I just came across this and used to work for a distributor of traffic signals and wired control cabinets in Northern Virginia. We distributed Traffic Control Technologies (old Crouse Hinds). Noticed the CH logo on the controller and the TCT logo on the catalog sheet. Thanks for the memories and also going over electromechanical operation. Your video was 12 years ago and just 2 years ago I came across a still functioning e/m controller in a small southern VA town. I was amazed that any were still around. 👍🏻
Stop, says the red light, Go, says the green. Wait, says the yellow light, twinkling in between. KNEEL, SAYS THE DEMON LIGHT WITH IT'S EYE OF COAL. SAURON KNOWS YOUR LICENSE PLATE AND STARES INTO YOUR SOUL.
I just came back from Montreal, and they still have these mechanical control boxes in Downtown. Almost every intersection I saw (or heard I guess) (except for one) had a mechanical box.
That video is from around 1990... I can't really remember. They were a nice new pair that I borrowed from the contractor who takes care of the signals here in Toronto.
I'm guessing that the contractor also loaned and set up the nifty electromechanical control cabinet for you as well? (I love watching older machines and tech work!)
acmeschool thanks for taking me back to my obsession that I had at only 2 years old & showing me how it actually works. Funny story to add, once when I was 2 years old I think I remember I would not go to sleep 1 night until my Mom called the State Highway Administration for them to go out & fix the light late in the morning on Singer Road in Abingdon, Maryland, so My Mom had to drive me out there just to see if they had fixed the light just so I would go to sleep. Crazy story isn't it?
Even though there are many advantages about computerized controllers, I prefer traditional controllers. The reason I say this is because I like controllers that are nice and simple. It is clearly obvious that computerized controllers are capable of performing numerous functions, which is amazing. Although, I still prefer traditional controllers. I guess you could say that I am slighly old fashioned. Anyhow, excellent video!
In some places they put a filter over the green lamp so you can't see it until you are right on top of it, and unfortunately this trains people to just go when they don't see any lights, and some day they'll be at an intersection that lost power and they'll kill someone
Although it is obsolete nowadays, the electro-mechanical controller is rather interesting in many ways. One could find many that are still in service (for now) in the city of New York, however, down the road, the survivors will be replaced with modern, computerized signal controllers.
You mention that you need 12 dial keys, since 12 step cams are in use. Keep in mind that this is not necessarily true, since you could get away with a total of 6 keys (that includes the green sync key) on the dial timer. With that amount, it would take two complete rotations to complete one cycle. The only difference between the amount of keys is that you would have fewer signal intervals to use.
I don't see what you're seeing, but I never noticed that car going through the red light before! At the time, that was one of Toronto's most complex intersections, with the two cross streets being offset by a hundred feet or so.
Winnipeg, Manitoba still has Eagle Signal electro-mechanical relays for intersections in residential areas. You can view a TH-cam video of this by entering: Winnipeg Traffic Signals in the Search window. Vancouver, B.C. had this type of control until 1985. I once saw a police constable walk up to an old control box of non-functioning signals, give it a kick with his boot and immediately everything started working again!
The integration of the computer is in deed done in a very nifty way. It requires only minor modification and introduces no major safety risks. No matter what gets sent over the computer line, the controller can never go into illegal states like "all green".
In Toronto, almost every signal has metal-detector loops under the street, and is in communication with a central computer. The intersections all have pedestrian pushbuttons as well, in case someone wants to cross when there is no traffic sitting on the detectors.
UK traffic lights burn out all the time. Here in Sheffield we've been running around after the council /UTC have just made a sweep of all the lights in the city!!! Good fun, LOL.
This guy hosted a number of science shows. They aired on PBS in the US. One of them featured a female cohost who was kinda cute. The shows all had a style similar to this one, very detail-oriented, long on information and short on nonsense (unlike most kid’s science shows). I really loved them! On memory I still have: He made a model of old style iron core computer ‘donut’ memory. He used actual powered donuts.. Found it! th-cam.com/video/rT1bAw9U6YA/w-d-xo.html
Hi Nick, I didn't get any shocks or burns or cuts for the entire 26 Acme half hours! I see that I was running this thing on 120 volts (it has the correct bulbs), but it would have been totally isolated power via an isolation transformer. I made a lot of use of the RV 12 bulb that looks like a regular one, so that I could run open-wiring circuits at safe voltages. I ripped a lot of clothing, however....
