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Finance committee hears plan for solar flashing beacons, speed signs at school crossings; equipment estimated about $6,000 each
Summary
City finance committee discussed installing solar-powered flashing beacons and speed-display signs at multiple school-area crossings. Staff said each flashing beacon costs about $5,995 and that a full traffic signal would cost about $500,000; funding could come from the Safe Routes to Schools program but the city would likely cover any shortfall.
At a finance committee meeting, city staff described plans to install solar-powered flashing beacons and speed-display signs at several school-area crossings to improve pedestrian safety.
City staff member John said the vendor quoted roughly $5,995 per flashing beacon — “about $6,000 each” — and that speed-display signs with poles were listed in the discussion as roughly $56.95 in the notes and later described by staff as “about $57” before staff summarized both items as “about $6,000.” John said the flashing beacons would be an awareness device that illuminates both sides of a crosswalk when pushed and can include a countdown timer and an audible feature; they are not traffic signals that stop traffic.
The cost difference between a flashing beacon and a full traffic signal was highlighted: “If you want to put a signal that's about a half million dollars,” John said, adding that a flashing beacon is designed to increase driver awareness rather than halt traffic.
Why it matters: Committee members said the devices address safety for schoolchildren and visually impaired pedestrians at locations including the O'Connor intersection, Lincoln School area and a crossing requested on Roosevelt. The items have budget implications because the city’s anticipated Safe Routes to Schools program allocation is about $200,000 while staff said estimated project needs have exceeded $300,000, meaning the city would likely need to cover any difference or seek additional partners or grants.
Staff said the devices are solar-powered and require no ongoing service-line power costs. John noted that the city already has similar solar speed displays in place — “I am up at Hy Vee, and those have been up there over 2 years. And I've never seen a battery get below 80% even in the worst time of winter” — and described the mounting as a screw-type foundation that public works could install, though he cautioned installation by city crews would carry labor costs and compete with other municipal priorities.
Committee members also discussed state and federal constraints. One speaker said some message types are restricted on state highways because of federal traffic-control guidance; staff reiterated that on state routes the city may be limited to speed-display devices rather than beacons that display additional messages.
On next steps, staff said they were not yet ready to solicit bids for equipment and were working with the police chief to determine locations and timing; the committee discussed targeting fall (school start) for installation, while acknowledging a possible outside entity had expressed interest in helping cover costs. Staff recommended coordinating any purchases through the city appropriation process so funding could be available if the committee proceeds.
No formal committee vote to purchase equipment occurred during the meeting. Committee members asked staff to prepare cost estimates and appropriation information for the upcoming finance meeting.
