http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov

FHWA Safety Program

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Guide– 

Recommendations and Case Study
A pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control 

device similar to a European pedestrian signal 

(PELICAN) that was imported to the US and adapted by 

engineers in Arizona to increase motorists’ awareness of 

pedestrian crossings at uncontrolled marked crosswalk 

locations. A PHB is distinct from pre-timed traffic signals 

and constant flash warning beacons because it is only 

activated by pedestrians when needed.

Figure 1. A PHB in Phoenix Arizona provides protection for pedestrians near a high school. Photo Credit: Mike Cynecki

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Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

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Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

PHBs have been shown to significantly reduce pedestrian crashes. A Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA) study published in 20101 found that pedestrian hybrid beacons can 

reduce pedestrian crashes by 69 percent and total crashes by 29 percent. Because PHBs remain 

dark until activated, they can help increase driver attention to pedestrians crossing the roadway, 

and can reduce rear-end collisions. The pedestrian hybrid beacon’s red signal indication removes 

any judgment from the motorists and requires a complete stop. The PHB provides a clear message 

that motorists must stop and allow pedestrians to cross the street. Motorist compliance with the 

requirement to yield has been shown to exceed 90 percent at PHBs.2

PHBs are becoming increasingly popular 

with State and local transportation 

agencies to fill the gap between 

unprotected crosswalks and full traffic 

signals to serve pedestrians. PHBs are 

useful in locations where traditional 

crosswalk signings and markings do not 

result in adequate motorist yielding rates, 

and where the deployment or cost of a 

full traffic signal would not be warranted. 

This includes mid-block crossings or 

uncontrolled mainline crossing points. This 

document will show how PHBs are being 

used to reduce pedestrian crashes across 

the country, highlight available provisions 

for implementing PHBs, and describe how 

PHB installations improved a problematic 

section of roadway. Figure 2. A PHB in Washington DC provides protection for pedestrians near a church.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Sneary
Operation

The design of the PHB consists of two horizontally-arranged red lenses above a single yellow 

lens. As shown in Figure 3 below, the signal face for drivers remains unlit or “dark” until the 

pedestrian activates the system. While the signal is dark, the pedestrian display shows a Don’t 

Walk indication. To activate the PHB pedestrians push an accessible button located on a pole 

or post at the roadside. The actuated beacon then begins to flash yellow to warn motorists that 

the beacon has been activated. This brief flashing yellow interval is followed by a steady yellow 

interval, then by a steady red signal indicating motorists need to come to a complete stop 

and wait at the stop line. While motorists are seeing the steady red indication, the Walk sign is 

lit for pedestrians, allowing them to cross the roadway. After the pedestrian WALK phase ends, 

the pedestrian signal indication changes to a flashing DON’T WALK to notify pedestrians not to 

begin crossing. During the flashing Don’t Walk phase, the PHB displays alternating flashing red 

lights to drivers. The flashing red indicates to drivers that they are to stop and yield to pedestrians 

in the crosswalk, and can proceed once pedestrians are clear. 

Influence on Safety

PHBs can lead to lower conflict and crash rates for pedestrians and vehicles. FHWA’s evaluation 

of pedestrian PHBs found that their installation can reduce crashes. Pedestrian crashes were 

reduced by 69 percent (significant at the 95 percent confidence level).3 There was a 19 

percent reduction in total crashes (95 percent confidence level). The research also concluded 

that severe crashes were reduced, while rear-end collisions did not increase. The FHWA study 

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R R

Y

1. Dark Until Activated

R R

FY

2. Flashing Yellow

Upon Activation

R R

SY

3. Steady Yellow

SR SR

Y

4. Steady Red During

Pedestrian Walk Interval

R R

Y

5. Alternating Flashing Red During

Pedestrian Clearance Interval

6. Dark Again Until Activated

FR R

Y

R FR

Y

Legend

SY Steady yellow

FY Flashing yellow

SR Steady red

FR Flashing red

Figure 3. Corresponding Display Sequence for PHB and Pedestrian Signal
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

also suggested that crashes categorized as “severe” could be reduced by 15 percent (95 

percent confidence level). In addition to improving safety for pedestrians, PHBs provide benefits 

to motorists as well: Compared to traditional signalized 

crossings, PHBs reduce delays at pedestrian crossings by 

50 percent.4

In most states it is illegal to pass a motorist who has 

stopped to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.5 However, 

it may be unclear to following motorists if a car is 

stopped for a pedestrian or for some other reason. The 

first yielding motorist can obscure pedestrians from the 

following motorists, which can lead to pedestrians being 

hit by “second threat” motorists. The PHB addresses this potential problem by clearly indicating 

that the crosswalk is being used and that all motorists must come to a complete stop.

