Speaking

Severe storms often lead to widespread power outages, creating dangerous conditions at signalized intersections. Hillsborough County Public Works has pioneered a resilient solution to address this challenge through the deployment of Power Outage Emergency Beacons (POEB). Now in its third year, the county has installed POEB systems at 150 of its 585 intersections, ensuring safety during extended outages.

The POEB system is a solar-powered, automated technology that activates when both the main power and the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) fail. Once triggered, POEB displays a single red flashing light, converting the intersection into a four-way stop. This simple yet effective measure reduces crash risk and provides transportation teams critical time to prioritize emergency response without compromising safety elsewhere.

Recognizing its success, the Florida Department of Transportation District 7 began adopting POEB in August 2025, expanding its reach across the region. B&N supported this initiative by developing technical specifications, authoring design bulletins and providing installation guidance to ensure consistency and reliability.

This presentation will share actionable strategies, technical insights and lessons learned from implementing POEB systems. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on integrating resilient traffic signal solutions into transportation safety plans and community resilience frameworks.