Curb ramps should always be installed at mid-block crossings, their presence should be identified using guidance TWSIs across the width of the sidewalk.
Taken from PEDSAFE
1. Dark until activated
2. Flashing yellow light for 3-6 s
3. Steady yellow light for 3-6 s
4. Steady red light during pedestrian interval.
5. Alternating flashing red lights during pedestrian clearance interval.
While mid-block crossings typically do not warrant a controlled crossing signal, pedestrians with sight loss will not be able to engage drivers through eye contact. Thus, at minimum, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing beacon (RRFB) should be considered. This solution is sub-optimal given that pedestrian activation will not result in a red-light causing motorists to stop. Even if equipped with audio messaging “Caution, Lights are Flashing Yellow” pedestrians unable to make eye contact will need to rely on traffic noise to determine when it is safe to begin their crossing. For roads with only one or two lanes, this may not pose any added risk. However, if crossings require activating a second RRFB located on a refuge island traffic sounds may not be adequate to determine if vehicles have stopped.
The CNIB Foundation recommends that Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) be used at uncontrolled mid-block crossings. These devices should be equipped with an accessible pedestrian signal which is activated with the PHB.
A pedestrian hybrid beacon includes the following features:
- Overhead beacons with three sections (circular yellow signal indication centered below two horizontally aligned circular red signals) facing both directions on the major street;
- Overhead signs labeled “CROSSWALK STOP ON RED” to indicate that the location is associated with a pedestrian crosswalk;
- A marked crosswalk on the major street;
- Countdown pedestrian signal heads to control pedestrian crossings at the crosswalk;
- Pedestrian detectors, such as push buttons either activated manually or using sensor technology.
- The pedestrian hybrid beacon rests dark when not in use. When a pedestrian push button or detector is actuated, the beacon begins with a flashing yellow light, followed by a solid yellow light, alerting drivers to slow. A solid red light requires drivers to stop while pedestrians have the right-of-way to cross the street.
CNIB recommends that mid-block crossings be equipped with these devices and that cut curbs be installed. These should follow the guidelines contained in the section on intersection design.
CNIB encourages road designers to ensure that lighting at mid block crossings is adequate so that drivers can detect the presence of a pedestrian at night. The following extract may be helpful in lighting design considerations.
“Luminaire Placement
Many agencies have historically installed a single luminaire directly over the crosswalk as shown in figure 11. While this provides high pavement luminance at the crosswalk, it does not adequately illuminate the pedestrian. The luminaires should be located such that the vertical illuminance on the pedestrian makes him or her visible at a sufficient distance. Based on the assessment performed to select the luminaire, the luminaire should be located so that it provides 20 vertical lux at the crosswalk. In the installation defined in figure 11, the luminaire should be located at least 3 m (10 ft) from the crosswalk. This luminaire location is simulated in figure 12.
Note that for roadways that have traffic traveling in both directions, particularly those without a center median, two luminaires are required, located on either side of the road and placed prior to the crosswalk from the drivers’ perspective. This is also shown in figure 12.
Figure 11. Drawing. Traditional midblock crosswalk lighting layout. The drawing illustrates a plan view of a crosswalk on a two-lane, two-way road. The drawing shows how typical midblock crosswalks are lighted with a single luminaire located directly above the crosswalk, which produces little vertical illuminance on the two pedestrians illustrated in the crosswalk.
Figure 11. Drawing. Traditional midblock crosswalk lighting layout.
Figure 12. Drawing. New design for midblock crosswalk lighting layout. The drawing illustrates a plan view of a crosswalk on a two-lane, two-way road, with two luminaires, one located on each side of the road located at some distance upstream of the crosswalk for the respective approach. The drawing shows how this design concept will provide vertical illuminance on pedestrians as observed by drivers approaching from either direction.
Figure 12. Drawing. New design for midblock crosswalk lighting layout.
Crosswalk Placement
Because the influence of other lighting fixtures on background luminance must also be considered, the final aspect of the design is the location of the crosswalk within the cycle of luminaires on lighted roadways. When a lit road surface is viewed from a vehicle, the pavement surface luminance is not uniform. The brightest pavement areas are located between the driver and the luminaires providing light. The road surface luminance increases as a driver approaches a luminaire and then drops as the luminaire is passed, and a crosswalk is viewed against this varying background. If possible, the crosswalk should be located within the cycle of luminaires such that the roadway luminance does not significantly change the contrast of the pedestrian as the vehicle approaches the crosswalk.
With respect to the designated crosswalk lighting luminaires, the crosswalk should be located to provide the desired level of vertical illuminance at the crosswalk for all travel directions. If possible, the subsequent luminaire in a continuous lighting layout along a given direction of travel should be located at least 10 times farther away from the crosswalk; this mitigates the changes in background luminance associated with the viewing perspective. …”
For a detailed discussion on lighting at mid block crossings, see FHWA-HRT-08-053- Informational Report on Lighting Design for Midblock Crosswalks.
