I for the most part just kind of fell into it. My dad started working at a traffic place as their electrician and they were hiring people with class A CDLs, which I have. Started here with no experience in electrical (other than what my father taught me) and just had experience in concrete demolition, everything was on the job training. They paid for me to get advanced MOT, IMSA level 1 then level 2 field and some other certs. Been doing it for about 4 years now and I love it. It’s nice to wake up in the morning and not hate driving to work. Also starting to learn more of the ITS side now
Since you are the only guy on youtube who is a traffic technician, I suggest you market your channel some more, so for all the traffic tech community can be subbed here and exchange all their experiences and exchange information.very nice information.keep it up.I myself am doing what you are and climbed to it the same way.Cheers mate...
I will never monetize my channel but I will always try to keep it together and open for everyone to share. I am a public employee and everything that I know should be readily available for anyone interested in the topic. I encourage folks to engage in discussions here but also there is a group on Facebook called traffic signal technicians and many people comment and discuss there as well.
@@trafficsignalstraining7673 Very noble thoughts mate, that's the best way to improve the system through knowledge exchanges. I'd love to join the group on Facebook.Cheers mate. Have a blessed day...
@@grouchydropbear3981 Will you be able to exchange some documents on Ngen personality writing software for ATC controllers. Pacific island countries depend on Australia for traffic equipments and there really is not as much open sources available, unlike for USA, documents are readily accessible for USA fraternity for any particular fields, my 2 cents!, that's why I think USA is the Number 1 country in the world because of knowledge sharing, any help would be appreciated.Thanks
I'm currently a residential eletrician, I went to trade school and I really enjoyed working with motor/lighting controls. In some of the custom houses I worked in they have a type lighting control. I just applied to a traffic technician trainee position hopefully I can get in 🤞
I just wanted to thank you for all the great advice. I got 20 units of electronic courses and got my IMSA certificates. Now I’m an Assistant Traffic Signal Tech in California. I always return onto your channel and watch all your videos before an exam. I’m testing for a technician position next month so hopefully I do well. Thanks again I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Thank you so much for the encouragement I've sort of neglected the channel over the past year for all sorts of reasons. It is really nice to hear comments from the community.
@@trafficsignalstraining7673 I left the county and now I’m at the city of Saint Petersburg florida. I hope you will continue to make videos. What we do is different and I love seeing people who do what we do!!
Most require you to certify with the IMSA before you get hired, or do it in a certain timeframe (typically 90 days you need to have your Level 1 TST cert). Also there are many who collect retired (and sometimes new) traffic signals, cabinet gear, loop detectors etc. THAT is some of the best hands on training you can get. I mean what better way than owning the gear is there to learn how it works? I am one who has collected retired signals and learned how they work, how the controllers work (mainly NEMA TS1), and so on.
I work for LaDOTD as a Electronic Tech. Been there for almost 13 years. We deal with mostly Trafficware which is Cubic now but use alot of Econolite camera systems
i applied 2 weeks ago and I finally got a call today for an interview from the city government. I hope this is what i really like. I got electronic experience from former jobs that taught me alot about electronic components. There isnt anymore electronic technician jobs around here due to leaving and going over seas. This job sort of falls somewhat in my catagory.
I got all the experience you said, my hall always look for IMSA certification , nobody have them, so we have nobody to install those equipment for the county, because the county Technician don't intalled them but maintain and repair only as you said.
You can go to international municipal signals association and study and take the exams to start receiving certification level 1 without any experience whatsoever.
