Developing a Prototype of a Smart-lighting System for Isolated Rural Intersections: Phase 2

Abstract

Rural intersections are high-risk locations for road users. Particularly, during the nighttime, lower traffic volumes make it difficult for drivers to discern an intersection despite traffic signs. The lack of alertness may lead to severe crashes. An effective way to reduce the likelihood of crashes at isolated intersections is to warn road users of the intersection in advance. A smart-lighting system can detect approaching vehicles using sensors to illuminate the intersection. In the first phase of this project, we developed a prototype of a demand-responsive light. This report documents the second phase of development and deployment of a smart-lighting system at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). In this phase, we developed an installation-ready smart-light system that is ready for site deployment and analyzed its ability to generate and store power during winter.