Super Capacitors Power Signal and ITS Devices in Challenging Environments

Item #: 20240064

CONTACTS

Implementing Organization: Traffic Management Division, Region Four, Region Three
Implementation Lead: Tyson Larson
Development Team: Tyson Larson, Jayden Smith, Graig Ogden, Troy Torgersen, Catherine Jones, Devin Routson, Chris Smith, Tyler Laing, Craig Wagner (Econolite), and Tracy Cope (Econolite)

Article Written By: Tyson Larson & Quinten Klingonsmith
Innovation Council Liaison: Ramsey Beesley
Innovation Team Coordinator: Quinten Klingonsmith

STATUS

Implementation Date: May 1, 2024
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: What other challenging applications could you address with a supercapacitor?

APPLIES TO

Topic: Construction Practices
Organization(s): Aeronautics, Central Construction, Central Maintenance / Facilities Management, Equipment Operations, Performance and Asset Management, Railroad, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Research and Innovation, Risk Management, Strategic Technologies, Traffic and Safety, Traffic Management Division, Transit and Trails
Job Role(s): Construction Engineer, Mechanics / Equipment, Roadway Operations / IMT, Transportation Technician
Tags: highway transportation, capital productivity, infrastructure preservation, employee empowerment, occupational safety, expenses, expenditures, rural development, value of life, value of time, ( adoption ), inventions, products, standardization, supercapacitor, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, asset management, construction, design, equipment, facilities, highway operations, ( traffic operations ), maintenance, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, battery, lead-acid, lithium-ion, backup, solar, signals, counters, cameras, environmental quality > pollution > air, noise, quality of life, ( connected communities )

PROBLEM

UDOT’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) includes traffic cameras, non-intrusive detection devices, Variable Message Signs (VMS), and Traffic Monitoring Systems (TMS). When these devices are located off the power grid they are powered by solar panels.

Solar energy is stored in lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries for the night or times of the day and year when solar energy production is insufficient. Traditional batteries do not provide enough electricity to power devices at higher altitudes where temperatures drop well below freezing during the winter. Traditional batteries take too long to recharge in these challenging environments or will not recharge at all.

In addition, batteries typically have a short, five-year lifespan, which is further reduced when exposed to extreme heat and cold or frequent discharges. The cost of batteries and the labor required to change them is significant.

The weight of these batteries is also a limiting factor. Sometimes a heavier battery is required than can be safely mounted to the pole.

The metals and chemicals in batteries are also hazardous to the environment and pose a safety risk if a battery were to be impacted by a crash.

CHANGE

Chris Smith, Deputy Fiber Optics Manager with the Traffic Management Division (TMD) at UDOT worked with a group of BYU engineering students to determine if super capacitors would be a good alternative to traditional batteries in signal backup systems. Super capacitors are an emerging technology that stores energy without many of the drawbacks of lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries.

Tyson Larson, an Electronics Technician from UDOT Region Four learned of this research. After discussing the technology with and obtaining permission from Tyler Laing and Troy Torgersen, he worked with Econolite to adapt this technology to UDOT’s ITS systems. The first installation of a super capacitor in the field powered an off-grid CCTV camera along SR 143 near Brian Head.

Due to its exceptional performance during the final two months of the 2024 winter season, Region Four is in the process of replacing nearly two dozen battery systems with super capacitors over the next few years. Catherine Jones, Region Three ITS PM is planning to upgrade nearly half a dozen of their challenging off-grid sites with super capacitors. Devin Routson of the Performance and Asset Management Division is testing super capacitors for traffic count sites and Chris Smith is continuing work to use super capacitors in traffic signal backup systems.

RESULT

A super capacitor’s ability to sustain repeated charge and discharge cycles and maintain its storage capacity in cold weather environments makes it a viable solution for off-grid systems in extreme environments.

While super capacitors are more expensive upfront than lead-acid batteries, their 15-year + lifespan, and low maintenance make up the price difference several times over.

Super capacitors are lighter than lead-acid batteries. In addition to being easier to install and maintain, this allows more watt-hours of energy to be stored in the same cabinet.

There are also fewer safety and environmental concerns with supercapacitors.