At 11:11 30/07/99 +1000, you wrote:
>Boy, this must be the longest thread I've seen.
>
>OK, some posters were talking about air traffic control, collision avoidance
>etc. Here's a question re traffic control.
>
>In Australia, Melbourne suburbs, lots of traffic lights seem to be
synchronised
>so that heavy traffic flow on a main road gets all green lights. I always
>assumed it was done with simple timers. However, I'm *told* that radar
detectors
>- you know those little black-box gizmos you put on your dash to defeat the
>police? - are set off when approaching these synched lights. ('Course that's
>only what I've been told. Heh! Well, I wouldn't  use illegal technology
myself,
>naturally ..............!)
>
>So, are synched traffic lights controlled with a microwave system somehow?
>
>Just wondering.
>
>PJH
>
>


Are, uhm NO.
Sync traffic lights are via telephone lines (Also provides communications
to the signal control centre) (Notticed how the "In case of faults call
131360 and quote this number" sign is gone?)
This is so for the city area as it allows VIC roads to alter sequences
during heavy traffic times.

Dennis