I'm working/training as an installer now in the U.K. I was working freelance as a lighting engineer in live events for 15 years until just over a year ago Covid wiped the industry out. I'm applying myself and doing good for a rookie but always hungry to learn more and better myself to fast track my progress, with a bacground in lighting programming I'm keen to learn tbe cintrollers inside out, get good at faults and even writing configs. I realise you have to walk before you can run but I think starting on install gives a good foundation to build on. I'll be checking out your other vids 👍thanks
@@Seb512hey seb, how’s it all going with you? You still in the game? it went great thanks I got really stuck in and learned it all pretty much inside out. I went from trainee installer to senior in under 18 months, there were a lot of cross over skills from previous experience but I really applied myself. An old client from my freelance days tempted me away however with an off tools longer term offer as a production manager in live events and the money doubled so it was a no brainer with my young family in mind. I really do miss it and I’d rather be doing traffic still but family first. I have a whole trade and skill set to fall back on and the door is always open for me due to contacts made and the fact I was told as much when I left as I didn’t down tools once I’d handed in my notice. In fact on my last day after handing over my tools and Van they allowed me to keep the clothes on my back and head out to help the guys onsite. It’s a fantastic job but it’s a shame that it feels like it’s a race to the bottom in terms of the tenders so it’s hard to earn a lot and it feels like the guys on the front line are undervalued on a corporate level with too many pen pushers on far better money Not sure how it all works/how it’s funded over there but here it’s all privatised and each city/municipality chooses who wins the contract for maintenance and installs and sadly the lowest bidder wins every time and front line pay for it in work and low pay.
Does working as a traffic signal technician count towards apprentice electrician hours? I'm a residential electrician, non union and was shown a job posting for an associate traffic signal technician.
When I started working on signals 15+ years ago, I was an electronics tech with 15+ years experience. The men that trained me said that there is no such thing as a signal tech that hasn't been working on signals for at least 5 years. Up to that point, you're still a trainee with electrician or electronic experience... :) My employer quit hosting the IMSA classes due to budget problems, so didn't require us to have the certifications. I never thought about it being a group I could join, I just assumed it was a 'government standard' published so that workers would have 'minimal knowledge' to be able to do the job safely. I've worked with CalTran and NEMA cabinets and the department was just getting into TS2 controllers, if I remember correctly, when I had to leave due to a major back problem. Old inductive detection and set timing to newest video detection. But I have a question for any signal techs. Have any of you realized that the CalTran standard is hazardous to the public?
Most of the CalTrans stuff isn't in our spec (thank goodness) One thing I hate about 332's is that diodes are cut on the program card for the conflict monitor to allow phases to run together. What happens when a diode blows because of a surge?
Yes, that's *exactly* the issue I pointed out to the engineer that *specced the CalTran system* as the only one we would be installing in the future. His response 'My professor in Traffic Signals said this is the best system out there. This is what we're using.' I had previously pointed out the heat issues on the 170E controller and was told 'this is the equipment we are using because the engineer says it's the best.' Several years later, during a major heat wave, we had call after call for 'signals malfunctioning' and finally figured out that the controllers were overheating and 'doing screwball things'. Thank you for the work you do. I know what it's like and the issues you can run into. Be safe! Prayers for you, brother.
I work for CalTrans in Southern California, the 170 would have heat issues, but very rare for it, the best part about the 170 is when a cabinet got hit or knocked down the controller typically still worked. The diode issue, I never had the passage diode blown, never heard of one ever going. But if there was an electrical surge, which I’ve seen utility lines melt our cabinets, lightning strike it.. but, the 302 surge always held up, before that we used gas resisters that would never fail to save the unit. I was informed a while back most state DOT use CalTrans standards and models. True or not I don’t know. But our equipment runs in the extreme heat of the deserts to the freeze of the northern mountains. Best? Probably not, but effective and safe defiantly.
@@jamesdokken2142 - I am in Tulsa, OK. We had a week of temps 111 plus several years ago and the 170s were malfunctioning all over town. One location showed 169 temp inside the cabinet. One I laid my bare hand on top of the controller and took 'no time' to get my hand off of it it was so hot.
Depends alot on the amount of signals that the organization maintains. A small municipality may have only 10 signals they maintain vs. a larger city may have 1000. (More likelyhood that a signal may malfuction)
I've been working in the traffic signal industry/trade now for about 7-8 months. I've been studying for Advanced MOT, MUTCD and a level 1 tech hand book as well as everything else I can get my hands on. However my company flat out refuses to send me to get my certifications until the 1 year mark that I've been with the company and im unable to take the time off to get certified myself without becoming unemployed. Any idea's or tips to get certified faster would be very much appreciated.
