Traffic signal triggering tip

[Richard230]

I worked for a city engineering department for 35 years and one of the things that I learned while there was how to trigger an induction-loop traffic signal. This is the type of traffic signal that uses wire loops placed in the pavement to sense vehicles and cause the signal to turn green for your lane. As you may know not every signal will pick up a motorcycle and those magnets that claim to do so are as worthless as a rabbit's foot. Even my GPR-S, with its big D&D sepex motor, will not trigger some signals - so you can forget magnetic fields, they won't do the job. What you need is real steel - like my Triumph's steel rims. But if your bike has aluminum rims you may have a problem.

I asked our signal maintenance division how they adjusted traffic signals and tested them. To my surprise, they adjust the sensitivity and check the operation of the signal detection system after fooling with it by throwing an old shovel on top of the loops. If the shovel triggers the signal then they are happy and move on to the next problem - such as replacing light bulbs.

So if you are all by yourself, the traffic signal is not sensing your motorcycle and you don't want to blow the red light, or perform a series of right turns on the red (where legal), here is what you can do: Deploy your side stand while you are stopped. If you can see the wire cuts in the pavement, attempt to place the foot of your side stand over one of the wires. If the wire loop cuts are not visible, hope for the best. This usually will work and beats running the red light. Just don't forget to retract your side stand before taking off.

Many traffic signals are being converted to a video system which will sense both motorcycles and bicycles - assuming that they are not malfunctioning. There are also new systems that use some sort of radio or microwaves that sense vehicles and also work for motorcycles and bicycles. These are usually used in the boondocks where electromagnetic interference is minimal. Due to the cost of replacing the induction loop wires when the pavement is overlaid with new asphalt, expect to see these alternative wireless detection systems become more common.

[Phantom]

Thank you for the tip. I try to go left at an intersection leaving my workplace parking lot and the traffic signal never changes for me on my Enertia. I am always stranded there until a car rides up behind me. I heard the light changes based on vehicle weight, but I have seen the metal wires as you describe. I will try out your suggestion.

[Brammofan]

I can't wait to try this.  There are a couple intersections near my house that I routinely have to run on a red light because they treat me like I'm invisible (and I get enough of that at home). 

Just don't forget to retract your side stand before taking off.

Not a problem.  The Enertia has a cut-off switch connected to the kickstand.  Yeah.  A necessary feature for forgetful people like me.

[Richard230]

As an added note: those steel pressure plates that used to sense vehicles by their weight went the way of the dodo about the time I was in grammar school - and that was a long time ago. No traffic signals use weight to sense a vehicle any more. They are looking for steel when placed underground and shapes for above ground systems.

The video detection systems use a series of aluminum tube-shaped foot-long cameras mounted on the signal arms and pointed at the traffic lanes that they are trying to control. They look for changes in the shape of the images in the photo background. The other (rare) type of detector looks like a small TV antenna mounted on the signal pole and directed at the intersection.

You may happen to notice a small black box in urban areas mounted on the signal arms and pointing down the street at some intersections on congested streets. There typically will be one pointed at oncoming traffic on each arm of the signal poles. This is an IF detector. It will override the traffic signal when it senses a pulsed infrared light from an emergency vehicle and is used to override the signal cycle to give the emergency vehicle a green light as it approaches the intersection. The IF emitter is located on the vehicle's dash, behind the windshield. Needless to say it is illegal for you to make or buy one of these devices and use it to control the traffic signal as you approach the intersection on your Enertia.   

[skadamo]

Great info. I have heard the magnet myth many times glad to know it's bunk.

[HighlanderMWC]

Good to hear some additional information about these. I have two lights that don't trigger (one on my ICE route and one on my Enertia route). I had noticed they were more likely to trigger with my stand down but wasn't sure why it wasn't consistent. In fact the other day I had to dismount and press the passenger crossing signal so that the busy cross-traffic would be forced to stop.

[Richard230]

If you can figure out which agency maintains the signals, you can call them and complain. Most modern traffic signals can be adjusted to sense motorcycles. It is just a matter of turning up the sensitivity dial on the induction loops. If you have a problem with a signal in South San Francisco, you can call the Public Works Department at 877-8550 and it will be fixed.

[beatsdddx]

Thanks so much for that tip, I always have to wait for a few minutes
for a car to drive up. First thing Wednesday night after work,  I''ll give
it a go!!!

[Gavin]

There are two lights on my way home that don't trigger if I'm on my smaller scooter and no cars are around me. I find that if I turn off my scooter and restart it, that gets the sensors attention.

Not sure if that works with a Brammo though...

Gavin