I-275 ??

joseph · #1 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 05:25 PM

Has anyone seen those new poles mounted in the center median on 275 yet ?? they each have what looks like 2 solar panels on each one and they are about a mile apart. Any ideas what they are ??

RevGary · #2 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 06:47 PM

If they are like the one's on I-65 around Nashville, Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery, those are solar powered cell phone 911 emergency contact phone stations... NO WIRES to run. They put them in the median so stranded drivers on both sides can get to them somewhat safely and the jurisdiction doesn't have to double up on costs by placing them on both sides of the highway. They are usually spaced a mile apart so no one has to walk more than a half mile to get to one.

Thunderbolt · #3 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 09:02 PM

Could they be platforms for video cameras? I know that the MSP has plans to expand their camera system is District 2, so this might be what you are seeing.

73's

Ron

MacombMonitor · #4 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevGary

If they are like the one's on I-65 around Nashville, Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery, those are solar powered cell phone 911 emergency contact phone stations... NO WIRES to run. They put them in the median so stranded drivers on both sides can get to them somewhat safely and the jurisdiction doesn't have to double up on costs by placing them on both sides of the highway. They are usually spaced a mile apart so no one has to walk more than a half mile to get to one.

We used to have something like that in Michigan years ago. They pulled them all out due to vandalism!

MacombMonitor · #5 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 09:40 PM

Possibly in preparation for the big WiFi Internet access points/repeaters, the counties have been announcing recently.

johnvassel · #6 (**permalink**) 12-23-2005, 08:28 AM

I've seen them too, the antennas shooting up and down the freeway do look 2.4 ghz-ish.
Definately not an emergency phone setup, but I sure cant figure out why you'd push for wifi on an interstate...

SEMTTP · #7 (**permalink**) 12-23-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnvassel

I've seen them too, the antennas shooting up and down the freeway do look 2.4 ghz-ish.
Definately not an emergency phone setup, but I sure cant figure out why you'd push for wifi on an interstate...

Just something to think about, if it indeed is Wi-fi why not have it on the freeway? Say you are from out of town and your traveling through and you are looking for a hotel or some place nice to eat or anything like that. It would be nice to be able to access the internet(since most everone has internet access or brings their laptop with them when they travel)

Kinda makes since, but may not be what it is......

Things to make you ponder

Eric

rdale · #8 (**permalink**) 12-23-2005, 03:25 PM

That would explain having it near exits, but not every mile...

johnvassel · #9 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 12:49 AM

I took a look at the setup again today, I believe it's not wifi related and any antenna I may have seen that made me think that was my mind melding images of my days together....lol.
It's a pole, with two solar collectors, a can on it for power/batteries, and a rougly 12 X 5 panel directed right at the freeway at a 90 degree angle. I suspect it's some kind of counting or speed indicating device for the traffic control system. You'd think if it was intended to put a signal IN a passing car, it''d point at them while they were coming down the road, not nail them in the side as they passed.
Wifi is great, I snarf it up in many places with a simple usb dongle on my dash. But I dont believe I want it fighting for time with the makeup, cellphones, cigarettes, and electric razors that are already being used during rush hour.

john

RevGary · #10 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 07:04 AM

Hey, John - How high off the ground are the 12 X 5 panels... it just occurred to me that there are some of those in southern Illinois on I-57 and around the area south of Paducah, Kentucky on I-24 which monitor the height of 18 wheelers to make sure that the oversized rigs are notified on their in-cab weigh station displays that a low overpass is ahead. Might not be the same thing as what you looked at, but possibly something along those lines?

johnvassel · #11 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 05:54 PM

They're a ways up.... overpass height, but aimed downwards towards the road. I'm not sure how'd they detect height. Here where I've seen the alerts, there's usually a reflector on one side of the highway with a beam from the other side, and a big microwave type dish aiming right at the oncoming traffic.
The panels looking at the road almost look like the type of solar panels we common folk would buy. Flat faced, dark, etc.
I've got a neighbor with the state, if I remember I'll see if he's got an idea.

john

btw, I'd gone 38 years of my life before I heard of Paducah, now it's where my wife's relatives hail from...

joseph · #12 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 09:30 PM

I have also noticed that there are two ---one on each side of the 5 mile road overpass (north and south side) and then continue south until at least I-94...thats as far as i went...but i did not see any north of 5 mile to the split..

johnvassel · #13 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 10:29 PM

I *think* I saw them all the way to eureka, but agreed, nothing north of about the 25 mile marker. Maybe it's an in-car airport related thing? flight delays etc??...who really knows... (I keep hoping someone will!)

A quick edit, I found this info... sounds feasible that it could be it.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index...4211231&EDATE=

john

joseph · #14 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 11:03 PM

yep i bet thats it

SEMTTP · #15 (**permalink**) 12-25-2005, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joseph

yep i bet thats it

Armed with that information, I would 2nd that!

Interesting!!

Eric

Thunderbolt · #16 (**permalink**) 12-26-2005, 12:18 AM

The airport is licensed for a Travelers Info station on 920 KHz. Somehow, I feel that this is not related to it. Ironically, I have not seen any write-ups in any of the newspapers about any projects along I-275, so it's anyone's guess as to what this project is?

Many years ago, Metro Airport use to have a very large navigation system that stretched across I-94 that looked very much like a suspension bridge. This was some type of HF system, but was removed in the 1970s. Anyone remember seeing that system?

73's

Ron