Busting Traffic Light Myths - Or - Why Can't I
Get A Green Light?
Author: Eric Scribener

On December 10th in the year 1868, the first traffic signal
light was placed into service. The bulky, primitive device
employed colored lamps that were fueled by gas for use after
dark, and semaphore arms. It required an operator to attend it
at all times that it was in use. Twenty three days after that
first traffic signal light went into service, it exploded –
injuring the police officer who was assigned to run the lights
and signals. This unfortunate event brought into question the
practicality of implementing traffic signal lights.

Despite the volatility, and ultimately disastrous results, of
using the first traffic signal light, stalwart inventors and
engineers pursued the idea. As more and more traffic amassed on
streets and roadways, the use of stop signs and officers
standing on boxes at intersections became less and less
practical – and more and more dangerous.

Sometime around 1912 the first electric traffic signal was put
into use. These initial units only had red and green lights,
however. In 1917 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a series of traffic
lights were linked together, thus 'connecting' six sequential
intersections. This system was operated manually with a single
switch.

In 1922 Garrett A. Morgan made application for a patent on a
traffic signal light of his own design. The patent was granted
the following year. This started the myth that Morgan was the
inventor of the traffic light.

Between the time the first traffic lights were introduced, and
the early 1960's many improvements were made, and many
experiments conducted. The biggest problem with traffic signals
to that point was simply that they were dependent on timers
only. East-west traffic would get a green light for 3-minutes,
and then a timer would trigger a green light for the
north-south traffic – and so on. The lengths of time could be
adjusted, but these settings frequently created problems with
the flow of traffic.

In the early 1960's traffic engineers started to implement
"inductive loops" to control intersection traffic flow. The
loops, which could detect vehicles in specific lanes at
intersections controlled the lights' timers. The inductive
loops would switch the lights to accommodate the traffic at
hand, based on the time of day. No more sitting at red traffic
lights for 2-3-4 or 5 minutes - even if there was no
cross-traffic present. Traffic engineers basked in a deluge of
praise from drivers.

In the 1970's technological advances in metallurgy, plastics,
and rubber started changing the way vehicles were manufactured
– and what they were being manufactured with. No longer was
everything from the dashboard to the fenders made of high-iron
content steels. It was in conjunction with these advances that
the myths of tripping traffic lights began. Since then, it has
gotten worse every year as more alloys, plastics, and rubber
are used in the construction of vehicles.

It seemed logical that the amount of weight present at an
intersection is what would trigger a green light. This is a
myth. It also seemed logical that the mass present at an
intersection would trigger a green light. This is also a myth.
Since people were unable to make traffic lights trip by adding
weight, or by having more mass to their vehicles, they started
to seek other answers. The last most popular myth is that there
is an invisible curtain that, when broken by a vehicle, triggers
a green light. It is thought that the curtains only cover a
portion of the lane, and if you do not violate the curtain, you
don't get the green light. This is also a myth.

Actually, inductive loop technology is very simple. An
inductive loop is nothing but a very large, very weak
electromagnet. The term 'inductive loop' refers to
electromagnets used in industry to detect iron. They are
commonly used in numerous industrial applications. They are
inexpensive to make, install and maintain.

Inductive loops at traffic lights are created by burying large
coils of thin copper wire slightly beneath the road's surface.
The wires are covered with either black tar or rubber. A small
current runs through the wire, thus making it into an
electromagnet. The loop is connected to a meter which measures
changes inside the loop. Magnets react to iron – not plastic or
rubber or aluminum. So when enough iron is present within the
loop, the traffic light cycles to green.

The vehicles that have the greatest trouble tripping lights are
motorcycles and mopeds, followed by small cars and trucks, and
then raised 4x4s and SUVs. Drivers of these vehicles often sit
undetected at traffic lights wasting fuel, getting rained on,
their engines overheating, and their irritation growing.

To positively trigger your green lights, you can drag a bowling
ball-sized piece of iron around on the ground – but that won't
work if it's inside your trunk. That's too far from the weak
sensing field of the loop. In the trunk, you'll need two or
three large iron balls. OR you can install a Signal Sorcerer®
traffic light changer http://signalsorcerer.com/ .

Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers use their own
technology to make inductive loops detect your vehicle – no
matter what size, weight, or mass it is. Simply install the
Signal Sorcerer® under your vehicle, and the inductive loops
that control traffic lights will detect your vehicle, and give
you the green light!

Signal Sorcerer® requires no power, lasts a lifetime, is legal
everywhere, installs in less than five minutes without any
tools, and is completely guaranteed. Signal Sorcerer® traffic
light changers have been in use around the world for years, and
units are available for every application including police
motorcycle divisions, security vehicles, fleet vehicles, and
personal conveyances.


About The Author: Eric Scribener is a 30-year veteran freelance
writer and photographer currently on assignment for
http://www.dotcomtucson.com/ - putting Tucson Arizona in the
palm of your hand.