Mounted metal wind wings

These flat metal objects are called wind wings. In 1978, the city of Carrollton began changing the appearance of traffic signals from a vertical mounted signal head to a horizontal mount. By doing this, we provided more clearance over the roadway and a more pleasing look to traffic signals. The first thing learned by doing this was, the arm that the signal heads were mounted to would bounce up and down. The bounce in the arm would occur when there was a wind of 15 mph or greater on the backside of the signal head.  After some research of possible solutions to this problem, a wind wing was designed. The wind wing got its name from the research of the bounce problem. We discovered that any time the wind blew 15 mph or greater on the backside of the arm, the arm would try to fly. Of course, when the arm tried to fly up in the air, the shaft it was attached to would stop it from going up, which caused it to bounce. By mounting a flat sign blank, (30"X60") at the end of the arm, we created a wind wing that helped divert the wind evenly around the arm, reducing the bounce. The wind wing is now a standard used on all signal arms over 25 feet long.

"Sparkling" red lights

These lights are called LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). Red LED signals use very little energy, just 10.5 watts. The standard signal lamp uses 135 watts and has to be replaced annually. Light emitting diodes are semiconductors that emit electromagnetic energy, coincident with the change of energy state, at a diode junction. Simply put, LEDs are miniature lights that use up to 90% less energy than a comparable incandescent light. The lamp-life is extended beyond 10 years, compared to 1 to 2 years for an incandescent lamp. The use of LED traffic lamps, results in significant reduction in energy, environmental issues, and signal maintenance. The use of LED technology reduces the overall utility bill by reducing the energy consumed and the electrical demand load. It also helps protect the environment since there are fewer harmful emissions associated with use (that is, less fossil fuel is required to produce electricity). With an average life of 10-15 years, yearly bulb replacement and maintenance are eliminated. The city of Carrollton standards for the 2000's, are the use of Red, Green, and Pedestrian LEDs on all new or rebuilt Traffic Signals.

Black camera-like devices

This little black canister is for fire pre-emption, and is called an Opticom system detector. The Opticom system uses high energy infrared technology to grant authorized vehicles momentary right-of-way at signalized intersections. The Opticom system gives an authorized Fire Department vehicle advantage over other traffic, intersection by intersection, as needed. As the vehicle approaches, it saturates the intersection with an encoded, infrared signal that is received, decoded, and validated to give the requesting vehicle the safest possible driving condition -- a green light. Opticom has helped to provide a faster response for fire equipment to arrive on the scene.

Overhead Street name signs

The overhead street name sign features the city of Carrollton logo and a block number. The sheeting is white and green and is retroreflective. We use a sheeting called 3M Diamond grade VIP (Visual Impact Performance). Unlike other reflective sheeting we use, VIP features an advanced prismatic design. As a result, it provides greater than normal reflectivity and remains highly visible to drivers in low light conditions. The prismatic cubes on VIP sheeting are specially shaped to return the light from a vehicle's headlights back to the motorist's eyes. This controlled light-return makes the sign visible longer, giving motorists more time to respond. In other areas of the city, you may have noticed the fluorescent yellow-green school zone signs and the fluorescent yellow warning signs. We were among the first cities in the nation to use these colors.

White Light (Red Light Confirmation Light)

White lights are used by the Police Department to assist in the prevention of red light running. Each pole has a white light mounted on it and is wired to the red light indication for that pole. The Police Officers can park downstream or anywhere visible to the white light and detect red light runners without parking at the intersection. At the present time, we do not have white lights installed at all locations. We will be installing white lights on all new and rebuilt signals as part of the 2000's standards. So you might say, coming soon to an intersection near you.

Decorative Pole Tops & Bases

Decorative pole tops and bases are part of the city's corridor design plan. It is hard to make a traffic signal attractive to the eye. Decorative tops and bases have helped to not only make traffic signals a little more attractive, but also help to identify ownership of our traffic signals. As part of the 2000s standards, the city will be installing them on all new or rebuilt traffic signals. City staff will also be upgrading and adding ten (10) intersections a year with tops and bases as part of the city's corridor design plan.

Yagi Antenna

This Yagi antenna is part of the communication link between the traffic signal controller and the Advanced Traffic Management Center (ATMC). With the use of spread spectrum radios, the city can proudly boast having the first wireless traffic signal system in the world. The city ATMC is staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. At the ATMC city staff monitor all the traffic signals in Carrollton. The city cas the capability of uploading or downloading data to any traffic signal. There are also  8-video cameras located around the city, linked to the ATMC by microwave antennas. All solar powered school flashers are also controlled at the ATMC.

Pedestrian Signal

Pedestrian signals are installed to assist pedestrians in safely crossing signalized intersections. The "Man Symbol" light gets you started crossing the intersection and the flashing " Hand Symbol" gives you time to clear the crossing. The way it works is, the "Man Symbol is on long enough to get you started into the intersection and the flashing "Hand Symbol" will get you through the intersection. If the flashing "Hand Symbol" signal is flashing before you step off the curb, you should wait for a "Man Symbol" signal before crossing. As part of our 2000's standards, pedestrian signals will be LED's.

Pedestrian Push Button

Pedestrian push buttons are used to activate the pedestrian signals. You only have to push the button one time to receive a Walk light. It will not make any difference if you hold the button in or push it many times. The controller can only see the first time you push the button. All of our pedestrian push buttons are in compliance with ADA (Americans Disability Act) standards.

Mast Arm Camera

In 2002, the city of Carrollton began using Video Detection Cameras for vehicle detection at traffic signals.  These are the camera devices that are seen on top of a traffic signal mast arm.  By using video detection, the City is able to set up an entire traffic signal with vehicle detection in four (4) hours versus two (2) days.  The cameras also allow the city to make changes to the detection without having to close traffic lanes or re-cut the roadway; thus, eliminating any traffic interruption.  At this time, only rebuilt or newly constructed traffic signals will be equipped with video detection. 

Traffic Counters

Many people ask the question, what are the black squares on the pavement with the centers cut out?  Those black squares are a road tape that is used to hold Traffic Counters in place.  Traffic counters are used to determine whether or not a speed limit sign, stop sign, or traffic signal is warranted by the TxMUTCD.  If a citizen requests one of these control devices, the Engineering Department will request traffic counts be done at that location.  The counters log data such as vehicle volume, vehicle size, and vehicle speed.  With this information, the Engineers can determine which control device, if any, is needed at that particular location.  The road tape uses an adhesive that prevents it from being removed without the use of a roadway grinder.  The tape will eventually come up over a period of time. 

Video Camera

There are have 8 video cameras located throughout the city. Seven of the eight cameras are linked to the ATM center via microwave antennas. At the ATM center a system operator monitors the real time video pictures. The system operator uses this information to assist in incident management. It is very helpful when calling in traffic signal problems to identify the location, the type of problem, the direction of the problem, and the time of day the problem is occurring.

School Flasher

Solar powered, radio controlled school flashers have been a standard of the city of Carrollton since 1990. The first solar flashers were installed on Peters Colony on August 1,1990. City staff designed and installed the first 12" double beacon solar powered school flashers in the nation and set a national standard for solar school flashers. From the ATM center we can turn on or off any or all the school flasher at any time of the day.

Control Room

The Advanced Traffic Management Center is located in the South Service Center at 1420 Hutton Dr. It is staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.