Traffic Light Tutorial

Judging by the way people behave when they get to a traffic light, it may be time for a short tutorial. 

First, there are two basic types of traffic light. There is the timed light and the “On Demand.” Of course, there are numerous derivatives. 

The timed light just has a set time it goes by for each direction. These are usually at major intersections that have a lot of traffic both ways. In Austin, one such is at Lamar and Rundberg. So, the green light may last for 30 seconds each way, or may be 30 for the bigger of the two, and then 20 for the other. Have you ever seen a black hose stretched across the road? It is recording traffic and one of the things it's used for is to decide light timing (among other reasons). 

The On Demand light is a little trickier. It is based on if/when you get to the light. First though some terms. 

Most intersections have a thick white line painted across each of the lanes. I was taught that this line is called the “Threshold.” Recently I’ve learned that it is sometimes called a “Stop line.” I prefer Threshold. It demarcates where you are supposed to stop. Always get as close to it as possible, but don’t go over. I’ll get to that next. 

The Treadle

Buried under each lane at the intersection is what is called the “treadle.” Sometimes you can tell where it is because there are very thin cut lines in the pavement showing where it is buried. It is buried from the threshold to about 10 feet back. So,when you run over the threshold it lets the light know you are there. The On Demand light will soon change when you run over that treadle. 

This is why you must pull up to the threshold. If you don't and it's an On Demand light, you may be there for some time. I've seen this many times. A guy comes to the intersection at a left turn light, but is too far away from the threshold. Typically, the person gets mad because the light won’t change and so runs the light. 

Displaced threshold

Before I mention derivatives of the two lights, let me tell you why you see offset thresholds. This is a threshold that is typically in the left lane and it's set further back from the lane that goes straight. It is painted like this to accommodate turning traffic—especially buses and trucks. If you stop past the threshold it will make it very difficult for those vehicles to turn. It could also lead to your vehicle getting hit. So stop at the threshold/stop line.

A very common derivative of the above traffic lights is a “timed & On Demand” light. It is basically an On Demand light, but it will stay green on a timed sequence. So if you roll up to it, the light will change but stay green for only a short time. Sometimes the time gets extended if multiple cars run across the treadle. In other words, the light is informed that there is more traffic and so it should stay on longer.

We see this light most often at a major street that has a side street that intersects. The light will stay green for the main street and only change if someone pulls up across the treadle on the side street. Often it can take a while for the side street to change even if you have crossed the treadle because the major traffic flow has priority. 

Within the past few years, cities have begun to use a traffic light system that uses a camera to decide if it’s time to change. My experience with these is that it seems less reliable. I’m not sure if it’s because the camera is aimed wrong, has too narrow of a target field or if the software running it is sketchy. Or maybe I’m just going to the wrong intersections. Anyway, this seems to be the future.

So the bottom line of all of this is to be sure and pull up to the threshold/stop line. Then, cross your fingers that it’s not too long of a wait for the light to change.

Ahhh, James Thurber

For this tutorial, I didn't do extensive research, I just knew a lot of it because of my upbringing. My Dad was the City Engineer of a number of cities and so he would often impart knowledge about such things as we drove along. In other words, when other kids riding along with their Dad would get to stop someplace and get an ice cream cone, we would stop at a sewage treatment plant and go look around. Of course, this was years ago so I'm sure that some of the tutorial information has been changed or improved, but for the most part, from current observation, most of it is still present at today's traffic lights. We at The Thurber Brigade hope you enjoyed this little side step and rest assured, we'll get back to blogs about things like relationships, male/female behavior, politics, etc. real soon. Maybe. 

 

 

Police Reform—Part I

 

The days when you could stroll down your neighborhood street and smile and wave to that friendly Sheriff Andy Taylor have long passed. Society has changed much from those simpler times. However, although society has adjusted to a changing world, most police departments still cling to the beliefs, ideals and policies more appropriate for the 1950s.

The result of this lack of change in police culture (their weapons have changed) has resulted in a growing trend of violence toward average citizens. Because of better methods of recording events it may seem like this behavior is new, but it has been going on for some time. In the 1990s, I began work on a book about police violence and corruption, but abandoned the project when I couldn’t find a publisher. To read the article the research generated visit Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Therefore, the following is Part I of how to enhance our police departments and make them not only more efficient, but also make them a welcome part of the community rather than a feared enforcement army.

Traffic Tower-1920 (source: National Museum of American History)

Part I—Remove traffic enforcement from police departments

Imagine you are a young inspired person who wants to help protect society from those who might wish to do it harm. You go through a month-long (or longer) regimen of training and hit the streets as a newly minted crime fighter. The first evil villain to cross your path? An elderly woman with a burned out tail light.

That’s right, you must spend the bulk of your time enforcing rules about cars. We don’t send the police out to arrest a person who has a tree in their yard that is about to fall on a neighbor's house; we don’t send police to nab a butcher who sells moldy hamburger; we don’t call out a swat team to track down an owner of a business that has a gas leak that fouls the drinking water. We do send police to fine someone who has a problem with his/her car and send other city agencies for those other offenders.

