Comparison of Driver Yielding for Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons Used Above and Below Pedestrian Crossing Signs [TechBrief]

016057732016Technical BriefPDFBriefFHWA-HRT-16-041BehaviorCrosswalksDriversField studiesFlashing beaconsMethodologyPedestrian signsYieldingYield signsHighwaysOperations and Traffic ManagementPedestrians and BicyclistsUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Research, Development, and TechnologyDo, AnnUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Research, Development, and TechnologyTurner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterFederal Highway AdministrationTraffic control devices, such as rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs), have been shown to increase the number of drivers yielding to crossing pedestrians. Evaluations of field installations of these devices have been conducted in several locations, including Florida, Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Calgary, AB. (See references 1 through 10.) Before-after studies have shown a large increase in driver yielding between the before period (range of 1 to 83 percent) to the after period (range of 38 to 98 percent). Although the RRFB is allowed under interim approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), there is a growing interest in adding it to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).(11,12) The Signals Technical Committee (STC) of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which assists in developing language for chapter 4 of the MUTCD, is interested in research and/or assistance in developing materials on the design, application, and effectiveness of the RRFB. One of the areas for which the STC is seeking advice is the position of the beacons relative to the crossing sign. For example, does positioning the beacons above the sign improve the driver\u2019s ability to see a pedestrian crossing or waiting to cross and thus yield to crossing pedestrians?75