Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons
The city of Columbus takes its role in pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist safety seriously. The Department of Public Service and the Ohio Department of Transportation are collaborating to make crossing heavily traveled, arterial streets safer and easier, with introduction of the first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons in Columbus.
What is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon?
A pedestrian hybrid beacon is a pedestrian‐activated warning device located on the roadside or on mast arms over mid-block pedestrian crossings.
What benefits are provided by Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons?
- Mid-block locations account for more than 70% of pedestrian fatalities, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Pedestrians can more safely and easily cross the street at marked crosswalks by alerting and controlling drivers with a beacon warning system.
- The beacon includes a red stop light to motorists approaching the crosswalk.
Where and when will Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons be installed?
Beacons, signage and pavement markings are at these locations:
- N. Fourth Street at E. Northwood Avenue
- Hayden Road between Riverside Drive and Bethel Road
- Morse Road between Dunbridge Street and Sundance Drive
- Sunbury Road between Woodward Avenue and the signalized entrance to Ohio Dominican University
- Alum Creek Drive at Hanford Village Park between Main Street and Livingston Avenue.
How do pedestrians and drivers use a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon?
1. When there is no pedestrian waiting to cross, drivers will see that all indication lights are dark. A pedestrian who wants to cross the street will need to push the button to activate the system.
2. When the pedestrian presses the button, approaching drivers will see a FLASHING YELLOW light for a few seconds, indicating that they should reduce speed and be prepared to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
Pedestrians should wait.
3. Drivers will see a STEADY YELLOW light, warning that the indication will soon turn to a STEADY RED light. Pedestrians will continue to see the DON’T WALK symbol and should wait.
4. Drivers will see a STEADY RED light, which requires them to STOP at the stop line. Then the pedestrian receives a STEADY WALK symbol to cross.
5. Drivers will see ALTERNATING FLASHING RED lights, indicating that they need to stop until pedestrians have finished crossing the street. They may proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear. Pedestrians will see a flashing countdown that indicates how much time they have to cross the street.
6. At the end of the countdown, drivers will see that all indication lights are dark. The pedestrian will see a STEADY DON’T WALK symbol. Pedestrians waiting to cross will push the button to reactivate the system.
View a short video produced by the Ohio Department of Transportation that shows a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon in action below: