NEWS
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City Awarded Traffic Signal Safety Grant
Sunnyvale, CA (10/24/02) – The City of Sunnyvale has been awarded a $271,600 grant from the California Energy Commission for installing battery back-up systems on traffic signals throughout the City. These systems provide electricity to keep traffic signals operating when power outages or other interruptions occur. The devices maintain traffic flow and improve safety during power emergencies, as well as decrease the need for Public Safety officers and City crews to respond to signal outages.
“Battery back up systems significantly upgrade the safety of our traffic signal system,” said Dennis Ng, Senior Engineer with the Traffic Engineering Division of the City Public Works Department. “We now have assurance of control over situations where previously we would have to scramble to restore control.”
Sue Russell, Public Works Field Services Superintendent, said, “Responding to traffic signal outages is a major disruption. These systems will save a half of a day’s work per incident on average for City crews, which is a significant productivity benefit.” The devices will also reduce the need to dispatch and place Public Safety officers in the dangerous duty of directing intersection traffic.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) created the grant program to recognize the benefits that battery back-up systems give to electrical consumers. Over 60% of the City’s signals will receive the systems and installation is expected to be completed before next summer.
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