Quote:
Originally Posted by watchedmofu
Is it just me or are the traffic lites screwed up in this town? They all seem to be all out of sync.
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No. This is a common refrain from people who do not know how modern signals work.
To get it out of the way: yes, sometimes signals get out of sync due to a bunch of possible reasons. However, the main thoroughfares are synced and do a pretty good job during the busy times of the day. You wouldn't want to see them if they were
not synced. It's also important to remember that if they are syncing in one direction that means the opposite direction is off-sync! Also there is a balance between syncing roads that cross each other.
Additionally, people think that syncing is only possible way to direct traffic. With cameras and sensors there is a dynamic change happening based on use. You make think that you should have a clear path down Albert St, but perhaps the traffic loads mean that Victoria or Sask Dr or Dewdney shouldn't have extra long wait times with backed up traffic just to suit Albert or [insert your preferred route here].
Lastly, sometimes signals (and stop signs) are deliberately used to control/stop traffic. We don't actually want people having uninterrupted lanes of traffic through the city, that is more dangerous and increases speeding.
The traffic network is hugely complicated and isn't simply a matter of "syncing". It doesn't work that way.