I have had an idea about a new traffic signalling device which could be used instead of regular traffic lights.
If we remove all traffic lights then it has been pointed out that there may be places where one road always takes priority over another. This device should be able to solve that while being as un-controlling as possible.
It is based on something I saw in Spain. I don't know how the one in Spain was meant to work, but it may be the same as mine.
It would have three lights. From top to bottom it would be:
- Red.
- Amber.
- Amber.
Phases and their meanings:
- Centre amber: stop unless unsafe.
- Red. Stop.
- Bottom and middle amber lights flashing alternately: you are allowed to go, but you do not have priority. (same meaning as if the lights weren't there)
The last phase could be replaced with only a flashing bottom amber in order to use less power, but that may already have other (similar but not the same) meanings around the world.
Normally all sides would get the flashing ambers. If one side started to dominate the traffic flow then that side could get a red light for a little while to allow the other sides to get through.
It would be possible to detect traffic flow using sensors before the junction, and at the stop line so you can tell when traffic approaches and when it gets into the junction. (would be nice if these detected bikes
)
It must, of course, be assumed that these sensors can and will fail, and they should be monitored and logged so that any unusual pattern can have the sensors checked out.
It might also be useful if there were small lights on the back of each signal head, so you can see when the other traffic has a red light.