Absolutely, I would recommend you take the level I test and join your local IMSA. Your local IMSA will hold regular meetings and you can pay and certify yourself. Once you've gained strong knowledge and certifications to back it up you shouldn't have a problem finding places to work that will take pride in your drive to teach yourself and want to learn. If the company won't pay for your certs, do it yourself. It's cheap for the weight it holds on a resume.
Any chance you can show us how to upload/download timing on an econolite cobalt or ASC/3 via Ethernet and centracs? Having so much trouble configuring the settings to get this to work in the field.
I would love to make this video I really would. I will do my damndest to film something but it's been really difficult lately because I have been extremely spreading at work. I'm also dealing with illness in the family so as soon as I can get back to making videos I certainly will address this one.
We have several different cabinets installed in my territory. Presently most of our new TS2-type 2 cabinets are McCain or Western Systems but we have many older ones from IDC, Econolite and Quixote.
Sir i am a trafic signal techinician . working in pakistan trafic signal installation repair wiring dp installation allover working related trafic signal please guid me how i can get traffic signal complainer or techinician job any out of country ....
I have no experience No certification in this field but i am highly interested in applying,I also got a reference to call and apply...what should i do?
Really, you don't. 13+ years as a signal tech and you'd be MUCH BETTER to go as either an electrician or an engineer. The hours can be horrendously long in 'a major event'. The work is hazardous, fatiguing, and demanding.
Jim Roberts lol I’m an intelligent transportation systems electrician and we’re in charge of installing the underground conduit, wire, traffic signals, poles, street lighting, pull boxes,street signs, controller cabinets and service cabinets. You guys don’t do anything hazardous, fatiguing or demanding compared to us.
Uhm... yeah, keep telling yourself that... I've done everything you named except street signs (except for the occasional 1 I had to hang because it was on a pedestal signal) plus dealing with HAZARDS of 480v highway lighting when a wreck took down a pole or sign, rain, sleet, snow, or shine. As for fatiguing, how many times have you worked 24+ hours straight? Worked 12 on 12 off for 10 days straight due to a major ice storm? Not trying to start a pissing contest, but I have seen a LOT in the 13 years I worked on signals including a wreck where the guy bled out and was dead several hours before anyone noticed and called 911...
@eric rodriguez - I would suggest either or both an Assoc degree in electronics tech (or tech school diploma) and a journeyman electrician license. The license takes longer to get, but you can actually be earning a living while getting the apprentice hours to be able to take the test for the journeyman's license. I got my Assoc degree in Electronics Engineering Tech in just under 2 years, but it cost me for the tuition, books, lab fees, etc. Depending on your age, inclination, and availability of funds, you'd have to make the choice. I will warn you, I've met quite a few electricians and many of them aren't the sharpest tools in the shed... I had to deal with that multiple times where my education taught me things they didn't know and I had to over-rule them on what was going to be done.
I for the most part just kind of fell into it. My dad started working at a traffic place as their electrician and they were hiring people with class A CDLs, which I have. Started here with no experience in electrical (other than what my father taught me) and just had experience in concrete demolition, everything was on the job training. They paid for me to get advanced MOT, IMSA level 1 then level 2 field and some other certs. Been doing it for about 4 years now and I love it. It’s nice to wake up in the morning and not hate driving to work. Also starting to learn more of the ITS side now
Since you are the only guy on youtube who is a traffic technician, I suggest you market your channel some more, so for all the traffic tech community can be subbed here and exchange all their experiences and exchange information.very nice information.keep it up.I myself am doing what you are and climbed to it the same way.Cheers mate...
I will never monetize my channel but I will always try to keep it together and open for everyone to share. I am a public employee and everything that I know should be readily available for anyone interested in the topic.
I encourage folks to engage in discussions here but also there is a group on Facebook called traffic signal technicians and many people comment and discuss there as well.
@@trafficsignalstraining7673 Very noble thoughts mate, that's the best way to improve the system through knowledge exchanges. I'd love to join the group on Facebook.Cheers mate. Have a blessed day...
