Can solar power warning lights for crosswalks make a difference? Let’s look at the current statistics. Every 120 minutes, a pedestrian in the United States is struck and killed by a car. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4700 pedestrians were killed in the US in the year 2013. Plus, there were over 150,000 people injured (which required a trip to the emergency room) during this same time period. If you are walking across the street, you have a one and one half times greater chance of being killed by a car, than drivers or passengers. So what can be done about this? Solar hybrid pedestrian crosswalk systems can help.
What is a Hybrid Pedestrian System?
Not long ago, if you wanted to install a pedestrian crosswalk system you had to run AC power and it needed to be part of a complex traffic signal control system. However, today, this is not the case. A hybrid system is designed to perform all the functions of an integrated crosswalk system, but it can work on its own and can be run with DC solar power warning lights. Why is this such an important innovation?
Benefits of Hybrid Traffic Controls
Thanks to hybrid systems, crosswalk controls can be installed anywhere, and they do not have to be hard wired into a traffic light system. After all, not all dangerous crossings are controlled by traffic lights. Now you can install a system anywhere you feel the need for increased pedestrian safety. This is an excellent idea for crossings near schools or educational facilities.
Hybrid crosswalk systems provide pedestrians with both active and passive controls. The system can be activated with the push of a button. It can also be set to activate when a pedestrian is present (thanks to motion sensing technology). In this past, a passive feature was only available on traffic light systems.
Additional Benefits
One of the most important benefits you will notice is the absence of an electric bill each month. These units are designed to be completely self contained.
Power outages can totally disrupt a traffic system and cause major problems within a town or city. Thanks to hybrid systems, pedestrians can cross the street in safety when the entire city is without power. Even if there is a major blackout, your solar power warning lights will be still be shining and providing safe passage for people on foot.
Installation is easy and there is no need to hire an electrical contractor for the job. This can save a lot of money. In addition, to make it easier, you can order hybrid units with self cleaning solar panels and a twenty-year warranty.