Well thats good! Glad you played it safe. I didn't realize there was an isolation transformer. I'm not as "in-tune" with the old mechanical controllers. Cool video nonetheless!
Even now in 2010, you'll find old mechanical boxes in certain places in the united states. My first school still uses them for the school speed limit sign and in the winter, they would freeze and stop flashing.
Techmatt167 the advance green means that cars with that indication can go in all directions (left, right, and straight) and all other traffic has a red light.
@@j-bird1778 That must be something that is common in Canada. I cannot say that I've seen an advance green in the U.S., not to say that there aren't any. There could very well be. However, I am starting to see a lot of the yellow flashing light after a full green cycle for yielding to oncoming traffic.
In IL, they use some lights with the two right arrows, the green arrown mostly turns on in less than a second after the light turns red. But some lights have the green right arrow turn when the light turns yellow.
we have computerized lights on mainstreet here. Usually they are timed almost perfectly so they are all synchronized with each other and work at the same time and rate while cycling through red green and yellow. But a day last week they all somehow became out of sync completely and none worked with another causing back ups, not to mention the green was not as long as it normally is causing it to return to red too quickly, what caused the lights to do this?
I still see the old-style mechanical controls at some suburban/rural intersections that have lower traffic volumes. I suppose the traffic in these intersections is predictable enough that the newer computerized controls aren't needed.
OK, I see it now. I had to go to full-screen and squint. That is unusual, but if you type "mount pleasant and lawrence ave toronto" into google maps, the google-arrow points to about where the signals are. Notice that the main through-street has a major s-curve in it, and that there's a side street also right at the intersection. Then get out some toy cars, and draw the intersection, and explain it to me! The "b-roll" crew chose that intersection because it was so interesting.
Haha maybe. It would be cool to see one of these controllers in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) there aren't any left, and there basically are not many fully 8 inch signals, (only one left for vehicle signals). I'd love to see this guy in really life haha.
continuing from the last comment: the lights are fixed now however I noticed today one of the lights are not in sync with the rest and it is red while the rest are green and by the time that one is green the rest are red. Is it very common to have the lights become out of sync?
How do they set up a new set of traffic signals at an existing intersection?? How are the lights connected?? I don't see the road ripped up to run cables underneath, so how do they do it??
After a traffic pattern study is done by traffic engineers and the need for signals is required, the type, and quantity is ordered (it is not uncommon to have 20 traffic lights and pedestrian signals at one intersection). Concrete footings for the poles are made, The signals are attached to the poles (and mast arms) on the ground, they are then hoisted on to the footings by crane, and bolted down. Wires are run through the concrete footings in electrical conduit. Those are then run to pull boxes (water proof) that will be buried underground later. The wires all end up at the cabinet on one side of the intersection. The cabinet does not have a bottom (just sides, a back, and top), it is just a frame exposed. The cabinet sits on a concrete footing that has 5 or 6 1", 1.5", or 2" PVC conduits coming out of the concrete for the wires. All of the wires terminate to a load panel at the back of the controller. The conduit separates the wires into groups. For red yellow and green signals, pedestrian signals, loop detectors, pedestrian push buttons, neutral wires, luminaire wires, Opticom wiring, etc. Vehicle loop detector wiring is added into 6x6' cuts made into the asphalt. They use a heavy duty saw with a diamond cutting blade. The wire is normally 14 AWG (looped a few times around the cut in the road) that receives inductance (a magnetic field) when energized (when the magnetic field is broken by a car, it tells the controller to service that car with a green light) If this is an existing road they will just dig trenches to route wires, and patch it up. If it is new, everything but the vehicle loop detectors are added (that happens after the asphalt is pored and cured). This is a VERY basic way to look at how it is done. Sometime go see if there is a new set of signals being installed near by. Go watch it. You'll be amazed by how it all comes together :-)
Sure thing. I've been a collector of traffic lights, and the gear that makes them all work since 1999, and I learned a lot from actual traffic engineers.
A smaller traffic light lens is 8 inches by 8 inches and the big ones are 12 inches by 12 inches. That is just without the housing though, these are big!
