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I hope this hasn't been posted before, but its a fantastic idea:

http://thereifixedit.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/129174520790372556.jpg

Would certainly save a lot of fuel when approaching lights from a distance.

The basic premise has been discussed here, but that is a new mothod of timing that we haven't seen before.

I really like it.

I recall that one of the concerns with that is the normal drivers that would try to time it just right and go speeding through just as it turns green. Get someone from the other direction trying to squeeze through the yellow combined with the driver timing to speed through and could cause some accidents.

That may be saved by making the delay between one going red and the other going green to longer than the 2-3 seconds that you will sometimes see now.

Wish I could see THAT in my area!! Most traffic lights are located on BOTTOM of hills!!! *A#%R@#$RQWEF@$#

Wish I could see THAT in my area!! Most traffic lights are located on BOTTOM of hills!!! *A#%R@#$RQWEF@$#

Is that because that's where the intersections are?

A light at the bottom could be good if it means stopped traffic will accelerate away quickly. Of course the balance to that is cars having difficulty stopping. Seems like interesting potential for study.

Worse, to me, is a case, like on ME-27, where, heading down a steep (high regen/ full power zone) hill into a "town" the speed drops from 55 to 35 at the bottom of the hill. It also goes from 35 to 55 in the other direction at the bottom of the hill. Such a waste of gas. If I'm driving during a quiet period I'll head up the hill at 35 (or less) and only accelerate once I've crested.

They already have these in Hungary, and probably other European countries, except there there is a seperate countdown to green, which may be better as you can see from a larger distance. I think it is a great idea.

Is that because that's where the intersections are?

A light at the bottom could be good if it means stopped traffic will accelerate away quickly. Of course the balance to that is cars having difficulty stopping. Seems like interesting potential for study.

Worse, to me, is a case, like on ME-27, where, heading down a steep (high regen/ full power zone) hill into a "town" the speed drops from 55 to 35 at the bottom of the hill. It also goes from 35 to 55 in the other direction at the bottom of the hill. Such a waste of gas. If I'm driving during a quiet period I'll head up the hill at 35 (or less) and only accelerate once I've crested.

Here are the examples of traffic light on bottom of hill (all intersections) My route to work:
First Intersection (http://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&ie=UTF8&q=elkton,+MD&fb=1&gl=us&ei=F4HpS7XgO5-CyQTr-KnDCQ&ved=0CBcQpQY&hl=en&view=map&geocode=FftZXAIdSOB6-w&split=0&sll=39.609391,-75.822063&sspn=0.063466,0.074092&hq=&hnear=Elkton,+Cecil,+Maryland&ll=39.607983,-75.851342&spn=0.00815,0.018432&t=f&z=16&ecpose=39.60699366,-75.86506496,423.73,84.65,70.549,0)

Second Intersection (http://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&ie=UTF8&q=elkton,+MD&fb=1&gl=us&ei=F4HpS7XgO5-CyQTr-KnDCQ&ved=0CBcQpQY&hl=en&view=map&geocode=FftZXAIdSOB6-w&split=0&sll=39.609391,-75.822063&sspn=0.063466,0.074092&hq=&hnear=Elkton,+Cecil,+Maryland&t=f&ecpose=39.60393771,-75.84125246,55.16,105.59,70.905,0&ll=39.603595,-75.839692&spn=0.001019,0.002304&z=19)

Third Intersection (http://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&ie=UTF8&q=elkton,+MD&fb=1&gl=us&ei=F4HpS7XgO5-CyQTr-KnDCQ&ved=0CBcQpQY&hl=en&view=map&geocode=FftZXAIdSOB6-w&split=0&sll=39.609391,-75.822063&sspn=0.063466,0.074092&hq=&hnear=Elkton,+Cecil,+Maryland&t=f&ecpose=39.50972923,-75.82916728,33.35,-159.269,78.204,0&ll=39.508838,-75.8296&spn=0.00102,0.002304&z=19)

Hi Rich:

We have discussed the countdown Red's but I have not seen that LED dial on one. Great find!!! If you have more derails and can throw up a two paragraph write-up, please let me know and I'll open up the News forum for you. That pic speaks volumes all by itself!

Thanks again for posting it!

Wayne

No problem. Right now all I have to go on is that photo, as soon as I find any more info I will post it up.

Wait a sec, the countdown really needs to be on the GREEN.
It's getting nailed by yellows where the real waste comes in.
.
_H*

I agree, Hobbit. That's what I LOVE about some cities that have a crosswalk countdown timer. When that runs out, the light goes yellow.

http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/505/images/pedsignals.jpg

I agree, Hobbit. That's what I LOVE about some cities that have a crosswalk countdown timer. When that runs out, the light goes yellow.

http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/505/images/pedsignals.jpg

We have that, at some intersections. Although just a simple do not walk sign is adequate if you are familiar with the lights and looking ahead.

Wait a sec, the countdown really needs to be on the GREEN.
It's getting nailed by yellows where the real waste comes in.
.
_H*

I agree with the fact we all get nailed by greens suddenly turning yellow but the other side of the coin are the people who abuse it by speeding just to get through the light.