Traffic Signal Maintenance – Best Practices

Presented to:

ITE Western District Annual MeetingSanta BarbaraJune 25, 2012

With:Mike Kato

Beza KedidaCedric Novenario

Presented by:Steve Fitzsimons

Outline

Introduction Summary of new ITE/IMSA

handbook Typical current practice “New tech” recommendations

Why Maintain Traffic Signals?

To preserve the benefits that the original installation provided

To give motorists a consistent driving environment

To avoid liability claims Extend life of installation and

reduce life cycle costs

Source ITE/IMSA

Types of Maintenance Based on Traffic Signal

Maintenance Handbook (ITE/IMSA, 2010)

Preventative Maintenance Response Maintenance Design Feedback/Updates Asset Management

Source ITE/IMSA

Preventative Maintenance Predictable, Scheduled Work Clean, Inspect, Adjust

Signal HeadsPed Push ButtonsSignal PolesPull Boxes and ConduitConductorsDetection – Loops, VIDS, or otherSignsBattery Backup/BBSController and Service Cabinets

InventorySource ITE/IMSA

Response Maintenance

Unpredictable, As-Needed Work Diagnose and Repair

Unexpected flashing operationCommunications failuresPole knockdownsBurned out lampsWire theft

Source ITE/IMSA

Asset Management Relatively New National Guideline Input and Response Tracking

Good general conceptWhat types of calls are consuming

staff timeFeedback to design standards

Inventory TrackingBuild a database

Keep track of parts or suppliers that are most reliable

Feedback to technical specificationsSource ITE/IMSA

Typical Current Practice

Basis for statements:Republic ITS/Siemens provides

contract maintenance to over 200 public agencies in CA and 300 nationally

Most of our clients have under 100,000 population

Many of our clients do not have dedicated traffic engineering staff

Typical Exclusions Preventative Maintenance

Keep inventory of part installation dates or manufacturing source

Signal timing in officeTrim vegetationCheck conductor condition‘Meg’ or reseal loops wiresAnnual load test of BBS batteriesCompare timing settings to current

recommendations Any kind of Asset Management

Why are there exclusions?

Cost No traffic engineering staff so

what would they do with the asset data anyway?

Reliance on judgment of maintenance crews

“New Tech” Equipment

Traffic signal equipment has evolved considerably in the last 10-20 yearsLED signal headsVideo detection systemsFiber optic or wireless interconnectBattery backup systemsComponents with Ethernet

connections

“New Tech” Recommendations

LED Signal HeadsRe-lamp every 5-10 years

Video Detection Systems (VIDS)Annually test aiming and accuracy

of detection zone shapes Fiber Optic Interconnect

Monthly vacuum dust off components

“New Tech” Recommendations

Wireless InterconnectAnnually check comm error reports

Battery Backup SystemsAnnually perform battery load tests

Modern equipment with Ethernet portsBuy diagnosis software and

connection cables

Thanks for your attention

Time for your questions