Implementation of Multimodal Innovations: Crosswalk Lighting, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), LED-embedded Advance Warning Signs, and Passive Automated Detection

To reduce vulnerable road user injuries and fatalities, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed a collection of countermeasures under the umbrella of the Proven Safety Countermeasure initiative (PSCi). Although the countermeasures are discrete elements (e.g., bicycle lanes or pedestrian refuge islands), they are only effective when applied as a system and tailored to local conditions. For example, for uncontrolled pedestrian crossings along low- and moderate-speed roads, elements such as pedestrian-actuated nighttime illumination and flashing beacons might be appropriate at the crosswalk. Additional measures such as LED-embedded advance warning signs might be appropriate at sites with higher speeds or sight distance challenges. Many of these elements have been shown to be effective in other states and in Europe, but they have not been widely deployed in Virginia due to two obstacles. First, there has not been a Virginia-specific comprehensive evaluation—e.g., to what extent do these systems influence motorist speeds or safety surrogates such as vehicle/pedestrian near-misses and changes in rates of motorist yielding to pedestrians—that considers measures of exposure such as traffic and pedestrian volumes. Second, the mechanisms through which Virginia entities—notably cities, towns, and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Districts—should procure and install these systems is not clear. Through two case studies, this research seeks to address both obstacles. Although the numerical results will be specific to the case study locations, the lessons learned in terms of how to select sites, how to tailor PSCi systems and other multimodal elements to those sites, and how to conduct the evaluation are generalizable to other locations that could benefit from a PSCi system.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $281,616.00
• Contract Numbers:

  127002

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Virginia Transportation Research Council

  530 Edgemont Road
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903
• Performing Organizations:

  Virginia Transportation Research Council

  530 Edgemont Road
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903
• Principal Investigators:

  Dougald, Lance E

  Ohlms, Peter B

• Start Date: 20250305
• Expected Completion Date: 20261231
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crosswalks; Flashing beacons; Location; Pedestrian detectors; Traffic safety; Warning systems
• Geographic Terms: Virginia
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01948049
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Virginia Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 127002
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 6 2025 11:26AM