this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2024
168 points (98.3% liked)

What is this thing?

5564 readers
1 users here now

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Yeah I know these are used for counting vehicles but can they also be used for detecting vehicle speed?

Description: two pneumatic hoses, affixed to a road. They lead to a box that's locked to a telephone pole. Location is southern California. On a minor artery road.

Doubtful that it's to survey if a new stop sign is needed since the next street is minor, dead ends into this one and already has a stop sign. The next intersection with another minor artery already has a stop sign.

Extremely doubtful that a traffic light is being considered since there isn't anywhere near the amount of traffic to justify one.

This is located on a slope. Many cars speed down here. That's why I'm wondering about speed sensing by this device.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 22 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Just wanted to add that California in particular has a law requiring cities to study average speed before they change a speed limit. (And then have to pick a speed that 85% of traffic can follow, unless there are extra safety concerns.)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago

You can often get out of a speeding ticket thanks to this, as it's pretty common for the traffic studies to be out of date or to have flaws that you can argue about.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Oh yeah, I've heard of that law. 'Sure hope they don't raise the speed limit on this street!