Historically, police got handed traffic enforcement because cities either didn’t know who to give the responsibility to or didn’t want to spend the money to make a department that handled only that part of the law.

Did you know that although New York began registering some cars as early as 1901, it wasn’t until around 1935 that a majority of the states required driver’s licenses?  Often, you could get a license without taking a test. For example, in California they required a license beginning in 1913, but didn’t require a test for it until 1927. Connecticut enacted first speed limit in 1901, but many states didn’t have a limit until the 1930s. In other words, traffic enforcement didn't become standardized until later.

No one really knew for sure what to do with this new problem that cropped up: increased car traffic. So they gave the job to the people with nightsticks who really only wanted to go after murderers, bank robbers or other violent types.

The problem with police traffic stops is that people perceive them as threatening. For example, recent television ads in Texas show people freaking out when they notice the police in the rear view mirror.

Sure, it's upsetting to get a ticket since it costs money, but when that ticket comes from someone who is wearing a Gestopo-style black uniform and armed to the teeth, well, it makes the situation very tense.

So the way to improve this situation is to establish a city department that handles only traffic enforcement and allow police departments to handle real crime (Police Reform—Part II)

The name of this department could be anything from “Traffic Enforcement” to “Department of Transportation Control.” Anything except something with the word “police” in the title. The idea would be to strongly differentiate the two and to make this department as non-threatening as possible. Although enforcing the rules will result in a cost to the person who violates them, the attitude citizens should have toward the people doing this work should be similar to a meter reader who can cause your electric bill to go up.

Below are some points of consideration about this new department.

Ideas for the new Traffic Enforcement Department

• The uniforms should be non-threatening. No weapons; maybe polo shirts instead of starched, black button-downs; a color that stands out so it is easier for the public to find them in a crowd in case they are needed; equipment to carry includes an iPad or some handheld device to record violations and take pictures--but no weapons.

• They would log the violation into a database that would mail a notice to the violator. They could give a ticket to the actual person driving, but it’s only as a courtesy and only if it can be done in a non-threatening manner. The owner of the vehicle still gets a mail notice.

 Handheld device for tickets

• This brings up an important point too. The “ticket” is always assigned to the owner of the vehicle. In other words if Dad lets his favorite son drive the car to the prom, if the son runs a red light, Dad will have to pay for the violation. This will make reporting car thefts all the more important. If the traffic enforcer (TE) discovers the car has been reported stolen, then the TE calls the police to give the information. Because the ticket is given to the owner, the person does not need to present ID because the TE already knows the owner's name (it is called vehicle registration).

• No-chase policy for speeders. Ticket does not need to be given if the TE is worried about confrontation. If not given in person, the mail notice is still utilized. The violator would be logged in and a phone message would go to the speeder IMMEDIATELY warning them to stop as well as notice of violation. If driver is discovered still speeding at a further point (first contact would warn next TE further ahead) a second violation logged and the TE would go to the car owner's address and find out if there was a reason for this violation (needed to go to hospital, etc.). If not, the car will be “booted” until the traffic violation is paid. To help promote safety have a way for citizens to report speeders anonymously. This notice would alert a TE who would try to verify it (i.e. go to a spot ahead of speeder) and then log in violation. The payment for speeding violations is different than others (see below) as this violation may be a bigger threat to safety of other motorists. It should be noted that if police are chasing someone (bank robber, etc.) it should be reported so that the TE could assist in reporting locations (but not chasing).

• Traffic violations would be added on to the county tax bill for vehicle registration. In other words, the person doesn't have to pay right away, but can in order to keep future bill down.

• No warrant for nonpayment. Many cities have been resorting to a form of debtor's prison concept to get outstanding violations. This country was founded by people who wanted to get away from that odious concept, so we need to avoid it completely.

• The way around the above is this: when the tax bill is due, if the person involved can’t make any payment (there should be a way to have partial payments) the car is booted. If after a set time (two months, etc.) the car is impounded. After six months car is sold for payment. During this time the owner’s license is also suspended.

• Somehow, this bill should follow the person. i.e. if the person moves to another state that state will collect it. Maybe get a percentage.

• The only time police are called into action are cases where it is determined the driving might cause public harm. It should be a joint effort between TE and police to try and de-escalate situation. For example if they discover a drunk driver, car is booted until fine is paid, driver taken home, include mandatory AA-type class.

• Drivers may appeal a violation by going before a panel. The panel would be comprised of half city employees (traffic enforcement administrators, not TE who give out tickets) and half volunteer citizens. These citizens would have to meet certain standards such as be a city taxpayer, no outstanding tickets, etc.).

• Two biggest factors in all of this are that police are not involved and it needs to be a non-threatening service. This is a big change so there would need to be some form of transition plan, such as the police could ride along at beginning of this transition, sort of as backup, but would not approach vehicle.

