Presence detectors
These are used to monitor a particular zone to call a certain function. The most common one used is a stop line detector, which will detect a cyclist waiting in an advanced stop line box. Where we have low-level cycle signals, this will allow the cyclist to gain a head start and help avoid collision points, such as left turns.
On-crossing detectors
These cover the area of a pedestrian crossing and will extend the pedestrian period to allow slower or more vulnerable users additional time to cross the road safely.
Kerbside detectors
These cover the pedestrian waiting area, typically the tactile paving near the pedestrian demand units.
Kerbside detectors try to resolve the issue of ‘phantom demands’, such as a scenario where a person presses the button but then decides to cross during a lull in traffic or if they decide not to cross and leave. If the kerbside detects that the person is no longer waiting, it will cancel the pedestrian demand.
Inductive loops
A lot of the city’s signals have inductive loops, and they have varying shapes, sizes and functions.
Some demand and extend green, just like above-ground vehicle detectors. Some extend ‘all red’ periods for safety, some have a call/cancel function, whereby if a car is waiting to turn right with opposing oncoming traffic, this loop will call an indicative right turn arrow; if the vehicle moves between traffic, this action will be cancelled as it would no longer be required. This makes the signals more efficient.
SCOOT Loops
Integral to the council’s SCOOT UTC system, these loops are strategically placed across SCOOT regions at junctions and crossings. These loops measure flows of traffic, speeds and direction.
These then allow SCOOT to adapt and react to traffic and change flows and demands.
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