Case Studies McCain Intersection Works When All Others Fail During Category 3 Winter Storm Stella

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	McCain Intersection Works When All Others Fail During Category 3 Winter Storm Stella

McCain Intersection Works When All Others Fail During Category 3 Winter Storm Stella

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM) Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities Transportation
Applicable Functions	Facility Management Maintenance
Use Cases	Building Automation & Control Perimeter Security & Access Control Remote Asset Management Smart City Operations
Services	Hardware Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Given its climate and geography, the Massachusetts coastline is particularly susceptible to massive snow storms and blizzards as well as the power outages that accompany them. When they lose power, the majority of the region’s signalized intersections remain offline until utility service is restored, which in some cases, can be days or weeks. The danger of icy and snow-covered intersections is compounded by dark signals, one of the most dangerous traffic scenarios. In March 2017, late winter storm Stella brought blizzard conditions to parts of Massachusetts, blanketing New England with 3 – 5 feet of snow, leaving 100,000 customers without power. As a result, every one of Newburyport’s conventional traffic cabinets failed when they lost utility power. New England is not alone. Extreme weather is causing a dramatic increase in major power outages, estimated to have increased tenfold since the mid-1980s. Read More
About Customer	The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is responsible for the transportation infrastructure in the state of Massachusetts, including highways, public transportation, and traffic management systems. In early 2017, at the request of McCain Distributor, Electric Light Company, Inc., MassDOT approved a solo intersection pilot to test McCain’s Low-Voltage ATC (Advanced Traffic Controller) Cabinet. The pilot was initially designed to test the low-voltage cabinet’s safety features for installers. MassDOT's role is crucial in ensuring the safety and efficiency of transportation systems, especially during extreme weather conditions that can lead to power outages and hazardous driving conditions. Read More
Solution	McCain’s 48VDC Low-Voltage ATC Cabinet was deployed at the intersection of Old Route 1 and Low Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This cabinet is designed to operate on low voltage, which dramatically extends the life of battery backups and improves safety for anyone with access to the cabinet, such as installers, technicians, and consultants. During the late winter storm Stella in March 2017, this intersection remained fully operational despite massive power outages throughout the region. The battery backup system of the McCain cabinet was still at 70% capacity ten hours after the storm, enough to run the intersection for two days fully actuated and an additional two weeks in flashing yellow mode. This solution not only ensured continuous operation of the traffic signals but also protected drivers, personnel, and the public from accidental contact with high-voltage wires in the event of a knockdown. The low-voltage operation also lowered personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, making it safer for maintenance personnel. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Facility Management

Maintenance

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control

Perimeter Security & Access Control

Remote Asset Management

Smart City Operations

Services

Hardware Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Given its climate and geography, the Massachusetts coastline is particularly susceptible to massive snow storms and blizzards as well as the power outages that accompany them. When they lose power, the majority of the region’s signalized intersections remain offline until utility service is restored, which in some cases, can be days or weeks. The danger of icy and snow-covered intersections is compounded by dark signals, one of the most dangerous traffic scenarios. In March 2017, late winter storm Stella brought blizzard conditions to parts of Massachusetts, blanketing New England with 3 – 5 feet of snow, leaving 100,000 customers without power. As a result, every one of Newburyport’s conventional traffic cabinets failed when they lost utility power. New England is not alone. Extreme weather is causing a dramatic increase in major power outages, estimated to have increased tenfold since the mid-1980s.

About Customer

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is responsible for the transportation infrastructure in the state of Massachusetts, including highways, public transportation, and traffic management systems. In early 2017, at the request of McCain Distributor, Electric Light Company, Inc., MassDOT approved a solo intersection pilot to test McCain’s Low-Voltage ATC (Advanced Traffic Controller) Cabinet. The pilot was initially designed to test the low-voltage cabinet’s safety features for installers. MassDOT's role is crucial in ensuring the safety and efficiency of transportation systems, especially during extreme weather conditions that can lead to power outages and hazardous driving conditions.

Solution

McCain’s 48VDC Low-Voltage ATC Cabinet was deployed at the intersection of Old Route 1 and Low Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This cabinet is designed to operate on low voltage, which dramatically extends the life of battery backups and improves safety for anyone with access to the cabinet, such as installers, technicians, and consultants. During the late winter storm Stella in March 2017, this intersection remained fully operational despite massive power outages throughout the region. The battery backup system of the McCain cabinet was still at 70% capacity ten hours after the storm, enough to run the intersection for two days fully actuated and an additional two weeks in flashing yellow mode. This solution not only ensured continuous operation of the traffic signals but also protected drivers, personnel, and the public from accidental contact with high-voltage wires in the event of a knockdown. The low-voltage operation also lowered personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, making it safer for maintenance personnel.

Impact #1	In Newburyport, MA, after the storm, only the McCain intersection remained operational.
Impact #2	Every other signal in town remained dark until service crews were able to restore power.
Impact #3	The McCain 48VDC Low-Voltage ATC Cabinet dramatically extended the life of battery backups.

Impact #1

In Newburyport, MA, after the storm, only the McCain intersection remained operational.

Impact #2

Every other signal in town remained dark until service crews were able to restore power.

Impact #3

The McCain 48VDC Low-Voltage ATC Cabinet dramatically extended the life of battery backups.

Benefit #1	The battery backup was still at 70% capacity ten hours after the storm.
Benefit #2	The intersection could run for two days fully actuated and an additional two weeks in flashing yellow mode.
Benefit #3	100,000 customers were left without power during the storm.

Benefit #1

The battery backup was still at 70% capacity ten hours after the storm.

Benefit #2

The intersection could run for two days fully actuated and an additional two weeks in flashing yellow mode.

Benefit #3

100,000 customers were left without power during the storm.

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Overview

McCain Intersection Works When All Others Fail During Category 3 Winter Storm Stella

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit