Battery Backup Systems
Battery Backup Power Systems: Ensuring Continuous Traffic Operations and Safety
Today, infrastructure demands an always-on status. Nowhere is this more critical than for our roadways and intersections. Battery Backup Systems (BBS) and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) solutions are essential technologies for a more resilient and sustainable Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure. These systems are designed to ensure the uninterrupted operation of traffic signals during power outages, natural disasters, and other emergencies. By maintaining traffic flow and safety, especially at critical intersections, BBS/UPS plays a vital role in roadway safety.
Why Battery Back-Up Systems Are Essential for Traffic Signals
For Dynamic Multimodal Network Management, the integration of traffic signal battery backup and traffic signal UPS systems is no longer optional. It’s essential. These BBS/UPS technologies not only provide emergency power but also align with broader goals of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship, especially when paired with solar-powered traffic signals and solar battery backup solutions.
Safety During Power Outages
Power outages can occur unexpectedly due to severe weather, equipment failure, or utility power instability. When traffic signals go dark, intersections become hazardous zones. This increasing the risk of collisions and pedestrian injuries is preventable. Battery back-up power systems mitigate these risks by instantly activating during outages, keeping traffic signals operational and ensuring public safety.
In high-volume traffic areas, even a brief signal failure can lead to roadway chaos. Emergency responders, public transit, and everyday commuters rely on consistent signalized traffic control. With a traffic signal UPS, cities can maintain order and prevent accidents, even when the power grid fails.
Intersection Reliability and Resiliency
Modern intersections are more than just signalized roadway junctions. They’re hubs of critical electronics and ITS communications. Many are equipped with sensors, cameras, and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications that require always on power. A traffic signal battery backup and UPS systems ensure these components continue functioning, preserving data integrity and operational continuity.
Resilient intersections are a prerequisite for Smart City integration. By deploying robust battery back-up power systems, municipalities can enhance their infrastructure’s ability to withstand and recover from disruptions due to natural disasters, as well as planned or unplanned power outages. This ensures that critical ITS communications and traffic management applications remain online.
Sustainable Alternatives to Traditional Power Backup
Limitations of Lead-Acid-Based Battery Systems
Historically, lead-acid batteries have represented the primary battery module type for BBS and UPS solutions. While cost-effective, they come with significant drawbacks:
- Shorter lifespan and frequent replacements
- Heavy weight and bulky size
- Environmental concerns due to toxic materials
- Limited temperature tolerance
These limitations make lead-acid systems less ideal and even a hazard for modern, sustainable infrastructure initiatives. As cities aim to reduce their environmental impact and improve operational efficiencies, alternative energy storage technologies are gaining traction.
Nickel-Zinc Battery Backup Innovations
Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries offer a compelling alternative to lead-acid systems. Known for their high energy density, longer cycle life, and environmental friendliness, NiZn batteries are increasingly used in traffic signal UPS applications.
NiZn battery-based systems provide a lighter-weight and more compact design that can fit into existing traffic control cabinets. They are non-toxic and constructed with largely recyclable materials. NiZn battery modules offer superior performance in extreme temperatures over lead-acid batteries, while providing quicker recharge times. They also deliver longer storage and operational life than lead-acid batteries.
These attributes make NiZn a higher-performing choice over lead-acid-based BBS/UPS systems. This is important for cities seeking to modernize their battery back-up power systems while aligning with environmental and sustainability goals.
Supercapacitors for Intersection Power
Another emerging technology is the use of Graphene-based supercapacitors in traffic signal backup systems. Unlike traditional batteries, supercapacitors store energy electrostatically, delivering decades operational life, including up to one million charge and discharge cycles.
Supercapacitor BBS/UPS solutions provide ultra-fast response during power outages with zero maintenance or environmental impact. They offer long operational life with minimal degradation, including storage life with no cell damage. In addition, Graphene-based battery modules have a temperature operating range between -30°C and +65°C with no derating or energy loss, so they are high reliability in harsh environments. Supercapacitors can be direct replacement for lead-acid batteries entirely.
Supporting Renewable Energy Integration
The integration of solar-powered traffic signals represents a significant leap toward more sustainable infrastructure. These applications require a robust and reliable BBS/UPS solution with minimal to zero maintenance. Solar power traffic signal systems harness solar energy to power intersections, reducing dependence on the grid and lowering carbon emissions. They require a battery backup power system that provide numerous charge and discharge cycles.
