If one or two traffic lights are out, the driver is still able to see a working set of traffic lights. The computer at each set of traffic signals sends fault messages to repair electricians to attend to the fault as soon as practically possible.Īn important safety feature of traffic signals is that anyone approaching an intersection will see a minimum of three sets of traffic lights. The most common traffic signal fault reported to council is faulty lights/lamps. The walk signal is used to inform people when they can start to cross but the flashing don't walk signals allow enough time to cross the road safely. Please note, you do not need to get all the way across the road while the walk signal is on. The green person/red person symbols are used to signal walk/don't walk. If your bicycle is made of carbon-fibre, fibreglass, plastic or aluminium it may not be detected. Vehicle and bicycle detectionĭetectors buried in the road sense when a car passes over them.īicycles can be detected at newer traffic signals, but it relies on iron-based metal to trigger the signals. This ‘all red’ time depends on the size of the intersection as larger intersections require longer clearance time. This allows vehicles to move through the intersection before more traffic movements begin. For higher speed roads, more time is provided for the yellow or amber traffic light.Īn ‘all red’ light then applies on all roads following the yellow signal. On most major roads with a speed limit up to 60 km/h the yellow or amber light is displayed for four seconds. The length of time for a green traffic signal depends on traffic conditions and should always appear for a minimum of six seconds. allow vehicles in side streets to enter or cross over intersections.Traffic signals on some major roads need to: Some signals respond to traffic arriving at the intersection.
At busy times, the green light period may extend to a set limit and the signals will follow a set sequence. Road sensors detect vehicles as they pass and either change signals to green or extend the green light time. The Main Roads Transport Management Centre at Maroochydore can also access them. Traffic signals are controlled by a local computer at each intersection from which, information can be retrieved remotely. The Department of Main Roads controls traffic signals on some major Coast roads such as Nicklin Way, Caloundra Road and Maroochydore Road. Council installs new traffic signals each year that cost from $500,000 to over $5,000,000.Ĭouncil controls more than 100 sets of traffic signals on the Sunshine Coast. They cost less than roundabouts and do not take up as much space. They make it safer for road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. Traffic signals are needed at intersections that carry large numbers of cars and people. Council-controlled traffic signalsĬouncil controls more than 3,300km of roads, with over 25,000 intersections. Traffic signals control the flow of cars and people to improve safety on roads.