Traffic Signal “Synchronization”
This article discusses a city initiative to “synchronize” their traffic signals. As a traffic engineer, I try to avoid the term “synchronize” because that’s not what we do (I apologize if this is pedantic). To synchronize a signal network would cause all signals to be green or red or amber at the same time. What they mean is coordinate, and I heartily encourage them to do it. I only hope they realize that they have to maintain the coordination which requires funds for their signal engineers and technicians, indefinitely.
Traffic Signal Coordination
Here’s an article that treats the subject (see above) well. Not only do you have to go and program all these signals, but you need to adjust and maintain them over the long term. Traffic changes accumulate and what works this week may be terrible next year.
Java Traffic Simulation (redux)
This web app for a traffic simulation has been blogged about again.
Copper Theft in Hawaii
Copper has been trending up in the markets for the past few years, to the point where theft of home plumbing is a cost-effective business. Hawaii has been having problems with copper wire being stolen from the highways.
Chicken Fat Jam
Don’t count your chicken fat before it’s scooped off the highway.
