New video detection system to improve traffic flow

The wait may be over at red lights around town.

The City of Yuma is changing the way traffic signals respond to vehicles and bicycles at intersections.

Though the new equipment will look like cameras, it does not store pictures or information on your vehicle.

” This system is not for surveillance. The only purpose for this video detection system is for the functions of the traffic signal. It doesn’t get red light runners, it doesn’t read driver’s licenses, no surveillance with the system, ” said Martin Agundez , public works manager for the City of Yuma.

New video detection systems capture and process video signals indicating there are one or more vehicles at an intersection.

Not only do the cameras detect vehicles, but they also detect an object on the roadway whether that be a truck, motorcycle, pedestrian or bicycle.

The controller then uses the information to determine how long the light should stay green.

Fifty-nine of the City’s 77 intersections with traffic signals still use loops which could be canceled out if a vehicle moves off the magnet that triggers the loop.

With loop systems, a loop wire is installed in the asphalt roadway.

The loop can detect a vehicle by a change in the magnetic field that happens when a vehicle comes to a stop and waits over it.

The downside to loop systems is that they can be canceled such as when a vehicle makes a right on red.

Once the vehicle moves off the loop, the signal for lane activation is taken away.

These loop wires can also become damaged with construction or have issues with detecting a bicycle waiting in their lane for the light to change.

On the plus side, the video detection systems are less likely to be damaged because they are placed on the top of the traffic signal arms.

The cameras are also able to detect a wide area.

Even in the event of lane restrictions, the detection areas can be modified.

There is no definitive date of completion of the project. However, the city will continue moving towards using the video detection system.