Traffic Engineering staff is continuously evaluating and keeping informed of new traffic control devices and enhanced transportation technologies.  The following are some examples of newer traffic devices that you may see…

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Enhanced Crosswalks

Flashing Yellow Arrows

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

Enhanced Crosswalks 

Enhanced crosswalks are normal crosswalks with enhancements such as mast arm or post-mounted flashing beacons and/or advance warning beacons. They can be found in several locations across the City, mostly along Fourth Avenue.  The newest installations are at Fourth Avenue at Davidson Street and Fourth Avenue at Park Way, which were funded by federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant funding. When a pedestrian pushes the crossing button, flashing yellow lights (standard flashing beacons or rectangular rapid flashing beacons aka RRFBs) installed on the poles or mast arms above them turn on, notifying drivers to look out for a crossing pedestrian.

Enhanced Crosswalks DO...

• Mark a legal pedestrian crossing.
• Alert drivers to the presence of a pedestrian. The California Vehicle Code gives the pedestrian the right of way at crosswalks.
• Make pedestrians more visible on divided roadways.

Enhanced Crosswalks DO NOT...

• Control vehicular traffic.
• Give the pedestrian the right to cross if vehicles are still passing.

Where could Enhanced Crosswalks go?

City Traffic Engineering staff conduct a warrant study based on pedestrian and vehicle counts and past accident data for the studied location.  A combination of the warrant criteria that are met by the data and engineering judgment determines whether an enhanced crossing is warranted or whether other traffic control devices, if any, are more appropriate.

Flashing Yellow Arrows

You may have seen flashing yellow arrows on Eastlake Parkway by Otay Ranch Town Center where they permit cautious RIGHT turns across the South Bay Rapid guideway. A flashing yellow arrow tells drivers that they are permitted to proceed with caution in the direction the arrow is pointing.  However, they must yield to opposing traffic and determine that it is safe to turn before proceeding.  When the flashing yellow arrow turns off and the solid yellow arrow turns on, it means that the red arrow is about to turn on, which will no longer permit any turns in the arrow’s direction.  Now, they can also be found at some intersections where LEFT turns must yield to oncoming traffic.  

So far, flashing yellow arrow operation for LEFT turns has been implemented at the following intersections:

• Third Avenue at Davidson Street
• L Street at First Avenue
• J Street at Fifth Avenue

The City of Irvine, CA produced a short video that explains how Flashing Yellow Arrows work in detail.

How Flashing Yellow Arrows Work

	When you see a...	It means...
1.	RED ARROW	STOP. No turns in the arrow's direction are allowed
2.	GREEN ARROW	GO. The turn in the arrow's direction is protected, but always be careful.
3.	FLASHING YELLOW ARROW	YIELD. Yield to opposing traffic, but you can turn if it is safe to do so.
4.	STEADY YELLOW ARROW	Prepare to stop. Don't try to turn.  The signal is about to turn red.
5.	RED ARROW	See step 1.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (formerly known as the "HAWK") system is similar to a traffic signal dedicated to controlling traffic for pedestrian crossings by requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians.  The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon crossing system is technically a "beacon" in that it remains dark over the traffic lanes unless a pedestrian pushes the crossing button.  The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon signal is an important safety tool because it includes a RED signal and early studies have shown up to 97% driver compliance, which is a better compliance rate by drivers than other warning devices at pedestrian crossings.

Where could Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons go?

Just like Enhanced Crosswalks, City Traffic Engineering staff conduct a warrant study based on pedestrian and vehicle counts and past accident data for the studied location.  A combination of the warrant criteria that are met by the data and engineering judgment determines whether an enhanced crossing is warranted or whether other traffic control devices, if any, are more appropriate. 

How Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Work

Caltrans produced a short video that shows how Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons work, but the Caltrans graphic below also describes their operation.