Citation

Cook B. IMSA J. 2012; L(3): 30-31.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, International Municipal Signal Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article shows how the intelligent transportation system (ITS) and operations industry has slowly progressed from considering lightning damage as an act of God to understanding that it can be prevented. The article describes how the time has come to get the lightning damage scenario under control. There are many things to be considered. The first action needed when a site sustains lightning related damage is get the site restored. It is also imperative that the protection system be investigated and fixed because it is obviously not working. If this is not done, the damage will continue. The second action needed is to add an audit of each site's protection system as part of a preventive maintenance program. Typically a site should be audited every 5 to 10 years depending on the significance of the site, frequency of lightning in the area, the soil type and equipment installed. The third action needed is to add a protection audit before the equipment or site is upgraded. Some traffic signal equipment that is being upgraded to the latest versions are often more than 20 years old. It is almost guaranteed that the protection system has deteriorated, increasing the probability that the site will sustain damage within the next few years.