In 2021, the Town of Parker’s Engineering and Public Works Department introduced a new type of traffic signal to help pedestrians in our community safely cross major roadways. Parker's first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) is in operation on Jordan Road, between Sandreed Circle and Apache Plume Drive, 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 is pictured below.
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.
Visit www.ParkerOnline.org/PHB for more information about this project, or call the Engineering/Public Works Department at 303.840.9546.
