TOWN’S TRAFFIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17886, 5 December 1929, Page 7

TOWN’S TRAFFIC.

DIRECTED BY A ROBOT.

AMAZING DEVELOPMENTS. A MECHANICAL POLICEMAN. Science has entered the field of traffic regulation and developed a mechanical policeman who for somo time has been successfully directing trafflo in Wilmington, Delaware. Tho robot operates'a standard signal light In accordance with the varying volume and flow of trafflo in tho streets. To fulfil the claims made by its inventors, the device necessarily had to possess a “brain.” It seemed improbable that any mechanism oould be developed that would be capable of “remembering," “thinking,” "seeing," and "receiving instructions," Those who have seen the system operate say that it does everything but smile, give the motorist a cheerful “good morning," and arrest speeders. Letting It Run Itself. The "electro-matic” trafflo control was designed by Professor Henry A. Haugh, Junr., of Yale University. Hurrying homo one night he was stoped at a pre-tlmed traffic signal which was giving the right of way to an empty street. Chafing at tho delay, Professor Haugh pondered upon the possibilities of regulating trafflo by mechanical means to Its own volume and flow.—ln other words, letting It run Itself. ‘ln collaboration with three Yale associates, Eugene D. Stlrlen, Charles D. Geer and Wallace G. Garland, the new meohanical “brain,” with its mechanloal “eyes," was developed. The entire business section of Wilmington is now controlled by tho robot and since its installation traffic officer control has been dispensed with. The control Is composed of two major units—the “eyes” and “brain." The “eyes” are sensitive units placed In the pavement of all streets approaching the intersection. They “see" the arrival and movement of all vehicles that pass over them and transmit this information to the “brain." The “brain" is -a control mechanism capable of “thinking,” seeing," and “receiving instructions.” The "brain” is able to tell at all times what demands are being made upon It and from what direction, and it schedules traffic through the Intersection according to its volume and flow, yet it never neglects the individual car approaching the Intersection. The mechanical policeman does not operate according to any set rule nor docs it adhere to any particular schedule. Thoroughfare traffic is “remembered” and sent along at the earliest moment consistent with safety.

Where the Secret Lies. The secret lies in “vehicle-sensi-tive” units In the pavement of tho streets adjacent to tho intersection. Motor cars passing over these sensitive units In the pavement govern the changing of signals. These units are the "eyes’ of the mechanical policeman. They “see” the presence and movement of traillc and transmit this information to a control mechanism. The control mechanism or "hrain" receives this Information, “remembers” tho arrival and presence of the vehicles, and operates the traffic signal to meet the situation existing at that moment. Actually, the traffic lights give the signal and judgment is of a purely mechanical nature. If there are no cross street cars and the intersection is a busy one, there are possibly pedestrians waiting. The control has not forgotten the pedestrians and allots a certain number of seconds for them to get across the thoroughfare. Pedestrians move with the trafflo as they do with a policeman or any other type of signal system. They have the same opportunity as the cars going in their direction. They can follow the traffic or watch the lights, as they prefer.