Posted on January 18, 2011 2:27 PM
Study of rapid flashing beacons at multilane uncontrolled crosswalks
The rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) device is a pedestrian-activated beacon system located at the roadside below side-mounted pedestrian crosswalk signs. This FHWA-sponsored study examines and evaluates whether or not RRFBs increased driver yielding to pedestrians on high-volume, multilane crosswalks at uncontrolled locations. The report, looking at 22 sites located in three cities, concludes that RRFBs produce an increase in yielding behavior. In addition, data collected over a two-year follow-up period at 18 of these sites also indicated that the positive effect of the RRFBs on yielding behavior does not diminish over time.