What are the white cameras posted on top of traffic lights?

The other day I might have or almost have ran a red light. I barely passed the line at the beginning of the intersection before the traffic light turned red. I'm worried since I just got my car, are these white cameras at the top control the street lights?



I checked on a site to find red light cameras and the area I drove in said there wasn't a camera there. I keep seeing these white cameras on top of the traffic lights and I'm not sure. Clear things up for me please.What are the white cameras posted on top of traffic lights?
The only thing I could think of is that they are red light camera's. I don't know why they wouldn't be listed though.
http://hubpages.com/_first7hubs/hub/10-Inexpensive-Cameras

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What are the white cameras posted on top of traffic lights?
They serve one of two functions depending upon the installation.



1. They detect the presence of vehicles. When a vehicle is detected, the traffic light will cycle to allow the vehicle to receive a green indication. These are used to detect vehicles in turn lanes or low traffic volume side street applications. They are cheaper to install and maintain and easily modified if needed than loops of wire in the roadway.



2. They are video monitors to monitor the flow of traffic. The traffic control center can modify signal timing if necessary to account for heavier than normal traffic volumes or special events.



They are not red light running cameras. It would be nearly impossible to get the license plate number of the vehicle from such a high angle.
If they are actually mounted on top of the traffic lights they are not likely to be red light cameras as these anr normally mounted a distance from the lights to be able to read on offending vehicles licence plate.They are more likely to be sensors to detect traffic flow or pedestrian presence to alter the light sequence.Check next time to see where they are actually pointing.What are the white cameras posted on top of traffic lights?
there just camera's used to watch the turning lane,they let the control panel know to activate the turning light when a car is in the turning lane,your ok ! they don't record.

they are cheaper than replacing the underground censers.
They are either the so called "red light" cameras that catch those violators of the red light, or just traffic flow cameras........one way to tell is to look for the separate flash units that are mounted near the red light cameras
They are cameras but instead they are used for watching traffic in high accident areas that have been reported to the police, at least that's what they are in the state of Texas.
Yes they are cameras that take pictures of people running red lights. They take a picture of the driver and the license plate number. If your picture was taken then expect a ticket in the mail soon.
it is just a plain camera for monitoring traffic not a red light cam