Here’s what those mysterious black cables on the road mean

Next time you’re on the highway or a residential street, pay careful attention to the road. At some point during your trip, chances are you’ll see black cables either carefully placed on the ground.

While they’re perfectly safe to drive over, what purpose do they serve?

Keep reading to find out!

Road tubes are a simple and easy way for local transportation agencies to gather important information about an area’s traffic patterns.

They’re typically placed in unassuming areas so they cause the least amount of interference.

 

Any time a vehicle’s tire hits the tube a burst of air is sent through the rubber tubing to the on-site counter, which collects all the data. Once the tubing and counter have been in place for a predetermined amount of time, the data is collected and interpreted.

Not only is the tubing counting cars, but it can determine peak traffic by analyzing the interval between air bursts. When the tubing is used in pairs it can provide even more data like vehicle class, speed, and direction.

This data can then be used any time an agency needs to determine if speed limits need to be changed or signage needs to updated.

I’ve always wondered what those black cables were! It’s interesting to read how much data they’re able to collect all from a puff of air.

Please share if you didn’t know about these mysterious black cables.

Related Posts

Jill Jacobson dies: Inside her cancer battle & cause of death

Jill Jacobson dies: Inside her cancer battle & cause of death

The beloved actress Jill Jacobson, known for her roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Falcon Crest, has tragically passed away. According to the star’s longterm…

See what happened at the wake after this dog lost his owner… See more

See what happened at the wake after this dog lost his owner… See more

See what happened at the wake after this dog lost his owner… See more Lomito Says Goodbye To His Motorcyclist Owner Wearing His Biker Vest A Chihuahua…

Dog jumps in front of truck and is almost h.it: Driver is sh0cked to discover why

Dog jumps in front of truck and is almost h.it: Driver is sh0cked to discover why

In the pale light of dawn, as the sun crept timidly over the horizon, the headlights of a truck flickered across the dusty silence of a country…

Leg cramps at night become a concern when

Leg cramps at night become a concern when

Nighttime leg cramps are a frequent and sometimes painful occurrence that affects many individuals. These cramps, often disrupting sleep, can lead to considerable discomfort. Several factors may…

BREAKING NEWS: Catastrophic Earthquake Devastates Central …see more

BREAKING NEWS: Catastrophic Earthquake Devastates Central …see more

A powerful earthquake has struck central Colombia, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple cities. The most dramatic scene emerged from downtown Bogotá, where a multi-story apartment…

Home . Missing girl found in the woods, her grandfather was the one who..

Home . Missing girl found in the woods, her grandfather was the one who..

Tragic Loss of Ten-Year-Old Perla Alison Perla Alison, a 10-year-old girl from Mexico City’s Santa Martha Acatitla neighborhood, was found dead after going missing for four days….