Yellow Availed RRFB pedestrian crossing sign with solar panel on top, indicating a school zone and a directional arrow

CDOT Approves Availed Technologies’ AV-400 RRFB for Safer Colorado Crosswalks

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Availed Technologies is proud to announce that our AV-400 Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) is now approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Represented by Altitude Signal, this approval follows a comprehensive two-year field test. 

Overview of the AV-400 RRFB 

The AV-400 RRFB is an effective device for improving crosswalk safety and accessibility. The design of every component, from the controller to the mounting brackets, is optimized to ensure quick and cost-effective installation. Utilizing high efficiency LED modules, the product ensures vehicles are alerted to pedestrians at crosswalks, significantly reducing accidents. 

CDOT Approval Process 

CDOT’s rigorous two-year evaluation involved a field test installation, proving the capability for reliable year-round operation throughout all environmental extremes. The system demonstrated compliance with MUTCD standards and operated flawlessly throughout the field test period. The AV-400 met all the evaluation criteria and has been included on the CDOT Approved Product List under CDOT Form 595, APL Reference Number 5286-24. 

Other Availed products on the Colorado Approved Product List include the AV-200 LED Enhanced Sign and AV-240 24 Hour Solar Flashing Beacon. 

Importance of The CDOT Approved Product List 

Approval by CDOT validates the AV-400’s quality and reliability, enabling and providing further support for its deployment in Colorado traffic safety projects. This listing assures municipalities and contractors of the product’s compliance and effectiveness. 

The CDOT Approved Product List is crucial for ensuring that only high-quality products that meet performance and safety standards are used in transportation projects. 

In the context of traffic safety and transportation projects, the CDOT Approved Product List is particularly important for electronic traffic signal and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)

equipment projects, where safety and reliability are critical. By being listed on the CDOT APL, the AV-400 RRFB is recognized as meeting these high standards, which assures stakeholders of its reliability and effectiveness. 

The inclusion of the AV-400 RRFB on CDOT’s Approved Product List signifies its compliance with rigorous testing and evaluation processes, making it a trusted solution for enhancing pedestrian safety across Colorado. Municipalities and contractors can confidently use the AV-400 in various traffic safety projects, knowing it meets the requirements set by CDOT. 

Benefits and Technical Specifications 

The AV-400 RRFB offers: 

  • High-Intensity LED Lightbars: Superior visibility to alert motorists. 
  • Easy Installation: Designed for a quick and intuitive set-up. 
  • Cost-effectiveness: The AV-400 is a low-cost leader among RRFBs.
  • Energy Efficiency: Optimal for low solar insolation areas. 
  • Durability: Built to withstand harsh conditions. 
  • Compliance: Meets MUTCD standards. 

Applications 

The AV-400 is ideal for improving pedestrian safety at: 

  • Uncontrolled Marked Crosswalks at Intersections: where major legs are uncontrolled through legs and minor legs are stop sign controlled 
  • Mid-Block Crosswalks: Multi-modal trails, greenways, and cycle routes that cross roadways

Purchasing Information 

For purchasing details, contact Altitude Signal, our local distributor. As a trusted representative in the field, they provide comprehensive support for pricing, availability, and installation. 

The CDOT approval of the AV-400 RRFB highlights Availed Technologies’ commitment to pedestrian safety and product excellence. This milestone paves the way for broader implementation across Colorado, offering an affordable opportunity for enhancing crosswalk safety statewide.

 

Contact Us to Learn More!

Highlighter yellow Availed RRFB school crossing sign with arrow, with a tree and blue sky in background.

Availed Technologies Has Been Approved by Oregon DOT

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We are happy to announce that the Availed AV-400 Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon is now listed as a qualified product on the Oregon DOT Green Sheets.

What is the Green Sheet Qualification Process?

Maintained by the Traffic-Roadway Section of the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Green Sheet Qualification process has a comprehensive evaluation process for a wide range of Traffic Signal, Illumination, and ITS equipment that includes physical, operational, and environmental testing.  For RRFBs in particular, the device is evaluated to ensure it is compliant with the requirements of the FHWA interim approval and the MUTCD and that it meets the requirements for mounting as shown in TM493.  Only prequalified RRFBs already listed on the green sheets will be approved for use for Oregon DOT projects under contract

The Importance of Energy Efficiency for RRFBs

As is very typical in the Pacific Northwest, many parts of Oregon have very low solar insolation during the winter months which presents a challenging environment for solar products such as the Availed AV-400 RRFB.  Key to ensuring reliable operation is energy efficiency, and this is where the AV-400 stands out.  All aspects of the product, from the wireless connectivity between units to the optical design of the LED lightbars has been designed to minimize power consumption.

 

For more about energy efficiency with RRFBs and how to specify products to ensure reliable operation see this article.

 

Availed Technologies – Now on the BC Recognized Products List

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Here at Availed Technologies, we’re proud to announce that our AV-400 RRFB has been approved by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOT) and is officially on their Recognized Products list.

Today’s blog outlines all you need to know:

What is the BC Recognized Products List?

The BC Recognized Products List is a comprehensive database of products that are approved for use for highway construction and maintenance contractors

Products on this list are frequently used in performing work as part of contracts with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of highways and bridges.

Approved products may be removed or suspended at any time if they do not perform or are found to be noncompliant or failing to meet ministry requirements.

