Backup power and communication systems for traffic signals

1 . A traffic signal equipped with a WiFi modem, WiFi hotspot, other WiFi communication device, radio, or other wireless communication protocol access point device which enables vehicles which pass within connection range of said traffic signal to upload data to the traffic signal;

wherein the traffic signal is further equipped with apparatus for wired or wireless transfer of data which has been uploaded to the traffic signal, to a remote computer or server.

2 . A method for using a traffic signal according to claim 1 to provide data relating to roadways and traffic to said remote computer or server, said method comprising:

causing a vehicle to collect said data through one or more cameras or sensors on the vehicle;

causing the vehicle to upload said data to the traffic signal when the vehicle passes within WiFi connectivity range of the traffic signal; and

causing the apparatus for wired or wireless transfer of data to transfer the uploaded data to said remote computer or server.

3 . A method according to claim 2 wherein the data comprises at least one data type selected from: road conditions; status of infrastructure; status of critical safety devices; road roughness; road dryness/wetness; temperature; other weather conditions; obstructions; accidents; closures of areas of road or lane(s).

4 . A traffic signal according to claim 1 further comprising:

a battery for providing backup power to at least one light emitter of the traffic signal; and

circuitry configured to a) determine when an actionable power interruption event has occurred; b) cause said at least one light emitter to operate in an emergency mode using backup power from the battery in response to a determination that an actionable power interruption event has occurred; and c) send notice of the actionable power interruption to one or more other locations.

5 . A traffic signal according to claim 4 wherein the circuitry is further configured to determine when power to the traffic signal becomes restored and, in response to such determination, cause said at least one light emitter to return to usual function.

6 . A traffic signal according to claim 4 wherein said at least one light emitter comprises a plurality of light emitters which turn on and off at different times, and wherein the circuitry determines that an actionable power interruption event has occurred when none of the light emitters have turned on for a predetermined latency period.

7 . A traffic signal according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of light emitters comprises a green light emitter, an amber or yellow light emitter and a red light emitter, and wherein the circuitry determines that an actionable power interruption event has occurred when each of said red, amber or yellow and green light emitters have failed to turn on for said predetermined latency period.

8 . A traffic signal according to claim 6 wherein the predetermined latency period is less than one minute.

9 . A traffic signal according to claim 6 wherein the predetermined latency period is adjustable or selectable.

10 . A traffic signal device according to claim 4 wherein the circuitry causes said at least one light emitter to emit flashing light when operating in said emergency mode.

11 . A traffic signal device according to claim 10 wherein the circuitry comprises a receiver which receives remote control signals for changing or adjusting the rate and/or duty cycle of the flashing light emitted or to be emitted when operating in said emergency mode.

12 . A traffic signal according to claim 4 wherein the circuitry comprises a cellular modem and is configured to send and/or receive information over a cellular network.

13 . A traffic signal device according to claim 3 further comprising a solar panel or solar collector for charging the battery.