Effects of crosswalk illuminators and rectangular rapid flashing beacons on speed reductions and yielding to pedestrians at night

July 2024

Introduction: Dark conditions are among the circumstances under which pedestrian fatalities have experienced the largest increases. This study examines the nighttime effects of continuous and triggered illuminators at crosswalks on driver behavior: yielding to pedestrians and reducing speeds by 10 mph or more and by 5 mph or more. The study also compares the effects of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) in conjunction with crosswalk illuminators with RRFBs alone and with illuminators alone. Method: Driver yielding to staged pedestrians as well as vehicle speeds were observed at four crosswalks at night under three conditions: baseline with existing street lighting, continuous illuminators, and triggered illuminators. At one site with RRFBs, observations were made in two additional conditions: RRFBs alone and RRFBs in conjunction with triggered illuminators. Logistic regression models evaluated the effects of these conditions on driver yielding and speed reduction. Results: The study found that adding continuous and triggered illuminators at crosswalks with low-existing lighting levels made motorists more likely to yield and to reduce speeds at night. Increases in the likelihood of drivers reducing speeds were greater as speed reductions became larger. RRFBs plus triggered illuminators made drivers more likely to yield and to reduce speeds, compared with RRFBs alone or with illuminators alone. Conclusion: The study findings could help agencies select appropriate nighttime treatments to enhance safety benefits for pedestrians.