Uhhhhhh.....holds hand up. I was a traffic signal technician for over 25 years! Went from hands-on novice to a very good technician......very good!
@@grouchydropbear3981 Will you be able to exchange some documents on Ngen personality writing software for ATC controllers. Pacific island countries depend on Australia for traffic equipments and there really is not as much open sources available, unlike for USA, documents are readily accessible for USA fraternity for any particular fields, my 2 cents!, that's why I think USA is the Number 1 country in the world because of knowledge sharing, any help would be appreciated.Thanks
I'm currently a residential eletrician, I went to trade school and I really enjoyed working with motor/lighting controls. In some of the custom houses I worked in they have a type lighting control. I just applied to a traffic technician trainee position hopefully I can get in 🤞
Good Luck! It sounds like you would be a great fit.
I just wanted to thank you for all the great advice. I got 20 units of electronic courses and got my IMSA certificates. Now I’m an Assistant Traffic Signal Tech in California. I always return onto your channel and watch all your videos before an exam. I’m testing for a technician position next month so hopefully I do well. Thanks again I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
This is fantastic news!
Been doing for 6 years and I work for PINELLAS County. I started in construction and applied and moved up. I love it!! Love your videos!!
Thank you so much for the encouragement I've sort of neglected the channel over the past year for all sorts of reasons. It is really nice to hear comments from the community.
@@trafficsignalstraining7673 I left the county and now I’m at the city of Saint Petersburg florida. I hope you will continue to make videos. What we do is different and I love seeing people who do what we do!!
Thx so much for your information 😊
Most require you to certify with the IMSA before you get hired, or do it in a certain timeframe (typically 90 days you need to have your Level 1 TST cert). Also there are many who collect retired (and sometimes new) traffic signals, cabinet gear, loop detectors etc. THAT is some of the best hands on training you can get. I mean what better way than owning the gear is there to learn how it works? I am one who has collected retired signals and learned how they work, how the controllers work (mainly NEMA TS1), and so on.
Many municipalities may require you hold certifications through IMSA, but most public agencies will pay for you to take those tests.
I work for LaDOTD as a Electronic Tech. Been there for almost 13 years. We deal with mostly Trafficware which is Cubic now but use alot of Econolite camera systems
Nice!
Thanks man. I have an interview scheduled, let's see how it goes. Which county you work for? Im in Broward
i applied 2 weeks ago and I finally got a call today for an interview from the city government. I hope this is what i really like. I got electronic experience from former jobs that taught me alot about electronic components. There isnt anymore electronic technician jobs around here due to leaving and going over seas. This job sort of falls somewhat in my catagory.
Good Luck! I hope you land it!
@@trafficsignalstraining7673 my interview is today and we will see how it goes.
I should be getting in the traffic signal department in july (unless the Corona virus slows down hiring) and i am so excited. Good luck to you!
I got all the experience you said, my hall always look for IMSA certification , nobody have them, so we have nobody to install those equipment for the county, because the county Technician don't intalled them but maintain and repair only as you said.
You can go to international municipal signals association and study and take the exams to start receiving certification level 1 without any experience whatsoever.
I'm working/training as an installer now in the U.K. I was working freelance as a lighting engineer in live events for 15 years until just over a year ago Covid wiped the industry out. I'm applying myself and doing good for a rookie but always hungry to learn more and better myself to fast track my progress, with a bacground in lighting programming I'm keen to learn tbe cintrollers inside out, get good at faults and even writing configs. I realise you have to walk before you can run but I think starting on install gives a good foundation to build on. I'll be checking out your other vids 👍thanks
How's it been going?
@@Seb512hey seb, how’s it all going with you? You still in the game? it went great thanks I got really stuck in and learned it all pretty much inside out. I went from trainee installer to senior in under 18 months, there were a lot of cross over skills from previous experience but I really applied myself. An old client from my freelance days tempted me away however with an off tools longer term offer as a production manager in live events and the money doubled so it was a no brainer with my young family in mind. I really do miss it and I’d rather be doing traffic still but family first. I have a whole trade and skill set to fall back on and the door is always open for me due to contacts made and the fact I was told as much when I left as I didn’t down tools once I’d handed in my notice. In fact on my last day after handing over my tools and Van they allowed me to keep the clothes on my back and head out to help the guys onsite.