Looking for photo and data on "30"s"-"40'" traffic signal controller "RELAY" This was black, sealed in vacuum, old style bakelite, and 6 volts for the 6v auto bulbs used in traffic signal lights. Others have been looking also for years. These replacement ones were used pre solid state use. This was actually a 60 cycles AC vibrator, electromechanical , pivoting armature , dual coils with 6 sets contacts. Probably also used as old style RECTIFIER after the step down transformer in pole electrical . box. Please write back so I know you got this message.
What I meant is, the second from the left signal changes from green to yellow to red but then the two bottom lights turn on. They look like polarized lights. Why did the signal perform that function?
I was about to say that this is really old tech. Most of the stuff in my town has digital units in the box, at the busier intersections. The old intersections still go click like usual though.
Awesome video...mechanicals are neat but my knowledge is in the computerized systems. But... I want to see the blooper reel to this video! I'm sure there's quite a bit of "electrical pokes" pulling the cycle unit and cam drum out of the cabinet while it's live. -Nick
I would like to know the interface spec for the manual control of these old signal controllers. I suspect every brand is different. I am referring to the plugin behind the key on the front panel. any help would be appreciated.
Actually in Spain there are a lot of traffic lights with bulbs burn out so it's not new for me xD don't know why people here doesn't care much about that
New York City still uses mechanical controllers and the synchronization is better than 99.9% of the computerized controllers I've seen. Plus there is something magical about that 'ka-chunk' sound.
what was this video taken in like the 70's cause when he was explaing all the way the box and the stuff works I was thinking I don't hear a clicking noise and I just see the picture quality and it looks old as hell and than we he said about new teachnology I thought ok that's how it is today
i got this big traffic light in my nana grage i go make flash useing realys and 3 555timer boards and one power suppy and one power card you thank it work
I really like how he explains this seemingly simple (yet very complex) process so thoroughly, very cool.
I just came across this and used to work for a distributor of traffic signals and wired control cabinets in Northern Virginia. We distributed Traffic Control Technologies (old Crouse Hinds). Noticed the CH logo on the controller and the TCT logo on the catalog sheet. Thanks for the memories and also going over electromechanical operation. Your video was 12 years ago and just 2 years ago I came across a still functioning e/m controller in a small southern VA town. I was amazed that any were still around. 👍🏻
More than that, the original aired on TV more like 35 years ago.
That comment was made in 1990! Now, twenty years later, we see burned out signals in Toronto as well, along with more potholes...
And still even 30 years later
I don't know about the US, but here in Toronto, the mechanical ones are all gone. The video is from about 1991.
In my town, Perth Western Australia, this type of controller was completely removed by 1977
Amazing video on traffic lights showing all the technical details and usage. Keep on sharing such kind of clips.
Stop, says the red light,
Go, says the green.
Wait, says the yellow light, twinkling in between.
KNEEL, SAYS THE DEMON LIGHT
WITH IT'S EYE OF COAL.
SAURON KNOWS YOUR LICENSE PLATE
AND STARES INTO YOUR SOUL.
Mark Dumas wut...
As a traffic signal technician in today’s world, this is amazing
I miss this show it was a good back in the day.
Marc Plante what was it?
Marc Plante what is it?
Acme school of stuff!
I just came back from Montreal, and they still have these mechanical control boxes in Downtown. Almost every intersection I saw (or heard I guess) (except for one) had a mechanical box.
That video is from around 1990... I can't really remember. They were a nice new pair that I borrowed from the contractor who takes care of the signals here in Toronto.
I'm guessing that the contractor also loaned and set up the nifty electromechanical control cabinet for you as well? (I love watching older machines and tech work!)
acmeschool thanks for taking me back to my obsession that I had at only 2 years old & showing me how it actually works. Funny story to add, once when I was 2 years old I think I remember I would not go to sleep 1 night until my Mom called the State Highway Administration for them to go out & fix the light late in the morning on Singer Road in Abingdon, Maryland, so My Mom had to drive me out there just to see if they had fixed the light just so I would go to sleep. Crazy story isn't it?
