The Town of Parker’s Engineering/Public Works Department has introduced a new type of traffic signal to help pedestrians in our community safely cross major roadways. Our first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) has been installed and is now operational on Jordan Road in the Cottonwood area in north Parker.
PHBs are designed to help pedestrians safely cross busy or higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings. These beacons consist of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The lenses remain "dark" until a pedestrian who desires to cross the street pushes a call button to activate the beacon. The signal then initiates a yellow-to-red lighting sequence consisting of steady and flashing lights that directs motorists to slow and come to a stop. The pedestrian signal next flashes a “walk” display to the pedestrian. Once the pedestrian has safely crossed, the hybrid beacon again goes dark. A detailed diagram illustrating this sequence can be found online at www.ParkerOnline.org/PHB.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 75 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersection locations, and vehicle speeds are often a major contributing factor. PHBs serve as an intermediate option between a flashing beacon and a full pedestrian signal by assigning right-of-way and providing positive stop control. They allow motorists to proceed once a pedestrian has cleared their side of the travel lane, reducing traffic delays.
The Town’s first PHB was activated earlier this year on Jordan Road between the Sandreed Circle and Apache Plume Drive intersections to assist trail users in crossing this busy roadway.
Visit www.ParkerOnline.org/PHB for more information about this project, or call the Engineering/Public Works Department at 303.840.9546.
