how exactly the cabinets are wired and what all the equipment does? Such as how exactly do conflict monitors work? You could do these videos at home too while using some software to draw circuits. Just a suggestion
You can go low tech on explanations so you don't have to purchase/learn software. Just some poster board with an intersection drawn and some toy cars would be just fine.
Nice to see an interesting video about life around us. I was a traffic control systems specialist in the UK & still a consultant since retirement. Write contracts, tech specs, programmed our SCOOT control software, ran maintenance contracts etc. what you’re doing was my world for over 35 yrs. worked closely with Plessey, then Siemens, then YUNEX. Great companies!
Thanks man I learn something today about traffic light. And who knew traffic cabinets look like the inside of the space shuttle. Stay safe out there, and thanks for sharing with us.
You mentioned it's a cat5 but crimped with a shielded 8p8c. it might be worth changing to shielded cat6 or higher for better grounding protection. I can see the camera's rj45 port looks shielded for such purposes. I imagine that would be a little tricky to re-run but could make a difference
My dad installed some of the first LED traffic lights in some California cities before going to work for the electric rail system. I loved the broken ones he used to bring home for me because, electrically, they still worked!! I was like 14 years old playing around with raw voltage for fun. No, I am not an electrician. No, I never got shocked. Yes, I had fun and respect for them. :)
Respectfully, as a software developer of many decades in another field, these systems seem needlessly complex. Nevertheless, it is neat learning the behind the scenes tech and associated vernacular.Thank you for the great videos.
I agree. You'd think by now with advancement of system on chips alot of this can be shrunk down to size to a simple box with plugs. Not saying RasperryPi could do it but just saying this could have been simplified a bit. P.S. I've noticed the controller is running Linux which is nice to see.
you haven't seen embedded systems and it's a totally different field than your bloaty JS development on Windows Bloat. It's pretty normal for "industrial control machines" to be of this size. Be it Factory robot controllers, Elevators, Aircrafts, and many other infrastructure stuff are usually like this.
@@hariranormal5584 You are quite presumptuous. In fact, I have substantial experience with embedded systems and I haven't touched a Windows machine in decades. My comment was about complexity not size.
I'm surprised the controllers don't talk back to the traffic central command to get like an NTP network time synch. It's whenever you have set ups Wear traffic lights actually talk to each other down a multi mile busy road like they set up here down in the area in my city where there's a lot of rush hour traffic to get vehicles to move in clusters so once you hit a green light you will hit all green lights for the next couple miles and then same with the cross traffic. And the signals dynamically alter their times as far as how long the green is lasting depending on how many vehicles are on the road and how many vehicles are in the cross traffic sections so it dynamically learns that and then alters its schedule to make the best choices. It's actually really freaking cool what used to take a solid 25-30 minute drive is now about 15 minutes in rush out of traffic
There are systems that do that. I formerly programmed traffic signals in Australia. We used different controllers that are designed to work with SCATS - The Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System. SCATS provided the central coordination based on the data from the intersection detectors and traffic engineering data input into the system. This data includes elements like minimum durations (which are also in and enforced by the controller) and maximum cycle durations.
Every traffic signal in my county - I think there are about 800 - is connected back to a central system. The light timing is synchronized across the entire county and adjusted on the fly to keep traffic moving. They used to use dial-up modems and a number of years ago the modem bank died and they had no backup. For two days it was impossible to drive anywhere because the light timings were so bad. Now all the traffic lights use fiber - no more modem banks.
@@RobWhittlestone yeah i hope those dense european cities have this for optimized traffic flow. Even my city probably has it but I sometimes feel like they don't communicate enough
lol i spent my time in college learning PLC's and then never got to program them in my career, even when working around them. Still would like to do some PLC projects at some point
I"m here in Montgomery County, Maryland. I"m a 45 year in the trade Master Electrician and I used to get to work with most of the county traffic signal techs. I do know they have been using Econolite controllers for years. Your Yunex controller looks really more friendly.
Its a major improvement. There was a time when they would just be on a simple time for cycling and that was it. But then you had times where you get stopped at a light for 2 minutes with no other traffic around. Been stopped at a few of toes. Then you have the modern systems, like we have 1 road that at night, the entire stretch of road through like 8 intersections remains green all night, except, when a car stops at a side street or the left turn signal and then the intersection cycles just long enough for that 1 car to get through the intersection and then back to green for the main road. That same stretch of road is a drag to drive during the day as it is really busy and packed.
@@egustafson no, but de conflict / malfunction controller is software controlled with a checksum on a seperate processor. And the traffic controller can not work out one.
