We recently received a technical support inquiry from a customer who is using the BASIC Stamp 2px at sub-zero temperatures in a design that’s been running for many years. Asking a little more about the project, the customer shared some of the design details of this fascinating safety application involving big trucks, as shown below. Thank you to Cripple Creek and Victor for being a customer of Parallax, and using our product to make your truck roads safe for the drivers and equipment.
Ken Gracey, CEO
Parallax Inc.
Cripple Creek and Victor’s Greg Loskorn, Radio Comm Tech, from Cripple Creek, Colorado tells us how it works:
“In an effort to improve site safety on haul roads during adverse weather events, I was asked to design some remote control traffic signals. Since currently available traffic signal technology relies on cell service or short-range RF for control, (neither of which is available site-wide due to our varied geography), I decided to use our Motorola 2-way radio system for control signal transmission.
Signals are controlled by a touchscreen interface in Dispatch. The signals stay in touch with the Dispatch controller by a periodic query to the trailers, and each signal status is reported back to the touchscreen. Current sensors on the traffic light PCB monitor the current draw from each signal lamp and will report “INOP” back to Dispatch if a commanded signal fails to draw current. Signals can be put in Local mode to maintain signal operation while maintenance is performed on the control box or radio.
The Dispatch touchscreen runs a BS2px to draw the GUI and to send and receive serial data through an attached 2-way radio. The remote signals run a BS2px to send and receive serial data and to control the traffic light. There are currently four signals in operation with a fifth being added soon.”