Even though there are many advantages about computerized controllers, I prefer traditional controllers. The reason I say this is because I like controllers that are nice and simple. It is clearly obvious that computerized controllers are capable of performing numerous functions, which is amazing. Although, I still prefer traditional controllers. I guess you could say that I am slighly old fashioned. Anyhow, excellent video!
Steven197981 same.
In some places they put a filter over the green lamp so you can't see it until you are right on top of it, and unfortunately this trains people to just go when they don't see any lights, and some day they'll be at an intersection that lost power and they'll kill someone
This is to stop people from seeing a green at the next intersection, when the intersections are in close proximity.
Although it is obsolete nowadays, the electro-mechanical controller is rather interesting in many ways. One could find many that are still in service (for now) in the city of New York, however, down the road, the survivors will be replaced with modern, computerized signal controllers.
When Chuck Norris is at a pedestrian crossing, the traffic has to stop, look and listen.
You mention that you need 12 dial keys, since 12 step cams are in use. Keep in mind that this is not necessarily true, since you could get away with a total of 6 keys (that includes the green sync key) on the dial timer. With that amount, it would take two complete rotations to complete one cycle. The only difference between the amount of keys is that you would have fewer signal intervals to use.
I don't see what you're seeing, but I never noticed that car going through the red light before! At the time, that was one of Toronto's most complex intersections, with the two cross streets being offset by a hundred feet or so.
Fantastic, My grandfather and uncle retired from Crouse Hinds in Syracuse
So the electromechanical traffic signal box to change the lights is basically a giant music box. As a music fan, this is interesting.
Winnipeg, Manitoba still has Eagle Signal electro-mechanical relays for intersections in residential areas. You can view a TH-cam video of this by entering:
Winnipeg Traffic Signals in the Search window. Vancouver, B.C. had this type of control until 1985. I once saw a police constable walk up to an old control box of non-functioning signals, give it a kick with his boot and immediately everything started working again!
Nice to see this video preserved for all to see. Thanks for posting this! 5* vote.
And now we have LED 🚦
The integration of the computer is in deed done in a very nifty way. It requires only minor modification and introduces no major safety risks. No matter what gets sent over the computer line, the controller can never go into illegal states like "all green".
It wasn't shot in the 70s, as if you had listened, he talks about "back in 1980".
Where can I get one of those controllers?
In Toronto, almost every signal has metal-detector loops under the street, and is in communication with a central computer. The intersections all have pedestrian pushbuttons as well, in case someone wants to cross when there is no traffic sitting on the detectors.
I have seen plenty burned-out traffic lights.
UK traffic lights burn out all the time. Here in Sheffield we've been running around after the council /UTC have just made a sweep of all the lights in the city!!! Good fun, LOL.
This guy hosted a number of science shows. They aired on PBS in the US. One of them featured a female cohost who was kinda cute.
The shows all had a style similar to this one, very detail-oriented, long on information and short on nonsense (unlike most kid’s science shows). I really loved them!
On memory I still have: He made a model of old style iron core computer ‘donut’ memory. He used actual powered donuts..
Found it! th-cam.com/video/rT1bAw9U6YA/w-d-xo.html
What's the deal with the traffic signal at 6:24? Why did it switch from a solid green to two turn signals?
Protected left turn phase
@Computist40 Normally, an electro-mechanical controller does not have battery backup. A computerized controller does, however, have battery backup.
Hi Nick,
I didn't get any shocks or burns or cuts for the entire 26 Acme half hours! I see that I was running this thing on 120 volts (it has the correct bulbs), but it would have been totally isolated power via an isolation transformer.
I made a lot of use of the RV 12 bulb that looks like a regular one, so that I could run open-wiring circuits at safe voltages.
I ripped a lot of clothing, however....
Wow, that is so weird; the traffic lights in America have yellow casing.
if this got any more canadian i'd expect to see bob and doug mackenzie wander in
Beauty, eh?
@@flurng you betcha
Well thats good! Glad you played it safe. I didn't realize there was an isolation transformer. I'm not as "in-tune" with the old mechanical controllers. Cool video nonetheless!
this is a classic.
Even now in 2010, you'll find old mechanical boxes in certain places in the united states. My first school still uses them for the school speed limit sign and in the winter, they would freeze and stop flashing.
But now in 2019, those boxes are not even in use anymore.
