Traffic light sensors in the road and getting them to trigger.
- Thread starter FredBGG
- Start date
Rather than install magnets, I just call the city traffic office, and they make the sensors more sensitive. It usually takes less than a day, and my next time at the traffic light, they always have cycled for me. This way, I'm fixing the problem not only for me, but for other motorcycle riders as well.
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Defekticon
Active Member
I work on a military base and they are rediculous. Their DPW has absolutely no interest in fixing traffic lights, pressure pads or light timing (for non-pressure switched lights). There is one in particular where I've had to run it on several occasions. Typically military bases follow state laws and in some cases state laws have a "wait x amount of seconds, then go if the light does not change" law like Virginia - "Motorcycles may move with caution through non-responsive red lights after the shorter two complete cycles or 120 seconds; 46.2-833. Traffic lights; penalty, B."
Maryland has no such law so I could be ticketed for going. Could be ticketed for turning around, and given the force protection on base has a zero tolerance policy I'd be screwed if caught. Have called, written emails, even posted on their facebook page. No change.
Maryland has no such law so I could be ticketed for going. Could be ticketed for turning around, and given the force protection on base has a zero tolerance policy I'd be screwed if caught. Have called, written emails, even posted on their facebook page. No change.
Maryland has no laws which cover defective traffic signals? In other words, if you pull up to a traffic signal that isn't working in a motorcycle OR car, Maryland has no guidance on that, so you're supposed to just sit there until it starts to work again? Seems unlikely.Defekticon said:
I find that if I pop the transmission into neutral as I coast to the sensor patch and then push the side stand down with my foot so that it lightly drags the road as I cross over the sensor lines, it almost always triggers the light. It takes a little planing, coordination, and timing to get it right but I actually find it kind of fun. You can almost always see the large sideways figure 8 where the sensor lines are installed in the road. And if not, like when the road has been repaved, you know about where they will be. Works for me about 95% of the time. ::008::
States with safe-on-red laws
Arkansas - In effect since 2005, state law allows a motorcyclist to proceed with caution, after coming to a full and complete stop, through a red light that fails to detect the bike. (Arkansas Code section 27-52-206)
Idaho – (2006) If a signal fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic light that a motorcyclist may proceed, using due caution and care, after coming to a full and complete stop at the intersection. (Statute 49-802)
Illinois - (2012) Permits a driver of a motorcycles or bicycle facing a red light that fails to change within a reasonable period of time of not less than 120 seconds to proceed after yielding the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic. However, this law doesn’t apply to municipalities of over 2,000,000 people – such as Chicago. (625 ILCS 5/11-306)
Kansas – (2012) Motorcycles may proceed at a non-responsive red light when safe and after a reasonable amount of time. (KS Statutes, Chapter 8, Article 15, Section 8, C4)
Kentucky - (2015) Motorcyclists must come to a complete stop, wait for at least two minutes or two light cycles and make sure no other vehicles are crossing the intersection before proceeding. (HB 370)
Minnesota - (2002) A person operating a bicycle or motorcycle who runs a red light has an affirmative defense if the driver first came to a complete stop, the traffic light stayed red for an unreasonable amount of time and appeared not to detect the vehicle and no motor vehicles or people were approaching the street. (Statute 169.06)
Missouri – (2009) State law tells both motorcyclists and bicyclists that run red lights that they have an affirmative defense if they brought their vehicle to a complete stop, the light was red for an unreasonable time period, and there were no motor vehicle or person approaching. (Statute 304.285)
Nevada - (2013) Those using motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds, and tri-mobiles are allowed to proceed through an intersection with a red light after waiting for two traffic light cycles, and they yield to other vehicle traffic or pedestrians. (Statute 484B.307)
North Carolina - (2007) Motorcyclists are permitted to move cautiously through a steady red light after coming to a complete stop and waiting a minimum of three minutes and if no other vehicle or pedestrians are approaching the intersection. (NCGS 20-158)
Oklahoma - (2010) Motorcycles can proceed cautiously through a steady red light intersection after a making a complete stop and if no other motor vehicle or person is approaching the roadway. (Statute 47-11-202)
South Carolina - (2008) After making a complete stop and waiting for a minimum of 120 seconds, the driver of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle may treat a steady red light that doesn’t change as a stop sign and proceed with caution. (S.C. Code 56-5-970)
Tennessee - (2003) After coming to a complete stop, motorcyclists and bicyclists may proceed through a steady red light when it is safe to do so. (Tennessee Traffic Control Signals 55-8-110)
Virginia – (2011) Drivers of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles may move with caution through non-responsive red lights as long as they yield the right-of-way to others approaching the intersection, and have come to a complete stop for two complete light cycles or 120 seconds, whichever is shorter. (Statute 46-2-833)
Washington – (2015) During the last legislative session, a new section was added to Chapter 46.61 RCW in Washington State that allows the operator of a street legal motorcycle to make a left turn, after stopping at an intersection that is controlled by a triggered traffic control signal, if the device fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic signal. (Amendment to Chapter 46.61 RCW)
Wisconsin - (2006) A motorcycle, moped or bicycle is permitted to run a steady red light after making a complete stop and waiting at least 45 seconds and then yields the right–of-way to any vehicular traffic or pedestrians using the intersection. (Statute 346.37)
In Oregon, the Senate recently unanimously approved bill SB 533, which would make it legal to "proceed with caution" through a red light that is trying, but failing, to detect a motorcycle. This would only be allowed after someone has waited through a full cycle.
