They seem to be popping up more and more. They will be there for awhile and then someone will remove them. A friend told me that she thought they were for counting the traffic flow that comes in on a certain road, but she wasn't sure. Another friend said they thought it was to check speed. Why are they there and who puts them there?
2007-06-02 20:38:27 · 6 answers · asked by Jennifer 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
They are for counting the number of vehicles on the road.
Generally you'll find them in groups, since the transportation planners want to see how many cars go straight vs. right or left. This helps them plan where new roads should go - or where roads should be widened, or how traffic should be directed.
They work with pneumatic pressure. As a tire (or two!) goes over the tube it makes a little puff of air that causes the counter to make a little "tick" (used to be on a paper roll, but they're probably a bit more sophisticated now.)
The local Metropolitan Planning Organization for your area is generally responsible for traffic counts, although some cities also do counts (and coordinate with the MPO) and states generally do the counts on Interstates an state highways (and coordinate with the MPO).
SOMEtimes the tubes are there to determinr speed between the first set of tubes and the second or third. These are used for compliance with federal laws regarding the percentage of vehicles that are under/at the speed limit vs. the number that are over. This, then, affects how much federal funding for transportation your area gets. The less speeding, the better the funding.
2007-06-02 20:52:39 · answer #1 · answered by granniegrump 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most common use is to determine trafic count. The highway dept. will put them down. It helps them figure out what improvements in the roads may be necessary in the future. Like adding traffic lights or an extra lane. Things like that.
2007-06-02 20:44:09 · answer #2 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To count traffic and to determine factors to make the road better.
2007-06-02 20:47:25 · answer #3 · answered by colorfulgiftofsoul 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They also collect traffic count data for business loans. The traffic count helps the bank to determine the prospects for your business success.
2007-06-02 20:59:49 · answer #4 · answered by Ben H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they could also be used to check to speed of drivers over a time frame to assess average speeds. I figure they have a computer that would be computing time between axles, "air puffs on the counter" to determine speeds. That is kinda a Big Brother is watching idea though.. :)
2007-06-02 21:07:32 · answer #5 · answered by Dex 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
count traffic, they are putting a traffic light there soon, or stop sign.
2007-06-02 20:44:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