Detection Systems used in the Town of Huntington

Detection refers to the devices used at a traffic signal to activate a green light phase for a street. These devices vary at every signal, and can either be underground in the road or overhead by means of a camera system.

Overhead Detection
The Town of Huntington only implies overhead detection on new signals and is phasing out older wire loops with overhead detection every year.

Singular Video Detection
Single camera video detection is currently the most common detection device used by the TOH at their owned signals. This is commonly found at all LED-mast arm signals, with some exceptions. these cameras are easily visible above the mast arm and are often mistaken as red light cameras. Each camera can atone for multiple detection zones depending on the amount of visibility the camera has on the road. All traffic signals part of the Larkfield Road, Walt Whitman Road and Wolf Hill Road rebuild projects utilized these cameras when they were first rebuilt. Signal 2181A on Clay Pitts Road and 2053A/2054A on New York Avenue also use these cameras currently. While they save money that is normally used to replace wire loops, the cameras still have a few drawbacks. If the cameras fall out of position (wind, etc.) the signal will be unable to detect vehicles correctly. This system also relies on analog technology which is starting to become outdated.

In an effort to upgrade reliability and save more money on loop replacement, the Town of Huntington has plans to replace the video detection at the newer LED-mast arm signals. Signal 2058A had its video cameras replaced with radar detection as part of a traffic calming initiative on Daly Road. Signal 2045A has its cameras replace with a singular Gridsmart 360 detection camera, all Larkfield signals still using singular video are planned to receive this camera as well. The older cameras are planned to be used at older signals with faulty wire loops. Signals 2164A and 2165A at the LIRR Huntington Train Station were the first to receive recycled cameras. Signal 2014A at the intersection of Depot Road, Melville Road, Maplewood Road and Thompson Street, would also receive cameras.

Singular Thermal Detection
Thermal detection was the successor to the older video detection cameras, these cameras are smaller and use heat sensory instead of video movement and require a special rack in the signal cabinet underneath the input rack. These cameras are utilized on Wall Street and Gerard Street by any traffic signal that was rebuilt to a mast arm signal before the implementation of the gridsmart camera. Any signal that also uses special radar detection also has thermal cameras equipped for detection on side streets. 2060A at Old Country Road and Round Swamp Road also uses these thermal cameras. The last signal to be rebuilt and get these cameras installed was 2136A at Little Plains Road and Manor Road before the switch to gridsmart cameras. There is also one incandescent span wire signal that was retrofitted with thermal detection, Signal 2040A at Old Country Road and New York Avenue.

Thermal cameras have been discovered to not be as reliable as video detection and are starting to be phased out at intersections in favor of a gridsmart camera, much like what is currently happening with most video detection cameras. The thermal cameras used on Daly Road are all slated to be replaced by a singular gridsmart camera. These cameras can also possibly be recycled for use at older intersections, but there are no immediate plans.

Gridsmart Camera Detection
The Town of Huntington's current default detection system for all new signal constructions is what is known as a Gridsmart camera. This is a singular 360 camera in the shape of a lamp post mounted above a mast arm. This type of camera can cover all directions of detection in a single intersection as long as the approach is visible, add new approaches instantly without adjusting the camera, and can receive a good live feed of the intersection for case studies in the office (not a red light camera).

The first Gridsmart was deployed at Signal 2045A: Larkfield Road and Bellerose Avenue, which was already reconstructed under the Larkfield project and used the singular traficon cameras. These cameras were removed and replaced with one single Gridsmart. Results came back positive since its implication, prompting the Town to use Gridsmart cameras as its primary detection system. Almost a year later, Signal 2077A, a double intersection signal was rebuilt with a Gridsmart installed, and was able to detect approaches at both side streets despite being offset.

In 2019, a new model of the camera was used, this camera is much taller than the previous gridsmart and lacks a power box next to the head. Signal 2119A at the intersection of Wall Street and Union Place was the first signal to receive the new model. Larkfield Road, once 2058's Gridsmart is installed, will be the first road where all town traffic signals use a Gridsmart camera as a detection unit.