Traffic Signal help from ODOT

[gnomad]

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS - 1980 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
http://www.dot.state.oh.us

Motorcycle Season in Ohio begins with Heightened Safety Efforts
ODOT improving Traffic Signal Safety for Motorcycles and Scooters


COLUMBUS (April 29, 2009) - As more Ohioans choose motorcycles and scooters as their primary means of transportation in warmer weather, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is taking special steps to ensure their safety at intersections across the state.

Over the past several months, ODOT has worked closely with the American Motorcycle Association to target automated traffic signals that are not sensitive enough to recognize when a motorcycle or scooter is waiting for a light to change. Frustrated bikers or the drivers in cars behind them may choose to run the red light, putting them and other motorists at serious risk.

Last year there were 60 intersection-related motorcycle fatalities, representing nearly a third of all motorcycle fatalities in Ohio.

To enlist the help of Ohio’s motorcyclists, ODOT has set up a special phone number - (614) 387-0722 - and email address - bike.report@dot.state.oh.us - for motorcyclists to report these problem intersections.

ODOT will then notify signal owners - often a city or county - about the problem and offer recommendations, such as increasing the sensitivity of the in-ground loop detectors which trigger the signal. Another possible solution is to paint symbols on the pavement where motorcyclists should stop to activate the loop detector.

ODOT will update the state’s construction specifications later this summer to improve traffic signal safety at future intersections. Any new signals that are paid for using federal or state transportation money will be required to follow the updated specifications, which will include improved layout and sensitivity requirements for loop detectors.

With the riding season now underway, ODOT is joining the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Highway Patrol on a new campaign to improve motorcycle safety. “Ride SMART” encourages motorcyclists to ride Sober; ride Motorcycle endorsed; ride Alert; use the Right gear; and ride Trained.

Motorcycle fatalities have increased 35 percent over the last three years on Ohio’s roads, from 133 fatalities in 2004 to 214 fatalities in 2008.

ODOT will display motorcycle safety messages on highway message boards in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton over the next several weeks during weeknights and weekends.

Motorcyclists can get up-to-date road closure and construction information by visiting www.buckeyetraffic.org, (http://www.buckeyetraffic.org,) ODOT’s 24-hour online source for state roadway and traffic conditions

[nomad561]

Goverment ACTUALLY doing something FOR the taxpayers. SWEET

[landman]

we don't have many traffic lights in wyoming,my town only has two.i have heared of this problem before though so it's good to
see that someone is paying attention to motorcycle issues.

[johnb]

Wow! Not only doing something FOR the taxpayers, but for taxpayers with motorcycles!

[tazfl]

I've got two traffic lights that my bike won't trip in my daily trek between work and home. On my way to work isn't a big deal because theres plenty of cars to trigger the lights. On my way home which is usually around 11:30 at night there isn't as much traffic and allot of times there isn't a car around to trigger the light for me. I just put one of those "green light trigger" devices on my bike Thursday. It didn't seem to make any difference so last night I emailed our local DOT and reported both lights that are giving me problems. Hopefully they'll get it taken care of.

[pagemastr]

Thanks for the information!

I know of intersections in central Ohio that will not recognize a motorcycle!

On a similar note there was an article in the Columbus Dispatch from a traffic engineer and he made some interesting points. First was that the magnets do nothing to help the loop recognize a bike, metal mass is what it takes.

His second suggestion was to look for the loop and position the bike inside one of the corners of the loop if it doesn't see the bike right away. One of these days I'll go back to the troubling intersections to see if this tip works!

[gnomad]

I always try to stop on the front left corner of the loop detector seems like most detectors will detect my Nomad. The only one I can think of that really doesn't work is the one coming out of Wal-Mart, which would actually be privately owned I believe.

[ringadingh]

Thats good to see that a city is actually trying to do something about this problem. We have a few lights here that wont change when I pull up. Either I make a right turn or sometimes go through if its all clear. I work nights so there is very little traffic when Im in town.

[glwilson]

Wish they were considering doing that here in Illinois. We are loaded with signals that you can't trip with a bike.

[markusmaximus]

Glad to read Ohio is serious about this. It has gotten better in central IN. I too try to stop the bike over the left-front region of the loop.

[pirate]

This is good to hear. That can be frustrating to sit through at a light.

[jerrycritz]

Up here in Northern California, In my little town, we have only a few lights. I learned that If I put the Bike in neutral and drop the kickstand for a second the sensor usually recognizes me and changes the light. Some times late at night I just look and pass through. I don't recommend that in larger towns.