Guidance and Recommendations 

MUTCD Provisions

Chapter 4F of the MUTCD contains provisions on how PHBs can be installed and used in 

conjunction with signs and pavement markings to warn and control traffic at locations 

where pedestrians enter or cross a street or highway. The MUTCD also identifies factors for 

agencies to consider in determining the use of PHBs, including pedestrian and traffic volumes, 

roadway speeds, and sight distance. Two charts, one for roadways with speeds of 35 mph 

or less (MUTCD Figure 4F-1), and one for speeds greater than 35 mph (MUTCD Figure 4F-2), 

provide warranting criteria for the use of PHBs based on engineering studies of the volume of 

pedestrians and vehicles and the length of the crosswalk. Figure 4 shows MUTCD Figure 4F-1 

which identifies thresholds, shown with curves, for various crosswalk lengths based on the 

number of pedestrians and traffic volume realized on roadways with traffic speeds of 35 mph or 

less. If pedestrian and volume points mapped exceed the curve, a PHB should be considered. 

If a street or highway being crossed has a raised median that is wide enough to serve as a 

pedestrian refuge area, then each half of the street may be considered separately.i

i This is not explicitly stated in Chapter 4F Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons of the MUTCD. However, Section 1A.13 Definitions of Headings, Words, and Phrases in this Manual defines the 

crosswalk as being in the roadway. The definition of roadway includes the statement, “In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term roadway as used in this 

Manual shall refer to any such roadway separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.” Median is defined as “the area between two roadways of a divided highway measured from 

edge of traveled way to edge of traveled way.” This is problematic because if a median is less than 6 feet wide or is not raised it is not a pedestrian refuge, but that is dealt with in the 

recommendations.

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A before and after study of High 

intensity Activated crosswalk 

(HAWK) pedestrian treatments 

performed in Tucson, Arizona, 

identified a 29 percent reduction 

in total crashes and a 69 percent 

reduction in pedestrian crashes.
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The MUTCD recommends, but does not require, that PHBs be located at least 100 feet from an 

intersection. When activated, the PHB provides signal indications for the main road, but does 

not notify vehicles on the side street that a pedestrian is in the crosswalk and that traversing 

the crosswalk is prohibited (when the indication is steady red) or must be treated as a stop sign 

(when the light is flashing red). To help promote adequate sight distances for pedestrians and 

motorists, on-street parking should be restricted within 100 feet of the crossing for approaching 

traffic and 20 feet from the crossing on the departure side. Where installed on a roadway with 

coordinated signals, the MUTCD recommends the PHB be coordinated with the other signals.

MAJOR STREET — TOTAL OF BOTH APPROACHES —

VEHICLES PER HOUR (VPH)

L = crosswalk length

0 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

100

200

300

400

500

TOTAL OF ALL

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

THE MAJOR STREET - 

PEDESTRIANS PER HOUR (PPH)

* Note: 20 pph applies as the lower threshold volume

L = 34 ft

L = 72 ft

L = 50 ft

L = 100 ft

20*

Speeds of 35 mph or less

Figure 4. MUTCD Figure that shows recommended thresholds for consideration of PHBs
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Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

Recommendations

Location

Multi-lane, high-volume, high-speed roadways are barriers to pedestrian mobility. Some 

pedestrians may choose not to make a trip that involves crossing a busy roadway, and these 

roads pose additional safety and mobility issues for children and people with disabilities. On 

these types of facilities, pedestrian crossings are primarily located at signalized intersections. 

Signals are often timed to minimize motorists delay and maximize capacity or vehicle throughput. 

The distance pedestrians must travel to reach signalized intersections, combined with long traffic 

signal cycles, results in frequent pedestrian crossings at mid-block or uncontrolled locations. 