2 questions.
can this mechanical controller do flashing yellow and red?
what is the advanced green flasher used for?
Techmatt167 the advance green means that cars with that indication can go in all directions (left, right, and straight) and all other traffic has a red light.
@@j-bird1778 That must be something that is common in Canada. I cannot say that I've seen an advance green in the U.S., not to say that there aren't any. There could very well be. However, I am starting to see a lot of the yellow flashing light after a full green cycle for yielding to oncoming traffic.
This video was recorded in 1990 or so.
In IL, they use some lights with the two right arrows, the green arrown mostly turns on in less than a second after the light turns red. But some lights have the green right arrow turn when the light turns yellow.
we have computerized lights on mainstreet here. Usually they are timed almost perfectly so they are all synchronized with each other and work at the same time and rate while cycling through red green and yellow. But a day last week they all somehow became out of sync completely and none worked with another causing back ups, not to mention the green was not as long as it normally is causing it to return to red too quickly, what caused the lights to do this?
I have seen a burnt out traffic light, near my apartment in Colorado.
I still see the old-style mechanical controls at some suburban/rural intersections that have lower traffic volumes. I suppose the traffic in these intersections is predictable enough that the newer computerized controls aren't needed.
OK, I see it now. I had to go to full-screen and squint. That is unusual, but if you type "mount pleasant and lawrence ave toronto" into google maps, the google-arrow points to about where the signals are. Notice that the main through-street has a major s-curve in it, and that there's a side street also right at the intersection. Then get out some toy cars, and draw the intersection, and explain it to me!
The "b-roll" crew chose that intersection because it was so interesting.
Great video.
I love this guy! Is he still around? I think his name is David.
Haha maybe. It would be cool to see one of these controllers in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) there aren't any left, and there basically are not many fully 8 inch signals, (only one left for vehicle signals). I'd love to see this guy in really life haha.
continuing from the last comment: the lights are fixed now however I noticed today one of the lights are not in sync with the rest and it is red while the rest are green and by the time that one is green the rest are red. Is it very common to have the lights become out of sync?
How do they set up a new set of traffic signals at an existing intersection?? How are the lights connected?? I don't see the road ripped up to run cables underneath, so how do they do it??
After a traffic pattern study is done by traffic engineers and the need for signals is required, the type, and quantity is ordered (it is not uncommon to have 20 traffic lights and pedestrian signals at one intersection).
Concrete footings for the poles are made, The signals are attached to the poles (and mast arms) on the ground, they are then hoisted on to the footings by crane, and bolted down. Wires are run through the concrete footings in electrical conduit. Those are then run to pull boxes (water proof) that will be buried underground later. The wires all end up at the cabinet on one side of the intersection.
The cabinet does not have a bottom (just sides, a back, and top), it is just a frame exposed. The cabinet sits on a concrete footing that has 5 or 6 1", 1.5", or 2" PVC conduits coming out of the concrete for the wires. All of the wires terminate to a load panel at the back of the controller. The conduit separates the wires into groups. For red yellow and green signals, pedestrian signals, loop detectors, pedestrian push buttons, neutral wires, luminaire wires, Opticom wiring, etc.
Vehicle loop detector wiring is added into 6x6' cuts made into the asphalt. They use a heavy duty saw with a diamond cutting blade. The wire is normally 14 AWG (looped a few times around the cut in the road) that receives inductance (a magnetic field) when energized (when the magnetic field is broken by a car, it tells the controller to service that car with a green light)
If this is an existing road they will just dig trenches to route wires, and patch it up. If it is new, everything but the vehicle loop detectors are added (that happens after the asphalt is pored and cured).
This is a VERY basic way to look at how it is done. Sometime go see if there is a new set of signals being installed near by. Go watch it. You'll be amazed by how it all comes together :-)
Awesome... Thanks so much!!!
Sure thing. I've been a collector of traffic lights, and the gear that makes them all work since 1999, and I learned a lot from actual traffic engineers.
kjemradio do you know who made these two signals
problably crouse hinds
what is the controller box called?
what are the switches, weels, called?
how big are the actual lights?
The big taffic light is 60 by 10
sprinkle
A smaller traffic light lens is 8 inches by 8 inches and the big ones are 12 inches by 12 inches. That is just without the housing though, these are big!
