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Traffic lights CONTENTS History Technology

TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Fixed time control Dynamic control

Solar traffic lights Features Advantage

How to repair a traffic signal Instructions

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Typically traffic lights consist of a set of three colored lights: red, amber/yellow and green. In a typical cycle, Illumination of the green light allows traffic to proceed in the direction denoted, Illumination of the amber/yellow light denoting, if safe to do so, prepare to stop short of the intersection, and Illumination of the red signal prohibits any traffic from proceeding.
An LED traffic light (Siemens Helios) in Portsmouth,United Kingdom.

Traffic lights, which may also be known asstoplights,traffic lamps,traffic signals,stop-and-go lights,robotsorsemaphore, are signaling devices positioned at road intersections,pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic.

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Traffic light

History
On December 10, 1868, the first traffic lights were installed outside theParliament inLondon, by the railway engineerJ. P. Knight. They resembledrailway signalsof the time, with semaphorearms and red and green gas lamps for night use. The gas lantern was turned with a lever at its base so that the appropriate light faced traffic. Unfortunately, it exploded on 2 January 1869, injuring or killing the policeman who was operating it.

Mars halitetraffic signal. Formerly fitted in various intersections inMelbourne, Australia, indicating how much time remained before a signal change.

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Technology
Optics and lighting

An example of an LED traffic lightAustralia

Traditionally, halogen bulbs were used. Because of the low efficiency of light output and a single point of failure (filament burnout) municipalities are increasingly retrofitting traffic signals withLED arrays that consume less power, have increased light output, last significantly longer, and in the event of an individual LED failure, still operate albeit with a reduced light output. With the use of optics, the light pattern of an LED array can be comparable with the pattern of an incandescent or halogen bulb.

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Fixed time control

The simplest control system uses a timer (fixed-time): each phase of the signal lasts for a specific duration before the next phase occurs; this pattern repeats itself regardless of traffic. Many older traffic light installations still use these, and timer-based signals are effective inone way gridswhere it is often possible to coordinate the traffic lights to the posted speed limit. They are however disadvantageous when thesignal timingof an intersection would benefit from being adapted to the dominant flows changing over the time of the day.

Dynamic control
Dynamic, or actuated, signals are programmed to adjust their timing and phasing to meet changing traffic conditions. The system adjusts signal phasing and timing to minimize the delay of people going through the intersection. It is also commonplace to alter the control strategy of a traffic light based on the time of day and day of the week, or for other special circumstances such as a major event causing unusual demand at an intersection. The controller uses input fromdetectors, which are sensors that inform the controller processor whether vehicles or other road users are present, to adjust signal timing and phasing within the limits set by the controllers programming. It can give more time to an intersection approach that is experiencing heavy traffic, or shorten or even skip a phase that has little or no traffic waiting for a green light. Detectors can be grouped into three classes: in-pavement detectors, non-intrusive detectors, and detection for non-motorized road users.

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Solar traffic light

Solar traffic lightsare signaling devices powered bysolar panelspositioned at road intersections,pedestrian crossingsand other locations to control the flows of traffic. They assign theright of wayto road users by the use of lights in standard colors (red - amber/yellow - green), using a universalcolor code(and a precise sequence to enable comprehension by those who arecolor blind. Most of the solar traffic lights havebattery back-up for functioning during night.

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Solar Energy Powered Traffic Light

Features
Solartraffic lightsuseLED lampsas they are more efficient, turn on instantly, last much longer, are more energy efficient and as their lifetime isn't affected by frequent cycling on and off.In addition to having a box which encloses control circuitry, they have a separate box which housesbatteries. These batteries functions as a back-up by storing electrical energy from the solar panels which is used during the night for its operation.Some models using conventional energy sources may usesolar energyfrom the panels as an auxiliary power source and in other cases; entire solar traffic lights may be used as an auxiliary device to be used in the event of primary traffic light failure.These systems feature alphanumeric displaysalong with countdown timers that display the amount of time left before the signal changes.

Solar Energy Powered School Traffic Light

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Solar Panel Battery Enclosure on Traffic Light

Advantages Solar traffic lights are cheaper to operate than conventional traffic lights, as they use solar power for their operation. They are easier to set up and operate

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How to Repair Traffic Signals

Traffic signals over time can stop working and be damaged due to collisions with trucks, wires malfunctioning and parts wearing out. Mechanical technicians who are city employees repair traffic signals that are still in use. Citizens can purchase, repair and restore damaged or malfunctioning city traffic signals that are no longer used. Once traffic signals are repaired, they are often sold as collector's items or decorations for a home or property. Although some traffic signals are more complex than others, the general steps for restoring traffic signals are the same.

Repair Traffic Signals

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Instructions Disassemble the entire traffic signal and break down all of the individual parts. It will easier to make a list of what is broken and needs replacing once the parts are laid out. The necessary replacement parts usually can be found and ordered online. Submerge the traffic signal's body, as well as the light visors, in paint stripper. The paint stripper will cause the old paint to bubble and loosen, the KBR Horse website explains. Once the parts are taken out of the paint stripper, a wire brush can be used to remove the old paint. Apply layers of spray paint to the traffic signal's body as well as the light visors. Traffic signal research should be conducted online in order to verify the authentic colors, the George Francis website explains. The traffic signal's body is usually yellow, but the visors can be yellow or black Clean all the traffic signal's part before rebuilding it. It is recommended that new light bulbs and wiring be installed in order to ensure that the traffic signal will work correctly. Rebuild the traffic signal by first inserting the light bulbs and completing the wiring. Insert the lenses and screw the front of the traffic signal shut. Finally, install the traffic signal visors in order to complete the restoration project.

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Tips & Warnings

Paint stripper can be harmful if it comes in contact with the skin and is absorbed. Gloves, long sleeves, and protective glasses should be worn at all times in order to prevent injury and serious burns.

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Reference

www.google.com www.winkipedia.com ESSAR ENGINEERS

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