Traffic signal devices and methods of using the same

1. A traffic signal system, comprising:

a first traffic signal device, including a first communications device and a first plurality of lights;

a second traffic signal device, including a second communications device and a second plurality of lights;

said first traffic signal device running a first program for controlling said first plurality of lights in a particular sequence;

said second traffic signal device running a second program for controlling said second plurality of lights in a particular sequence;

said first traffic signal device and at least said second traffic device being part of a network;

each of said first traffic signal device and said second traffic signal device being assigned a unique network address; and

said first traffic signal device periodically querying said second traffic signal device using said second traffic signal device's unique network address; and

the traffic signal system entering a cautionary state if at least one of:

a) at least one traffic signal device on the network fails to respond to a query; and

b) fails to query another traffic signal device on the network after a predetermined time period.

2. The traffic signal system of claim 1 , further including:

at least a third traffic signal device being part of said network, said at least a third traffic signal device including a third communications device and a third plurality of lights, said third traffic signal device additionally being assigned a unique network address; and

said first traffic signal device additionally periodically querying said at least a third traffic signal device using its unique network address.

3. The traffic signal system of claim 2 , further including:

at least a fourth traffic signal device being part of said network, said at least a fourth traffic signal device including a fourth communications device and a fourth plurality of lights, said fourth traffic signal device additionally being assigned a unique network address; and

said first traffic signal device additionally periodically querying said at least a fourth traffic signal device using its unique network address.

4. The traffic signal system of claim 1 , further including:

a secondary communications mechanism in at least one of said traffic signal devices in an intersection for providing communications between said at least one of said traffic signal devices and another device.

5. The traffic signal system of claim 4 , wherein the remote device is another traffic signal device in the same intersection.

6. The traffic signal system of claim 4 , wherein the remote device is another traffic signal device in a different intersection.

7. The traffic signal system of claim 4 , wherein the remote device is a vehicle in or near the intersection.

8. A method of synchronizing a traffic signal system, comprising:

providing a first traffic signal device running a first program of operation according to a first clock in the first traffic signal device;

providing at least a second traffic signal device in communication with the first traffic signal device, the at least a second traffic signal device running a second program of operation according to a second clock in the second traffic signal device;

with the first traffic signal device, periodically synchronizing the first clock with the second clock;

with at least one of the first and second traffic signal devices, wirelessly communicating control signals to a vehicle in an intersection containing the at least one of the first and second traffic signal devices, to control the automatic operation of the vehicle through the intersection;

periodically querying the at least a second traffic signal device with the first traffic signal device; and

setting the system to a cautionary state if the first traffic signal device fails to query the at least a second traffic signal device after a predetermined time period.

9. The method of claim 8 , including the step of:

setting the system to a cautionary state if the at least a second traffic signal device fails to respond to a plurality of queries from the first traffic device.

10. The method of claim 8 , including the steps of:

providing a third traffic signal device in communication with at least the first traffic signal device, the third traffic signal device running a third program of operation according to a third clock in the third traffic signal device;

with the first traffic signal device, periodically synchronizing the clock of the third traffic signal device to the clock of the first traffic signal device;

periodically querying the third traffic signal device with the first traffic signal device; and

setting the system to a cautionary state if at least one of the second or third traffic signal devices fails to respond to a query from the first traffic signal device or if the first traffic signal device fails to query the second or third traffic signal devices after a predetermined amount of time.

11. The method of claim 10 , including the steps of:

providing a fourth traffic signal device in communication with at least the first traffic signal device, the fourth traffic signal device running a fourth program of operation according to a fourth clock in the fourth traffic signal device;

with the first traffic signal device, periodically synchronizing the clock of the fourth traffic signal device to the clock of the first traffic signal device;

periodically querying the fourth traffic signal device with the first traffic signal device; and

setting the system to a cautionary state if at least one of the second, third or fourth traffic signal devices fails to respond to a query from the first traffic signal device or if the first traffic signal device fails to query the second, third or fourth traffic signal devices after a predetermined amount of time.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first program controls the actuation of a plurality of lights of the first traffic signal device.