AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC CONTROL
MELBOURNE’S LATEST SYSTEM. SYDNEY, August 22. For some months Melbourne has been experimenting with automatic traffic control devices, and the authorities are apparently satisfied that mechanical control gives better results than manual control. Policemen at several of
busiest intersections have, therefore, been replaced by electric signs mounted on pillars at each of the folii’ corners of the streets. These lights are mechanically timed, and change colour in synchronisation. A red light has the command ‘‘Stop” printed across its face. It is followed by a yellow light showing “Caution,” and this is followed in turn by the command to “Go.” The yellow “Caution” replaces “Go,” and then “Stop” shows again, and so on.
Having educated the public to obey the mechanical signs, the traffic authorities extended their investigations to placing several intersections along the busy outlet in Swanson street under automatic control. Lights were placed at the intersections with three streets.~~Their operation was controlled by independent units which allowed a space of 90 seconds for the complete cycle that is, one cross over. period divided by two caution periods. This new system will mean that the traffic will be open in each direction for 25 seconds, with a caution interval between each change. The effect will be to permit traffic' to move faster along S Avan son street. Formerly, although it was hoped to maintain a normal speed of 25 miles an hour, it was found in practice that only 11 miles an hour could be maintained if a vehicle ivas to clear all the controlled intersections. The normal speed of the new cycle will be 17 miles an hour. Last Thursday was the first test/ of the neAV cycle. Pedestrians soon found themselves in difficulties. With only five seconds as the caution period to clear the intersections, many people could not complete the crossing. It is understood that after a fortnight’s trial of the existing times a longer caution period will be tried before the cycle of the signals is de- | finitely fixed. Even with vehicle traffic | there has been some congestion this Aveek Avliere the traffic runs into manual control. Machines are, hoAA-ever, on order for further important intersections. If the traffic authorities are satisfied with the neAV traffic after it has had a fair trial—and there seems to be no reason avliv they should not be—the Avhole of the city area Avill be placed under automatic control. Sydney authorities are not impressed with the system.
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Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1929, Page 7
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410AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC CONTROL Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1929, Page 7
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