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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Documentation
Documentation
Documentation
Documentation

10. DOCUMENTATION

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

12. 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!

13. 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

14. 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

15. If it can be hit…It will

16. Having on call contractors is an important part in emergency response

17. 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

18. Emergency Response on call team

19. 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

20. Qualified Technicians

21. Stock of spare parts is essential

22. Progress… System Upgrades

23. 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

24. Controllers

25. Safety Monitors

26. 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 $$$$

27. System Improvements Cabinet Replacements Providing Battery Backup
Video Detection

28. Safe Work An Important Element in P.M.

29. Having the right tools for the job

30. 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

31. Currently…
Access database

32. Inventory Link with GIS
Lighting Services
Signal Locations

33. Temporary Repairs
Because “It” Happens!

34. Keeping the Public Safe

35. Working with the Community

36. Making a Difference

37. Questions? Ideas? What works for YOUR Program?