Subscribe free to our daily email newsletterFlashing Lights Say Watch For Pedestrians
Apr 20, 2009 13:52 - 5 Comments
The City of Rockville has installed a new set of flashing lights at two uncontrolled pedestrian crosswalks, designed to alert drivers to be careful.>
This from the City’s press release:
Rockville completed installation of rapid flashing lights at two heavily used pedestrian intersections in the City. Rockville is the first community in Maryland to install the new pedestrian-safety devices.
The Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons, as they are officially named, provide rapid flashing lights — similar to strobe lights — under already posted crosswalk signs. The lights are activated once a pedestrian pushes the crosswalk button. The signal continues to flash for a set time while a pedestrian crosses the street. At all other times, the signal is dark.
The lights alert drivers that pedestrians are entering or are in the crosswalk. The flashing beacons are only being installed at intersections that do not have a signal or a stop sign.
The solar-powered, radio-controlled signals are designed to not only control traffic at busy intersections, but to teach pedestrians how to cross safely.
The crosswalk unit activates when a person stands near the unit, directing the person to push the red button. Simple instructions follow and an electronic voice states, “You have activated the crosswalk signal. Place one foot near the curb line and wait for the traffic to stop. Remember to thank the driver as you cross the roadway.” Two languages are used – English and Spanish – on the signal.
The two intersections where the flashing beacons were installed are Maryland Avenue at Vinson Street and W. Edmonston Drive at the Woodmont Shopping Center and Apartments.
The flashing beacons are among the newest technology in pedestrian safety, cost $18,000 each and have received approval from the Federal Highway Administration. The money to buy the new flashing crosswalk lights is available to the City through the Speed Camera Program.
I am all for improvements in pedestrian safety and that’s a good use of speed camera money.
But I’ll have to go and give a listen to the message. While it’s common sense advice, it sounds like it might be a hoot to hear and try to comply to the letter! Might end up looking like the Hokey-Pokey.
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The West Edmonston crosswalk lights were badly needed. It is difficult to spot pedestrians entering the crosswalk when they’re obscured by vehicles turning into or out of the Woodmont Shopping Center. Many drivers also don’t respect the crosswalk. Hopefuly that will change and a terrible accident has been avoided.
Yes, I have often had a hard time seeing pedestrians at that intersection and I have to remind myself to be careful. Hopefully this will help!
Not saying these aren’t a good idea, but they installed something similar in Atlanta a couple of years ago when I lived there. The first week after they were installed, I stopped for someone to cross, and, while the person next to me did the same, the person behind them was not so quick on the brake pedal. I’d imagine it was not the first nor the last accident caused by those crosswalks. Those lights were abused, though. People would hit the button then step out, not being cognizant of the fact that it takes >time to stop a vehicle traveling at 45 miles per hour (that was the speed limit, why they were allowing a crosswalk on a 45 mph road is a whole ‘nother topic
).
This is a bad idea. They have something similar in Arlington, VA. As Dustin said these things confuse people and cause accidents. The real solution is to move crosswalks to intersections where there are stop signs or lights. Placing them in between blocks is dangerous for all involved. This would not only prevent accidents but save us $20,000 per crosswalk.
I too was rear ended at the crosswalk on Edmonston when I stopped for a pedestrian in the crosswalk and the guy behind me didn’t. But I recognize that this was the fault of the guy behind me, not of the pedestrian or of the crosswalk. >
It is unrealistic to ask people to walk a block out of their way to cross at an intersection, particularly when the nearest intersection is 355/Edmonston, which allows right on red from Ed onto 355, has constant right on green and red from 355 onto Ed. It is less convenient for pedestrians and less safe.
The crosswalk in this case is much needed and the signal is a valuable improvement.