Traffic lights might seem like they let cars stop or go randomly, but that's not always the case. Many of them use special sensors that detect vehicles.

Drivers often overlook the small black boxes near intersections. But the technology inside them is cleverly changing how traffic lights react to the road.

Q: Stephen Wysong of Hemet said he has noticed over the years that most people seem unaware of the magnetic loop sensors embedded in the roadway at signaled intersections. He has seen overly cautious ...

Seeing a camera at a stoplight doesn't automatically mean you're being ticketed. Many intersections use similar hardware for ...

Q: I read yet another answer of yours about damaged sensors. Some intersections use wire loops buried in the roadway and some use cameras mounted with the traffic lights. Out of curiosity, how do they ...

Question: I own a Kawasaki 750 street bike. At some intersections in Everett and Marysville my bike will set off the sensor for opposing traffic to stop. The light turns red for opposing traffic, but ...

An externally mounted radar sensor on streetlights or traffic lights is intended to help self-driving cars get a better view of the traffic situation.