Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons – Risks and Rewards
cartwrightlaw - March 3, 2023 -
A pedestrian hybrid beacon, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is a device to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at an uncontrolled intersection.
The beacon contains two red lenses over a yellow lens. The lenses become active when a pedestrian pushes the call button. The activated beacon then performs a yellow-to-red lighting sequence of flashing and steady lights telling drivers to slow and stop. It provides the right-of-way for pedestrians to cross the roadway before the beacon deactivates again.
Pedestrian and car accidents can still happen with hybrid beacons and cause serious injuries. Always speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer about your rights and options following an injury.
Pedestrian Safety at Intersections
Three of four pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersection locations, with vehicle speed as a significant contributing factor. As a tactic to address this risk, the hybrid beacon is a middle ground between a flashing beacon and a full pedestrian signal because it controls the right of way and provides a stop control. However, it also allows motorists to drive on once the pedestrian is out of their lane of traffic, reducing delay.
FHWA’s evaluation of pedestrian hybrid beacons found that their installation can reduce crashes. Pedestrian crashes decreased by 69 percent. Total crashes decreased by 19 percent. The research also concluded that severe crashes experienced similar reductions, while rear-end collisions did not increase. The FHWA study suggested that crashes categorized as “severe” might decrease by 15 percent. In addition to improving pedestrian safety, the beacons provide benefits to motorists: Compared to traditional signalized crossings, PHBs reduce delays at pedestrian crossings by 50 percent.
Hybrid Beacon Placement
Pedestrian hybrid beacons generally get placed where it is difficult for pedestrians to cross a road, such as where traffic gaps are insufficient or the speed limit is higher than 35 miles per hour. The beacons are highly effective at locations where multiple lanes get crossed or traffic volumes are above 9,000 annual average daily traffic. Installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon also includes a marked crosswalk and a pedestrian countdown signal. If the pedestrian hybrid beacons are not already familiar in the community, the government should conduct appropriate education and outreach as part of the beacons’ implementation.
Risks at Hybrid Beacon Locations
In California, pedestrians always have the right of way, even if crossing against a Don’t Walk light. This right of way means it is also illegal to pass a vehicle yielding the right of way to a pedestrian. The problem at a hybrid beacon location is that the following motorists may not be aware that a car has stopped to yield to a pedestrian or for some other reason that might allow a legal passing. In fact, the car yielding the right of way can itself obstruct the view of drivers behind it. This problem leads to pedestrians getting hit by the following vehicles rather than the primary vehicle. This problem is solved with the straightforward use of indicator lights and requiring a complete stop at an activated intersection.
Some states have expressed concerns regarding driver usage of beacon locations. Some, such as Pennsylvania, expressed concern that the operation of the beacons conflicts with their current vehicle codes. Driver confusion over the flashing red signal appears to be the biggest problem with drivers; states are responding with signage making the location and operation of the beacons clear to motorists.
Another risk for drivers is that pedestrians will activate the signal but not actually cross at that location. This movement confuses drivers who see the signal and must stop but do not see any pedestrians at the intersection because they are crossing at another location. Finally, some pedestrians ignore the beacons altogether, making them completely ineffective.
Recommendations for Improvements
States have begun placing the beacons only where locals request them, relying on their better knowledge of local conditions. Public outreach educating both drivers and pedestrians on the appropriate use of the pedestrian hybrid beacon increases awareness and effectiveness of the beacons. Of particular concern is a driver misunderstanding of the flashing red, which they intuitively react to as with a railroad signal, remaining stopped so long as the signal flashes.
The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) performed a comprehensive study of crash modifications for uncontrolled crossings. It found that the beacons were generally effective in reducing total crashes but that the reduction in severe crashes was limited.
HAWK to the Rescue
One recent improvement is the development of a High-Intensive Activated crosswalk beacon or HAWK, a traffic control device, a subset of the pedestrian hybrid beacon. They get used in marked crosswalks. As with all hybrid beacons, they reduce crashes by a large margin and feature virtually complete motorist compliance. Nonetheless, there remains some motorist confusion as to how the beacons work.
Problems continue, however, with things like municipal codes that require stops even on an inactive signal. Drivers also appear not to understand the sequence from flashing yellow to steady yellow to red. Drivers are used to yellow lights as a caution, not as a prelude to a stop. Further, unlike conventional crossings, where the entire crossing process is protected from vehicular traffic, HAWK crossings are protected only in certain phases, again potentially confusing both motorists and pedestrians.
Finally, the flashing red light in HAWK means something different from every other use of flashing red lights in US traffic control. It always means stopping and staying at railroads, behind school buses, and on moveable bridges. Drivers expect the same meaning at a crosswalk, where it means to stop and proceed when clear. The confusion actually increases delays and risks.
Talk to a San Francisco Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury at a pedestrian hybrid beacon location, you should contact an experienced attorney at The Cartwright Law Firm immediately. For several reasons, beacon cases can be highly complex to handle. Your energies will be better dedicated to your physical and emotional recovery, letting the lawyers handle your financial recovery. Contact us today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation to begin your journey to full recovery from your injuries.
