A one-of-a-kind innovation makes Hillsborough County roads safer during widespread and extended power outages
Hillsborough's power outage emergency beacons provided safe intersections again in 2024
Hillsborough County's innovative safety solution to keep traffic lights flashing long after a power outage proved itself a critical resource again in 2024. When Hurricanes Helene and Milton knocked out power to about 120 intersections, the solar-powered flashing beacons kept the intersections operating safely until power companies could restore connection for the regular signals.
Hillsborough has installed Power Outage Emergency Beacons (POEB) at 173 intersections across the County. Public Works staff has set a goal to install the technology at all 353 County-owned intersections. The Florida Department of Transportation loved Hillsborough's innovation and is installing POEBs at their 240 intersections as well.
A solution for extended outages
Severe tropical weather systems generate unique threats to public safety infrastructure. Among the most difficult-to-manage impacts are widespread and extended power outages, particularly for traffic signals. Roadways with dark traffic signals in the wake of a storm add additional threats to an already dangerous environment. Hillsborough County devised a unique and innovative solution to this persistent problem.
Drivers approaching an intersection at night with a dark traffic signal know the danger. Depending on the extent of the power outage and time of day, even an alert driver may not see the intersection at all. Often, people do not know to treat these intersections as four-way stops. Drivers unfamiliar with the area may not even be aware that they are cruising through an intersection. This can lead to devastating collisions.
Solar power to the rescue
In Florida, with a whole season devoted to hurricanes, it is common for large numbers of traffic lights to lose power during storms. Although traffic lights have backup systems that provide temporary power after they lose electricity, these systems are battery-based and only last six to eight hours. During a large storm with extensive damage to power lines, this usually is not enough time for crews to restore electricity when multiple intersections go dark at once.
To reduce the chances of crashes at intersections during prolonged power outages, Hillsborough County has been installing unique solar-powered backup emergency beacons. The flashing red LED beacons are positioned alongside traffic signals. They're either mounted on a mast arm, suspended from span wires over the intersection, or attached to an upright pole alongside the road.
Solar panels are installed to charge the battery-operated beacons. The beacons are only activated if the traffic light loses power and the backup battery system is spent. Once the emergency beacons are activated, the LED lights engage to turn the intersection into a four-way stop. These solar-powered beacons will operate indefinitely until crews can arrive at the intersection to set up temporary signage or repair the traffic lights. The technology is similar to the solar-powered traffic installations often used to power school-zone signals.
Hundreds of intersections benefit
This project began in 2018 and encompasses more than 300 intersections across the county. The solar-powered beacons program was developed in-house by Hillsborough County Public Works staff dedicated to keeping residents safe. It is a solution born of necessity.
With about 1,000 square miles and more than 1.5 million residents, Hillsborough County is among Florida's largest counties by both area and population. It features the dense urban environments of Tampa as well as heavily populated rural areas, all connected by an extensive roadway system. Traffic light outages, particularly if they are widespread and extended, pose serious safety risks across the county.
Traffic light safety
Even with the beacons, a traffic light could still malfunction. As a reminder, if a traffic light is not working, drivers should always approach with extreme caution. Coming to a complete stop and looking both ways could save your life and the lives of your passengers, nearby pedestrians, and other drivers.