In 2012, a total of 4,743 pedestrians were killed, with 76,000 injured in traffic crashes. Nearly 

three quarters (73 percent) of pedestrian fatalities occurred at mid-block locations compared 

to intersections.6 On multi-lane undivided roadways, pedestrians must judge gaps in multiple 

streams of traffic to successfully complete a crossing. On higher speed roadways motorists 

are less inclined (or less able) to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks — some communities have 

yielding rates of less than 2 percent at marked and signed mid-block crosswalks.7

If a location is deemed appropriate for a designated 

pedestrian crossing, then the traffic control should 

not be selected based solely on the volume of 

pedestrians; rather it should be selected based upon 

what is needed to provide a safe crossing. Because of 

the potential for roadside pedestrian crossing signs to 

be shielded from cars in the central lane(s), PHBs can 

be beneficial for all pedestrian crossings of 6-or-more 

lane undivided highways if traffic signals cannot be 

justified. Where used, PHBs should be located outside 

the functional area of a signalized intersection and 

outside of any turn lanes or acceleration lanes. 

Figure 5. A busy section of a multi-lane, high-volume, high-speed roadway creates 

pedestrian challenges.

Photo Credit: Theo Petritsch
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Signing and Marking

In addition to the signal head displays, stop lines and marked crosswalks are required at 

PHB crossings. Advance stop lines should be used on multi-lane crossings to reduce the 

potential for second threat crashes (i.e., when one vehicle on a multi-lane roadway stops for a 

pedestrian but the vehicle traveling in the lane beside it does not). 

Length and Width

If an existing median is less than 6 feet wide or is not raised, the length of the crosswalk, as 

indicated in the MUTCD guidance, should allow for the crossing of both roadways of the 

divided highway. 

Adjacent Features

Features near the PHB should be considered when designing and installing the device. Parking 

should be restricted on the approach and departure side of the crossing to improve visibility. 

PHBs can be used adjacent to side streets and driveways if the crosswalk and approaching 

users are clearly visible from the side street.

Signal Systems

As indicated in the MUTCD, existing signal systems should be considered when installing 

and operating PHBs. Excessive delays can result in pedestrians not waiting for the signal and 

as a consequence lead to motorists’ non-compliance with the PHB. Immediate response 

is preferable to having pedestrians wait for the WALK signal. In coordinated signal systems, 

shorter delays could possibly be achieved by crossing one side of a divided highway at a time. 

However, this should only be done when the median is more than 6 feet wide.

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Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

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Location Characteristics 

Buford Highway is seven-lane roadway that runs through DeKalb County, Georgia. It has a twoway left turn lane and serves more than 30,000 vehicles per day. While Buford highway has a 

posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour, traffic frequently flows much faster. Transit serves this 

corridor with busses arriving every 15 minutes for both directions of travel.

The land use along Buford Highway is typically commercial with businesses fronting the 

highway. Curb cuts are common and vehicles are continuously turning to exit and enter the 

roadway to access business parking. However, just one block away from the highway, the land 

use is predominantly residential. Consequently, pedestrians are very common in that section of 

Buford Highway.

Adding to the complexity is the terrain. Numerous hills result in restricted sight-distances for 

motorists and pedestrians. 

Why was PHB Considered?

Pedestrians need to cross a wide 

and busy arterial roadway to 

access transit stops, businesses, 

and residences on either side of 

the roadway. Along this section of 

roadway in the towns of Doraville 

and Chamblee, 22 pedestrians 

were struck and killed between 2000 

and 2009; many of these fatalities 

were near transit stops. Signals are 

widely spaced so pedestrians have 

very few opportunities to cross the 

roadway at controlled locations. 

Safety Benefits of Walkways, Sidewalks, and Paved Shoulders Case Study: Buford Highway, DeKalb County, GA

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Figure 6. PHB protects pedestrians crossing Buford Highway. Photo credit: Bruce Landis
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Design

In all, four pedestrian hybrid beacons were installed in the Doraville/Chamblee area of Buford 

Highway. Each was placed near a transit stop. The PHBs are located away from intersecting 

roadways, and advance pedestrian crossing signs and advance stop lines were used at each 

crossing. A modified ladder crosswalk pattern was used for the pedestrian crossing. The PHBs are 

designed as two-stage crossings.

