Beacons Beckon Drivers to Yield to Crossing Pedestrians in Cary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2012
Beacons Beckon Drivers to Yield to Crossing Pedestrians in Cary
Pilot project is first in the Triangle
CARY, NC – Striving to achieve smart connectivity, the Town of Cary this week is installing five mechanisms to help citizens safely navigate the intersections of some of its most popular greenways and well-traveled roads. Known as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, these solar-powered safety devices emit rapid flashing LED lights when activated by a pushbutton. The LED lights are set to allow time for vehicles to safely yield to pedestrians and continue to flash until all people have crossed the roadway. Studies by the Federal Highway Administration have shown these mechanisms to boost vehicle yielding rates from 10-20 percent to 70-85 percent. Town staff will monitor the program’s effectiveness and future expansion of beacons in Cary will depend on this pilot project’s success.
“Regardless of how many lanes make up a street, it’s the law to yield to pedestrians,” said David Spencer, Town of Cary Traffic Engineer. “The flashing lights and signs associated with these beacons will help drivers remember to do so while at the same time assuring pedestrians that it should be safe to cross.”
By the end of the week, five beacons will be installed at the following Cary crossings:
• NW Maynard Road at the entrance to Godbold Park as part of the Black Creek Greenway
• West Dynasty Drive near Sudbury Drive as part of the Black Creek Greenway
• Jenks Carpenter Road near Fryars Creek Drive as part of the White Oak Greenway
• Morrisville Parkway near East Ferrell Road as part of the American Tobacco Trail
First used in Florida, the beacons are now used in several States including North Carolina; Cary follows Wilmington as the second municipality in our state to implement the tool. Each crossing cost about $19,000 to install and maintain; the Town of Cary received a federal grant to cover 80 percent of the cost; the remaining 20 percent was paid for by the Town’s capital budget.
To learn more, search “Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons” at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 462-3833.
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PRIMARY CONTACTS:
David Spencer, Traffic Engineer, (919) 462-3833
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Director, (919) 380-4240
RELATED LINKS:
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Sign
Federal Highway Administration Pedestrian Safety Study
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
