Improving Community Connections with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Technology
Walkable Streets Are The Way of The Future
According to the EPA*, walkability is correlated with:
– Attracting young talent, start-up economies, & the baby boomer generation
– Increased commercial property occupancy– Increased economic activity– Higher real estate premiums– Increased property and sales tax revenues
* Environmental Protection Agency: Office of Sustainable Communities Smart Growth Program. Smart Growth and Economic Success: Benefits for Real Estate Developers, Investors, Businesses, and Local Governments. 2012. http://www.epa.gov/dced/pdf/economic_success.pdf
Walkable Streets Are The Way of The Future
Walkability also creates:
– Strong community connections– Increased social capital as people connect
and share knowledge/information– Reduced healthcare costs– Reduced childhood obesity rates
Herbert Y., Dale A. Community Vitality and the Built Environment. 2012. http://mc3.royalroads.ca/sites/default/files/webfiles/files/OtherCRC/Vitality%20-%20Built%20Environment.pdf Active Living Research. Designing for Active Recreation. 2005. http://www.activelivingresearch.org/files/recreationrevised021105_0.pdf Toronto Public Health. Road to Health: Improving Walking and Cycling in Toronto. 2012. http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/pdf/roadtohealth.pdf National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. Active Transportation in Urban Areas: Exploring Health Benefits and Risks. 2010. http://www.ncceh.ca/sites/default/files/Active_Transportation_in_Urban_Areas_June_2010.pdf Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood Obsity Facts. 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
Existing Routes Present Opportunity
Every city has walkable routes that already exist.
Areas where vehicle traffic severs these routes represent an opportunity to improve walkability without major investment.
For our city, one such potentially walkable route is ___________.
Existing Routes Present Opportunity
Currently, this route is severed by vehicle traffic, preventing more people from using it.
<insert picture of the crosswalk location(s) on your walkable route here>
Existing Routes Present Opportunity
Our crossing qualifies as a marked, uncontrolled crossing.
Safety of Marked Crosswalks
FHWA Research shows that:
• Installing a marked crosswalk without additional crossing facilities does not result in vehicles stopping for pedestrians
• The presence of marked, uncontrolled crosswalks on high-volume, multi-lane roadways results in higher pedestrian crash rates than unmarked locations
FHWA HRT-04-100. Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Locations. 2005. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/04100/04100.pdf
There are several possibilities for enhancing marked crossings:
- Raised medians- Curb extensions- Overhead beacons- Traffic calming (raised crosswalks, narrow streets)
- Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
Possibilities for Enhancing Marked Crosswalks
Possibilities for Enhancing Marked Crosswalks
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons represent an attractive choice because:
- They are cost effective to purchase and install
- Installation does not require lengthy traffic disruptions
- They are proven and recommended by the FHWA for marked, uncontrolled crosswalk locations
Rectangular Rapid Flashing BeaconsRectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) are pedestrian-activated, high-intensity warning lights that notify drivers when a pedestrian is entering the crosswalk.
Applications
Standard Two-Way Roadway
Applications
Advance Two-Way Roadway
Applications
Standard One-Way Roadway
Applications
Median Two-Way Roadway
Applications
Two Pole Two-Way Roadway
Applications
Overhead Two-Way Roadway
Applications
Roundabout
RRFB ApplicationsRectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons are ideal for:
–Urban mid-block crosswalks–Multi-lane crosswalk locations–University campus crosswalks–School zone crosswalks–Greenways–Bicycle boulevards–Trail crossings
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Crosswalk Treatment Decision Matrix provides guidance on when to install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing BeaconsOregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Crosswalk Decision Tree Matrix:
Rectangular Rapid Flashing BeaconsRRFBs are a recommended crosswalk improvement in multiple federal and state research reports including reports by:
• The U.S. Department of Transport Federal Highways Administration (FHWA)
• Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)• National Cooperative Highway Research
Program (NCHRP)• Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
The FHWA has issued interim approval of RRFBs for use at marked, uncontrolled crosswalks to states across the U.S.
