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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!uw-june!wagner
From: wagner@uw-june (Dave Wagner)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: left turns
Message-ID: <2@uw-june>
Date: Tue, 25-Jun-85 00:19:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: uw-june.2
Posted: Tue Jun 25 00:19:07 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Jun-85 06:22:33 EDT
References: <605@intelca.UUCP> <1636@reed.UUCP> <328@varian.UUCP>
Organization: U of Washington Computer Science
Lines: 27


> >1) most left turns around here have sensors in the street, so they don't
> >	change unless something large and metalic is sitting on them.
> 
> It angers me however that the state can declare a bicycle a vehicle
> and then interfere with its safe and efficient operation with these
> ridiculous sensors.  My motorcyclist friends have the same problem,
> incidentally.  Does anyone know if these sensors have adjustable 
> sensitivity?  They are based on a metal object interfering with a
> magnetic field, so I should think so.
> 
In fact, these sensors are adjustable, but if the sensitivity is made
too high, a really massive piece of metal (like a truck)
can activate the one in the adjacent lane.  This can cause problems
like a left-turn signal going on when no one is waiting to make a left
turn!  So you see, it's not quite as simple as it seems at first.

			Dave Wagner
			University of Washington Comp Sci Department
			wagner@washington.arpa
			{ihnp4,decvax,ucbvax}!uw-beaver!uw-june!wagner

"The surest thing there is is we are riders,
 And though none too successful at it, guiders,
 Through everything presented, land and tide
 And now the very air, of what we ride."
	- Frost