Letter about traffic light sensors, to the Wellington City Council

[Delphinus]

So surely WCC can read that letter, say;

"Oh, looks like this problem is more widespread than Jim2's commute to work, how about we make it standard proceedure for anyone opening a traffic light box to wind the senstivity up full bore.
That way we will ensure, albeit eventually, that every intersection in WC is bike friendly."

Thats pretty much what most of us were referring to. Let them know there is an issue, so they plan to fix it properly, instead of just a quick fix for a few routes.

Yep, something like that would do the trick.
However, they would have to stop traffic to use it which puts a few limitations on it.

Not always, especially if its a multiple lane intersection, just a couple of cones etc and only block off 1 lane at a time.

[James Deuce]

What happens if they are 'over sensitive'? Will the trigger when a seagull / helicopter flys above?

So surely WCC can read that letter, say;

"Oh, looks like this problem is more widespread than Jim2's commute to work, how about we make it standard proceedure for anyone opening a traffic light box to wind the senstivity up full bore.
That way we will ensure, albeit eventually, that every intersection in WC is bike friendly."

I only have a problem with one set of lights in the Wellington Region. I'm talking Wellington, The Hutt, and Kapiti. I'm not just talking about my commute.

This particular letter is addressed to only one part of that region which involves some of my commute true, but I don't JUST ride to and from work thanks.

This thread should get an award for the flimsiest use of reason, and for some fairly incredible Giant Leaps to a Faulty Conclusion.

[Winter]

I only have a problem with one set of lights in the Wellington Region. I'm talking Wellington, The Hutt, and Kapiti. I'm not just talking about my commute.

Oh, I didn't catch that. I guess it means that nobody else, anywhere in the world, or, the Wellington region has a problem with them.

Don't worry guys. Jim2 hasn't noticed the problem anywhere else, so it must not be a problem.

This particular letter is addressed to only one part of that region which involves some of my commute true, but I don't JUST ride to and from work thanks.

This region does not involve any of my commute, or other riding area.. This is not my argument, so I'll move right along.

[James Deuce]

That's not what I'm saying at all, and as I've said repeatedly there is a technique to getting the lights to trigger reliably.

But I've run into the normal attitude that "someone else should fix it, it's not my responsibility", haven't I?

You guys have got to start being part of the solution. The old style motorcyclist solution of shouting and bullying people to get what they want is hugely counter productive.

Help these guys come up with a solution. Let YOUR local body authority know if you are having trouble. Don't log on to KB and get churlish with me because that won't fix it.

[Delphinus]

Help these guys come up with a solution. Let YOUR local body authority know if you are having trouble.

Isn't that what the letter is all about? Trying to let people know there is a problem that they might not be aware of?

[mdb]

The Kelson lights are the same. The real pain is that many cars seem scared of bikes so hang back 5 metres!

[Steam]

I've not sent it yet, I'll take Jim's helpful and constructive criticism on board and make it a much more casual letter just saying what I think and what I think the solution could be.

[zooter]

Hey Steam, I'm with you but you should turn the tone of your letter around from "attempting to bully the guy into doing the right thing because he must surely be one of them useless council pricks" to simply outlining the problem,
"widespread lack of detection" and solution, recalibrate town with sidestand sized chunk of steel wafted over? And ask for a reply.

[Reckless]

Steam

I thought your letter was well written, to the point and polite. Ringing up 3 times a week about each specific set of lights would make you a pain. You'd get "oh its that guy again". But getting the sensitivity increased as part of their daily routine seems like a good approach.

But if it doesn't work or you get a negitive response, go to Jim2's approach and ring about every specific light you want fixed and keep at it, till you can trigger the lights. From the other comments here about WCC it won't need to get to that.

I'd maybe modify the "if not,why not" and remove the posting to web site line on the first contact as they are a little threatening rather than being constructive, as you are attemping.

Otherwise send it as is. And send a copy to Manukau CC, Auckland CC, Waitakeri CC. I'm like the others and shoot reds fairly often.
If ya get desperate you could, sit on the untriggered sensor, with a line of fustrated cars behind, and get out the mobile phone, call the guy, and let him listen to the tooting and swearing behind ya.

[90s]

What happens if they are 'over sensitive'? Will the trigger when a seagull ... flies overhead

erm, generally seagulls don't have much metal content or much of an EM field.

Or maybe they do in your scary-ass cyborg bird-town? Ark!

[90s]

Steam / Jim2, move to Auckland. The problem of not having a car in front of you at every lights at any time of day to trigger them won't be a problem anymore ...

Seriously though I can see where both of you are coming from. Jim2 you have a local solution that works through direct contact; Steam is onto a global solution through a change in the methods of maintainance employed at the systems level.
There's no reason these two approaches can't be implemented - Jim2's on a case-as-you-find it approach and Steam's on making the 'higher ups' have a record of a problem.

From my work I often find people at the lower levels doing the work (ie techs) routinely fixing problems and making things happen that the higher ups are simply unaware of. The problem is that things may or may not happen in this scenario. Making the higher-ups aware is the start of a process and gets something onto their radar. Action from this is likely to take a long time but might may eventually make the tech guys lives easier if the jobs they are doing are recognised and it becomes routine for all techs.

OK, now I'm prepared to be flamed by you both ...