How do cities respond to communities seeking safer crosswalks? Crosswalk lights. The City of Pawtucket Rhode Island installed two different systems of LED crosswalk lights – both effective technologies proven to improve pedestrian safety.
City staff decided on an inpavement crosswalk warning light system from Traffic Safety Corp. with Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) as the ideal solution for improving safety at the crossing located at the corner of Broadway and Blackstone Avenue.
The solution was implemented after residents of Doyle manor expressed their safety concerns. Their street was converted from a one-way street to a two-way street.
Both inpavement lighting and RRFBs are proven effective as individual safety solutions. When used in combination, they create an even more effective crosswalk safety system that alerts drivers and helps bring attention to pedestrians crossing – both day and night.
Pawtucket city officials had this to say about the new crosswalk warning system:
“This crosswalk system, to our knowledge, may be the first such installation in a municipal right-of-way setting in Rhode Island other than those found at T.F. Green Airport,” stated Andrew Silvia, Chief of Project Development for the City of Pawtucket, after consulting with the project engineer, contractor, electrical subcontractor and DPW staff.
The administration and the City Council collaborated on the installation of the crosswalk after hearing from nearby residents at Doyle manor that use the crosswalk frequently. “The input received from residents was very helpful in implementing this state-of-the-art system,” said Silvia.”
Local reporter Kerri Corrado of NBC 10 News covered the new installation. The crosswalk system on Broadway Street is the only one of its kind in the state – aside from those at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Watch the full news report here.
The inpavement crosswalk lights are especially effective for use at night –
“Within the crosswalk, you can see the inlaid LED lights – … there’s 3 on each side — that flash, as well,” Andrew Silvia, who is Pawtucket’s chief of Project Development, said. (It’s) a lot more visible or noticeable at night.”
The two-lane LED crosswalk warning light system is composed of:
- (6) TS600 Inpavement Crosswalk Lights
- (4) Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
- (2) XAV2E-LED Push-Button Stations