6:25 that dude ran a red light
one question, what happens if the power goes out? does it use it's battery then?
Looking for photo and data on "30"s"-"40'" traffic signal controller "RELAY" This was black, sealed in vacuum, old style bakelite, and 6 volts for the 6v auto bulbs used in traffic signal lights. Others have been looking also for years. These replacement ones were used pre solid state use. This was actually a 60 cycles AC vibrator, electromechanical , pivoting armature , dual coils with 6 sets contacts. Probably also used as old style RECTIFIER after the step down transformer in pole electrical . box. Please write back so I know you got this message.
Traffic lights here in the UK are much bigger than that... well the old ones are. A lot are LED too
we have two sizes
What I meant is, the second from the left signal changes from green to yellow to red but then the two bottom lights turn on. They look like polarized lights. Why did the signal perform that function?
"I've never seen a burned out traffic light"
Me: Laughs in Alabama.
I wonder if these traffic lights use timer/random cycles or do they use sensors to detect vehicular traffic
I was about to say that this is really old tech. Most of the stuff in my town has digital units in the box, at the busier intersections. The old intersections still go click like usual though.
Geez, this video is so old now. I remember when I commented on this video when it was new. It's probably on here somewhere.
Jordan found it yet?
never seen a burned out light? i seen a few and the new led ones seem to have a lot trouble too.
@10156gamer ,
The video was done around 1990, with borrowed equipment. I think it was all GE.
acmeschool this was you in the video?
Hi Wainthrop,
This video is from about 1991, and the mechanical boxes were dissappearing from the streets even back then.
What? Here in Pennsylvania I see burned out traffic lights all the time: D
happy "birthday" traffic-light ;) thanx to google which "reminds" me of that ;)
Thanx for this video!
Awesome video...mechanicals are neat but my knowledge is in the computerized systems.
But...
I want to see the blooper reel to this video! I'm sure there's quite a bit of "electrical pokes" pulling the cycle unit and cam drum out of the cabinet while it's live.
-Nick
I would like to know the interface spec for the manual control of these old signal controllers. I suspect every brand is different. I am referring to the plugin behind the key on the front panel. any help would be appreciated.
Often your City's engineering department has PDFs on this stuff found on the site of the town, or the State's DOT assuming you're in the USA
This is interesting, even though I think it's obsolete.
What is this done in like the 80s?
Oh wow, I just made a MIPS 8 BIT cpu and this reminds me of a Clock and each clock cycle is how the instructions are executed
Lou ferrigno is in the thumbnail. Lol 😂
I've never noticed a burned out traffic light in Toronto.
what kind are your signals
those Signals looked Pretty Light....are they Polycarbonate?...Nice Mechanical Controller!
Old GE short grooves all metal and glass
why come now they make the visors round all the time
Actually in Spain there are a lot of traffic lights with bulbs burn out so it's not new for me xD don't know why people here doesn't care much about that
Cool ! I seen a few around chicagos western suburbs
i wanna know where you got one of them?? #LOL
Where is the macbook pro?
is that Shooter Mcgavin?
Interesting, thanks!!!
whoo, when was this?
New York City still uses mechanical controllers and the synchronization is better than 99.9% of the computerized controllers I've seen. Plus there is something magical about that 'ka-chunk' sound.
what are the other switches for????
Other signals
what was this video taken in like the 70's cause when he was explaing all the way the box and the stuff works I was thinking I don't hear a clicking noise and I just see the picture quality and it looks old as hell and than we he said about new teachnology I thought ok that's how it is today
Great video!
so he didn't answer his original question though...who, and when r traffic light bulbs changed?
They've got to be computerized now haha
Actually, no, suprisingly
@@dumdum7786 they actually are I work for dot
They have been electronic since the mid-80s
I see them all the time before they swiched it to leds
great video
This guy must not be from Alabama, around here they blow all the time.
i got this big traffic light in my nana grage i go make flash useing realys and 3 555timer boards and one power suppy and one power card you thank it work
An Arduino can handle that.
My brother was born 2008
lol... this guy is so me...
hello from 2020
lol dat computer room
Nice
You open the yellow light
🚦🚦🚦🚦
make the traffic light run on solar power by the sun !!!!