Anyone palyed around with Traffic Signal changers?

CoCa · 02-22-2005, 03:41 AM

I guess they are called MIRT and have been for sale online for some time now. Anyone have experience with these? Are they really that effective?

WebDog · 02-22-2005, 12:22 PM

I wonder about the legalitys about using that device lol.

Quote:

Any other direction that also has a green light (usually the opposite direction) will first get a yellow light, then red.

mgithens · 02-22-2005, 12:29 PM

yeah, legality wise they are one of those "do not pass go" times of your life...

but as far as how the device works it basically is just a strobe light that pulses to a certain timing... I read an article a long time ago that suggested just setting up a video camera and doing a frame by frame count to figure out the timings... and then just build a $2 circuit (555 timer) with a $4 strobe...
#1... you will be noticed for using it, it will be a bright strobe flash shining forward...
#2... cities that have the light changers installed probably have cameras setup at some intersections (if not all major), so you will be recorded...

so just don't be shocked if this backfires... but otherwise, HAVE FUN!!

lostreception · 02-22-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mgithens

yeah, legality wise they are one of those "do not pass go" times of your life...

but as far as how the device works it basically is just a strobe light that pulses to a certain timing... I read an article a long time ago that suggested just setting up a video camera and doing a frame by frame count to figure out the timings... and then just build a $2 circuit (555 timer) with a $4 strobe...
#1... you will be noticed for using it, it will be a bright strobe flash shining forward...
#2... cities that have the light changers installed probably have cameras setup at some intersections (if not all major), so you will be recorded...

so just don't be shocked if this backfires... but otherwise, HAVE FUN!!

correct me if im wrong but would that work if u did it with IR like MIRT did?
"MIRT" (MOBILE INFRARED TRANSMITTER) would it work the same

EDIT LEGAL: "I wont do it I'd get caught"

n8scstm · 02-22-2005, 01:35 PM

I tried to build one but it was hard to get the right frequency. They are not legal in Ca, and are only useful in cities that have the units in place on the signal. Not too many have them...yet. I bet with the computer in our cars it would be a lot easier now to get the right frequency. All you need is a xenon tube at 10 hz. There are actually 2 bands. High priority and low. The high is about 14 hz and the only difference would be that a high priority would take presidence over the low. Some public transportation uses low priority to stay on schedule.

Don 944 LA · 02-22-2005, 05:52 PM

I would imagine that flashing light isn't illegal.. it's the way you do it that is ..

could be raised in court and batled, but in the end, you would be busted..

Scouse Monkey · 02-22-2005, 05:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Don 944 LA

I would imagine that flashing light isn't illegal.. it's the way you do it that is ..

could be raised in court and batled, but in the end, you would be busted..

just claim you have been abducted by aliens before and this is to stop you being abducted again.

mgithens · 02-22-2005, 08:20 PM

yeah, wear your aluminum foil hat to court...

n8scstm · 02-23-2005, 12:55 PM

Its a very fast flashing. 10 times per second. You could even be busted for impercinating an officer if they wanted to be dicks. It looks like the strobes they have that alternate left-right. But those arent the ones that change the light. The one that does is near the rear view mirror. What you can do is put an infrared filter over the strobe. It makes the light invisible but still triggers the light. Thats what the busses use.

WebDog · 02-23-2005, 01:08 PM

you got the plans to make one? hehe

tom2112 · 02-23-2005, 02:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mgithens

yeah, wear your aluminum foil hat to court...

Dude, you're killin me!

Scouse Monkey · 02-23-2005, 02:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tom2112

Dude, you're killin me!

me too, someone do a quick photochop of Boris with his hat on!

antimatter · 02-23-2005, 02:30 PM

Hmm this is interesting. I wonder if these things really work

Scouse Monkey · 02-23-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by antimatter

Hmm this is interesting. I wonder if these things really work

The foil hats? dunno, but i haven't been 'probed' yet!

Next time i see an ambulance i am gonna look for one and see it go through the red lights.

sdashiki · 02-23-2005, 03:08 PM

I believe how this works (cuz in South Florida it does) is that busses have that strobe on the top. I originally thought it was for marking "handicapped" equipped busses, but this thread makes me think otherwise.

I know that late at night if u flash yer high beams at the intersections as you are coming to it, it will cycle to green for you as long as there is no traffic in the opposite direction (usually only works LATE LATE at night)