A project to develop a warrant system for rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), aimed at improving pedestrian safety at crosswalks, has been launched by the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC).
TAC’s manuals and guidelines, such as the Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide (2012), include an array of traffic control devices intended to facilitate safe crossing at crosswalks. RRFBs have recently been used in a number of North American cities to reinforce signs and markings at pedestrian crossings and could provide a cost effective method to improve pedestrian safety at crosswalks.
These pedestrian-activated traffic installations warn drivers of the presence of a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The device consists of two rapidly and alternately flashed amber indications emitting LED-array based pulsing light sources.
Recommended by TAC’s Traffic Operations and Management Standing Committee, the purpose of this project is to develop a warrant system and provide guidance for the use of RRFBs to ensure harmonized application across Canada.
The final deliverable of this project will be an updated edition of the Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide. RRFBs will also be added in TAC’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada as a pedestrian crossing control device.
The project steering committee will be finalizing its request for proposals and selecting the project consultant in the near future.
Funding partners for this project include Alberta Transportation, British Columbia Transportation and Infrastructure, New Brunswick Transportation and Infrastructure, Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Halifax Regional Municipality and the cities of Calgary, Edmonton and Montréal.
Thank you to our Premier Sponsors
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