Watching your videos has made me want to consider a career move to doing something like this, as the troubleshooting and building up and maintaining of these kinds of systems seems very interesting to me. I'm 35 and working a dead end retail job.... I just don't know where i'd look in the state of Indiana or what the term i should be looking for is. Great vids as always
Knowing what I know now and starting fresh, I would get some foundational technical knowledge. If you have that and are dependable and outgoing, I would look for public works depts that are hiring. Yes, you will do a bunch of different things BUT make sure they maintain traffic signals. If so, you will get your chance to put your hands on them. Get some knowledge and hands on experience. After awhile, start looking for agencies looking for signal techs AND that pay more. After a few jumps, you'll pay will hopefull reflect your experience...
It's generally used on coax connectors, but coax-seal might be an option if you continue to have water intrusion issues, though the connector you have there usually does a pretty good job if the rubber is good. At least you don't have water flowing inside the jacket of the cat5e cable (I've seen that one indoors before).
Very interesting. I have a traffic light that recently went to flashing yellow lights, which was great for me at 5 a.m. in the morning because I could go through it to work, but when they got it working again now it takes WAY longer for it to change green than it did before it went to flashing yellow. And for over 10 years now there's a traffic light for vehicles coming off the Beltway that leaves this turn light on for an extra 2 minutes for no reason that I have to sit at in morning if I have to stop at it. It's ridiculus. I'm amazed this has never been corrected. Thanks for the video!
The amount of cool stuff I'm learning about traffic lights is cool, it's like a mixture of what I do as an IT tech and a mix of what my uncle does which is 2 Way communications
stop bars -- so i get into the office early around 345am. in hollywood there is a turning lane from sunset blvd to a side street. i noticed if i go too far past a certain spot, the system wont detect me. if i slowly back up, i then see the crosswalk timer start to count down, which lets me know it senses me.
I know nothing about any of this stuff, but good work knowing to swap the controller with a new one of the same FW. Also for getting the camera detection to work.
Great explanations! Can you explain a little bit about how the older inductive loops in the ground work? Do they know if more than one car is in the lane waiting or it is just one zone for the entire lane usually? 🐾🐾
I used to work on signals in Australia. We used loops in one of two places in a lane. Depending on jurisdiction advance loops (1-2 s travel from the stop bar) or at stop bar loops or both can be implemented. The jurisdiction I worked for used one loop per lane at the stop bar.
Inductive loops are basically metal detectors. The loops are just wires cut into the road. Loops are typically 6x6 (in Illinois at least). For left turn lanes, one loop is placed right on the stop bar and two more will be spaced 9' apart behind in the lane. For that whole 36' span, they all place a single call to a card in the cabinet. It won't know if there's two cars there; it's either there's a car there or not. For through lanes on main routes, loops are placed 250' back for each lane and send one call for each lane. For side routes (if they're not using video detection) loops are placed 15' back from the through lane and are wired like they are for a turn lane, so the whole lane gets detection on one card. At intersections, loops need to be wider as the road widens, so they're 3' off the edge line, but also need to be spaced 6' to avoid cross-talk. The number of loops varies, but there needs to be at least 2 behind the stop bar in each lane. Every jurisdiction does it differently though and has their own rules and standards.
As a software engineer, I find this fascinating. I'm sure there's much that I don't fully understand on the hardware side, but in college (and as a fun on-going project), I've written software to handle traffic intersections, and their many different configurations and scenarios. Curious why so much physical hardware is required when software can do so much of it at a fraction of the cost.
I program software and industrial control like this… there isn’t much hardware here… there is only the main controller and the camera processors… further down is the relays
Everytime I approach a light it turns yellow then red. My family has to endure me leaving early for places because of this. My daughter said once as we approached a flashing yellow "at least you can't miss this light", and a light that had never changed turned to a flashing red.
Greetings: Since I am a technical person in a technical field I had no problem keeping up. I am not a fan of DE grease. I use my own proven substance and techniques. The use those RJ-45s In that application is futile. In an era of so much technology and connector variance, I can suggest many other preferred. As 4 the camera setup- I have seen better as a high school project and built such. Clearly no respect and insight of weather and reliability. Definitely another corporate 'kets go cheap' which later proves not inexpensive. I know it is no fault of the techs. I like the pretrip and equipment CK if the CMV. Now that is a rare find. Good job sir. My respect and appreciation 2 U. Mot only is it procedure, safe and law...it is the right thing 2 do. Bsafe. Keep up the good work.
