Trying to Identify the Things Next to Traffic Lights

Really! Do you suppose that what continent they are on might have some influence on their function?

The crystal ball is out for polishing.

Have a clue!

You need to supply much more information (including country location) if you expect an answer. Do the tubes light up under certain traffic conditions? A picture would be nice.

I'm guessing here but it could be something similar to this type of system based on your vague description http://www.wikipatents.com/US-Patent-5014052/traffic-signal-control-for-emergency-vehicles

THAT'S IT!

Thanks for the pic, Mikerho, and for the info. As a guest, I couldn't post a pic. That is exactly what I was asking about.

My curiousity was piqued while sitting at a red light where one of these had been knocked out of place and was pointing toward the ground.

Mikerho has provided image of an Optical Communicator (Opti-Com). Nicely done Mike.

In the access control business, we sometimes use a version of this at a gated facility. This allows emergency vehicles to access the property without crashing the gate, or waiting for an attendant. Another type recognizes the siren of vehicles.

Thanks Doorman,

This allows emergency vehicles to access the property without crashing the gate

You've been watching too many action movies!

Interesting about the audio-activated ones. Do they respond to certain frequencies, or by sound patterns?

The technology is pretty solid for these types of things. Can be set for certain frequencies, can discriminate doppler shift so a passing vehicle does not trigger... lots of available settings.

These guys are representative. ^{_{Not an endorsement.}}

I neglected to add a link about Opti-Com. Here is a narrative of operation.

(I guess it is really OPTICOM)