A pedestrian hybrid beacon, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is a device to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at an uncontrolled intersection.
The beacon contains two red lenses over a yellow lens. The lenses become active when a pedestrian pushes the call button. The activated beacon then performs a yellow-to-red lighting sequence of flashing and steady lights telling drivers to slow and stop. It provides the right-of-way for pedestrians to cross the roadway before the beacon deactivates again.
Pedestrian and car accidents can still happen with hybrid beacons and cause serious injuries. Always speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer about your rights and options following an injury.
Pedestrian Safety at Intersections
Three of four pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersection locations, with vehicle speed as a significant contributing factor. As a tactic to address this risk, the hybrid beacon is a middle ground between a flashing beacon and a full pedestrian signal because it controls the right of way and provides a stop control. However, it also allows motorists to drive on once the pedestrian is out of their lane of traffic, reducing delay.
FHWA’s evaluation of pedestrian hybrid beacons found that their installation can reduce crashes. Pedestrian crashes decreased by 69 percent. Total crashes decreased by 19 percent. The research also concluded that severe crashes experienced similar reductions, while rear-end collisions did not increase. The FHWA study suggested that crashes categorized as “severe” might decrease by 15 percent. In addition to improving pedestrian safety, the beacons provide benefits to motorists: Compared to traditional signalized crossings, PHBs reduce delays at pedestrian crossings by 50 percent.
Hybrid Beacon Placement
Pedestrian hybrid beacons generally get placed where it is difficult for pedestrians to cross a road, such as where traffic gaps are insufficient or the speed limit is higher than 35 miles per hour. The beacons are highly effective at locations where multiple lanes get crossed or traffic volumes are above 9,000 annual average daily traffic. Installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon also includes a marked crosswalk and a pedestrian countdown signal. If the pedestrian hybrid beacons are not already familiar in the community, the government should conduct appropriate education and outreach as part of the beacons’ implementation.
Risks at Hybrid Beacon Locations
In California, pedestrians always have the right of way, even if crossing against a Don’t Walk light. This right of way means it is also illegal to pass a vehicle yielding the right of way to a pedestrian. The problem at a hybrid beacon location is that the following motorists may not be aware that a car has stopped to yield to a pedestrian or for some other reason that might allow a legal passing. In fact, the car yielding the right of way can itself obstruct the view of drivers behind it. This problem leads to pedestrians getting hit by the following vehicles rather than the primary vehicle. This problem is solved with the straightforward use of indicator lights and requiring a complete stop at an activated intersection.
Some states have expressed concerns regarding driver usage of beacon locations. Some, such as Pennsylvania, expressed concern that the operation of the beacons conflicts with their current vehicle codes. Driver confusion over the flashing red signal appears to be the biggest problem with drivers; states are responding with signage making the location and operation of the beacons clear to motorists.
Another risk for drivers is that pedestrians will activate the signal but not actually cross at that location. This movement confuses drivers who see the signal and must stop but do not see any pedestrians at the intersection because they are crossing at another location. Finally, some pedestrians ignore the beacons altogether, making them completely ineffective.
Recommendations for Improvements
States have begun placing the beacons only where locals request them, relying on their better knowledge of local conditions. Public outreach educating both drivers and pedestrians on the appropriate use of the pedestrian hybrid beacon increases awareness and effectiveness of the beacons. Of particular concern is a driver misunderstanding of the flashing red, which they intuitively react to as with a railroad signal, remaining stopped so long as the signal flashes.
The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) performed a comprehensive study of crash modifications for uncontrolled crossings. It found that the beacons were generally effective in reducing total crashes but that the reduction in severe crashes was limited.
HAWK to the Rescue
One recent improvement is the development of a High-Intensive Activated crosswalk beacon or HAWK, a traffic control device, a subset of the pedestrian hybrid beacon. They get used in marked crosswalks. As with all hybrid beacons, they reduce crashes by a large margin and feature virtually complete motorist compliance. Nonetheless, there remains some motorist confusion as to how the beacons work.
Problems continue, however, with things like municipal codes that require stops even on an inactive signal. Drivers also appear not to understand the sequence from flashing yellow to steady yellow to red. Drivers are used to yellow lights as a caution, not as a prelude to a stop. Further, unlike conventional crossings, where the entire crossing process is protected from vehicular traffic, HAWK crossings are protected only in certain phases, again potentially confusing both motorists and pedestrians.
Finally, the flashing red light in HAWK means something different from every other use of flashing red lights in US traffic control. It always means stopping and staying at railroads, behind school buses, and on moveable bridges. Drivers expect the same meaning at a crosswalk, where it means to stop and proceed when clear. The confusion actually increases delays and risks.
Talk to a San Francisco Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury at a pedestrian hybrid beacon location, you should contact an experienced attorney at The Cartwright Law Firm immediately. For several reasons, beacon cases can be highly complex to handle. Your energies will be better dedicated to your physical and emotional recovery, letting the lawyers handle your financial recovery. Contact us today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation to begin your journey to full recovery from your injuries.
“Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.
Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner