The lines look like the loop lines in the road around stoplights, but these are way out in the middle of nowhere on the interstates and there is always a pole with a solar panel on the side of the road next to them. I assume they're some kind of sensor, but what are they sensing??
2006-12-06 05:57:03 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
They're solar panels that collect energy to run the stop lights and construction signs. I live out in the country and we have them all over the place here. They put them in at school traffic signs, stop lights, construction detour signs, etc.
2006-12-06 06:00:08 · answer #1 · answered by pack513 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It lets them remotely monitor traffic flow on the freeway, so they can get traffic counts or notice anything unusual. It doesn't sound like a temporary setup, so they have a reason for wanting that data long-term.
The loop lines have loops of wire in them, they can detect the passing of vehicles by detecting the iron or steel in them. Two loops let them tell the speed.
There should also be a box containing batteries and the electronics which make it work.
The solar panel powers the the thing, so they don't need to pay to have electrical power strung out there.
On top of the pole is probably also an antenna they use to send the data back to the central office, possibly via cell phone network.
2006-12-06 09:50:05 · answer #2 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are there to monitor traffic flow. There is a person looking at a display, and wherever traffic is slowed, the display shows either yellow for slow, or red for stop and go.
Green means traffic is flowing normally. You can view this display on the caltrans (or YOUR state) website. You can use it to get an idea what traffic is like before you take a trip.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/travel/dist_08/
In some areas, when traffic shows red, they open carpool lanes to help flow.
2006-12-06 08:17:56 · answer #3 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They most likely sense when a car passing over it. Perhaps to measure how much traffic is flowing through that particular road. Could be for statistics for preventive maintenance on the roads.
2006-12-06 06:05:40 · answer #4 · answered by veggie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the loops are induction sensors,they can detect large metal objects,they are used for traffic control at lights and also for counting traffic on interstates and they can be used to monitor speeds as well
2006-12-06 06:02:00 · answer #5 · answered by doug b 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Solar Power Design Manual - http://SolarPower.duebq.com/?fJw
2017-03-30 03:24:00 · answer #6 · answered by Claudette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're right; they are counting vehicles. It is useful for planning and maintenance purposes to know how much traffic is on the road.
2006-12-06 07:46:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