Hello-tech instruments looking for methods to make ‘smarter’ visitors indicators: Roadshow
Q: I discover it annoying to attend and anticipate a visitors sign to permit me to go when it’s already completely secure to take action.
We’re collectively losing many gallons of gasoline and far time due to antiquated electronics inside the visitors sign system. To me, the non-public waste is trivial, however multiply that by the various automobiles affected, and we’re referring to a major quantity of waste and air pollution.
Maybe your broadly learn column may curiosity a state official or company to solicit strategies for secure modifications to the present chaff management system that may allow visitors indicators to turn out to be electronically “smarter.”
Ron Johnstone, Santa Clara
A: Bay Space cities are testing methods to enhance visitors indicators’ responsiveness to visitors.
In San Jose, the Clever Transportation Methods (ITS) crew evaluates new applied sciences as soon as obtainable. “That is evidenced by our present pilots in car detection utilizing thermal and AI-based video cameras, security analytics utilizing Lidar-based cameras, and visitors sign efficiency. There are additionally pilots for knowledge assortment utilizing crowd-sourced, web-based analytics instruments, and transit sign precedence utilizing GPS tracking-based related car expertise,” stated Misael Millan, sign operations transportation specialist in San Jose’s Division of Transportation.
The expertise you reference is in early R&D phases. When obtainable for normal use, San Jose will consider it, too.
Q: When coming as much as a metering mild that’s on throughout non-carpool hours, is it OK to make use of the brief carpool lane if you’re a solo driver?
Nearly all of solo drivers use the single-occupant lane at these occasions, and I feel those who use the brief carpool lane are dishonest.
What’s the regulation (if any)?
Al Ludlow, Morgan Hill
A: Carpool hours are in impact 24 hours a day on nearly all on-ramps. If the ramp carpool lane is free for solo drivers to make use of at some occasions, carpool hours are posted.
Q: Steve Rempel’s letter relating to the “cyclists could use the total lane” indicators added on Skyline jogged my memory that I used to be at all times puzzled by these indicators.
It was my understanding that, since bicycles are shoehorned into the class of “automobiles,” they’re permitted to make use of the total lane at all times and in every single place (excluding on roads like freeways). Granted, that is with the identical restrictions that automobiles have, resembling to usually keep to the correct besides when passing, to not unnecessarily impede the circulation of visitors, and so forth.
Was my understanding mistaken?
Gary Brainin, San Jose
A: Sure, your understanding was incorrect. As for these particular indicators, they’re posted to alert drivers to the truth that bicyclists may have to maneuver over to make use of the common lane.
Search for Gary Richards at Fb.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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