Flashing lights, sound augment crosswalk visibility

 

 

 

PULLMAN, Wash. – Crosswalks. Whatever the design, they provide a false sense of security to pedestrians who sometimes view them as a magic safety zone. 

 

Keith Bloom, executive director of Washington State University Capital Planning and Development, said studies show that crosswalks are inherently unsafe.  Although studies are not conclusive, all seem to agree that drivers and pedestrians are equally responsible for crosswalk safety. Crosswalks are not safer than the person who walks into them or the driver who drives through them.

 

Pedestrians have the responsibility to stop, look and listen before stepping into the road.  According to Washington Administrative Code (WAC 132E-16-040), “No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop.” And drivers must stop when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk.

 

Regulators attempt to create consistency in crosswalk design depending on location, vehicle speed limits and amount of traffic in a given area. WSU follows this protocol with crosswalk types on the Pullman campus – the ladder design on streets with more traffic and higher speeds, and the more traditional design of two lines across the road where there is less traffic traveling at lower speeds.

 

ASWSU sponsored new blinking crosswalk lights on Stadium Way to enhance pedestrian safety and create more visibility in crosswalk areas.  Sites for the blinking lights were chosen with ASWSU input and with the idea of adding more if these proved successful.

 

Bloom researched a number of options, choosing the final design because it is radio-activated and can run on solar power and batteries – allowing expansion to areas of campus without power.

 

 

Bloom and his engineers had to study the distances between crosswalks to be sure the radio signal would not operate light posts at other crossings farther down Stadium Way.  They also made sure the radio frequencies would not have an impact on research in labs located near the crosswalks.

 

Using existing crosswalk poles to mount the blinking lights helped minimize costs.  Custom attachments were created for the posts and Bloom convinced the manufacturer to paint the housings crimson rather than the standard yellow color to blend in with the other signage on campus.

 

For safety tips on using crosswalks, please see here.

 

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) committee on campus approached Capital Planning looking to enhance the safety of visually impaired individuals. The result is the voice-annunciated crossing lights on Stadium Way. 

 

The signals use multiple methods to assist visually impaired individuals. They emit a constant tone to help people locate the button; they have a raised arrow, which vibrates when pushed, pointing in the direction of the crossing; and they talk when the walk light comes on.

 

 

Bloom said he has received positive feedback from people on campus about the new crossing lights.  He has worked on softening the tone of the voice giving crossing commands.  He looks ahead to adding more enhanced crosswalks as money becomes available.

 

And he has one final piece of advice for pedestrians – “don’t trust the crosswalk or the driver.”