[DVBC] neodymium magnet testing results

[david c bennett]

Doug,

I'll find out the answer to your questions at the Bicycle Task Force meeting on Thurs the 18th.  David Bachman, the Pa bike coordinator who chairs the meetings did a series of tests trying to trigger lights about five years ago.  I thought that it was weight and not magnetism (sic) that did the job???  (as I recall from his report) Anyway, he knows and I will ask.  I will also ask about the law about waiting. 

David 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Douglas Bower 
  To: DVBC 
  Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 7:22 AM
  Subject: [DVBC] neodymium magnet testing results


  For those interested in knowing weather a neodymium magnet attached to the bottom of your $200.00 light weight bicycling shoe can trigger a traffic light read on.

   

  Drew Knox was able to provide 2 very powerful neodymium magnets for testing.  The intersection of Broad St and Garfield Rd in Lansdale has a traffic light that is configured to provide north, south bound traffic a green light until an east, west bound automobile approaches.  There appears to be no other way of triggering the light to change.  Some traffic lights are configured to change by approaching cars or by a timer.  This intersections traffic light appears to have no timer configured, as I have sat at that light for a very long time without the light changing. 

   

  The sensing device is imbedded into the pavement about 30 feet before the light.  I taped the biggest magnet to a piece of string and waved it over the sensing wire.  I waved it around the corners of the wire and along the entire length of the wire.  I was at that intersection for over 20 min. no automobiles approached from either side of the intersection and the light never changed.  I tied a 12 inch adjustable wrench to the string and waved it over the wire with the same results.  After returning to my car I drove over the sensor wire and the light tripped almost instantly.  So my recommendation to all DVBC members is do not waste time attaching a magnet to your shoes..

   

  I am interested in knowing what the Pennsylvania law is regarding traffic lights that will not change.  I was told by a respectable DVBC member that there is some provision in the law that allows you to proceed through a light if it is not functioning.  The problem with these types of lights is they are not not functioning, they work exactly as they were designed.

   

  Doug  



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