• Too many cities see tickets as a revenue stream, but claim these tickets are all about public safety. Traffic enforcement needs to really be about safety and if city needs more revenue, they need to seek it other ways that are less threatening and punishing.

Summation

This part of Police Reform would be a major step and would not only change the structure of the department, but would also change the attitude and behavior of those involved. To many people—both police and civilians—traffic violations seem like a major offense. Because of this we see police pull speeders out of cars and beat them, we also see civilians attack police during a traffic stop. If we change the nature of traffic enforcement it would reduce and eventually eliminate these types of confrontations. Making this change would allow police to do the job they thought they were hired to do: fight real crime.

Part II will explore the next step in police reform, including whom we hire to police us as well as the way the police should function as a crime unit.

 Ahhh, James Thurber

This isn't a usual Thurber Brigade sidestep.  Although definitely not a relationship-related blog, this article is not included because of some big issue that loomed (ie another mass shooting).  This has been published because this article appeared as a HUB Page for years, but they decided it didn't have enough readers to keep active.  I thought it an important enough issue that it should still be floating around the internet.  Police Reform— PART II still shows up as a HUB page and I encourage you to read it as it's pretty controversial (disarm half the police? Yeah, it is).  Eventually, you may see it too at The Thurber Brigade.

Baby, You Can Drive My Car

It had to happen. If you blog about men and women you invariably are going to talk about driving. We so often hear about how women hate riding with men, and men have been mumbling under their breath for years about women drivers (they don't dare say it aloud if they want to maintain sexual relations). So since I don't want to avoid it any longer let me broach the subject.

For centuries women have complained that men will never ask directions. 

 This was probably even true back in the Wild West:

"Homer, why don't you pull this wagon train over and ask that man with the painted face which way to go to find Oregon?"

"Now Mable, I know exactly where we're headed. We just head to the left of that cactus and straight on for two days and we'll be sipping cool water from the Columbia."

This is of course how white men discovered Utah.

Men have just the opposite feeling about women driving. Women are hopelessly indecisive. We guys know that if we come to a four-way stop and our opponent to the right is female, that no matter if she has the right of way, we will go first. This is because if we pause she will just sit there, frozen with fear that it might not be her turn and not sure what to do next. I remember one time walking to a corner and I observed one female wait for three drivers to go before she finally took her turn. And she had arrived at the intersection first!

 This indecisiveness is also played out in their decisions about speed. While men are prone to push a speed limit, usually driving five miles over it, women will do the opposite and go five miles under it--at a minimum. This is because they are so sure that if they do drive the speed limit, no matter how slow, if they go too fast they will surely miss their turn.

Now, I admit I have run into one or two women who like to go fast. However, they can't completely overcome their female habits and in situations they are not comfortable with, will invariably slow down. For example, say they are in the middle of three lanes and encounter two semi's in the other two lanes going the same speed. A male would liken this to football and see himself as a running back finding a big hole. He'd push the peddle to the metal and blitz between the two behemoths.

A female on the other hand is likely to either slow down and get behind one of them, or grip the wheel tightly and gently ease between the two trucks. She'd eventually emerge on the other side within five minutes and if there's been no other obstacle, resume her faster speed.

However, what really drives me crazy with indecisive women drivers is at traffic lights. The worst case is the Latent Signaler.  This is the woman who won't turn on her turn signal until she is actually making the turn. 

For example, say you are approaching a red light on a four-lane street. A car is stopped in the left lane, but not signaling. You plan to go straight and thinking the driver ahead is doing the same, will ease in behind. Suddenly you realize the error as you notice it's a female, but now it's too late to get in the right lane because it's packed.

The light changes and she immediately turns on her turn signal just as she starts her turn. She won't turn until it's absolutely clear, so even the only opponent is a guy waiting to turn opposite her (in other words, safe for her to turn) she will wait until he turns and then make her turn. You will invariably miss the light and have to waist through the next cycle.

The Creeper really drives me bonkers. This one always befuddles me, as I can't understand the logic behind the action. Basically what happens is the female comes to a stop at a red light well behind the driver ahead. 

She will then slowly creep forward. So if you are stuck behind her your choices are to put your car in gear and creep ahead too (invoking the wrath of the drivers behind you) or stay put which will create a gigantic gap and either inspire a person in the next lane to pull into it, or also engendering the wrath of those behind for not keeping a proper space. My guess on why women do this is again their indecisiveness. They are afraid of getting to close as they might be about to miss a turn they didn't realize, or maybe they are afraid they will offend the driver ahead if the get too close. No matter, it drives us guys crazy as we slowly inch forward at a red. Just pull up and stop!

This only begins to touch the surface of the driving techniques of females vs. those of men, so it may require a part two if I decide the Brigade needs to veer this way again. This is after all, one of the major battlefields in The War BetweenMen and Women.

She can drive my car.

(come on, you knew I was going to use at least one picture of a scantily-clad female)