Traffic Light Control For The Masses

uniformed1 writes "Eliminating red lights along the routes of their vehicles can give emergency response teams the few extra critical minutes that can save lives and property. A front page article in today's Detroit News details the emerging problem with a device that is now being made available to the public -- a traffic light changer. Originally intended only for emergency vehicles, the $300 MIRT (mobile infrared transmitter) emits an infrared beam that signals traffic signals to turn green and gives the vehicle the right-of-way. It is only a matter of time before self-centered drivers start using the devices widely to skirt traffic congestion, which is creating fears that chaos will ensue." Maybe if everyone had these, it would lead to smarter intersections.

Maybe with this

[Anonymous Coward]

Slashdotters could get laid.. since now everywhere can be the red light district!

Easy solution...

[Realistic_Dragon]

IR guided Maverick anti tank missiles mounted on traffic light poles. Bet those suckers shut off their IR transmitter then!

Obligatory Simpsons reference

[bartyboy]

Professor Frink: "We studied traffic patterns and found that drivers move the fastest through yellow lights, so now we just have the red and yellow lights, mm-haiai."

Lenny [flooring it]: "Stay yellow! Stay yellow!"

Re:Once again, Slashdot trumps logic for technolog

[cgranade]

Um... if it has a range of 1500 ft., people would activate it at 1500 ft, it would get trumped at 1499 ft, so they'd activate it at 1498 ft... you get the picture. In short, there'd be two people hurdling toward each other, hoping that the light would stay on their side.

Easy enough to catch

[ArsonPanda]

1. There's an awfull lot of cameras at intersections these days. (and not just red light still cameras either, where I am there's a few vid cams at every major intersection).

2. IR shows up on B&W CCD cameras.

1+2 = just have someone watch vids for cars that have bright IR pulses coming from the dash.

3 ????

4. Profit

Re:Why "I" would never use one of these.

[Anonymous Coward]

Sign in front of the driveway of firehouse in my old city
"Please do not block these doors, we may be going to you house"

That would have driven me INSANE! Didn't anyone sneak over there in the middle of the night and paint a little "r" after the "you"?

Alternate method

[r00t3r]

It might be easier to change the light by getting out and pressing the walk button on the sidewalk.

Re:Could this be the a classic Chrome Box?

[GeorgeH]

Yeah, I was trying to figure out if this was Slashdot in 2003 or 2600 in 1994 [2600.com]. Damn daylight savings time, what with the screwing up of the time and the glaven

Come on, fellow libertarians!

[MillionthMonkey]

We're going to hear a lot of people calling to make these devices illegal- except in the hands of qualified emergency response personnel. We must resist them. Traffic light control is yet another prime target for deregulation and privatization, and keeping these wonderful devices out of the hands of ordinary citizens restricts our liberty to control intersections that we've paid for with our tax dollars.

Competition and free markets make everything better. They work great for companies, which is a strong indicator that they improve everything else, too- like public schools, the electrical power grid, and traffic lights at intersections. Why should emergency response vehicles receive a government-granted monopoly on the control of traffic lights? This is just old-fashioned, socialist thinking. If I want to turn my light green and yours red, and I'm willing to pay money for the privilege, why shouldn't I get the right of way? I've got more discretionary income, which means my time is probably more important than yours anyway. Government should not be standing on our necks and telling us who can and can't control traffic lights. The "invisible hand" can do a better job of guiding traffic through intersections anyway!

I can hear the socialists whining even now. "But what about the poor ambulance and police cars?" they'll say. They're so addicted to government regulation they don't realize how wonderful things would be if it were every man for himself. Hey, why should the government have a monopoly on ambulance service and law enforcement? My Expedition has plenty of room in the back for a heart attack victim or a criminal. If I'm willing to pay the money I should be able to offer a competing emergency response service as I sail through an endless sea of green lights and yap on my cellphone. To argue otherwise is socialist, and we've learned from the fall of the Soviet Union that socialism doesn't work, people.

OK, so it's a cheap shot at you guys. I can't resist- it's so much fun, and you make it so easy!

Re:No Encryption keys?

[Anonymous Coward]

or even better, just pay the fines for running the red lights constantly. Just as cheap, less hassle.

Getting broadsided by a truck is less hasle than hacking the traffic lights?

Re:Plans?

[Davak]

This will probably been the next gadget added to the Swiss Army PDA/phone combos.

Before long will see those soccer moms with 3 kids in the back of her gas-guzzler pointing her cell phone at the light in between breaths of talking to her friends from the social club.

Life is so unfair. :)

Re:detection and prevention

[zx75]

Heck, if they attempted to decode the correct flash sequence, you could prosecute them under the DMCA for breaking an encryption sequence!

Re:Plans?

[bubbazanetti]

Obviously you have never driven in Louisiana...red light means hurry up.

Re:Plans?

[pi eater]

yesss i'm building one in my basement right now.

gonna bet my gf a bj that there are no red lights on our drive home tomorrow.

wish me luck!

geek gear [wabshirts.com]

Re:Change the Behavior

[Ieshan]

If you can't capitalize the first words of your sentences, what makes you think other people want to read your grammar corrections?

Zing! :)

Re:Ambulance drivers don't go full speed

[smellystudent]

I was sitting in my village pub (UK) one evening. It's on a narrow road, and silly people sometimes park on the wrong side of the road, making it difficult to pass. A fireman walked in the door and announced that they had a large truck to get through. If the illegally parked cars weren't moved by their owners in 30 seconds, they would be moved by force (read: driven into by a large red vehicle). I've never seen people move so fast...

No soup for you!

[Awptimus Prime]

Too late, I just submitted a pantent on that technology. You may continue your research upon purchasing a license.

Translation

[LittleGuy]

Originally intended only for emergency vehicles, the $300 MIRT (mobile infrared transmitter) emits an infrared beam that signals traffic signals to turn green and gives the vehicle the right-of-way. It is only a matter of time before self-centered drivers start using the devices widely to skirt traffic congestion, which is creating fears that chaos will ensue.

Computer Support Version:
"Let's give everyone Admin Rights!"

Who's designing this.... Microsoft?

Re:Plans?

[gfxguy]

Don't worry, some day maybe you'll be able to afford a gas guzzler and join a social club, too.