School zone beacon tests start this week

The impending start of school means it’s time for the Austin Transportation Department to test the flashing school zone beacons to make sure they’re ready for service. The seven school districts in the Austin area comprise 165 school zones, which contain a total of 571 flashing beacons. Testing is happening today through Wednesday, Aug. 13-15, for the beacons in the Round Rock and Leander independent school districts, before school starts on Thursday, Aug. 16. The testing in the rest of the districts’ zones will occur on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 15-17, before school starts in those districts on Aug. 20. Tests correspond with the each school’s regular school zone signal schedule, which can vary by school but is usually between about 6:45 and 8 a.m. and 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Drivers are still expected to follow the school zone speed limit and all applicable traffic laws during testing times.