What happens to Douglas County traffic signals when they lose power?
It depends. Typically the signal will go “dark”. However, some of our existing traffic signals have a battery back-up system (Uninterruptible Power Supply – UPS) that can maintain either normal or flash operation of the traffic signal. Typically the UPS is capable of maintaining power for only a few hours. It is still crucial to remember that if the traffic signals do go “dark”, Colorado State Law (Colorado Revised Statute §42-4-612 or Colorado Model Traffic Code §612) dictates that motorists shall treat the intersection as an all-way stop sign, unless an officer is directing traffic. (New traffic signals that have not yet been turned on have bags over the signal indications so that they are not confused with a traffic signal that has lost power. Motorists should continue to use the visible traffic control devices – stop signs, etc – if present.