So when a controller or anything in the cabinet fails, and you replace it with another one. Do you send that unit back to the manufacturer to be rebuilt or do you just purchase a new one? And how many of these do you keep on stock?
I enjoy the deeper technical discussions, however would be helpful to explain some of these abbreviations like TSU, BIU, CCU, etc. Also, not sure what a phase corresponds to.
This system definitely isnt being used in miami florida. The way it works is if theres a slow road with no cars it gives it a green light, but when theres a big line of cars the light is red
Need you to fix the stop light cycling for the entire city of Colorado Springs. Hands down they have the worst stop light rotations I’ve even experienced.
Sweet, now I can go fix my light that doesn't detect cars! We have this one light where the busy road works fine both ways. But the side street side of one side doesn't detect your actually waiting. The light only changes if cars are waiting on the other side of the intersection. So if your on the bad side, you are sitting there until more cars show up on the opposite side.
If you’re on a motorcycle, all traffic lights work the way that your “bad side” works. The law is you’re supposed to wait 2 cycles and then you can go when it’s safe.
@@kevinsrandom That’s how the law is here in New Hampshire, and it must be something similar elsewhere. When a traffic light is broken and permanently red, they don’t expect you to sit there forever.
There are several different traffic detection technologies. The three main ones I'm aware of today are inductive loops (wires cut into the cement), intelligent cameras, and radar. Induction loops were wildly popular for many years, but they they seem to be going away because their problems aren't a problem for other technologies.
I need you to be a consultant in Austin and Bee Cave Tx. 6am in the morning approaching intersections where they are really T Intersections due to newly developed land with no road and getting a red light with zero traffic. This also takes the full order of operations for lights on lanes with zero traffic or lanes that don’t exist.
Panel work is easy. Real experience shows in the actual wiring. Guessing the previous tech was recording for YT also and that’s why you got water intrusion. Makes me feel good when as a “non professional”, none of my external low voltage connectors have had issues in the last 7-10 years.
Really interesting, only second video from you I've seen so quite new I guess 😋 You had some great weather there also, just wondering.. what is the percentage of bad weather on your calls? Feels like it should be quite often you get bad weather when called out to a problematic site, especially as it is outdoors 😋 Can't be majority of good weather, can it?
Do you have to go to school or class to learn how to do what you do? I am good with computer technology and computers and i find what you do intriging.
Ultimately it is due to different underpinning road rule philosophies. As the other replies mentioned, in the US a flashing red is equivalent to a stop sign and 4-way stop intersections (first come first served priority) are common, but give way (yield) signs are relatively rare. In Australia, we flash the ambers which is equivalent to give way signs, except NSW who have the failed signals priority stop sign with the three black circles, with the give way to the right rules.
@BreannaVK3BBS to add to this. In the US when busy intersections fail the main road will flash amber, which means yeild/continue with caution (no need to stop unless turning). The side street will flash red indicating you must stop and wait for the main street to be clear before proceeding. In other words you'd treat it as an intersection with side road only having stops signs with a "cross traffic doesn't stop" text marker.
@@photonpilot__ to add to this: ;) In Germany, all traffic-light-controlled intersections are also signed, so when the lights are off, the signs come into effect. In addition, the lights for the yield- and stop-signed sources blink amber if possible. Blinking amber means "attention", so it's just a bit of additional safety, as drivers should look at signs anyway... Nobody asked for that, but I like explaining things, and an additional perspective on failure handling might be interesting to someone.
So, you have a weather boot to protect the Cat 5 plug. Why is there moisture on the plug? I have installed many outdoor cat 5 and cat 6 plugs with weather boots and never had to go back.
im thinking that that plug is getting wet because it happens to be the bottom of that junction box like maybe water is getting in from the screw holes up top, the gaskets is bad or the wire coming into the side?
We have a problem in Dallas, TX, where people with out of date license plates, (our date stickers are on the windshield) will not pull up to the stop bar because they think the detector cameras are reading those stickers. Because they won't pull up to the stop bar, the light won't give them a green until another driver pulls past them in another lane up to the stop bar.
If someone comes up to an intersection with an intention to turn right, and you delay the detection so it doesn’t immediately trigger a light change? If it’s clear for them to go, there’s no need, but if it’s not clear, it’s not terrible for them to have to wait 10 seconds while traffic is flowing through the intersection.
That was quite interesting. I didn´t understand everything.... But that´s alright. It´s not my world... 🙂 These green cables: Are these an type of Bus System like CAN Bus?
Terminology and architecture is surprising. Seems like the Siemens m60 is so popular there are knockoffs. The cameras are connected back to CCUs in the control cabinet with Cat 5, then the CCUs use SDLC to talk to the m60? TACTICS must be the controller management software on your laptop, used to manage software and config? ITU config is used to configure SDLC connected devices? The phase config is used to map camera presence detection to a controller call? Overlaps, protect / permissive phases didn’t quite make sense to me. Great video otherwise, very illuminating 😁
I had absolutely no idea that traffic signals were this complicated. Good stuff.
Me neither. I just thought they had a few flip flop timers. 🤣 NICE VIDEO!
With how complex lights are is, roundabouts seem even more efficient and cost-effective than I initially thought
@@darrenc8697 I always liked roundabouts because of less fatalities.
That's why I always drive right up to the line. To make sure the sensors pick my car up and so the lights change sooner 😂
They don't need to be. They're complicated because they're run by gooberment.
It is interesting seeing these videos of a modern Traffic Lights controller. Since I am 73 years old, I remember seeing old electromechanical based traffic controllers, that had clock motors, camshafts, microswitches and electromechanical relays. I have noticed that these modern traffic lights controllers can be programmed to handle a lot more traffic lights situations than the old style controllers could handle.
I graduated in electrical automation and robotics, we did PLC projects programming traffic signals for intersections. It's funny to see that even that's outdated since they can be so much more efficient just using camera's to detect the level of traffic without having to bury sensors etc.
@@zr2ee1 Bowling alleys found cameras were very useful for automatic scoring, before that I remember laser pin counters. And I guess electromechanical before that, when a pin is picked up it is registered as standing by a switch in the machine, but I don't know if that was automatic score counting yet. I remember a light 4 houses up in the city, all day long, ca chunk, ca chunk and the lights changed on a clock and flashed caution at night.
@@Flea-Flicker pretty amazing to see how far things have come, thanks for sharing
Since watching this channel I now look for the control cabinet when I'm at any intersection. Very interesting stuff.
A 100% of the time.
🐫🌅
didn't realise i was interested in traffic signals until now. great video thanks
Hey fellow drivers: flashing red == stop
== stop sign
Flashing yellow = keep going
@@tretre1692 But with caution.
Ooooh ok😮 👌
But what about solid red??
@@zarkovitch42 what do you think ?
Great video! Could you also make some videos of a “traffic controller 101” style where you explain how exactly the cabinets are wired and what all the equipment does? Such as how exactly do conflict monitors work?
You could do these videos at home too while using some software to draw circuits. Just a suggestion
You can go low tech on explanations so you don't have to purchase/learn software. Just some poster board with an intersection drawn and some toy cars would be just fine.
I was rather curious about that was well.
@@sam65432101 yes sir, I’ll go more in depth!
@@Trafficlightdoctor can't wait to watch it :D
That would be great!
Excellent video! I really like how you show the programming and how each of the components interact to make the intersection work
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Nice to see an interesting video about life around us. I was a traffic control systems specialist in the UK & still a consultant since retirement. Write contracts, tech specs, programmed our SCOOT control software, ran maintenance contracts etc. what you’re doing was my world for over 35 yrs. worked closely with Plessey, then Siemens, then YUNEX. Great companies!
Thanks man I learn something today about traffic light. And who knew traffic cabinets look like the inside of the space shuttle. Stay safe out there, and thanks for sharing with us.
You mentioned it's a cat5 but crimped with a shielded 8p8c. it might be worth changing to shielded cat6 or higher for better grounding protection. I can see the camera's rj45 port looks shielded for such purposes. I imagine that would be a little tricky to re-run but could make a difference
My dad installed some of the first LED traffic lights in some California cities before going to work for the electric rail system. I loved the broken ones he used to bring home for me because, electrically, they still worked!! I was like 14 years old playing around with raw voltage for fun. No, I am not an electrician. No, I never got shocked. Yes, I had fun and respect for them. :)
Nice job explaining and you certainly are very knowledgeable on the equipment
Respectfully, as a software developer of many decades in another field, these systems seem needlessly complex. Nevertheless, it is neat learning the behind the scenes tech and associated vernacular.Thank you for the great videos.
I agree. You'd think by now with advancement of system on chips alot of this can be shrunk down to size to a simple box with plugs. Not saying RasperryPi could do it but just saying this could have been simplified a bit. P.S. I've noticed the controller is running Linux which is nice to see.
