Driving a car in a city with a traffic jam at night, proceeding slow in a line of cars with red taillights during the rush hour. view from inside the car. Blurred streets lights on the background. Dusk, blue skylight.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By Dalia Faheid
Updated October 26, 2022 5:01 PM
Fort Worth drivers are noticing red flashing traffic signals, or full-on outages, worsening the already chaotic rush hour traffic.
The city’s Department of Transportation & Public Works says the weather is mostly to blame for the traffic light malfunctions.
Fort Worth has about 1,000 traffic signals. If no inclement weather is present, there are typically two to four traffic light outages a day. That’s due to the city’s preventative maintenance program, the department says.
The stoplight outages are due to power outages at Oncor caused by the high winds. And traffic signals blink red during a storm because of power surges from Oncor and/or lightning. When Oncor surges or lighting occurs, voltage irregularities cause the traffic signal to go into its red flash mode of operation.
According to the Texas Transportation Code, if a traffic signal is out of order or flashing red, then the intersection reverts to a four-way stop.
Stopping the traffic signal from flashing red needs to be done manually by a qualified traffic signal technician who can verify the hardware is working properly. To reduce the number of flashing red lights, the city has begun installation of battery backup units that can prevent surges and keep the signal operating regularly when power is interrupted.
Most flashing signals are restored the same day, according to the transportation department, many within two hours as long as the signals have power.
Click here to report an issue with traffic signals. You can also use the myFW app or call customer service at 817-392-1234.
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 4:45 PM.