It’s a fantastic job but it’s a shame that it feels like it’s a race to the bottom in terms of the tenders so it’s hard to earn a lot and it feels like the guys on the front line are undervalued on a corporate level with too many pen pushers on far better money
Not sure how it all works/how it’s funded over there but here it’s all privatised and each city/municipality chooses who wins the contract for maintenance and installs and sadly the lowest bidder wins every time and front line pay for it in work and low pay.
@@lymskiUK Thanks for the update - council's do indeed suck, but glad to hear that you've landed a more stable job in the production industry
I got into signals by starting in Signs and Markings and then working my way up.
same here bro!!!
@@adamjay2ndward did you take IMSA classes for your certificates?
Do the signal equipment distributors hold training seminars there in Washington?
What can I expect for SIGNAL TECH LEVEL III test? Any pointers on what I can study in preparation? I can’t find anything on TH-cam lol
Does working as a traffic signal technician count towards apprentice electrician hours? I'm a residential electrician, non union and was shown a job posting for an associate traffic signal technician.
How do you become a member of the Association and what do you need?
When I started working on signals 15+ years ago, I was an electronics tech with 15+ years experience. The men that trained me said that there is no such thing as a signal tech that hasn't been working on signals for at least 5 years. Up to that point, you're still a trainee with electrician or electronic experience... :)
My employer quit hosting the IMSA classes due to budget problems, so didn't require us to have the certifications. I never thought about it being a group I could join, I just assumed it was a 'government standard' published so that workers would have 'minimal knowledge' to be able to do the job safely.
I've worked with CalTran and NEMA cabinets and the department was just getting into TS2 controllers, if I remember correctly, when I had to leave due to a major back problem. Old inductive detection and set timing to newest video detection.
But I have a question for any signal techs. Have any of you realized that the CalTran standard is hazardous to the public?
Most of the CalTrans stuff isn't in our spec (thank goodness) One thing I hate about 332's is that diodes are cut on the program card for the conflict monitor to allow phases to run together. What happens when a diode blows because of a surge?
Yes, that's *exactly* the issue I pointed out to the engineer that *specced the CalTran system* as the only one we would be installing in the future. His response 'My professor in Traffic Signals said this is the best system out there. This is what we're using.'
I had previously pointed out the heat issues on the 170E controller and was told 'this is the equipment we are using because the engineer says it's the best.' Several years later, during a major heat wave, we had call after call for 'signals malfunctioning' and finally figured out that the controllers were overheating and 'doing screwball things'.
Thank you for the work you do. I know what it's like and the issues you can run into. Be safe! Prayers for you, brother.
I work for CalTrans in Southern California, the 170 would have heat issues, but very rare for it, the best part about the 170 is when a cabinet got hit or knocked down the controller typically still worked. The diode issue, I never had the passage diode blown, never heard of one ever going. But if there was an electrical surge, which I’ve seen utility lines melt our cabinets, lightning strike it.. but, the 302 surge always held up, before that we used gas resisters that would never fail to save the unit. I was informed a while back most state DOT use CalTrans standards and models. True or not I don’t know. But our equipment runs in the extreme heat of the deserts to the freeze of the northern mountains. Best? Probably not, but effective and safe defiantly.
@@jamesdokken2142 - I am in Tulsa, OK. We had a week of temps 111 plus several years ago and the 170s were malfunctioning all over town. One location showed 169 temp inside the cabinet. One I laid my bare hand on top of the controller and took 'no time' to get my hand off of it it was so hot.
What is pay like? Is there alot of OT. I have an interview and really looking forward to it.
Depends alot on the amount of signals that the organization maintains. A small municipality may have only 10 signals they maintain vs. a larger city may have 1000. (More likelyhood that a signal may malfuction)
I've been working in the traffic signal industry/trade now for about 7-8 months. I've been studying for Advanced MOT, MUTCD and a level 1 tech hand book as well as everything else I can get my hands on. However my company flat out refuses to send me to get my certifications until the 1 year mark that I've been with the company and im unable to take the time off to get certified myself without becoming unemployed. Any idea's or tips to get certified faster would be very much appreciated.
