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ik1nky t1_ivbb68f wrote

Reply to comment by berlage1856 in Cambridge City Council to consider citywide ban on ‘turning on red’ by superfakesuperfake

Cambridge is installing video sensors at many intersections now. Wherever they pop up, waiting time is greatly reduced.

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berlage1856 t1_ivbcqzt wrote

Great to hear. Any examples to point out for us?

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ik1nky t1_ivbe2wu wrote

Mass Ave and Churchill in North Cambridge was the first one I found out about. The left turn arrow phase doesn't activate unless someone is actually turning.

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j_parkour t1_ivh19cl wrote

Interesting. I'll have to check that out. I had thought Cambridge had a policy to have no sensors and have everything run on a fixed timer.

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jeffbyrnes t1_iwdljgs wrote

The policy is that there are no “beg buttons” for pedestrian crossings, except at mid-block crossings, to ensure pedestrians always get an opportunity to cross during each light cycle.

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j_parkour t1_iwmiqlo wrote

That's true. But vehicle sensors can still be useful. Shortening a left arrow based on a sensor will allow a pedestrian light to come on sooner. And a side street sensor can cause the pedestrian light to change to flashing don't walk once traffic has cleared and pedestrians have been given adequate time.

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jeffbyrnes t1_iwmx57n wrote

Agreed! I’m not aware of any sensor usage, but also don’t know if there’s any policy against sensor usage. Enforcement cameras remain illegal in MA however.

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