New Jersey’s Solar Street Lights

Drive across New Jersey and you’re likely to see more than a few solar powered traffic signs.

The solar powered signage looks just like a normal sign, except it has flashing lights powered by a small solar panel. The flashing lights make the signs more effective than normal because they can be seen from a greater distance – plus the signs are low maintenance.

Police in Lyndhurst, one of the towns using the new signs, say the new eco-friendly stop and yield signs have reduced accidents caused by driver inattention.

Quoted in the Boston Herald, Timothy Collins, Wayne’s superintendent of roads seems greatly impressed. “You are not paying an electric bill to operate these lights. … These things function 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in all weather conditions and haven’t failed once in three years, and they have shown no signs of any issues.”