RRFBs have also been included in:
• Pedestrian master plans and design guidelines in major urban centers including
• Portland, OR • Philadelphia, PA• Chicago, IL• Boston, MA• Washington, DC
• Pedestrian projects in suburban municipalities throughout the country
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
Research on Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
FHWA research showed that with the installation of RRFBs at marked, uncontrolled crossings:
• Driver yield rates jumped from 0% to 96% in some locations• Driver yield rates increased up to 73% over traditional
beacon systems such as side-mounted and overhead beacons
• The percentage of drivers yielding at a distance of over 100ft. more than doubled over baseline treatments
• The effects on driver yield behavior persisted for the length of the two-year study
• Passing and attempted passing on multi-lane roads was reduced
U.S. Department of Transport Federal Highways Administration. Effects of Yellow Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons on Yielding at Multi-Lane Uncontrolled Crosswalks. Publication No. FHWA-HRT-10-043. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/pedbike/10046/index.cfm
Cost Benefits of RRFBs
RRFBs for Our Community
We propose the reconnection of the potentially walkable route at <insert name of walkable location mentioned in SLIDE 4 here> with the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at <insert your crosswalk location here>.
RRFB Case StudyRRFBs at school zone crosswalk in Des Plaines, IL
• Parents and children requesting facilities to walk/bike to school
• Officials identified marked, uncontrolled crossing that serviced four different schools
• Installed RRFBs to improve accessibility• Quick installation done by city crews• City leadership demonstrated commitment to
improving health and safety of citizens
Video case study: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J1Q9oLqXrs
School zone crosswalk in Des Plaines, IL
RRFB Case StudyRRFBs in city plans for Columbus, OH
• City of Columbus receives 60+ requests for crosswalk improvements each year
• City focused on forward-thinking agenda of improving walkability
• New process to determine where and what kind of crosswalk improvements can help city achieve goals
• RRFBs play significant role in recommended improvements
Full PDF of case study:
http://carmanah.com/files/ColumbusOH_CaseStudy_FINAL_0.pdf
Crosswalk Improvements to Achieve Walkability Goals
RRFB Case StudyRRFBs in Rails-to-Trails project
• Four-mile long Topsfield Trail in Topsfield, MA was crossed by busy roadway
• Need to protect crossing for those using trail• RRFBs chosen as solution for cost-effectiveness,
proven performance, & aesthetics• Installed entirely by volunteer workforce
Full PDF of case study:
http://carmanah.com/files/Topsfield%20Linear%20Common%20Trail_Topsfield%20MA%20Case%20Study.pdf
Installed by Volunteers in Topsfield, MA
RRFB Case StudyRRFBs at mid-block, multi-lane location in Key Largo, FL• New “stop for pedestrians” law inspired enhanced
crossing facilities • Mid-block crossings represented problematic
locations – few drivers stopping for pedestrians• RRFBs installed to encourage proper driver
behavior in accordance with new laws
Local news coverage: http://largo.patch.com/articles/new-crosswalks-aimed-to-enhance-pedestrian-safety#youtube_video-11744942
Mid-block, multi-lane crosswalks in Key Largo, FL
RRFB Case StudyRRFBs at high-traffic, multi-lane location in Bend, OR• Busy highway crossings required safety
improvements• City saw increase from 23% driver yield rate to
83% compliance with installation of RRFBs• Cost effective installation and operation of
technology influenced decision to purchase
Local news coverage: http://www.ktvz.com/news/ODOT-Touts-Beacons-Safety-Improvements/-/413192/15311508/-/35ixb3/-/index.html
High traffic, multi-lane locations
RRFB Case StudyRRFBs at university campus location in Appleton, WI• Busy multi-lane crossing near university
campus required improvements• RRFBs installed to improve visibility and
safety of staff, students, and faculty• Improved pedestrian comfort at crossing
and better driver yield rates
Local news coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvcYN5BqHkY
University Campus Safety Improvements
Additional resources on Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons can be
found at www.carmanah.com/traffic/crosswalks