Developing Data-Based Recommendations for Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) and Midblock Pedestrian Signals (MPSs) Deployment in Nevada

Current Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) and Midblock Pedestrian Signal (MPS) deployment decisions often lack state-specific data-driven criteria, resulting in inconsistent implementation, potential safety risks, and operational inefficiencies. Moreover, land use considerations—including proximity to school zones, commercial areas, and transit stops—play a crucial role in determining the most effective crossing treatment. Without comprehensive, localized guidelines, agencies struggle to deploy PHBs and MPSs optimally, leading to variability in effectiveness across different contexts. The primary objective of this research is to develop robust, data-driven guidelines for the deployment of PHBs and MPSs in Nevada, thereby improving pedestrian safety and mobility statewide. These guidelines will provide a structured approach to identifying optimal locations, ensuring compliance, reducing delays, and enhancing safety and mobility at midblock crossings. The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) research team will complete this project in multiple phases: (1) Literature review including information from peer-reviewed studies, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidance, state/ local reports, and stakeholder interviews. (2) The research team will partner with local agencies to deploy UNR’s LiDAR and fisheye-camera data collection units to collect in-field data at each location. (3) The research team will process and analyze all collected data to conduct a comprehensive safety and compliance study alongside evaluations of operational efficiencies. (4) The research team will develop implementation recommendations for PHBs and MPSs in Nevada. The development of implementation recommendations will identify the most effective PHB and MPS treatments based on compliance, operational considerations, and local context. This task will also address barriers to adoption, such as regulatory gaps or policy misalignment. Second, the research team will create a detailed implementation plan tailored to Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT’s) operational structure. This plan will include step-by-step guidance for integrating recommendations into NDOT’s planning and design workflows, a roadmap for updating internal policies and procedures, and a strategy for stakeholder engagement and training. Following the development of recommendations, the final report and stakeholder workshop will consolidate all findings and present them to NDOT leadership and regional partners. This workshop will facilitate feedback, promote adoption, and ensure that the implementation plan is aligned with agency needs and priorities. Potential barriers to implementation include institutional challenges, such as the absence of existing NDOT guidelines for MPSs, which may delay formal adoption of recommendations.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $448,432.00
• Contract Numbers:

  541-25-803

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Nevada Department of Transportation

  1263 South Stewart Street
  Carson City, NV  United States  89712
• Managing Organizations:

  Nevada DOT Research

  1263 South Stewart St
  Carson City, Nevada  United States  89712
• Project Managers:

  Harmer, Eric

  MacGill, Eric

  Bacon, McKenna

  Ison, Mitch

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Nevada, Reno

  1664 N. Virginia Street
  Reno, Nevada  United States  89557
• Principal Investigators:

  Xu, Hao

• Start Date: 20260303
• Expected Completion Date: 20280430
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compliance; Flashing beacons; Implementation; Midblock crossings; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrian traffic; Traffic signals
• Identifier Terms: Nevada Department of Transportation
• Geographic Terms: Nevada
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01981713
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Nevada Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 541-25-803
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 4 2026 2:48PM