Do street lights operate on timers?

Question

I often go running in the evening, usually around 10-11pm. I have consistently noticed that street lights will turn off as I approach their vicinity. Some seem to do it more often than others.

I have heard this can happen when you're driving a car because your headlights may reflect off something onto the light's photo sensor, but this doesn't explain my situation.

I was wondering if the city puts their lights on timers; so that they turn off for ten minutes every hour or something, to save a little $. This is the only explanation I can think of.

This also happened once to me, only with a pizza delivery car. The sign on top was lit up, and as soon as I made direct eye contact with the sign--poof!--it turned off.

I'm looking for rational explanations...although it is creepy enough to suggest something supernatural or spiritual.

Answer 1

HPS 2000 watt + a photo cell for night time. you would have to keep your lights on the photo cell for around three minutes for the to cut out.

Answer 2

The full name is, high pressure sodium

Answer 3

If the street lights are cycling, tell the city street dept. so they can get them replaced. It can be because they are almost dead, or the photo cell on top of them.

Answer 4

Ii don't know what causes it. I deliver pizza at night and I have noticed it too. I have always wondered what causes it. It seems like they go out as soon as I drive under them.

Answer 5

There are no specific hours. The most common way of making sure the light comes on when it starts getting dark is to use a photo-electric cell. This measures the level of light and switches the lamp on at dusk and off at dawn.

Try this site.............

http://www.wintersteel.com/SLIders_Pheno...

Answer 6

Sodium based exterior lights (I dont know the full name of them) is your explanation.  When they burn out they come on for a while, heat past their point of cutting out and cut out.  Thats the basis, I dont know all the science behind it, all I know is we have  many of them where I work and when someone tells me the lights keep turning off I know they are burnt out.

No special powers - sorry

Answer 7

they are light sensing and go on when it gets dark.  If your lights are real bright, that could trigger them...