Pedestrian signals are designed to prevent accidents. These signals at crosswalks help to alert drivers that there are pedestrians crossing the street. In order to ensure the effectiveness of these signals, it’s important to choose signals that are reliable, so that you need not be concerned about your signals always functioning, regardless of conditions.
The most reliable pedestrian signals aren’t dependent on electricity since weather can take out any signal during a power outage. Pedestrian hybrid beacons are a great choice because these use electricity when it is available, but also store solar power. If the power goes out, the beacon can use the stored solar energy to continue operation. This ensures your pedestrian crossing isn’t out when it is potentially most needed.
Pedestrian hybrid beacons offer flexibility, as well, because these can be used with a time clock that controls when the beacons operate. Studies have shown that flashing warning signals are most effective when they only flash at certain intervals. Adding a time clock to the beacon allows you to program it to flash during the intersection’s busiest times and turn off during other hours. This helps ensure that regular passing motorists don’t become desensitized to the lights by seeing these too often. Time clocks are sold separately so that you can add these when needed, or add these after the fact to an already existing beacon.
Be sure to consider all the available options before purchasing crosswalk beacons. There are many choices available, so it makes sense to get the most reliable and most flexible crossing signals for your city. Talk with your vendor about how pedestrian hybrid beacons can make your city safer for pedestrians and motorists alike, as well as how adding time clocks to your pedestrian beacons can increase their effectiveness.