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Students are returning to schools across the City of Austin this week; some even started class last week. Flashing beacons surround most campuses to alert drivers they are in a school zone and must slow down to the posted speed limit.
Austin Transportation manages more than 600 school zone beacons across the city. While more than 90 percent of the clocks are connected to the City's Mobility Management Center and can be programmed and controlled remotely, a sizeable number require on-site programming.
"It's a challenging task, considering the sheer number of beacons we operate," said Brian Craig, consulting engineer with Austin Transportation's Arterial Management Division. "We rely on the support of personnel at our schools to provide an extra set of eyes to determine everything is working properly."
Craig said the Department activates the beacons for at least two consecutive days before classes begin. This allows crews to confirm the equipment is working properly and activating at the proper times. Throughout the year, teams perform preventive maintenance on up to half of the beacons. That work includes checking the batteries and solar panel and ensuring the lights are active and not blocked by trees or other obstructions.
Last November, Austin voters approved about $1.6 million to upgrade the City's school zone flashing beacon system. These funds, which are set aside in the 2020 Active Transportation and Safety Bond, will allow Austin Transportation to either replace the entire system or upgrade as much of it as possible. Craig said new systems allow two-way communications, so teams in the Mobility Management Center can confirm issues with beacons in real-time. If you experience a beacon operating outside school hours or malfunctioning, call 3-1-1 or submit a report online.
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