A busy Mesa, Ariz. intersection gets modern signal equipment designed to improve traffic flow, reliability and safety.
Roadway Electric teams are accustomed to advanced electrical work at busy intersections, where planning, coordination and field precision all matter. A recent total rewire and camera installation in the East Valley of the Phoenix metro area shows what that work looks like when an older signal system needs a full upgrade.
At the intersection, the team moved over operations from an old traffic signal cabinet to a new cabinet, installed a new system conductor and connected updated detection cameras.
“We are splicing and hooking up all the detection cameras,” said Operator Ryan Smith, “Basically, a total rewire for this heavily used intersection.”
What happens during a total traffic signal rewire?
The project team replaced aging wiring and equipment that had served the intersection for years. Smith said “everything is new in the ground,” explaining that much of the older system was removed before new wire was pulled in and spliced.
Besides the new cabinet and conductor system, motorists will benefit from a host of upgrades, including overhead wiring, new pole heads, new foundations, new uprights and new mast arms.
In order to complete the advanced operation, Roadway teams had to:
- Pull in and splice the new conductor for the traffic system.
- Install and connect the video detection cameras.
- Replace older overhead and pole-mounted signal equipment.
- Coordinate work among Arizona Department of Transportation, Maricopa County Department of Transportation and other involved entities
Foreman Maxwell Grieser said the last part took extensive coordination. “We worked with many local governments to accomplish a host of things, from getting the appropriate permits to scheduling law enforcement to monitor traffic.”
How video detection improves traffic flow
The upgraded system replaces older loop detection with video detection. Loop detection reads vehicles at ground detection points and sends a signal back to the cabinet to begin the countdown for that direction of travel.
As the entire system processes information faster, the new cameras give it a more responsive way to detect traffic. Smith said the newer cameras can “detect much more” and use more sensitive equipment to track vehicles for turns and other directions of travel.
“In the long run, it extends the life of this intersection and makes it run smoother with having video detection instead of loop detection,” Grieser said.
A safer, more reliable intersection
The upgrade also supports safety. The new system can help move traffic through the intersection more quickly, extend pedestrian countdowns and reduce issues that could shut down a traffic system.
This is the type of work where Roadway’s experience matters. With decades of industry experience and long-standing relationships across municipal traffic work, our teams continue to serve as a trusted partner for complex signal and electrical upgrades across busy public infrastructure systems.