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Trimess
Monday, January 10, 2011
How much was wasted on this contraption?
This little electronic device is supposed to change traffic signals so the buses can stay on schedule more effectively.
Only one problem, they don't work!
How many millions were wasted on this little idea?
My understanding is that they only work IF the bus is more than a certain number of minutes off schedule, AND the traffic signal is about to turn yellow (it holds the yellow light longer), AND the traffic signal is set up to accept the signal from this transmitter (which is similar, but not identical, to those used by fire trucks and ambulances).
If any of those conditions are not met, the box is a useless piece of junk. Most traffic lights aren't set up to work with the bus Opticom transmitters, and if the light is red it doesn't speed up the cycle (thus no real impact). And if your bus is on time...it isn't activated.
5 comments:
Hey you should be shocked they spent money on buses!
Haha...
Good point!
That was a long long time ago however!
My understanding is that they only work IF the bus is more than a certain number of minutes off schedule, AND the traffic signal is about to turn yellow (it holds the yellow light longer), AND the traffic signal is set up to accept the signal from this transmitter (which is similar, but not identical, to those used by fire trucks and ambulances).
If any of those conditions are not met, the box is a useless piece of junk. Most traffic lights aren't set up to work with the bus Opticom transmitters, and if the light is red it doesn't speed up the cycle (thus no real impact). And if your bus is on time...it isn't activated.
So it does work then?
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