Key benefits:
- Energy independence and cost savings
- Reduced environmental impact
- Ideal for remote or off-grid locations
- Seamless integration with existing UPS battery backup power supply systems
By combining solar energy with advanced battery technologies, cities can create resilient, eco-friendly mobility management solutions.
Key Features of Modern Traffic Battery Backup Systems
Uninterruptible Power Supply Technology
At the heart of every reliable traffic signal battery backup system is UPS technology. These systems detect power loss instantly and switch to backup mode without interrupting signal operation.
Modern UPS battery backup power supply units deliver seamless transition during outages. They also monitor voltage regulation and provide surge protection. UPS solutions provide compatibility with various battery chemistries and offer a pathway to deploying more environmentally friendly alternatives to lead-acid batteries. UPS systems offer scalable configurations for different intersection sizes and are critical for maintaining mobility and safety.
Intelligent Monitoring and Remote Management
Today’s battery backup power systems deliver greater intelligence to meet the data-driven needs of Dynamic Multimodal Network Management strategies. Equipped with remote monitoring features, these systems allow municipalities to track battery health and performance in real time. They also send alerts for maintenance or faults. Advanced
Extended Runtime and Fast Recovery
One of the most important metrics for any traffic signal UPS is runtime. The duration a BBS/UPS solution can keep signals operational during an outage is vital. Modern systems offer extended runtimes, exceeding nine hours on a single battery module pack. Additionally, fast recovery times ensure that batteries recharge quickly once power is restored, minimizing downtime and preparing the system for future outages.
Econolite’s Leadership in Battery Back-Up Solutions
Pioneering Sustainable Battery Backup
For nearly 100 years, Econolite has been at the forefront of traffic management innovation. With an unwavering commitment to sustainability and safety, Econolite’s battery back-up power systems and UPS solutions incorporate cutting-edge technologies like NiZn batteries, Graphene-based supercapacitors, and highly efficient traffic cabinet solutions that support a variety of off-grid power sources, including solar.
Econolite’s systems are designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern intersections, offering:
- Modular, scalable, and hot-swappable designs
- Higher performing alternative to lead-acid-based systems
- Seamless integration with Smart City infrastructure
- Environmentally responsible components
In addition, by integrating the UPS system with Centracs,® ATMS (on-premise), Econolite offers cities system monitoring, control, configuration, management, and report generation capabilities as part of an interactive user dashboard. Leveraging the UPS entity within Centracs’ intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI), users can see system status on a scalable map and click on each unit location to pull up system details. In addition, specific system triggers can be set according to operational parameters, including power failures and restoration.
Real-World Success Stories
Across North America, forward-looking municipalities have partnered with Econolite to deploy reliable traffic signal BBS/UPS solutions. From hurricane-prone coastal regions to wide temperature range remote rural intersections, Econolite’s solutions have proven their infrastructure sustainability and resilience value.
A few examples include:
- Florida DOT Approves TechPower ZX Supercapacitor
- Utah DOT Selects Supercapacitor for BBS Upgrade
- San Diego County Safety Power Shutoff BBS Project
- Florida DOT Approves Econolite’s ZinceBlue2®
These real-world examples demonstrate the acceptance level of municipalities investing in advanced battery back-up power systems and UPS solutions that offer higher performing alternatives to lead-acid-based batteries.
Commitment to Safety and Sustainability
Econolite’s mission goes beyond technology and innovation. It’s about creating safer, smarter, and more sustainable communities. Our traffic signal battery backup systems and UPS solutions are designed with a greener future in mind. By supporting clean energy initiatives, together with our customers, we can build sustainable Smart City ecosystems that lower the impact on the environment while enhancing roadway safety. By prioritizing innovation and environmental responsibility, Econolite continues to lead the way in multimodal infrastructure modernization.
Building Resilient, Always-On Infrastructure
The always-on status of Smart City ecosystems highlights the need for reliable, sustainable power solutions. Battery back-up power systems and UPS solutions are a foundational element of this transformation. They help ensure that traffic signals and ITS remain operational under all conditions.
Innovative BBS/UPS solutions that offer higher performing alternatives to lead-acid batteries have also support alternative power options, including solar-powered traffic signals. NiZn and Graphene-based Supercapacitor battery module innovations are leading the way to a future that is more resilient and greener. By investing in these technologies, municipalities can enhance public safety while reducing environmental impact. Econolite continues to support this journey, offering proven solutions that align with the goals of Smart City integration and sustainable infrastructure. With a legacy of innovation and a vision for the future, Econolite’s battery backup power systems and traffic signal UPS solutions are helping ensure a more resilient mobility future.
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