1. Improving Community Connections with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Technology

2. 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

3. 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
Active Living Research. Designing for Active Recreation
Toronto Public Health. Road to Health: Improving Walking and Cycling in Toronto
National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. Active Transportation in Urban Areas: Exploring Health Benefits and Risks
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood Obsity Facts

4. 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 ___________.

5. 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>

6. Existing Routes Present Opportunity
Our crossing qualifies as a marked, uncontrolled crossing.

7. 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 Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Locations

8. Possibilities for Enhancing Marked Crosswalks
There are several possibilities for enhancing marked crossings:
Raised medians
Curb extensions
Overhead beacons
Traffic calming (raised crosswalks, narrow streets)
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons

9. 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

10. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) are pedestrian-activated, high-intensity warning lights that notify drivers when a pedestrian is entering the crosswalk.

11. Applications
Standard Two-Way Roadway

12. Applications
Advance Two-Way Roadway

13. Applications
Standard One-Way Roadway

14. Applications
Median Two-Way Roadway

15. Applications
Two Pole Two-Way Roadway

16. Applications
Overhead Two-Way Roadway

17. Applications

18. RRFB Applications Rectangular 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

19. 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

20. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Crosswalk Decision Tree Matrix:

21. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
RRFBs 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)

22. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
The FHWA has issued interim approval of RRFBs for use at marked, uncontrolled crosswalks to states across the U.S.

23. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
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

24. 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

25. Cost Benefits of RRFBs

26. 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>.

27. RRFB Case Study RRFBs 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:

28. School zone crosswalk in Des Plaines, IL

29. RRFB Case Study RRFBs 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:

30. Crosswalk Improvements to Achieve Walkability Goals

31. RRFB Case Study RRFBs 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:

32. Installed by Volunteers in Topsfield, MA

33. RRFB Case Study
RRFBs 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:

34. Mid-block, multi-lane crosswalks in Key Largo, FL

35. RRFB Case Study RRFBs 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:

36. High traffic, multi-lane locations

37. RRFB Case Study RRFBs 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:

38. University Campus Safety Improvements

39. Additional resources on Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons can be found at www.carmanahtraffic.com