How are the signs powered and what happens if the battery dies?

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Context

You've noticed the solar panel on the sign and want to understand the power system, battery life, and what happens if power runs out.

Answer

Autolane signs are designed to operate independently without external power connections.

Power system:

  1. A built-in solar panel charges the internal battery during daylight hours. Under normal conditions, this keeps the system running indefinitely.

  2. A backup battery provides approximately 30 days of operation even without any solar input.

  3. Autolane's operations team monitors battery levels remotely and deploys on-site charging when needed.

What could affect battery performance:

  1. Extended overcast or winter conditions with short daylight hours.

  2. Signs placed in heavily shaded areas, such as under awnings or dense tree canopy.

  3. Camera firmware triggering more frequently than expected.

If the battery dies:

  1. The sign goes offline temporarily. No data is lost, but the system pauses data collection.

  2. Autolane's team is alerted automatically.

  3. An Autolane City Manager is dispatched to either swap in a freshly charged battery or reposition the sign for better solar exposure.

  4. Battery swaps are typically completed within 24 to 48 hours of detection.

You do not need to monitor or maintain the sign's power system. This is fully managed by Autolane.