@@Darkk6969I’m guessing the size is for redundant power supplies as well as proper heat distribution since there isn’t much ventilation in the boxes
@@Darkk6969 We concur.
you haven't seen embedded systems and it's a totally different field than your bloaty JS development on Windows Bloat. It's pretty normal for "industrial control machines" to be of this size. Be it Factory robot controllers, Elevators, Aircrafts, and many other infrastructure stuff are usually like this.
@@hariranormal5584 You are quite presumptuous. In fact, I have substantial experience with embedded systems and I haven't touched a Windows machine in decades. My comment was about complexity not size.
I'm surprised the controllers don't talk back to the traffic central command to get like an NTP network time synch. It's whenever you have set ups Wear traffic lights actually talk to each other down a multi mile busy road like they set up here down in the area in my city where there's a lot of rush hour traffic to get vehicles to move in clusters so once you hit a green light you will hit all green lights for the next couple miles and then same with the cross traffic. And the signals dynamically alter their times as far as how long the green is lasting depending on how many vehicles are on the road and how many vehicles are in the cross traffic sections so it dynamically learns that and then alters its schedule to make the best choices. It's actually really freaking cool what used to take a solid 25-30 minute drive is now about 15 minutes in rush out of traffic
There are systems that do that. I formerly programmed traffic signals in Australia. We used different controllers that are designed to work with SCATS - The Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System. SCATS provided the central coordination based on the data from the intersection detectors and traffic engineering data input into the system. This data includes elements like minimum durations (which are also in and enforced by the controller) and maximum cycle durations.
They exist. Mostly in more populated areas and cities. Don't seem cabinets that talk to each other much in more rural places.
Every traffic signal in my county - I think there are about 800 - is connected back to a central system. The light timing is synchronized across the entire county and adjusted on the fly to keep traffic moving. They used to use dial-up modems and a number of years ago the modem bank died and they had no backup. For two days it was impossible to drive anywhere because the light timings were so bad. Now all the traffic lights use fiber - no more modem banks.
@@BreannaVK3BBSIn Zurich I understand everything is centrally controlled to optimise traffic flow through and in the city.
@@RobWhittlestone yeah i hope those dense european cities have this for optimized traffic flow. Even my city probably has it but I sometimes feel like they don't communicate enough
I happen to program PLCs and these controllers blow me away. They're so simple but robust and the interchangeability is insane.
lol i spent my time in college learning PLC's and then never got to program them in my career, even when working around them. Still would like to do some PLC projects at some point
@@zr2ee1what do you do professionally?
@@cozy9103 Semiconductor Equipment Engineer
I"m here in Montgomery County, Maryland. I"m a 45 year in the trade Master Electrician and I used to get to work with most of the county traffic signal techs. I do know they have been using Econolite controllers for years. Your Yunex controller looks really more friendly.
Been using the grease in all outdoor camera and network devices. Seems to do a great job.
Crazy how much tech is involved with changing the color of a couple lights
Its a major improvement. There was a time when they would just be on a simple time for cycling and that was it. But then you had times where you get stopped at a light for 2 minutes with no other traffic around. Been stopped at a few of toes. Then you have the modern systems, like we have 1 road that at night, the entire stretch of road through like 8 intersections remains green all night, except, when a car stops at a side street or the left turn signal and then the intersection cycles just long enough for that 1 car to get through the intersection and then back to green for the main road. That same stretch of road is a drag to drive during the day as it is really busy and packed.
I’m glad I found your channel. This work is fascinating and certainly a real asset to society.
Awesome video, love seeing how different systems work. As a hardware and software guy, this makes me smile. 🚦😊
It`s nice that you explane how American traffic controllers work.
They work so much different than Dutch traffic controllers.
Do the Dutch ones wear clogs?
@@egustafson no, but de conflict / malfunction controller is software controlled with a checksum on a seperate processor.
And the traffic controller can not work out one.
Watching your videos has made me want to consider a career move to doing something like this, as the troubleshooting and building up and maintaining of these kinds of systems seems very interesting to me. I'm 35 and working a dead end retail job.... I just don't know where i'd look in the state of Indiana or what the term i should be looking for is. Great vids as always
Knowing what I know now and starting fresh, I would get some foundational technical knowledge. If you have that and are dependable and outgoing, I would look for public works depts that are hiring. Yes, you will do a bunch of different things BUT make sure they maintain traffic signals. If so, you will get your chance to put your hands on them. Get some knowledge and hands on experience. After awhile, start looking for agencies looking for signal techs AND that pay more. After a few jumps, you'll pay will hopefull reflect your experience...
