Battery powered traffic signals planned for SOP

Last month's powerful thunderstorm that knocked out traffic signals on Stone Oak Parkway has spurred District 9 Councilwoman Elisa Chan to seek a battery-powered backup system.  A pilot program, the backup system is expected to be installed at five major intersections along Stone Oak Parkway at a cost of approximately $100,000.  Chan hopes to install a similar system along Northwest Military Highway as well.

The June 2 thunderstorm left as many as 120,000 CPS customers as well as several traffic signals throughout the city without power.  The light at Stone Oak Parkway and Huebner Road was down for a couple days, causing heavy traffic delays in the area. 

The battery backup system will enable the traffic signals to work even after power is lost due to thunderstorms, blown transformers or other interruptions.  This pilot program will be funded through District 9’s discretionary funds.