Road safety idea: Traffic light power failure

[Easy-X]

I don't recall what the Highway Code says about it but in the US any traffic light that has failed must be treated as a "STOP" sign.

Now, 'muricans being numpties people just freak out and cause intersection pile-ups. To combat this some municipalities have folded down stop signs at the ready on the traffic light poles that can be manually opened up by some passing highways worker (I guess while they're fixing the problem.)

This seems dumb.

How about the sign opens automatically on power failure? For example: a simple electromagnet holds the sign closed and on power failure it just falls open. Someone would obviously have to go round to manually close it but probably they'd be going there anyway to fix the lights.

Really should have bought beer this evening
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[WreckTangle]

Random problem you have brought up, but a good idea. Problem is , is that you would have to fit these magnets to every single stop sign in the us, and this will cost the tax payers mega money, as it will all have to be done by some kind of specialist magnet man, who will charge $1000 per stop sign.

besides, the us taxpayer would probably rather be spent bombing some random country or building a wall, than actually solving structural issues
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My wife asked me to get her something that goes from 0-100 in under 5 seconds for her birthday. ......................I got her a bathroom scale.

[1198]

From what Ive seen in the UK at least many junctions seem to flow better when the lights have failed....

[doggone]

[Nobby the Bastard]

The journey to work is a lot shorter when the traffic lights on every bastard roundabout fail.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[andyscooter]

it takes roughley an hour to drive from one side of Worcester to the other in the mornings


once there was a power cut and we managed it in about ten minutes

main problem in Worcester is pedestrian crossings every 100 yards half of which have stuck buttons so activate as soon as they go from green man to red man
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[The Artist]

Problems

1. The cost of installation. Probably thousands per unit. 2+ men + van + equipment.

2. Any momentary power interruption causes these signs to fall open. You then need to send someone out to put these signs back up. More cost and more disruption to traffic systems.

3. Kids would no doubt cut the power or whatever to set these off once they found out how they work.

4. It is much easier just to have a rule like "If there are no lights, treat it as a stop sign" and pass all liability on to the drivers.

[Sister Sledge]

Admit it - you have no beer and are tidying up. You found a big box of electromagnets and want to sell them..
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CCM 404 DS

[Lord Percy]

[Ste]

[doggone]

And tootle your horn melodiously

https://i.postimg.cc/6qzdwwk5/honk.png

[Ste]

BEEP BEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

[stinkwheel]

[Easy-X]

[TbirdX]

Forget magnet and motor man..you need a bog standard electrican.

install led 'STOP' sign on lights.
Install Battery.
Fit relay.
Relay held shut by normal lights power.
On power fail battery power is routed via relay to light 'STOP' sign.

On power restore lights come on and stop light goes out.

Still cost a fortune though.
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VFR800X - TTR250

[stinkwheel]