When a major storm, car crash, or equipment failure knocks out power, intersections are often the first places to feel the impact. Without working traffic signals, travel times slow, crashes increase, and emergency responders face new risks. For agencies focused on safety and reliability, backup power is not optional; it’s essential.
Western Systems helps cities and transportation departments stay prepared with a full suite of backup power solutions, including the HyMax Fuel Cell and Battery Backup Systems (BBS) from Alpha Technologies. Here’s how these systems work together to keep intersections safe and operational when the grid goes down.
Keeping Signals Active When Power Fails
Every second counts when an outage hits. Battery Backup Systems automatically activate the moment grid power drops, keeping traffic signals and communications equipment online without interruption. This seamless transition prevents blackouts at intersections, maintaining safe traffic flow until utility power is restored or additional backup systems engage.
Extending Uptime During Long Outages
Some power disruptions last minutes; others last days. That’s where HyMax Fuel Cell systems come in. Using clean hydrogen power, HyMax delivers over five days of continuous runtime, ensuring critical intersections remain operational throughout extended outages. Cities using HyMax benefit from zero emissions, quiet operation, and reliable performance even during major grid failures, a major advantage for communities committed to Vision Zero and sustainability goals.
Protecting Signal Equipment from Power Surges
Sudden power loss or restoration can cause damaging voltage spikes that shorten equipment lifespan. Both HyMax and Battery Backup Systems provide clean, regulated power that prevents those surges from reaching controllers, detection systems, and communications hardware. The result: more reliable infrastructure, fewer emergency repairs, and lower maintenance costs over time.
Supporting Smarter, Safer Operations
Backup power isn’t just about keeping the lights on; it’s about maintaining system coordination. Reliable backup systems keep central communications and timing plans intact, preventing erratic signal behavior or unexpected flashing patterns. With uptime preserved, agencies can maintain traffic flow, support emergency response, and reduce driver confusion during high-stress events.
Reducing Field Risk for Maintenance Crews
When intersections go dark, technicians are often dispatched immediately, sometimes into heavy traffic or severe weather. Backup power systems minimize those emergency responses by keeping intersections powered safely from the start. Crews can plan their work more strategically, reducing exposure to dangerous roadside conditions while keeping the traveling public safer.
Building Toward Energy Resilience
Western Systems also supports hybrid configurations that pair battery power with solar or natural gas sources for extended uptime. These flexible systems help agencies prepare for a range of outage scenarios, from brief interruptions to regional grid failures, while advancing long-term sustainability goals.
Keeping Communities Moving, No Matter the Conditions
From Battery Backup Systems that deliver instant reliability to HyMax Fuel Cell technology providing days of clean, uninterrupted power, Western Systems equips agencies with the tools to keep intersections safe and operational in any condition.
Contact Western Systems to learn how your agency can strengthen its traffic infrastructure against future outages.