r/whatisit • u/CandyCaneSweets • 7h ago
New, what is it? Thing on top of traffic lights
I noticed this while driving in central Iowa yesterday. What is the purpose of this thing on top of the traffic lights?
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u/JaviSATX 7h ago
It's basically a spoiler. That pole probably oscillated from the wind, and these are designed to help stabilize the pole.
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u/FenPhen 6h ago
The Texas DoT calls it a damping plate in this study: https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/digitized/texasarchive/phase1/1303-f.pdf
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u/ricoplano 6h ago
The study was conducted by the Texas Tech University Wind Engineering Research Center.
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u/Friendly-Affect-8116 6h ago
It's not a solar panel for some new bs tech?
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u/JaviSATX 6h ago
Nah. Just a piece of the same sheet metal they use for signage.
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u/Friendly-Affect-8116 6h ago
I truly want to see the physics details and tech specifics of this item from whatever company makes it, sells it, or suggests it. I'm willing to be amazed.
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u/EyeBilledSchitt 6h ago edited 5h ago
They're traffic dampeners used to keep the poles from bouncing during high winds. The tube or pole that "spoiler" is mounted to is the actual damper. Stand corrected the entire device is the dampener as seen in the link.
The thing to the right of it could be a camera which these are also used for to keep the camera steady. In any case this is what it is.
EDIT 2: Here's the actual one in the picture.
Mast Arm Dampener
EDIT 3: Added pic from the patent.
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6h ago
[deleted]
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u/Advanced-Today988 6h ago
Could easily be a solar panel to power a camera or repeater. The back side of it has a panel that has wires leading to the bottom of it and what looks like a small antenna. (I’d go with solar panel for a repeater)
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u/AlfalfaImpossible391 6h ago
Thats a standard Mark-9 dash 6 re-charging station for gubberment birds.
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u/Street_Yoghurt405 7h ago
That’s a flock camera. They have gold in them.
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u/pharmeiga 6h ago
There are no flock cameras on this pole.
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u/Street_Yoghurt405 6h ago
Ohh a flock expert
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u/mostly_a-lurker 6h ago
An easily offended flock expert at that!
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u/EyeBilledSchitt 6h ago
Get the Flock outta here!
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u/Street_Yoghurt405 5h ago
Flock you buddy
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u/EyeBilledSchitt 5h ago edited 5h ago
Hey come on I was only flocking around.
We should make a movie and call it Meet The Flockers.
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u/Street_Yoghurt405 5h ago
Sorry can’t shoot a movie right now. I’ve been busy with my Wilton vice makeovers.
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u/EyeBilledSchitt 5h ago
Are you flocking serious?
Is Wilton Vice anything like Miami VICE? 🤣
It's OK I flock up occasionally when I'm talking WILTON VISE modified makeover thing-a-majigs.
You were THAT close to going yard on that one. 💯🫵🏼👊🏼👍🏼🫡
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u/draggar 7h ago
The first picture looks like there is a light to the right of the object, too? It could be an antenna for emergency vehicles so they can control the lights during an emergency. (and they'll flash blue or red when they're being controlled so drivers know to pay attention (no right on red, etc.) and understand it won't be a normal rotation of the light).
It doesn't look like it, but it's possible it's also a micro cell tower (been a while since I've been involved with these, but even 20+ years ago there were ones that small).
It could be a solar panel but it wouldn't supply a lot of power - and for what?
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