Arkansas - In effect since 2005, state law allows a motorcyclist to proceed with caution, after coming to a full and complete stop, through a red light that fails to detect the bike. (Arkansas Code section 27-52-206)
Idaho – (2006) If a signal fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic light that a motorcyclist may proceed, using due caution and care, after coming to a full and complete stop at the intersection. (Statute 49-802)
Illinois - (2012) Permits a driver of a motorcycles or bicycle facing a red light that fails to change within a reasonable period of time of not less than 120 seconds to proceed after yielding the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic. However, this law doesn’t apply to municipalities of over 2,000,000 people – such as Chicago. (625 ILCS 5/11-306)
Kansas – (2012) Motorcycles may proceed at a non-responsive red light when safe and after a reasonable amount of time. (KS Statutes, Chapter 8, Article 15, Section 8, C4)
Kentucky - (2015) Motorcyclists must come to a complete stop, wait for at least two minutes or two light cycles and make sure no other vehicles are crossing the intersection before proceeding. (HB 370)
Minnesota - (2002) A person operating a bicycle or motorcycle who runs a red light has an affirmative defense if the driver first came to a complete stop, the traffic light stayed red for an unreasonable amount of time and appeared not to detect the vehicle and no motor vehicles or people were approaching the street. (Statute 169.06)
Missouri – (2009) State law tells both motorcyclists and bicyclists that run red lights that they have an affirmative defense if they brought their vehicle to a complete stop, the light was red for an unreasonable time period, and there were no motor vehicle or person approaching. (Statute 304.285)
Nevada - (2013) Those using motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds, and tri-mobiles are allowed to proceed through an intersection with a red light after waiting for two traffic light cycles, and they yield to other vehicle traffic or pedestrians. (Statute 484B.307)
North Carolina - (2007) Motorcyclists are permitted to move cautiously through a steady red light after coming to a complete stop and waiting a minimum of three minutes and if no other vehicle or pedestrians are approaching the intersection. (NCGS 20-158)
Oklahoma - (2010) Motorcycles can proceed cautiously through a steady red light intersection after a making a complete stop and if no other motor vehicle or person is approaching the roadway. (Statute 47-11-202)
South Carolina - (2008) After making a complete stop and waiting for a minimum of 120 seconds, the driver of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle may treat a steady red light that doesn’t change as a stop sign and proceed with caution. (S.C. Code 56-5-970)
Tennessee - (2003) After coming to a complete stop, motorcyclists and bicyclists may proceed through a steady red light when it is safe to do so. (Tennessee Traffic Control Signals 55-8-110)
Virginia – (2011) Drivers of motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles may move with caution through non-responsive red lights as long as they yield the right-of-way to others approaching the intersection, and have come to a complete stop for two complete light cycles or 120 seconds, whichever is shorter. (Statute 46-2-833)
Washington – (2015) During the last legislative session, a new section was added to Chapter 46.61 RCW in Washington State that allows the operator of a street legal motorcycle to make a left turn, after stopping at an intersection that is controlled by a triggered traffic control signal, if the device fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic signal. (Amendment to Chapter 46.61 RCW)
Wisconsin - (2006) A motorcycle, moped or bicycle is permitted to run a steady red light after making a complete stop and waiting at least 45 seconds and then yields the right–of-way to any vehicular traffic or pedestrians using the intersection. (Statute 346.37)
In Oregon, the Senate recently unanimously approved bill SB 533, which would make it legal to "proceed with caution" through a red light that is trying, but failing, to detect a motorcycle. This would only be allowed after someone has waited through a full cycle.
