Traffic Signal Maintenance – Best Practices Presented to: ITE Western District Annual Meeting Santa Barbara June 25, 2012 With: Mike Kato Beza Kedida Cedric 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 Heads Ped Push Buttons Signal Poles Pull Boxes and Conduit Conductors Detection – Loops, VIDS, or other Signs Battery Backup/BBS Controller and Service Cabinets Inventory Source ITE/IMSA

Response Maintenance Unpredictable, As-Needed Work Diagnose and Repair Unexpected flashing operation Communications failures Pole knockdowns Burned out lamps Wire theft Source ITE/IMSA

Asset Management Relatively New National Guideline Input and Response Tracking Good general concept What types of calls are consuming staff time Feedback to design standards Inventory Tracking Build a database Keep track of parts or suppliers that are most reliable Feedback to technical specifications Source 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 office Trim vegetation Check conductor condition ‘Meg’ or reseal loops wires Annual load test of BBS batteries Compare 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 years LED signal heads Video detection systems Fiber optic or wireless interconnect Battery backup systems Components with Ethernet connections

“New Tech” Recommendations LED Signal Heads Re-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 Interconnect Annually check comm error reports Battery Backup Systems Annually perform battery load tests Modern equipment with Ethernet ports Buy diagnosis software and connection cables

Thanks for your attention Time for your questions