Why don't traffic lights have backup batteries?

[hopeless879]

I was thinking about this during the blackout last week. The traffic lights cause so many problems when they go out. It can't take that much power to run them, so why aren't they equipped with some kind of backup battery. I can't see it costing that much more.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

keep light on, long time...5 dolla

 

[edro]

Most of them in big cities do.... it just turns them into blinking red lights.

 

[notfred]

Had all the stoplights in New York had backup batteries sitting underground for the 25 years since the last power outage, they would all be completely dead and no longer hold a charge by now, I would think.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: notfred
Had all the stoplights in New York had backup batteries sitting underground for the 25 years since the last power outage, they would all be completely dead and no longer hold a charge by now, I would think.

why can't they recharge, be placed above ground so they can be tested on a regular basis, etc.?

 

[hopeless879]

Originally posted by: edro13
Most of them in big cities do.... it just turns them into blinking red lights.

I'm not sure about other cities, but they don't in Cleveland or any of the suburbs.

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: notfred
Had all the stoplights in New York had backup batteries sitting underground for the 25 years since the last power outage, they would all be completely dead and no longer hold a charge by now, I would think.

why can't they recharge, be placed above ground so they can be tested on a regular basis, etc.?

To do that, it would take an obscene amount of batteries, maintenance, personnel, etc. What happens when the batteries run out and the power is not back on yet? Or if the system has a malfunction? The cost would be insane. Just pay attention and drive with your brain and powered lights aren't necessary.

 

[Carp1812]

Newer traffic signals are being made with LED lights instead of actual bulbs in them. The bulb-type signals draw WAY too much power to make a battery back-up feasible. There have been some successful attempts though with newer LED signals.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: notfred
Had all the stoplights in New York had backup batteries sitting underground for the 25 years since the last power outage, they would all be completely dead and no longer hold a charge by now, I would think.

why can't they recharge, be placed above ground so they can be tested on a regular basis, etc.?

Underground, or overground, it would be super-expensive.

How about a set of stop-signs that auto-deploy in the event of a power failure? That would help prevent accidents, because in total darkness, it's often difficult to see a dark traffic signal until you're practically right on top of the intersection, so some people not intimately familiar with the area don't see it in time to stop.

 

[Vic]

$$$

 

[T3C]

they just blink red, wich turns them into a four way stop

 

[KK]

YOu'd think that they would have solar powered lights, that could switch to AC if the sun goes down.

KK

 

[BadgerFan]

Originally posted by: hopeless879
I was thinking about this during the blackout last week. The traffic lights cause so many problems when they go out. It can't take that much power to run them, so why aren't they equipped with some kind of backup battery. I can't see it costing that much more.

Like a lot of things it all comes down to cost. Sure, you could make an awesome set of batteries that might power each light for weeks, but who wants to pay for it? You? The cities have to budget their money occordingly, and betting on the chance that there might be a power outtage and spending tax payer money isn't gonna make a lot of people happy, even if it is the right thing to do!

I work for one of the big three car manufacturers in Detroit, and I hear something similar all the time. "Why don't you put X item in the car?" Simple, if we save a 1 dollar on each car, and we make a million of the model each year, thats an extra million dollars on the bottom line. Goverment spending, like the automaking industry, is cut throat. People sometimes forget how little taxes we pay, or little a complex (and large!) device such as a car costs!

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: KK
YOu'd think that they would have solar powered lights, that could switch to AC if the sun goes down.

KK

Replacing the current system would cost $.

 

[sharkeeper]

LED traffic signals are showing up and a UPS system with solar charging assistance is being tested in several states. The system is also capapable of digitally recording and transmitting the images of violators' license plates!

It's amazing that a traffic light can control traffic 24/7; put a man in there to direct traffic and you get tied up!

-DAK-

 

[Tsaico]

Well, I am gonna toss this out... during the blackout, I doubt there was much tourism going on, we I postulate the far majority of people traveling were the regulars. Now these regulars should be familiar with the streets and turns, and STOPS. So if they got into accidents because they didn't see a red light telling them to stop and figured the other sets of car headlights would stop for them, then they deserve to get smacked. This goes for pedestrians too, specially kids...

 

[tcsenter]

Newer traffic signals are being made with LED lights instead of actual bulbs in them. The bulb-type signals draw WAY too much power to make a battery back-up feasible. There have been some successful attempts though with newer LED signals.

Ding ding ding, we have a weiner! I mean winner!

Most of the traffic signals in this country are still the 100% analog-circuit lamp/bulb types (because they're extremely durable and can take a lightening strike). These things are wired for like 420v or something, they require a helluvalot of juice.

Battery backups would be cost prohibitive. A couple turbo diesel generators is more feasible and cheaper in the long run.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Newer traffic signals are being made with LED lights instead of actual bulbs in them. The bulb-type signals draw WAY too much power to make a battery back-up feasible. There have been some successful attempts though with newer LED signals.

Ding ding ding, we have a weiner! I mean winner!

Most of the traffic signals in this country are still the 100% analog-circuit lamp/bulb types (because they're extremely durable and can take a lightening strike). These things are wired for like 420v or something, they require a helluvalot of juice.

Battery backups would be cost prohibitive. A couple turbo diesel generators is more feasible and cheaper in the long run.

Remember, the higher the voltage, the lower the "juice"(amps).

But I concur, they wouldn't be able to back the lightbulb kind up with batteries.

 

[jurzdevil]

the most efficient way to do that would be to have the light son their own circuit witha central backup station.

since the blackouts dont occur often it takes a back seat when there are other things money can be used for.