Koinz
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Looks like PA is working on one as well
http://abc27.com/2015/04/08/pa-bill-would-give-motorcyclists-option-to-ride-on-red/
http://abc27.com/2015/04/08/pa-bill-would-give-motorcyclists-option-to-ride-on-red/
Very interesting. Thought I was going mad until I read this. There's one I regularly arrive at here in the UK that never senses my S10
First few times I waited there for AGES. Now I know it doesnt work and Im usually there late at night so I have a good look around and go if its safe. Bugs me that the road planners dont think about us bikers though
First few times I waited there for AGES. Now I know it doesnt work and Im usually there late at night so I have a good look around and go if its safe. Bugs me that the road planners dont think about us bikers though
imsteveiv
Member
In Utah a motorcycle has to stop and wait at least 90 seconds. If the there is no other traffic pedestrian or otherwise the motorcycle can proceed. UT code 41-6a-305 (7)
JRE
Going to hell on scholarship
No cop, no stop 
I wait until the light cycles through and then go when it's safe. Generally, this happens when there is zero traffic anyway or there'd be a car behind me triggering the light.
I wait until the light cycles through and then go when it's safe. Generally, this happens when there is zero traffic anyway or there'd be a car behind me triggering the light.
Defekticon
Active Member
Defective assumes that the light is out or not working at all. In which case the traffic light turns into a four way stop. That doesn't really work if one lane of the intersection thinks the light is working fine.SPX said:
Dogdaze
Well-Known Member
No that's just silly! Of course they think of bikers, they place man hole covers slap bang in the middle of the road, especially nice when wet or slushy out, leave pot holes that are in your riding path for as long as possible to repair, build speed humps so that cars can straddle them but bikes have to go dead ahead or into the path of another vehicle to avoid.... and you say they don't think of you, pah!stutrump said:
Arkyrider
Active Member
trikepilot said:
barkingllizard
Well-Known Member
+1stutrump said:
Harry Dresden PI
New Member
FYI
I used to hit the kill switch and then restart the bike (the electric field generated by the starter) may help trigger the sensor.
Also as ferro magnetic material (more than non ferro magnetic material) may trigger sensors ... the 2010 - 2013 side stand is steel? and the 2014 + is forged Aluminum .....
I just wait a cycle and if it does not trigger I just go ... only after I look around
Also years ago in California I was told by a CHP and SJPD motorcycle cop that they often would check out you story if a rider states the light did not trigger
I used to hit the kill switch and then restart the bike (the electric field generated by the starter) may help trigger the sensor.
Also as ferro magnetic material (more than non ferro magnetic material) may trigger sensors ... the 2010 - 2013 side stand is steel? and the 2014 + is forged Aluminum .....
I just wait a cycle and if it does not trigger I just go ... only after I look around
Also years ago in California I was told by a CHP and SJPD motorcycle cop that they often would check out you story if a rider states the light did not trigger
rider33
New Member
most of the sensors in these parts can be identified by the little tar outline where they cut into the pavement to bury the wire. I find if you place the main mass of the engine just above that, it usually will trigger the light. They are looking for a big hunk of metal typically, not weight. The problem is, motorcycles often are not long enough to have significant metal just above the sensor so it fails to detect anything.
Raptula
Member
I'm going to have to try. I hate left turns!!!
Dirt_Dad
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The Commonwealth of Virginia says you should position the bike on top of the lines seen embedded in the road. Also to rev the engine to help trigger the light. Not sure why that is supposed to work, but that is their recommendation. Ultimately the VA law says you can run the light if it didn't trigger for you after two cycles.
JRE
Going to hell on scholarship
If anyone ever solves this, they are likely to profit heavily from the solution (assuming it's a sell-able product). Get to thinking!