The City of Ankeny is working to improve pedestrian safety by installing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at three pedestrian crosswalks. The new RRFBs are located at the High Trestle Trail crossings at NW Irvinedale Drive and NW 18th Street, and a school crosswalk on NW Irvinedale Drive at 13th Street. The new beacons were recommended in the 2019 High Trestle Trail Crossings and 2022 Elementary School Walkability studies.
The RRFB is designed to increase driver awareness of pedestrians crossing roadways at uncontrolled intersections. When the pushbutton on the RRFB is used, yellow warning lights flash to alert drivers to slow down and yield to anyone wanting to cross the street. A white confirmation light is displayed to the pedestrian. The RRFB will also have overhead streetlights that illuminate the crosswalk at night when the pushbutton is used.
The Federal Highway Administration considers the RRFB to be a proven safety countermeasure tool, significantly increasing the driver yielding rate and reducing pedestrian crash potential at designated crosswalks.
All three RRFBs are expected to be operational in the week of August 1.
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