Absolutely, I would recommend you take the level I test and join your local IMSA. Your local IMSA will hold regular meetings and you can pay and certify yourself. Once you've gained strong knowledge and certifications to back it up you shouldn't have a problem finding places to work that will take pride in your drive to teach yourself and want to learn. If the company won't pay for your certs, do it yourself. It's cheap for the weight it holds on a resume.
@@trafficsignalstraining7673 awesome, thank you for the tips have a great day and thanks for taking the time to make awesome vids.
Any chance you can show us how to upload/download timing on an econolite cobalt or ASC/3 via Ethernet and centracs?
Having so much trouble configuring the settings to get this to work in the field.
I would love to make this video I really would. I will do my damndest to film something but it's been really difficult lately because I have been extremely spreading at work. I'm also dealing with illness in the family so as soon as I can get back to making videos I certainly will address this one.
Can you make a video explaining how to terminate a traffic signal pole ? Started with a traffic signal company and trying to learn as fast as possible
Well it depends on the pole, the type of signal heads, if there is a terminal can, if there's left turns etc.
What manufacturer of cabinet and controller do you work with ?
We have several different cabinets installed in my territory. Presently most of our new TS2-type 2 cabinets are McCain or Western Systems but we have many older ones from IDC, Econolite and Quixote.
I have a project I’m doing where I need a traffic signal technician do you know how I can contact someone
So you would need some type of experience in the electrical field?.
check out traffic signal soulutions and lessions
Sir i am a trafic signal techinician . working in pakistan trafic signal installation repair wiring dp installation allover working related trafic signal please guid me how i can get traffic signal complainer or techinician job any out of country ....
I have no experience No certification in this field but i am highly interested in applying,I also got a reference to call and apply...what should i do?
Apply, you miss every shot you don't take.
Any way that one can contact you for private talk ?
Potential
interesting
The info you gave could have been condensed into a green light short but noooo you had to be the red light
I watching this video cause someone drunk just hit traffic signal controller).
It happens very often! Sometimes I wonder if it weren't for drunk drivers we would not be so busy.
I'd like to be a traffic technician
Really, you don't.
13+ years as a signal tech and you'd be MUCH BETTER to go as either an electrician or an engineer.
The hours can be horrendously long in 'a major event'. The work is hazardous, fatiguing, and demanding.
Jim Roberts lol I’m an intelligent transportation systems electrician and we’re in charge of installing the underground conduit, wire, traffic signals, poles, street lighting, pull boxes,street signs, controller cabinets and service cabinets. You guys don’t do anything hazardous, fatiguing or demanding compared to us.
Uhm... yeah, keep telling yourself that...
I've done everything you named except street signs (except for the occasional 1 I had to hang because it was on a pedestal signal) plus dealing with HAZARDS of 480v highway lighting when a wreck took down a pole or sign, rain, sleet, snow, or shine.
As for fatiguing, how many times have you worked 24+ hours straight? Worked 12 on 12 off for 10 days straight due to a major ice storm?
Not trying to start a pissing contest, but I have seen a LOT in the 13 years I worked on signals including a wreck where the guy bled out and was dead several hours before anyone noticed and called 911...
@@jimroberts2647 what would be my primarily #1 step to becoming a Traffic control tech?
@eric rodriguez - I would suggest either or both an Assoc degree in electronics tech (or tech school diploma) and a journeyman electrician license. The license takes longer to get, but you can actually be earning a living while getting the apprentice hours to be able to take the test for the journeyman's license. I got my Assoc degree in Electronics Engineering Tech in just under 2 years, but it cost me for the tuition, books, lab fees, etc.
Depending on your age, inclination, and availability of funds, you'd have to make the choice. I will warn you, I've met quite a few electricians and many of them aren't the sharpest tools in the shed... I had to deal with that multiple times where my education taught me things they didn't know and I had to over-rule them on what was going to be done.
Hmmm I wonder if they hire CDL holders