Green wave at traffic lights.

loofer

They're now thinking of bringing in this Green Wave system where unneccessary red lights are not so often.

Motorists should face fewer red lights following the relaxation of government guidance on the flow of traffic.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7998182.stm

Whats has really cheesed me off is where they have quoted that "Previously the Department for Transport (DfT) had discouraged the systems which reduce fuel use, resulting in less tax being paid to the Treasury. "

harveybobbles

I think that traffic lights should be turned off between 8pm an 6am or have sensors on them that make them go green when a car approaches. Cos it's annoying at night sitting at a red light for 45 seconds waiting for nothing coming the other way...

flang

99% of traffic lights have vehicle sensors cut ito the road.
In large citys like london, birmingham, traffic lights are linked together and count each vehicle, sending data to a server which in turn changes the lights for max capacity.

worried_jim

Late at night if there is nothing coming at a red I often turn left, just like in Florida at right turns. Obviously I don't do this if there are any cars in sight, I wouldn't want to alarm any other drivers coming the other way !

kevin0410

They should allow turn left on red at suitable junctions too.

flang

Turning left on reds was always a common query when I worked for the councils Highways Dept.
The problem is at most of the junctions in the Uk are complex and was never designed for the traffic flows of today.
Confusion will always arise whether they can turn left or not

LandyAndy

flang wrote: »

Turning left on reds was always a common query when I worked for the councils Highways Dept.
The problem is at most of the junctions in the Uk are complex and was never designed for the traffic flows of today.
Confusion will always arise whether they can turn left or not

Americans seem to manage reasonably well with a sign that says 'No right turn on red'.

anewman

Is this why the traffic lights change faster near my house and let hardly any cars through? (So you get your BMW type who obviously thinks f it and goes through on red).

omelette451

flang wrote: »

Turning left on reds was always a common query when I worked for the councils Highways Dept.
The problem is at most of the junctions in the Uk are complex and was never designed for the traffic flows of today.
Confusion will always arise whether they can turn left or not

There's also a big problem in that most junctions also have pedestrian crossings. In countries where rules are different traffic can still turn into a road where a green light is shown for pedestrians (it's up to the driver to stop when he/she sees people crossing, as at a zebra crossing here), and a special warning light often flashes to tell drivers that pedestrians are being allowed to cross and to take relevant care. This happens in Germany, Russia and parts of France, to name just three.The problem with doing that here is that we're used to pedestrians having complete and sole access when the 'green man' is showing, and to change that now would lead to too much confusion.

thescouselander

kevin0410 wrote: »

They should allow turn left on red at suitable junctions too.

This is a pedestrians worst nightmare. The amount of times I have nearly been run over in the US because of this is ridiculous. You can cross at a crossing on the green man but people turning right on red are only looking for cars and don't see pedestrians.

Not something that should be brought in over here I think.