Hire on the Railroad on their signal dept Same kind of work
These are a lot more fancy than most lights Ive seen. There's a lot on money in that cabinet
Still trying to build my traffic controller. But the more I watch your videos the more I have to figure out.
It's really fun for a 64 year old man
This is fascinating. You use a lot of undefined technical jargon which means I have a bunch of other video to go watch!
Not sure why UA-cam suggested me this video, but I'm here for it! Fascinating stuff
It's generally used on coax connectors, but coax-seal might be an option if you continue to have water intrusion issues, though the connector you have there usually does a pretty good job if the rubber is good. At least you don't have water flowing inside the jacket of the cat5e cable (I've seen that one indoors before).
Very interesting. I have a traffic light that recently went to flashing yellow lights, which was great for me at 5 a.m. in the morning because I could go through it to work, but when they got it working again now it takes WAY longer for it to change green than it did before it went to flashing yellow.
And for over 10 years now there's a traffic light for vehicles coming off the Beltway that leaves this turn light on for an extra 2 minutes for no reason that I have to sit at in morning if I have to stop at it. It's ridiculus. I'm amazed this has never been corrected.
Thanks for the video!
The amount of cool stuff I'm learning about traffic lights is cool, it's like a mixture of what I do as an IT tech and a mix of what my uncle does which is 2 Way communications
stop bars -- so i get into the office early around 345am. in hollywood there is a turning lane from sunset blvd to a side street. i noticed if i go too far past a certain spot, the system wont detect me. if i slowly back up, i then see the crosswalk timer start to count down, which lets me know it senses me.
I learned a ton tonight watching this. Thank you.
Thanks for explaining things. Very Involved Process to Efficiently Move Traffic and Save Lives also. Thanks! 👍🙏
I wonder what people passing by are thinking seeing a worker pointing and talking by himself😅
Likely, damn Tiktok.
In some U.S. states it's NORMAL, so nobody would notice anything out of the ordinary :P
I know nothing about any of this stuff, but good work knowing to swap the controller with a new one of the same FW. Also for getting the camera detection to work.
Great explanations! Can you explain a little bit about how the older inductive loops in the ground work? Do they know if more than one car is in the lane waiting or it is just one zone for the entire lane usually? 🐾🐾
I used to work on signals in Australia. We used loops in one of two places in a lane. Depending on jurisdiction advance loops (1-2 s travel from the stop bar) or at stop bar loops or both can be implemented. The jurisdiction I worked for used one loop per lane at the stop bar.
Inductive loops are basically metal detectors. The loops are just wires cut into the road. Loops are typically 6x6 (in Illinois at least). For left turn lanes, one loop is placed right on the stop bar and two more will be spaced 9' apart behind in the lane. For that whole 36' span, they all place a single call to a card in the cabinet. It won't know if there's two cars there; it's either there's a car there or not. For through lanes on main routes, loops are placed 250' back for each lane and send one call for each lane. For side routes (if they're not using video detection) loops are placed 15' back from the through lane and are wired like they are for a turn lane, so the whole lane gets detection on one card. At intersections, loops need to be wider as the road widens, so they're 3' off the edge line, but also need to be spaced 6' to avoid cross-talk. The number of loops varies, but there needs to be at least 2 behind the stop bar in each lane. Every jurisdiction does it differently though and has their own rules and standards.
As a software engineer, I find this fascinating. I'm sure there's much that I don't fully understand on the hardware side, but in college (and as a fun on-going project), I've written software to handle traffic intersections, and their many different configurations and scenarios. Curious why so much physical hardware is required when software can do so much of it at a fraction of the cost.
I program software and industrial control like this… there isn’t much hardware here… there is only the main controller and the camera processors… further down is the relays
Newer cabinets use mostly software. This cabinet style TS2-2 is from 1991 so it used the best technology at the time.
Great watch, In Australia we don’t use cameras to detect zones we have detectors under the road (magnetic loops that detect metal)
Everytime I approach a light it turns yellow then red. My family has to endure me leaving early for places because of this. My daughter said once as we approached a flashing yellow "at least you can't miss this light", and a light that had never changed turned to a flashing red.
I always wanted to know how the timing works and how it knows vehicles are there. This is cool. But very technical
Greetings: Since I am a technical person in a technical field I had no problem keeping up. I am not a fan of DE grease. I use my own proven substance and techniques. The use those RJ-45s In that application is futile. In an era of so much technology and connector variance, I can suggest many other preferred. As 4 the camera setup- I have seen better as a high school project and built such. Clearly no respect and insight of weather and reliability. Definitely another corporate 'kets go cheap' which later proves not inexpensive. I know it is no fault of the techs. I like the pretrip and equipment CK if the CMV. Now that is a rare find. Good job sir. My respect and appreciation 2 U. Mot only is it procedure, safe and law...it is the right thing 2 do. Bsafe. Keep up the good work.
