The answer is not "just a pole"

September 18, 2013 7:01 PM

One of my friends posted this picture on Flickr with the caption, "After several months, there's still no billboard on this thing. So what is it?" I have no idea so I'm turning to you.
posted by komara to Grab Bag (5 answers total)

That's a traffic camera. Note the big black dome hanging down from the arm on top of it that is protecting the camera unit from the elements.
posted by bfranklin at 7:03 PM on September 18, 2013 [1 favorite]

Comparison photo
posted by bfranklin at 7:09 PM on September 18, 2013

Agreed, traffic camera. If you Google "traffic cameras [your city or state]" and look for something that goes to the state Department of Transportation, you may even be able to find a live web feed from it.
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:27 PM on September 18, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I thought traffic camera as well until I viewed full size and didn't see any black dome. The arm + antenna does look similar to your example, but the LADOTD does not list a traffic camera at that intersection, so ... maybe the camera itself is not installed yet?
posted by komara at 7:27 PM on September 18, 2013

Best answer: Looks like that specific arm from the top of the pole might be a lift and lower attachment that hasn't had the camera hoisted yet. Makes sense with the height of that pole.
posted by bfranklin at 7:37 PM on September 18, 2013