Flashing LED Retrofit Kit for Highway Signs

Item #: 20250026

CONTACTS

Implementing Organization: Region Four
Implementation Lead: Dan Hinckley
Development Team:
- Dan Hinckley, Region Four District Engineer
- Mike Christensen, Emery Shed Supervisor (4457)
- Dallas Hurst, Emery Shed Transportation Technician
- Braxton Young, Emery Shed Transportation Technician

Article Written By: Mike Christensen
Innovation Council Liaison: Mindi Cowley
Innovation Team Coordinator: Quinten Klingonsmith

STATUS

Implementation Date: June 26, 2024
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: Are you interested in these retrofit kits? Please contact innovation@utah.gov for more information.

APPLIES TO

Topic: Safety and Health
Organization(s): Central Maintenance / Facilities Management, Central Preconstruction, Equipment Operations, Performance and Asset Management, Railroad, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Risk Management, Traffic and Safety, Transit and Trails
Job Role(s): Mechanics / Equipment, Roadway Operations / IMT, Transportation Technician
Tags: active transportation, highway transportation, public transit, railroad transportation, capital costs, capital productivity, infrastructure preservation, parts, employee empowerment, crashes, injuries, economic benefits, expenses, expenditures, rural development, value of life, value of time, , inventions, products, risk management, insurance, asset management, design, equipment, highway operations, ( traffic operations ), maintenance, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, , warning sign, LED, solar, elk, deer, crossing, vehicle-wildlife, quality of life, user benefits

PROBLEM

Flashing LED signs have increased in popularity over the past 20 years due to their proven effectiveness. The Emery Maintenance crew desired to place two (2) flashing elk signs in an area of I-70 prone to a high incidence of vehicle-wildlife crashes. However, LED perimeter-lit elk warning signs were not commercially available. Even if they were available, the $4,500 price tag of similar flashing LED signs is cost-prohibitive.

CHANGE

A retrofit kit to add flashing LEDs to any existing sign was developed. The kit uses an LED light strip, a battery, a solar panel, and a relay to light up the sign perimeter. The relay is used so that the light only flashes at night, when the solar panel is not generating electricity. All the parts are available from Amazon. Each kit costs about $100.

RESULT

This proof of concept demonstrates the viability of retrofitting signs as a cost-effective way to improve safety. These flashing elk signs help draw drivers’ attention to possible wildlife in the road, potentially avoiding crashes and saving lives.

The retrofit light kits are affordable and take about 30 minutes to install, saving thousands of dollars per sign.

Next Steps: The Innovation Program will work with the Emery Shed, Traffic Safety, Asset Management, and UDOT Electronics Technicians to refine the retrofit kit and ensure compliance with FHWA standards. Contact innovation@utah.gov if you are interested in these retrofit kits.