Introduction
As part of its commitment to reduce energy use and promote the application of renewable energy technologies, Dudley MBC has used integrated solar photovoltaic panels on road signs and bollards at numerous sites across the borough.
What was involved
This on going project involves Dudley MBC financing the purchase and installation of 80 solar power road signs between 2007 and 2011. Two types of road signs have been installed in locations where a connection to the main electricity supply is either higher than expected or difficult to safely manage the traffic.
Central Island Bollards
TMP Heritage Solalite Central Island Bollards installed in 2010 as part of the Brierley Hill Sustainable Access Network are powered by a solar photovoltaic panel that converts the energy in the suns rays into electricity that is stored in a battery and used to illuminate the sign face by an internal LED.
Vehicle Activated Road Signs
These units are a type of sign that display a single or dual message, which are activated by the speed of a vehicle and are powered by a larger solar photovoltaic panel connected to a dual battery that stores the electricity until required. Vehicle activated road signs are installed across the borough primarily at uncontrolled School Crossing Patrol (SCP) locations, including High Street, Wollaston and Saltwells Road near Bowling Green Road. They will also be considered at key accident reduction sites as part of the Local Safety Scheme (LSS) programme. The installation costs of the solar photovoltaic panels were approximately the same as installing a standard electricity supply to the initial sites and were selected because there are no future fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced.
Outcomes
A successful speed reducing road safety tool will continue to be used as part of the Safer Routes to School (SRTS) programme which aims to introduce the VAS unit at all suitable SCP sites around the Borough.
The TMP Heritage Solalite bollard, or similar approved units, will continue to be installed on new pedestrian refuge islands as part of either the SRTS or LSS programmes, as well as larger traffic signal junction upgrades where replacement is necessary. Each bollard will produce an approximate electrical saving of £32.94 and a carbon saving of 0.537kg per KW for the Council.