The Importance of the BC Recognized Products List

The Recognized Products List is referenced during the following:

  • The road and bridge maintenance contract agreement
  • Project tender documents
  • Invitations to quote

It serves the important role of standardizing quality across different products and ensuring that approved manufacturers adhere to strict safety guidelines.

Approved Availed Technologies Products on the Recognized Products List

As an approved manufacturer, the following Availed Technologies products now hold a spot on British Columbia’s Recognized Products List:

  • The AV-240 Series, 24-Hour Flashing Beacon: A reliable, fast-installation flashing beacon with MUTCD-compliant flash patterns
  • The AV-400 Series, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon: A purpose-built RRFB with a compact solar engine design, wireless operation, and a high-intensity light output that exceeds MUTCD requirements by up to five times

MassDOT RRFB Approval Announcement

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At Availed Technologies, we’re thrilled to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Highway Division, Qualified Traffic Control) has experimentally approved our AV-400 Solar RRFB.

Learn more about the importance of this approval today:

The Impact of the AV-400 Solar RRFB

RRFBs play a crucial role in pedestrian crash countermeasures, and our AV-400 Solar RRFB is no exception.

Purpose-built from the bottom-up, the AV-400 series features both high-efficiency LED modules and an ultra-low power controller that remains dependable year after year.

It also touts:

  • A rated operating capacity exceeding 300 activations per day
  • High-intensity light output that exceeds the MUTCD requirements by up to five times
  • A sophisticated, compact solar engine design that is install-ready for all pole mount systems, making the installation process under 15 minutes
  • Zero configuration required for near-wireless connection between systems; one wire runs from the push button to the solar engine
  • Easily bolted or banded to any pole size thanks to its three-point pivoting lightbar mounting bracket and universal solar engine mount

Whether you are a Traffic Engineer responsible for designing and specifying an upcoming project, a Town Engineer seeking lower-cost, higher-powered alternatives to your municipality’s existing RRFBs, or a Traffic Technologist who knows that your city’s pedestrian countermeasures need an upgrade, consider the AV-400 Solar RRFB today.

The Benefits of Working With Availed Technologies

As established in the FHWA Countermeasure Tech Sheet, the average cost of one RRFB system is $22,250 USD– ranging from $4,500 USD to $52,000 USD each.

However, Availed Technologies makes it so you can install three-to-five RRFB systems for the same average cost of one. It’s all thanks to our RRFBs’ higher efficiency, smaller form factor, and minimized size.

That means each RRFB in our AV-400 series:

  • Offers lower material costs
  • Is easy to handle and fast to install
  • Can be pre-installed prior to being on-site and/or mounted onto existing sign posts

We are so proud that our AV-400 Solar RRFB is now included on  MassDOT Qualified Traffic Control Equipment List, under the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, Section 824: Flashing Beacons, Illuminated Warning Signs, and Lighted Barrier Arrows .

RRFBs in the Next MUTCD

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Update: As of November 19, 2023, the 11th Edition of the MUTCD has been issued with the inclusion of RRFBs in Chapter 4L. Read more about it here.

 

RRFBs were first introduced under an interim approval with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2008.  Since that time, and due to the high effectiveness of the device, the use of  RRFBs as a crosswalk enhancement has become widespread.

Today, we here at Availed Technologies are going to outline RRFBs proposed role in the next MUTCD– including the most significant proposed changes to it to enhance pedestrian safety.

Let’s jump right in:

The Absence of an Updated MUTCD

In the absence of an updated version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD),  the RRFB has remained under an interim approval for well over a decade.  On March 4th, 2022 FHWA Issued a Status of Rulemaking for the Eleventh Edition of the MUTCD.

According to this update, The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directs USDOT to update the MUTCD by no later than May 15, 2023.

As one would expect, RRFBs are a key feature of the recommended changes as noted in the FWHA, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) notice of proposed amendments (NPA). These recommended changes orbit around the incorporation of provisional traffic control devices.

The Incorporation of Provisional Traffic Control Devices

The incorporation of provisional traffic control devices currently under Interim Approval, including pedestrian-actuated rectangular rapid-flashing beacons at uncontrolled marked crosswalks, green-colored pavement for bicycle lanes, red-colored pavement for transit lanes, and a new traffic signal warrant based on crash experience.

It is also noteworthy that several other key proposed changes to the MUTCD focus on pedestrians and bicyclists, mainly:

  • Improvements to safety and accessibility for pedestrians, including the location of pushbuttons at signalized crosswalks, crosswalk marking patterns, and accommodations in work zones
  • Expanded traffic control devices to improve safety and operation for bicyclists, including intersection bicycle boxes,two-stage turn boxes, bicycle traffic signal faces, and a new design for the U.S. Bicycle Route sign

The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) recommended changes to the MUTCD are very similar to the Interim Approval (IA-21).  One significant addition is guidance on the use of RRFBs at intersections with two crosswalks on an uncontrolled approach.  Additional guidance is provided for the use of RRFBs with overhead-mounted signs.

The Role of RRFBs in the Future of Pedestrian Safety

Here at Availed Technologies, we have over 25 years of experience in the Solar LED industry. We understand that providing a best-in-class product demands the support of industry-leading partners, and we are very proud to be represented by some of the most trusted companies in the business.

We strongly encourage you to read more about the MUTCD proposed changes today– and, if you have any questions, to reach out to our team!