Traffic Technology TodayTraffic Technology Today
  • News
    • A-D
      • Appointments & Staffing
      • Asset Management
      • Autonomous Vehicles & ADAS
      • Awards
      • Cloud Computing
      • Congestion Reduction
      • Connected Vehicles
      • Covid-19
      • Cybersecurity
      • Data & Modeling
      • Deals, Acquisitions & Mergers
    • E-J
      • Electric vehicles & infrastructure
      • Emissions & Low Emission Zones
      • Enforcement
      • Event News
      • Funding
      • Incident Detection
      • Infrastructure
      • Intersections & Traffic Signals
      • ITS
    • K-S
      • Legal / Government Regulation
      • Machine Vision / ALPR
      • Mapping
      • Mobility as a Service
      • Multimodality & Micromobility
      • Planning, Testing, R&D
      • Public transit
      • Safety
      • Smart Cities
      • Smart Parking
    • T-Z
      • Tolling
      • Traffic counting & categorization
      • Traffic Management
      • Traveler Information Systems
      • Tunnels & Bridges
      • Variable Message Signs
      • Vulnerable Road Users
      • Weather systems
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
  • Online Magazines
    • September 2023
    • May 2023
    • March 2023
    • Nov/Dec 2022
    • September 2022
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
    • > Tolltrans
  • Videos
  • Audio
    • The Transportation Podcast
    • Additional Audio
  • Events
  • Webinars
  • Technology Profiles
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe >
Traffic Technology TodayTraffic Technology Today
  • News
      • Appointments & Staffing
      • Asset Management
      • Autonomous Vehicles & ADAS
      • Awards
      • Cloud Computing
      • Congestion Reduction
      • Connected Vehicles
      • Covid-19
      • Cybersecurity
      • Data & Modeling
      • Deals, Acquisitions & Mergers
      • Electric vehicles & infrastructure
      • Emissions & Low Emission Zones
      • Enforcement
      • Event News
      • Funding
      • Incident Detection
      • Infrastructure
      • Intersections & Traffic Signals
      • ITS
      • Legal / Government Regulation
      • Machine Vision / ALPR
      • Mapping
      • Mobility as a Service
      • Multimodality & Micromobility
      • Planning, Testing, R&D
      • Public transit
      • Safety
      • Smart Cities
      • Smart Parking
      • Tolling
      • Traffic counting & categorization
      • Traffic Management
      • Traveler Information Systems
      • Tunnels & Bridges
      • Variable Message Signs
      • Vulnerable Road Users
      • Weather systems
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
  • Online Magazines
    1. September 2023
    2. May 2023
    3. March 2023
    4. Nov/Dec 2022
    5. September 2022
    6. Archive Issues
    7. Subscribe Free!
    8. > Tolltrans
    Featured
    September 15, 2023

    In this Issue – September 2023

    Online Magazines By Tom Stone
    Recent

    In this Issue – September 2023

    September 15, 2023

    In this Issue – May 2023

    May 4, 2023

    In this Issue – March 2023

    March 20, 2023
  • Videos
  • Audio
    • The Transportation Podcast
    • Additional Audio
  • Events
  • Webinars
  • Technology Profiles
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Traffic Technology TodayTraffic Technology Today
Smart Parking

TAPCO launches lightweight self-contained solar cabinet at ATSSA Annual meeting

Adam FrostBy Adam FrostFebruary 12, 20193 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

One of the USA’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of traffic and parking control products, Traffic and Parking Control Co. Inc. (TAPCO), has launched a new solar-generated power supply at the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s (ATSSA) 2019 Annual Convention and Traffic Expo, which has been taking place in Tampa, Florida, this week.  

TAPCO’s innovative new 13W, self-contained solar cabinet is suitable for powering a range of roadside intelligent warning systems and traffic-calming devices. The unit scales one-third of the weight of traditional cabinets and features a universal mounting bracket and intuitive wiring, making it fast and easy for one person to install.

The Wisconsin-based company says its compact size and contoured black finish also allows the new solar-powered cabinet to blend inconspicuously with its environment.

The use of lightweight, compact components contained in one housing achieves an aesthetically pleasing appearance that blends in with much modern urban design.

Traditional cabinets with batteries can weigh more than 30 lb (13.6kg). TAPCO was able to eliminate two-thirds of that weight by using nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which weigh a small fraction of traditional lead-acid batteries.

Further weight reduction was achieved by employing a durable polycarbonate housing instead of aluminum.

APCO notes that its innovative use of materials, technology and components also translates to cost savings.

With this budget-friendly option that requires half the labor of more complex products, communities can get more for their project dollars and improve traffic safety at more locations.

Programming the unit is also fast and easy, using TAPCO’s backlit, intuitive controller with a joystick interface.

Despite its small size and weight, the 13W cabinet provides a robust menu of features such as:

  • Multiple possible battery configurations that provide 6V up to 28 amp-hours to deliver autonomy of up to 30 days;
  • The housing of solar panel, batteries and controller in one unit;
  • Fits all pole types with TAPCO’s universal mounting bracket;
  • Operability with three different kinds of TAPCO’s intelligent warning system (IWS) devices – BlinkerBeacon, RRFB-XL2, and BlinkerSign;
  • Operating temperature range -40˚F to 122˚F (-40˚C to 50˚C);
  • Support of both active and passive activation methods.

“A frequent pain point for public works technicians is the weight and size of current solar cabinets,” said Jon Zick, director of engineering and marketing at TAPCO.

“Carrying a big, 30 lb metal box up a pole and attaching it is an awkward and even dangerous two-person job. In contrast, one person can easily lift our new, self-contained cabinet up to the pole top and fasten it quickly using our universal mounting bracket.”

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleEuropean project implements ‘Intermediary’ role in traffic information pilots
Next Article Chula Vista Police and Cape announce early results of Drone as a First Responder trial
Adam Frost

Adam joined the company in 1994, and has been News Editor of TTT since 2009. In his other role as Circulation Manager, he helped create the original Traffic Technology International distribution list 23 years ago, and has been working on it ever since. Outside of work, he is a keen fisherman, runs a drumming band, and plays an ancient version of cricket.

Related Posts

Features

FEATURE: How one Native American tribe is tackling the problem of road safety

November 16, 20238 Mins Read
Autonomous Vehicles & ADAS

smartmicro launches North American operation

October 6, 20232 Mins Read
Partnerships, Acquisitions & Mergers

Parkopedia integrates 100,000 Just Park spaces in new partnership

August 24, 20232 Mins Read
Latest Posts

OPINION: Why we don’t need to fear AI and machine learning

November 29, 2023

USDOT’s new interactive map shows cost/benefit of ITS nationwide

November 29, 2023

AUDIO: Why endangered species must be protected during road construction

November 29, 2023
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the ‘best of the week’ from TrafficTechnologyToday.com direct to your inbox every Thursday


Supplier Spotlight
  • Cross Zlin
    CROSS Zlín a.s.
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Free Email Newsletters
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Editors
  • Supplier Spotlight

Upcoming Events

Jan 7
7th January 2024 - 11th January 2024

TRB Annual Meeting

Jan 9
9th January 2024 - 12th January 2024

CES 2024

Apr 16
16th April 2024 - 19th April 2024

Intertraffic Amsterdam

View Calendar
© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.