The A.T.M. Electro-Matic Traffic Control System
| Published date | 01 October 1932 |
| Date | 01 October 1932 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X3200500403 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The
A.T.M.
Electro-matic Traffic
Control System
THE ideal system of street traffic control at intersections
or road junctions is one in which every vehicle approaching
an intersection automatically secures right-of-way at the
earliest possible moment, with due regard to the claims of other
vehicles approaching the intersection from other directions.
At first sight, and having regard to the complexity and
volume of modern traffic at busy city crossings, such an ideal
would appear impossible of attainment.
Nevertheless, the A.T.M. Electro-matic Street Traffic
Control System actually accomplishes this ideal, regulating
the traffic by the conventional colour-light signals in direct
accord with the requirements at any instant.
Unlike the conventional street traffic control system,
however, with its fixed time-cycle and regular periods of
'stop'
and
'go',
the periods determined by the A.T.M.
Electro-matic System are regulated by the vehicles themselves.
The
A.T.M.
Electro-matic Street Traffic Control System
has three components :
(I)
The
Detectors.
(2)
The
Controller.
(3)
The
Signal Lanterns.
(I) The Detector is a device for indicating the approach
of a vehicle to an intersection, and its inclusion constitutes
the basic difference between the A.T.M. Electro-matic and
other street traffic control systems operating on a fixed-time-
cycle.
Its function is to indicate to the controller the arrival of
vehicles approaching the intersection.
It
is a pressure-operated unit set flush with the surface
of the roadway, and extending over approximately half the
471
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