Raised medians were installed on the approaches to the PHB crosswalks. In addition, the crosswalks 

were offset within the median. The offset crosswalks were intended to encourage pedestrians to 

look at the oncoming traffic. Additionally, the offset in the median reinforces that the PHB must be 

activated for the second half of the crossing. 

Deployment Challenges and Solutions

There were several significant design challenges along Buford 

Highway. Identifying locations serving transit stops with adequate 

sight lines was the first challenge. Once such locations with 

adequate sight distances were identified, the design considered 

the location of driveways. The concern was that right turning 

motorists exiting driveways would not notice an activated 

PHB and thus might turn right across the path of a crossing 

pedestrian. This concern was addressed by adjusting the 

distance between the advance stop line and the crosswalk to 

exclude driveways that allowed motorists to exit. 

To minimize impact on the through motor vehicle traffic on Buford 

Highway, the PHBs were programmed to work in coordination 

with the existing signal timing plans. However, the county staff 

observed pedestrians failing to wait for the WALK indication and crossing without the benefit of the 

PHB. This, in turn, caused motorists to question the PHBs message that a pedestrian was present 

when the motorists’ indication was red. Consequently, the PHBs were removed from the signal timing 

coordination sequence, and no significant adverse impacts have been observed.

Impact or Results

There has not been time to perform a formal before-and-after evaluation of the PHBs along Buford 

Highway. A speed study through the area, however, showed that the installation of the PHBs resulted in 

reduced vehicular speeds along the roadway. This allowed the County and State to lower the speed 

limits along Buford Highway. The PHBs have been positively received by the community. Four additional 

PHBs are under construction along nearby roadways and more are planned for Buford Highway. 

Figure 7. PHB installed on Buford Highway near pedestrian attractors:

a transit stop. Photo credit: Bruce Landis
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

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1 K. Fitzpatrick, E. S. Park, Safety Effectiveness of the HAWK Pedestrian Crossing Treatment, FHWA-HRT-10-0421, FHWA, McLean, VA, July 2010. 

2 R. P. Godavarthy, Effectiveness of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at Mid-block Crossings in Decreasing Unnecessary Delay to Drivers and Comparison 

to Other Systems, 2007. 

3 Fitzpatrick and Park, Safety Effectiveness of the HAWK Pedestrian Crossing Treatment, 2010. 

4 Godavarthy, Effectiveness of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at Mid-block Crossings, 2007.

5 National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, § 11-502(d) Uniform Vehicle Code, 2000.

6 FARs Database query.

7 Florida Section ITE magazine: FLITE. Institute of Transportation Engineers - Florida Section, January 2008. 

Conclusion

Most pedestrian fatalities occur at mid-block crossings or on multi-lane roadways at nonsignalized locations. For pedestrians, walking just a half block out of the way to get to a signal 

can increase their delay by up to 3 minutes or moreii — a delay which would not be tolerated by 

motorists at a traffic signal.

PHBs support the concept of “complete streets,” a transportation policy and design approach 

that calls for roadways to be consistently designed and operated with all users in mind: bicyclists, 

public transportation vehicles and riders, private motor vehicles, and pedestrians of all ages and 

abilities. Because the installation of PHBs increases safe pedestrian opportunities to cross the 

street the mobility of pedestrians and the livability of our communities are improved. PHBs can 

be effectively used to address public requests for crossings, resolve safety issues, or generally 

increase pedestrian access where needed.

Agencies should consider locations with significant pedestrian demand that meet MUTCD traffic 

speed and volume warrants in justifying installation of a PHB. Pedestrian mapping studies can 

be performed to see if pedestrians can be channelized to a specific location to cross the street. 

During design and deployment, agencies should consider location-specific issues, signing and 

marking, length and width, adjacent features, and signal systems to create an effective feature 

that improves safety while maintaining mobility for all system users. 

Traffic signals are often considered to remedy pedestrian safety crossing issues. If a traffic control 

signal is not justified or warrants are not met through an engineering study, agencies often do 

not provide an intervention. However, it is in these situations that agencies must continue to 

pursue solutions, such as PHBs, to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.

ii Assumes a 660-foot block, and walking speed of 3.5 to 4 feet per second.
For More Information:

For more information, visit http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike

FHWA, Office of Safety

Tamara Redmon

tamara.redmon@dot.gov

202-366-4077

FHWA-SA-14-014