Manual is out and automated is in, as Cookeville updates its School Zone Flashing Light System.
Council approved the $34,000 upgrade, which includes 20 new switches. Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the new technology allows the system to be programmed from the Public Works office, instead of workers having to go out to each unit. Council Member Luke Eldridge said more than that, this will improve safety.
“I was a school traffic guard for many years, and every time school would be let out and these things weren’t on and everybody just flying by,” Eldridge said. “And I’d have to dodge a car, too. So for safety reasons, I really appreciate this.”
Elrod said the new system will give the city the chance to adjust school zone flashers for holidays and other events.
“We can program wirelessly from our office with computers and will not require programming manually in the field twice a year,” Elrod said. “We can also program the entire school year into this and also adjust for early release days such as snow days.”
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