A Journal for Today's Construction Professional

Volume #1 Issue #3

Fits Traffic to a "T" Problem Paint a busy, two-lane Mississippi River bridge with minimal disruption to traffic flow. Where Savanna, Illinois When Summer to Fall 2002, and Spring to Summer 2003 Background The Illinois Department of Transportation faced an extraordinary problem on a recent bridge painting project in Savanna Illinois. The bridge over the Mississippi river terminates on the Illinois side at a T intersection. To carry out the work, lane closure and traffic control would be required. Due to the signal system having to be moved at various times during the project, the temporary span wire traffic lights could not be used. The other challenge was running the power wires across the bridge. The convenience of the Horizon PTS System provides the reconfiguration of the traffic signals from a three signal, two phase set up to a two signal, two phase set up with ease. Several unique signalization challenges had to be overcome 1. Running electrical power over 2000 feet on a steel bridge. 2. Relocating and reconfiguring the signal system several times over the course of the project. 3. Mounting and locating the traffic signal head to ensure maximum visibility. 4. Finding some alternative to the use of in-ground loop detection on the steel, open-grate bridge. Solution The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) chose John Thomas Inc. and Horizon Signal Technologies' Solar Powered Portable Traffic Signal System (Horizon PTS System) for this project. The highly portable Horizon PTS System was set up by the John Thomas crew in just a few hours. Two signal heads per unit, with bright 12-inch LED lights mounted both overhead and also at the side of roadway, are visible and effective. As work progressed, the system was easily relocated and reconfigured. The need to run power lines on the steel bridge was completely eliminated. The Horizon PTS System provides 19 days of battery capacity along with a solar-assisted charging system. And since the system uses non-intrusive microwave detection to accomplish traffic actuation the need for in-ground loops was also eliminated. During the project's hiatus over the winter months all equipment was removed from the work site. The project resumed in 2003 with the redeployment of the Horizon PTS System. This project demonstrates the versatile, dependable performance that customers throughout the distributor territory of John Thomas Inc. and their professional customer service team provides. The Horizon Solar Assisted Portable Traffic Signal System provides safe, effective and dependable service throughout the United States and Canada through their distributor network.

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