Author Topic: reporting traffic lights that won't change to green (Read 5615 times)

b4cruz · « **on:** March 10, 2006, 06:25:36 AM »

I just ran 5 reds on the way home tonight
because they woudn't change for me

i know they can adjust these damn things
its all controlled centrally from a computer right?

Does anyone know if there is a way to report
faulty lights that don't change properly?
It seems easuer to report lights in the UK
but I can't find anything for California.

I know the light right infront of my house was
adjusted. Last year it never changed for my bike,
now it sees me everytime.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2006, 06:35:03 AM »

I was going to state the obvious and say ring which ever local authority is responsible for these type of things, but it is the US we're talking about and god only knows which company runs it.........

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2006, 11:45:31 AM »

In Louisiana we have to call the D.O.T. [department of transportation]. It also depends on if the road is state maintained or is it city maitained. I gave up trying and either run them or make a U-turn for left turns.

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2006, 01:26:14 PM »

If the lights are on state or federal highways, call CalTrans. If not, then what ever local city/county road dept. has jurisdiction.

tacoman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2006, 02:39:20 PM »

I talked to a motorcycle cop about this. Some lights are triggered by weight (obvious here why they won't change). Some are triggered by electrical impulses (again, bikes aren't cranking out enough juice to trigger, sometimes you can rev the bike). So unless the light is automatic you have problems. I've got a pesky one by my house thats weight triggered. Its in the turn lane and won't change. The cop said let it cycle once or twice then proceed with caution and you're ok. But still, thats several minutes of sitting for a cycle or two unless a car pulls up. At any rate, check local laws to see what the ruling is on this.

Red01 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2006, 02:49:41 PM »

Actually, most lights are triggered by magnetism. If you can see the cuts in the roadway for the sensor, try putting the bike near it. If that doesn't work, try deplying the centerstand on it (or if you don't have a centerstand, the sidestand). This is pretty much the theory the Green Light Trigger is based on... putting a large enough mass close enough to the ground to trigger the sensors.

Also, check your state's laws. Several states allow m/c's to run reds if they've sat thru a cycle without triggering. In states where right on red is legal, you can always make a few turns to get where you wanna go. Or dismount and push the bike thru crosswalks as a pedestrian...

b4cruz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2006, 04:04:23 PM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Or dismount and push the bike thru crosswalks as a pedestrian...

holly crap i never thought of that!
Must try the center and sidestand trick too

IF A CAR has sat for a cycle can it run a red?

i thought i'd have to do my own local research
so many different cities i drive through
its gonna be a bitch
I'll try the easy tricks first

thanks again everyone

Sven · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2006, 04:06:51 PM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Also, check your state's laws. Several states allow m/c's to run reds if they've sat thru a cycle without triggering.

TN has that law, although it doens't really specify how the rider determines that the light isn't responding.

Daytona · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2006, 04:54:22 PM »

Or buy the module! They do work!

GREEN LIGHT TRIGGER HP SUZUKI BANDIT INTRUDER MARAUDER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4620362401&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

ant_129 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2006, 07:28:54 PM »

I don't know about where you guys live but around here Texas you can usually see the sensor. It looks like a long rectangular box of thin metal almost flush with the pavement. The first time I noticed this was going from work to school. I set in the middle of the lane for a light that is only triggered by a vechile and I waited for ever until I finally just went (usually another car will pull behind me or on the other side of the road but not this time). Next time I straddled over the long end of the sensor. Here Is a picture of what I mean
@@@@@@@@@@@
@@ _________@@
@@|@@@@@@|@@
@\\|@@@@@@|@@
@@|@@@@@@|@@
@@|@@@@@@|@@
@@|\\@@@@@|@@
@@|@@@@@@|@@
@@__________@@
@@@@@@@@@@@

The \\ represent the tire placement, the other lines are the sensor and @ is the pavement. This seems to work for me everytime on either side of the rectangle however it does place you on one end of the lane instead of in the middle.

I hope this works for other people also.

Red01 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2006, 10:16:45 AM »

That's basically what I was talking about, ant. Years of experimentation by riders has shown that it is most effective if you put the tires just inside (or outside) the sensor line in the street. This puts your frame rail right over the sensor. By pushing the centerstand down, you put the steel pretty much on the sensor.

As for the Green Light Trigger, yes, they work... but you can accomplish the same thing with a good HD magnet. The ones I've heard that work best are the ones they put in cow stomachs. You should be able to find one at any co-op/farm supply store whenever you're out roosting the countryside... and at ~$5 they're cheaper than the GLT.

http://www.magnetsource.com/Consumer%20Pages/Carded_Cows.html

Jacknife · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2006, 11:18:21 AM »

we have the same problem here in the UK, sat at a set for few minutes my mate got realy P**sed with them and went thru, only to find they had a Red Light Camera fitted, so he got a £60 fine and 3 points!

Red01 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2006, 11:34:34 AM »

Something's drastically wrong if the light won't trigger for the bike, but will trigger the camera.

silvershadow · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2006, 02:50:55 PM »

Glad we do not have cameras here in Indy. I have ran the same light for the past 3 years because no matter where I put my bike in relation to the sensor it never goes off.
I will check out the cow maginet...never wanted to spend the cash on the green light sensor.

Daytona · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2006, 03:09:39 PM »

OK you all must be watching us here in Daytona? Looks like a SUZUKE sweep again! Maybe with a Texan in front "A". Ok gettin off track. Down here when traffic is nowhere to trigger the lights cops don't give you a second look if you wait until your green but lights still red and run it!!! When i was on the BANDIT i could just lower the hard stand and it worked just fine! The side kick will shut off the eng if its switch is still working when in gear.. That DUHAMEL!! I bet that Girl friend keeps him in shape!! Don't know what i will do now i have the BUSA

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5117/picture0239kh.jpg