As Southern California increases the risk of wildfire danger does too, do to the lack of rain and high temperatures, CalTrans and other highway companies are changing how we drive.
If you drive around you may see a new highvisibility yellow border on the back plate of the traffic signal. This new improvement is to improve visibility of the sign.
The reason for this, is when the utility companys shut off power to reduce the risk of a wildfire. Several of Caltrans’ traffic signals have battery backups, but even in an extended blackout it can deplete them. The priority will be given to signals in areas where wildfires are more inclined to break out.
An excerpt from the official bid to CalTrans from page 2. Used with permission.
If there is a blackout, Caltrans expects drivers to see traffic signals even if they are not functioning – The law states drivers must treat non-working signals as stop signs. - These new apparatuses around the signal will be visible to all drivers even at night.
