Remember red and yellow pedestrian signals? Nationwide standards eliminated these decades ago, with no distinctive replacement to alert drivers to a pedestrian crossing… until now. Recently, a new signal called a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon was approved for use where there would not otherwise be signal-controlled traffic, such as mid-block crossings. Newton leads the way with what may be the first installations in the state, going live in the coming days. There will eventually be two on Parker Street, one on Beacon Street near Boston College, and one at Crafts and Linwood Streets, serving busy routes for students and bus commuters. They claim much higher compliance (well over 90%) than flashing yellow lights and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) in use elsewhere in the city. The Crafts and Linwood installation replaces one of those flashing signals at a crossing which has been especially dangerous.
The signal is push-button operated and has walk and don’t walk symbols for pedestrians, the same controls in use at intersections. For drivers, the phase sequence might take some getting used to, but it’s really just a combination of signals everyone knows. Flashing to steady yellow: prepare to stop. Steady red: must stop. Flashing red: full stop before proceeding. One thing that’s a little different is that when the signal is not active, it goes dark.
This Fort Collins, Colorado PSA shows how the signal works:
Like other new traffic equipment, the signals are ADA-compliant, include controls for emergency vehicles, and are designed to control intervals and limit unnecessary delays. They are less expensive and more specialized than “full” red-yellow-green traffic signals, which are generally permitted only at high volume intersections and not at pedestrian-only crossings, but they carry the same weight in terms of regulations and enforcement.
Cool post Adam, thanks.
Wicked Local just posted this story today.
@Adam. Thanks for another informative post. This looks like an effective warning system that could be used at several other intersections.
I’ve been a member of the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council for less than a year, but it’s been a real eyeopener just how inadequate the warning signs seem to be at several other pedestrian crossings. We’ve been trying to identify reasonable new controls, calming measures etc. at the intersection of Allerton Road and Center street. Last evening, just as it was getting dark around 8: 30 PM, I was traveling on Center from Newton Center to Walnut Street. As I approached the Allerton intersection, a large BMW went over the solid line to pass me. I was going slightly over the 30 MPH speed limit, and I figure he had to be going well over 50. This is the second major traffic infraction I’ve seen near this intersection during the last two months. The intersection itself is not well lit and the pedestrian crossing marker is bent over and not well painted. Looks like a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon or something like it, would be in order here.
Correction. I was going to the Y this morning at 6 and saw that the pedestrian marked in the middle of the road was fully upright.
A very positive step for pedestrian safety. I’m just wondering why this took so long.
I live near the intersection of Lowell Ave and Page Rd where there is a cross walk. That corner is treacherous, and a TON of kids for all 3 schools, Day, NNHS, and Horace Mann have to cross there. Is there a list of other location where residents can request this type of light?
Hi Meghan. Traffic Council approves traffic devices like this, subject to the approval of the Board of Aldermen, but someone has to come up with the $, and I don’t think there’s any formal system for ranking improvements like this. I suggest working with your ward alderman and the Safe Routes committee at your school. It might help to get a count of just how many kids we’re talking about, though hopefully a safer crossing would encourage more people to use it.