Device Allows Motorists To Control Stoplights

Post by **sbp** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:22 am

Many Fear Device Could Cause Chaos

Imagine you could control traffic by turning a light from red to green from your car. A new device makes it possible.

We've all wanted to snap our fingers and turn stoplights green. This new device on the market may grant your wish but many believe it's a nightmare.

Just flip the switch and MIRT (which stands for mobile infrared transmitter) beams a signal, instantly changing traffic lights and giving rescue workers like the Washington Township Fire Department a straight shot to emergencies. Now the public's getting the green light to own similar devices thanks to Internet-marketed copycats.

With dozens of receivers set up in selected intersections across Macomb and Oakland counties, many fear it could cause chaos as motorists fight to control lights.

"You're talking about a lot of congestion and a lot of problems," Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel said.

Hackel believes the dashboard devices should only be used for larger rescue vehicles, not for the public or even police cars.

The device costs about $300, and right now it's legal because unlike certain radar detectors, it does not emit radio signals.

more in-depth linkage: http://www.detnews.com/2003/technology/ ... 307303.htm

Racer X 50 · Post by **Racer X 50** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 9:38 am

I saw something like this before and they were deemed illegal because they "interfered with the normal operation of traffic safety devices".

But wouldn't it be fun to have one.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 10:44 pm

Hmmm, an evil device BUT certainly tempting isn't it? I hate sitting at red lights. Where's the "buy now" button? Ebay?

shaggy · Post by **shaggy** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:50 am

Here you go, $300. http://www.themirt.com

FanTum · Post by **FanTum** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:37 pm

That'll go over good eh?

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:44 pm

That CAN'T be a legal device to have in ones passenger car.....can it? If so, that's too cool! I wonder if you can force a light to just STAY GREEN long enough to get a long lane of traffic moving? That's usually my biggest annoyance, having to sit at a light for several long cycles until you're up.
One has to think that IF legal and abused by many, they'll just change something like a frequency to make that device useless.

shaggy · Post by **shaggy** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:07 am

Supposedly the reason it isn't illegal is because is doesn't use radio, its infra-red. A loop hole that will no doubt soon be closed.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 12:36 pm

I doubt that it'd even work here being that it's occured to me that HERE, I've NEVER seen one emergency vehicle change stop lights.
They have to all stop and slowly proceed through intersections hoping that everyone sees them. I've seen this with cops, firetrucks and ambulances SO obviously they aren't using that device in this area.

...................................................................
Update:

After discussing this with some guys at work, they say that there are only a few city intersections that allow that device to work and that they're identified by a device on top of the lights with an antenna and even another light that only lights up when emergency vehicles use that switching device. Having the device for personal use is probably highly illegal plus it wouldn't help many people as it's only a few city intersections where it'd work.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:40 pm

wow.. sombody went to a traffic light companys site and found the specs for this thing... too bad not many citys equip lights with them.. and alos there are many companys that make traffic light systems. so the odds of this catching on i dont see possible. and as soon as they do do it.. the citys can simply open up the controll box and disable the emergency signal. i also see manufactures in the near future making multiple "keys" so that the average joe wont be able to get it to work. and the light controllers them selfs arent as stupid as people think. once they get a signal for one diretion they sit and wait cause they are programed to and they expect more emergency stuff from whatever direction for 3 minuets or so.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 1:40 pm

The ever brilliant TV news media has even had this story on TV a few days ago telling everyone all about it including the fact that one can buy the device online and that no laws currently exist against it

The only good thing that they don't mention is that those controlled intersections aren't everywhere thus most wouldn't really find it all that usefull.

If it did work with every light and you were using it daily on your morning rush trip to work, I'd bet that soon other drivers would realize that you "had the touch" and be following you like a parade

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 4:44 pm

i know of one system that uses a white focused strobe light to trigger the light... it flashes at a certian rate and the light picks it up... now if a motorist has this on the car.. it would be ilegal cause its a strobe light. the RF ones you wouldent be able to tell... but the RF ones are normaly keyed so the only way it would work is if you had the REAL transmitter.

BillyGoat · Post by **BillyGoat** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:53 pm

My dad has one of these in his truck for over 12 years now, he is a fire marshall and they use them when they have to change the light at big intersections. gnerally small instersections in the town where he lives are not fitted with a receiver