Design Resources

The RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) is widely used for improving safety and accessibility at crosswalks. Applications include crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections (where only the minor legs of the intersection have stop signs), midblock crosswalks, school crossings, trail crossings, and cycling corridors. Street improvement projects and safe routes to school improvements often include RRFBs.

For a typical 2-4 lane, two-way roadway, RRFB units are mounted on either side of the crosswalk. Each unit has dual Lightbars mounted back-to-back, so that from each approach to the crosswalk the driver sees lights on both the left and right side of the roadway. This design frames the crosswalk. The ability to use either dual back-to-back lightbars or a single lightbar provides versatility when median islands or pedestrian refuge islands are incorporated. RRFB lightbars can also be mounted to overhead mast arms or in advance of the crosswalk.

kids safely crossing the street thanks to RRFB

In this example with a median island, single sided RRFBs are used both in the median and on the sides of the crosswalk. An alternative to this configuration is to use one back-to-back RRFB in the median.

Countermeasure: Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB)

Source: FHWA-SA-18-018, Field Guide for Selecting Countermeasures at Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Locations

Design resources for using RRFBs

Below are design resources that cover the requirements, guidelines, warrants, and best practices for using RRFBs:

FHWA Video introducing RRFB use and effectiveness
Check Video
FHWA Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) – Resources
Check Website
Field Guide for Selecting Countermeasures at Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Locations
View the Report (pdf)
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Countermeasure Tech Sheet
View the Report (pdf)

STEP STUDIO: Tools for selecting and implementing countermeasures for improving pedestrian crossing safety
View the Report (pdf)
NACTO Urban Street Design Guide
Check Website
NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide
Check Website

For research on the effectiveness of RRFBs, see the Effectiveness page.

Effectiveness

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