[IslandBike]

There's a troublesome intersection that is part of some new construction in downtown Seattle, a left turn lane that the DOT intends for only certain vehicles to use - including motorcycles. I contacted them because motorcycles weren't tripping what I assumed was an induction loop sensor for the light, but was told that they have a new style of optical sensor which will detect motorcycles and bicycles as well. Stop in the center of the lane against the stop line was the advice given.

Anyone familiar with this type of optical sensor? It's a new one to me.

 

[sendler]

but was told that they have a new style of optical sensor which will detect motorcycles and bicycles as well.

Does it work?

 

[CBR-STL]

We have induction and optical around here. The optical alway works. The induction is about 50% of the intersections. Some always work, some inductions never work.

 

[david92xj]

we have lots of those around here, if you are talking about the stop lights with the cameras up over the intersection. almost every intersection around here has them and i dont have an issue when im on my motorcycle.

its pretty neat if im the only person at the light its only green for like 3 seconds, i can usually see the light turn yellow as i pass through the intersection

 

[slapshot2516]

I swear there was an intersection which woud only change if i flashed my high beams at when i would go to hockey practice at 530 am... maybe those were optic lights...

 

[Gordo]

I swear there was an intersection which woud only change if i flashed my high beams at when i would go to hockey practice at 530 am... maybe those were optic lights...

Dude, how do you get you AND a hockey bag and sticks on a CBR250?

 

[ERrunner]

^ Somebody wasn't a Ninja Turtles fan...

 

[slapshot2516]

Haha. Bikes were in winter storage during hockey season... i was just commenting on how some traffic lights seem to pick up on headlights...

 

[Gordo]

Haha. Bikes were in winter storage during hockey season... i was just commenting on how some traffic lights seem to pick up on headlights...

Cool, thought maybe you dressed out first and rode with your sticks between your teeth, in your Hockey helmet with skate guards... makes for tricky shifting.

 

[IslandBike]

What I'm talking about is different from the optical strobe sensors for emergency vehicles - they're quite common. An optical sensor for traffic light control for regular vehicles was a new concept to me. I haven't ridden through the intersection since getting the specific location instructions to trip it, I'll post tomorrow after I've been through.