Pedestrian Safety Technology

Pinellas County is committed to helping pedestrians and cyclists move safely across the county. Nearly 74% of pedestrian fatalities in America occur at non-intersection locations, and vehicle speeds are often a major contributing factor.

Multi-lane, high-volume, higher-speed roadways are barriers to pedestrian mobility. Some pedestrians may choose not to make a trip that involves crossing a busy roadway, and these roads pose additional safety and mobility issues for children and people with disabilities.

By working to enhance crosswalks, add new mid-block crossings and invest in smarter signalization, the County is using technology to help make our roadways, sidewalks and trails better suited to handle the multiple types of transportation that people are using in today’s world. Learn more about some of the proven pedestrian safely technology that you may encounter as you make your way around Pinellas County.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons

A marked crosswalk or pedestrian warning sign can improve safety for pedestrians crossing the road but may not be enough for drivers to clearly see crossing locations and stop for pedestrians.

To enhance pedestrian visibility and increase driver awareness at mid-block crosswalks, Pinellas County and other transportation agencies are installing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs). RRFBs consist of two, rectangular-shaped yellow indications that flash rapidly when activated by a pedestrian. RRFBs are located on both sides of a crosswalk below the pedestrian crossing sign. RRFBs may also accompany school or trail crossing warning signs. RRFBs are particularly effective at multi-lane crossings with speed limits up to 35mph.

The flashing beacons remain dark until a pedestrian activates the lights. The lights flash in an irregular pattern that is similar to emergency flashers on police vehicles.

Why do RRFBs flash yellow instead of red?

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations restrict the use of the color red to specific types of signs where traffic must always stop. Examples include stop signs, Do Not Enter/Wrong Way signs, and active drawbridges and railroad crossings.

Yellow or amber flashing lights are defined by the FHWA as warning lights where drivers may proceed with caution. These lights alert road users that they should pay extra attention to people in the roadway or roadway conditions when the lights are flashing. Flashing yellow lights allow drivers to proceed safely once the roadway is clear, reducing traffic delays. Examples include school zone speed limit flashers, fog/low-visibility signage and flashing yellow turn arrows.

How Does It Work For Pedestrians?

• Press the button on the RRFB to activate the flashing lights.
• Look to see that motorists are stopping before proceeding into and through the crosswalk.
• Cross the street, staying within the bounds of the crosswalk and looking both directions to ensure drivers are stopping.

How Does It Work For Drivers?

• Always stop for pedestrians and bicyclists entering or in a crosswalk. (When riding in the travel lane, bicyclists should ride in the direction of traffic, obey all traffic laws and stop for pedestrians.)
• Begin stopping when approaching an activated RRFB.
• Do not pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk.
• Come to a complete stop before the crosswalk if no other pavement markings exist.
• Do not stop within or block a crosswalk.
• Remain stopped for pedestrians or bicyclists that are within the crosswalk, regardless of whether the RRFB is activated.
• Ensure crosswalk is clear before resuming travel.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

Note: Pinellas County is not installing this type of pedestrian safety technology, but you may encounter them locally on roadways that are under state or municipal jurisdictions.

A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) – sometimes called a high intensity activated crosswalk or HAWK – is an overhead traffic device that resembles a regular traffic signal with a marked crosswalk and a pedestrian countdown signal. It has two side-by-side red indicators above a single yellow indicator. But unlike a regular traffic signal, the signal face for drivers remains “dark” until the pedestrian activates the beacon. Because PHBs remain dark until activated, they can help increase driver attention to pedestrians crossing the roadway and can reduce rear-end collisions.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon are designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections. The PHB not only improves convenience for pedestrians by eliminating the need to walk an additional distance to reach the nearest signalized intersection but also makes midblock crosswalks considerably safer crossing points.

In general, PHBs are used where it is difficult for pedestrians to cross a roadway, such as when gaps in traffic are not sufficient or speed limits exceed 35 miles per hour. Once someone activates the beacon, the lighting sequence consisting of flashing and steady lights directs motorists to slow and come to a stop, providing the right-of-way to the pedestrian to safely cross the roadway before going dark again.

They act as a traffic signal of sorts, with a solid red light to make traffic stop for people trying to get across. But the length of the red light is not as long-lasting as a traffic signal at a busy intersection. It allows enough time for the pedestrian to cross without causing major traffic back-ups.

How Does It Work For Pedestrians?

• When a pedestrian reaches the crosswalk, the PHB will display a solid “Don’t Walk” hand, like other crosswalks.
• The user presses the button, and the PHB goes through its sequencing to stop traffic.
• Once activated, the solid red hand will change to a “Walk” sign.
• Even though the sign indicates it’s their turn to cross, pedestrians should still always check for oncoming cars.
• Like a regular crosswalk, pedestrians should finish crossing when the “Walk” sign becomes a flashing red hand.
• The signal will remain on “Don’t Walk” until another person activates the button again

How Does It Work For Drivers?

• For drivers, the signal begins and ends its cycle completely dark.
• When a pedestrian presses the button, the triangular signal will start flashing yellow, followed by a solid yellow. This tells drivers they must prepare to stop. (When riding in the travel lane, bicyclists should ride in the direction of traffic, obey all traffic laws and stop for pedestrians.)
• Next, drivers will see a solid red light, which means they must stop.
• After a while, the signal will flash, alternating between two red lights. Drivers may proceed if the pedestrian is no longer in the crosswalk.
• All drivers should treat the flashing red lights like a stop sign: pulling up to the stop bar, stopping completely, checking that the intersection is clear, and then continuing through the intersection.
• When the signal goes dark again, drivers can proceed through the intersection as normal until it is activated by the next pedestrian.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Outreach

Since 2018, Move Safe, Pinellas, our award-winning safety program, has worked with local agencies, including Pinellas County Schools, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Human Services groups, to distribute safety devices to those who are most vulnerable when traveling on our roads. Visit the Move Safe, Pinellas page for more information or to request safety devices and educations materials.