US Department of Transportation 

Federal Highway Administration 

~ fe Roads for a safer future ~IR11tSl111tRtl11ffHW1MHfetrumllm 

Rectangular RapidFlashing Beacon 

SAFE TRANSPORTATION 

FOR EVERY PEDESTRIAN 

COUNTERMEASURE TECH SHEET 

RRFBs are pedestrian-actuated conspicuity enhancements 

used in combination with a pedestrian, school, or trail 

crossing warning sign to improve safety at uncontrolled, 

marked crosswalks. The device includes two rectangularshaped yellow indications, each with an LED-array-based 

light source, that fash with high frequency when activated. 

The RRFB is a treatment option at many types of established 

pedestrian crossings. Research indicates RRFBs can result 

in motorist yielding rates as high as 98 percent at marked 

crosswalks. However, yielding rates as low as 19 percent 

have also been noted. Compliance rates varied most per 

the city location, posted speed limit, crossing distance, 

and whether the road was one- or two-way. RRFBs are 

particularly effective at multilane crossings with speed limits 

less than 40 mph. Consider the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon 

(PHB) instead for roadways with higher speeds. FHWA's 

Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled 

Crossing Locations (HSA-17-072) provides specifc 

conditions where practitioners should strongly consider the 

PHB instead of the RRFB. 

(RRFB)

W-11-2, W16-7P 

June 2018, Updated | FHWA-SA-18-065
 

Princeton, NJ. Photo: VHB 

EDC-4 STEP: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc_4/step.cfm 

Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB)

CONSIDERATIONS 

FHWA has issued interim approval for the 

use of the RRFB (IA-21). State and local 

agencies must request and receive 

permission to use this interim approval 

before they can use the RRFB. IA-21 does 

not provide guidance or criteria based on 

number of lanes, speed, or traffc volumes. 

RRFBs are placed on both ends of a 

crosswalk. If the crosswalk contains a 

pedestrian refuge island or other type of 

median, an RRFB should be placed to the 

right of the crosswalk and on the median 

(instead of the left side of the crosswalk). 

RRFBs typically draw power from standalone 

solar panel units, but may also be wired to 

a traditional power source. IA-21 provides 

conditions for the use of accessible pedestrian 

features with the RRFB assembly. When RRFBs 

are not in common use in a community, 

consider conducting an outreach effort to 

educate the public and law enforcement 

offcers on their purpose and use. 

COST 

The cost associated with RRFB installation 

ranges from $4,500 to $52,000 each, with 

the average cost estimated at $22,250. 

These costs include the complete system 

installation with labor and materials. 

References 

MUTCD section 2B.12 In-Street and Overhead Pedestrian Crossing Signs (R1-6, R1-6a, R1-9, and R1-9a). 

Fitzpatrick, K., M. Brewer, R. Avelar, and T. Lindheimer. "Will You Stop for Me? Roadway Design and Traffc Control Device Infuences on Drivers Yielding to Pedestrians in a 

Crosswalk with a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon." Report No. TTI-CTS-0010. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, Texas. June 2016. https://static.tti.tamu. 

edu/tti.tamu.edu/documents/TTI-CTS-0010.pdf 

Federal Highway Administration. (2018). MUTCD – Interim Approval for Optional Use of Pedestrian-Actuated Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons at Uncontrolled Marked 

Crosswalks (IA-21). U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC. 

Federal Highway Administration. (2013). “Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon” in PEDSAFE: Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System. Available: http://www. 

pedbikesafe.org/PEDSAFE/countermeasures_detail.cfm?CM_NUM=54 

Bushell, M., Poole, B., Zegeer, C., & Rodriguez, D. (2013). Costs for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Infrastructure Improvements: A Resource for Researchers, Engineers, Planners, and 

the General Public. Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.