Ah, Yunex M60 controller! I have over 25 years experience with Eagle/Siemens/Yunex controllers
Interesting..
Understood All of that.. and it's been a while since I stuck my head inside a Cabinet..
Nice Work, Sir !!
So when a controller or anything in the cabinet fails, and you replace it with another one. Do you send that unit back to the manufacturer to be rebuilt or do you just purchase a new one? And how many of these do you keep on stock?
Great video!
Thanks for educating us 🎉🎉
Very interesting. Thank you for doing your video. I subbed.
Bill, from Tn. 🇺🇸
I like the radar sensors
I enjoy the deeper technical discussions, however would be helpful to explain some of these abbreviations like TSU, BIU, CCU, etc. Also, not sure what a phase corresponds to.
This system definitely isnt being used in miami florida.
The way it works is if theres a slow road with no cars it gives it a green light, but when theres a big line of cars the light is red
That's a whole lot of info in such a short span of time talking about !
All I heard when he opened that cabinet was "TPS Reports"
7:15 It takes me at least 10 minutes to make a new cat 5 connector. Getting those tiny little wires in sequence is a challenge.
I’ll have to do another video on making up cat5 ends! And pass through connectors help a lot
awesome explanation!
Awesome video!
Need you to fix the stop light cycling for the entire city of Colorado Springs. Hands down they have the worst stop light rotations I’ve even experienced.
Outstanding!
I remember when the controls were relays and timers, just as complicated as the electronic version in a different way.
You are a badass bro! Thanks for the awesome videos 😎
Love the videos!!!
Sweet, now I can go fix my light that doesn't detect cars! We have this one light where the busy road works fine both ways. But the side street side of one side doesn't detect your actually waiting. The light only changes if cars are waiting on the other side of the intersection. So if your on the bad side, you are sitting there until more cars show up on the opposite side.
If you’re on a motorcycle, all traffic lights work the way that your “bad side” works. The law is you’re supposed to wait 2 cycles and then you can go when it’s safe.
@@mensaswede4028 Yeah I aint on a bike unfortunately. I'll have to check with local laws to see if thats a thing though.
@@mensaswede4028 I don't believe that's how laws work.
@@jovetj That’s exactly how the law works here in New Hampshire. I have no idea about whatever your state is.
@@kevinsrandom That’s how the law is here in New Hampshire, and it must be something similar elsewhere. When a traffic light is broken and permanently red, they don’t expect you to sit there forever.
That’s kinda cool always wonder gd job explaining
I always though you need to be on top of the sensor for the light to turn green
There are several different traffic detection technologies. The three main ones I'm aware of today are inductive loops (wires cut into the cement), intelligent cameras, and radar. Induction loops were wildly popular for many years, but they they seem to be going away because their problems aren't a problem for other technologies.
luv this thanx ... I knew it was more than gremilins in that box
Wow this is incredibly interesting!! How does one get into a career like this?
I need you to be a consultant in Austin and Bee Cave Tx. 6am in the morning approaching intersections where they are really T Intersections due to newly developed land with no road and getting a red light with zero traffic.
This also takes the full order of operations for lights on lanes with zero traffic or lanes that don’t exist.
Finally I found it thanks
Panel work is easy.
Real experience shows in the actual wiring.
Guessing the previous tech was recording for YT also and that’s why you got water intrusion.
Makes me feel good when as a “non professional”, none of my external low voltage connectors have had issues in the last 7-10 years.
I saw you on the camera that day filming😂
Really interesting, only second video from you I've seen so quite new I guess 😋 You had some great weather there also, just wondering.. what is the percentage of bad weather on your calls? Feels like it should be quite often you get bad weather when called out to a problematic site, especially as it is outdoors 😋 Can't be majority of good weather, can it?
Over half the calls we get are due to weather causing issues!
Very cool, thanks for sharing.
That's pretty cool 👍😎
Do you have to go to school or class to learn how to do what you do? I am good with computer technology and computers and i find what you do intriging.
