Who wants to tell me what these are?

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
10/28/2013 at 20:41 • Filed to: None

I see them set up on the road every once in a while. I can only assume it's some sort of data collection. If they're counting vehicles like many of you are saying, wouldn't an unusual amount of multi-axle vehicles (i.e. semis) throw the count waaaaaay off?

DISCUSSION (33)

Dunnik > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:42

I think its a (temporary) car counter. Local gov't/police want to know how much traffic is going down that road.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:43

It's usually up before construction, so maybe counting cars comparing night and day traffic or soemthing?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:43

In the US they monitor traffic volume, in other countries they can be speed traps.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:44

I think they get the number of vehicles driven over them. For traffic measurements.

dogisbadob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:44

The NSA put them up in 98 I think.

Paul, Man of Mustangs > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:44

They're for measuring traffic flow. I think they use air pressure, and measure the number of axles that cross over it.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:44

They count the number of sets of wheels that pass over them, usually for a traffic/usage study.

They are NOT I REPEAT NOT speed traps. There are only two so that they can identify which direction is having how many cars.

The "outside" lane will register ~2x as many cars, but simply subtracting the "inside" lane's count will reveal the outside's true numbers.

e30joe > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:44

Collects traffic data and patterns during certain times of the day, a fancy way to count cars.

desertdog5051 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:44

Around here, they measure speed based on the time it takes to cross from one to the other.

Shamoononon drives like a farmer > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:46

They are taking pictures of you and sending it to the IRS using those cables.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 20:47

That's why I try to get the high score when going over them.

His Stigness > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:49

They're counters and they're generally used to see when the best time to do construction is.

Anon > desertdog5051
10/28/2013 at 20:51

But couldn't that be screwed up by how big the wheels are?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > His Stigness
10/28/2013 at 20:53

That would totally make sense... if any city anywhere ever had any intention to actually do construction ! It's like they set up some cones and signs and call it a day.

Porsche924GTR > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 20:59

I think if there is one - then it is only counting. If there are two like in this picture (especially on a one lane road) they can be used to calculate speed as well. They have time and distance between each impact. Easy to do.

I don't think they intend to use these as speed traps but do need the data when trying to examine traffic patterns accurately.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 21:02

AIRPLANE FOOD, AM I RIGHT?

Sorry, that's just how I read your comment. I avoid cities like the plague.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Anon
10/28/2013 at 21:03

The can't measure speed. Just go with it.

Svend > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
10/28/2013 at 21:04

In the U.K. here, they are used to measure traffic flow on a given stretch of road. There will usually be a large box tethered to a pole or tree at the side of the road where a contractor will collect the readings.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Svend
10/28/2013 at 21:08

In SA they're mobile speed cameras.

desertdog5051 > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 21:09

Not according to the people I talked to, who were setting it up.

desertdog5051 > Anon
10/28/2013 at 21:10

I suppose it could. I'm sure they take an average based on common tire circumferences.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > desertdog5051
10/28/2013 at 21:17

There's no way to get an accurate speed measurement out of them. There simply isn't.

Technically, yes, they CAN be used to measure speed (I admit, I was wrong), however, if the primary purpose of a traffic study was speed, they would absolutely not use pneumatic traffic counters.

Source: this scientific paper

desertdog5051 > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 21:25

OK. This from the manufacturer.

The PicoCount 2500 timestamps all hose hits. It can be used for volume studies or for classification/speed studies. The software ( TrafficViewer Pro ) has FHWA and AustRoads classifications schemes built-in, and it allows for complete customization of the schemes or creation of new schemes

TokyoCarGuy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/28/2013 at 21:25

I am pretty sure this is a form of speed trap in Japan. I could be wrong though.

desertdog5051 > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 21:26

Here is the same info from the manufacturer as I posted to vdub.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > desertdog5051
10/28/2013 at 21:27

I AM vdub....

desertdog5051 > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 21:32

Nevermind.

desertdog5051 > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 21:46

I think small municipalities, like where I live, rely on them because of multi-function and reduced cost over more precise measuring devices.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > desertdog5051
10/28/2013 at 21:50

I only argued because A. the paper I posted, and B. I've literally never seen them used that way. Also, if you run the calculations for how far apart they'd need to be to get accurate speed measurements, it's a lot greater than the 18-36 inches these things are normally spaced apart.

I've stirred enough shit on Oppo today, are we cool here?

desertdog5051 > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 22:01

Always cool with fellow Oppos.

SpeedSix > dogisbadob
10/28/2013 at 22:24

You seem to know too precisely compared to everyone else... Do you work for the NSA?

dogisbadob > SpeedSix
10/28/2013 at 22:40

We all work for the NSA :p

JasonStern911 > vdub_nut: scooter snob
10/28/2013 at 23:24

They aren't speed traps in the sense that you will get a ticket if you get caught speeding over one, but if enough people are caught speeding over them, then don't be surprised to see a speed trap cop soon after.