Elements of Effective Signal Maintenance Rick Butner Vern Page Patricia James Pierce County Public Works & Utilities

Pierce County Signal Inventory Total Population ~ 790,500 Unincorporated Population ~ 365,910 100 Signals - County 92 Signals – Contract Cities 27 Flashers 1,000 Luminaires – County / Contract City 10 Speed Radar Signs 14 School Flashers – County City /School District

Pierce County Signal Staff Traffic Operations Center 1 Traffic Operations Supervisor 1 Signal Foreman 4 Traffic Signal Technician II 2 Traffic Signal Technician I

Signal PM Program Does not have to be complicated A simple PM program can be very effective Documentation, Documentation……. Visit signals on scheduled routine basis Regular visits help to keep us out of court Ensure that the signal is operating as intended

An Effective PM Program Will reduce your liability exposure Accurate and regular records that document routine maintenance Reliable signals = less congestion, impatient drivers, and hopefully fewer accidents Asset Management Preservation of assets in the field Keeping equipment up to date and knowing when to retire a piece of equipment

Problems Commonly Found During Routine PM Checks Detection problems found 2008 19 Helps to minimize unnecessary traffic delays, and after hour call outs Graffiti cleaned during 2008 27 Removing graffiti quickly will help to reduce future tagging of cabinets and strain poles Good community service

Burnouts found during 2008 PM Signal Heads 14 Burnouts Found proactively prior to being called in Pedestrian Modules 8 Burnouts Increased pedestrian safety Street Lighting 12 Burnouts

General Preventive Maintenance Items Found During PM Checks Cabinets leaking water Paint Missing hand hole covers Broken pedestrian buttons Damage by public Missing or damaged junction box lids, Trip Hazards Loose and/or frayed wire Safety items Items found are either repaired at that time or marked for “follow up”, and repaired at a later date Good Preventive maintenance is good management of your assets, preservation, and reduces call outs

Documentation Documentation Documentation Documentation

DOCUMENTATION

Cabinet Testing All cabinets and detection equipment are tested at the shop prior to being placed in service

Safety Monitor Testing Annual testing of all safety monitors Safety monitors bench tested at shop All tests are printed and hard copies filed for 7 years We do not repair Safety monitors Repairs are completed and certified by factory Keep Records!

Consider This When Setting up Your Program Have control of your cabinet keys Have contractor cores Limit access to cabinets; staff only cores Keep 2 sets of prints for each cabinet 1 set kept in cabinet and 1 set on file at the shop Update cabinet prints following modifications No job is complete without making changes to the cabinet prints

Our Call outs for 2008 Electronic Issues Inside The Cabinet 15 calls 23.5 hours Detection Problems 4 calls 7 hours Traveling Public 2 calls 3.5 hours No Problem Found 3 calls 3 hours

If it can be hit…It will

Having on call contractors is an important part in emergency response

On Call Program Emergency response time is critical We provide 24/7 service One technician is on call during off hours Generally on site within the hour Out of driveway response time under 15 min Technicians take county vehicle home Good after hours answering service with accurate information of your system

Emergency Response on call team

After Hours Call Out What We Roll On Dark signals; unless known power outage Signal in flash Not operating properly Not cycling Damaged signals We do not roll on single burn outs after hours

Qualified Technicians

Stock of spare parts is essential

Progress… System Upgrades

When to Upgrade? Keeping your equipment up to date and personnel trained is an important element of an effective preventive maint. program Compatibility of Equipment Reliability of Equipment Availability of Service and Parts Knowing the Right Time to Retire your Equipment is Important for Asset Management and Budgeting Resources

Controllers

Safety Monitors

A Program for Upgrades Regular money budgeted and ear-marked specifically for upgrading equipment This program has been a key element in reducing our calls and keeping our system up to date. Signal System Upgrades $$$$

System Improvements Cabinet Replacements Providing Battery Backup Video Detection

Safe Work An Important Element in P.M.

Having the right tools for the job

The Right Tools? The right tools for the job The wrong tools Get the job done efficiently, and safely. Increased morale The wrong tools Can lead to more problems than you started with Make your job much more uncomfortable Having the right tools for the job helps to build morale in your Technician. It can get old trying to strip a wire with dull tools

Currently… Access database

Inventory Link with GIS Lighting Services Signal Locations

Temporary Repairs Because “It” Happens!

Keeping the Public Safe

Working with the Community

Making a Difference

Questions? Ideas? What works for YOUR Program?