Nice video, why does signals still red flashed instead of orange, in Australia they have flash orange at all none of red at all.
they flash red in case of issues, forcing drivers to come to a complete stop before proceeding
A flashing red is the same as a stop sign
Ultimately it is due to different underpinning road rule philosophies. As the other replies mentioned, in the US a flashing red is equivalent to a stop sign and 4-way stop intersections (first come first served priority) are common, but give way (yield) signs are relatively rare. In Australia, we flash the ambers which is equivalent to give way signs, except NSW who have the failed signals priority stop sign with the three black circles, with the give way to the right rules.
@BreannaVK3BBS to add to this. In the US when busy intersections fail the main road will flash amber, which means yeild/continue with caution (no need to stop unless turning). The side street will flash red indicating you must stop and wait for the main street to be clear before proceeding. In other words you'd treat it as an intersection with side road only having stops signs with a "cross traffic doesn't stop" text marker.
@@photonpilot__ to add to this: ;)
In Germany, all traffic-light-controlled intersections are also signed, so when the lights are off, the signs come into effect. In addition, the lights for the yield- and stop-signed sources blink amber if possible. Blinking amber means "attention", so it's just a bit of additional safety, as drivers should look at signs anyway...
Nobody asked for that, but I like explaining things, and an additional perspective on failure handling might be interesting to someone.
interestingly ive seen a place where the traffic sensor cameras actually feed into the local police station on the same intersection XD
1:07 WHAAAAAT HEEEE HASSSSS AAAAA GUNNNN
Right. That was so cringey.
How do you get notified that there's an issue at an intersecting? Any remote connected alerts byt text or email?
Detection by camera, not by ground loops?! Interesting! The programming logic always interested me as a former software guy.
Great stuff!
it think i found myself a new job interest!
I had no idea what he was talking about with the technical terms.
So, you have a weather boot to protect the Cat 5 plug. Why is there moisture on the plug? I have installed many outdoor cat 5 and cat 6 plugs with weather boots and never had to go back.
And he's had to go back to this one multiple times.
I thought I’d know how they work by watching this video, but I have no idea what I just watched.
im thinking that that plug is getting wet because it happens to be the bottom of that junction box like maybe water is getting in from the screw holes up top, the gaskets is bad or the wire coming into the side?
Exactly, I’ve never seen water go up a wire
@@anthonys7534 Wind and blow water into places you'd never dream of.
Does using cameras allow detection of motorcycles better?
He covered this briefly in: "Do traffic cameras give green lights to motorcycles? Watch this to find out!"
Short answer: yes.
Welcome to night shift on traffic light repair with traffic light doctor
Traffic Light Doctor _After Dark_
@@jovetj that is the best time to work on the traffic lights
Yes it is the best way to do that ☺️
We have a problem in Dallas, TX, where people with out of date license plates, (our date stickers are on the windshield) will not pull up to the stop bar because they think the detector cameras are reading those stickers. Because they won't pull up to the stop bar, the light won't give them a green until another driver pulls past them in another lane up to the stop bar.
I don't feel sorry for people who can't keep up their legally-required-to-have-a-vehicle registration.
I saw a gun in the car? Do you get rob alot? The window that says "no video" does that mean the fix to the cat 5 didn't work ? Thanks for sharing.
If someone comes up to an intersection with an intention to turn right, and you delay the detection so it doesn’t immediately trigger a light change? If it’s clear for them to go, there’s no need, but if it’s not clear, it’s not terrible for them to have to wait 10 seconds while traffic is flowing through the intersection.
If a driver crashes into said traffic box, how much does it cost to replace it lol. I always wondered that.
That was quite interesting. I didn´t understand everything.... But that´s alright. It´s not my world... 🙂
These green cables: Are these an type of Bus System like CAN Bus?
You should come check out Houston lights some just work for like 2-3 days then back to blinking red
Terminology and architecture is surprising. Seems like the Siemens m60 is so popular there are knockoffs. The cameras are connected back to CCUs in the control cabinet with Cat 5, then the CCUs use SDLC to talk to the m60? TACTICS must be the controller management software on your laptop, used to manage software and config? ITU config is used to configure SDLC connected devices? The phase config is used to map camera presence detection to a controller call? Overlaps, protect / permissive phases didn’t quite make sense to me. Great video otherwise, very illuminating 😁
Meanwhile I wait on my motorcycle patiently 🙄
Lost me at the truck check
Same here
"traffic lights," "stop lights," or "traffic signals?" and where y'all from?
How does one get into this type of work?
How's everything fairing with crowdstrike outage. Reports said lights effected.
I ride a motorcycle and they don't have enough mass to toggle the sensor for turn arrows.
this is epic
Well someone needs to redo all of Florida's lights. No synchronization at all.