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

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

– A decision-making matrix that outlines when to use 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