Watch for new Rapid Flash Beacons and crosswalk upgrades installed in Irrigon

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 05/15/2013 10:12 AM PDT

Date: May 15, 2013                                                                                       NR number: 13051515

For more information: Tom Strandberg - (541) 963-1330

 

New Rapid Flash Beacons and crosswalk upgrades installed in Irrigon

 

IRRIGON, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has installed curb extensions and crosswalk upgrades that include new rapid flash beacons in Irrigon where First Street crosses the Columbia River Highway (U.S. 730). The pedestrian activated Rapid Flashing Beacons have been installed at several intersections throughout Oregon, including Hermiston near the Hospital. They consist of a flashing light bar mounted on the crosswalk sign to help alert motorists that a pedestrian is crossing the street. Similar beacons installed elsewhere in the state and across the country are helping reduce vehicle vs. pedestrian crashes.

 

“Because the crosswalk flashing beacons are new to the area, we ask that pedestrians and drivers use extra caution and become familiar with their operations,” said ODOT Public Information Officer Tom Strandberg.                                          

    

How the new crosswalk flashing beacons operate:

- Pedestrian pushes the button near crossing sign when they are ready to cross the street.  

- When activated, the beacon will begin flashing alternating yellow colored lights similar to the pace

   of a strobe light.

- When lights are flashing and/or when pedestrians are present at crosswalk, motorists need to

     stop ahead of the intersection.

- Once all vehicles are stopped the pedestrian can travel across the roadway.

- Vehicles are safe to travel once all pedestrians have passed through the lane they are using plus

     the adjacent lane, or have reached the sidewalk on the opposite side of street.

 

Successful operation of the crossing signal requires cooperation and understanding by both the pedestrian and drivers of motorized vehicles.

 

Pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers and ensure their vehicles have come to a complete stop before crossing the highway. It is very important that pedestrians understand that there are no laws in Oregon that require a vehicle to stop for a yellow flashing light.

 

“Just because the light is activated, it is not safe to cross the highway until all vehicles are stopped,” said Strandberg. “Drivers and pedestrians need to keep a close watch out for each other.”

 

Informational flyers have been sent to the City of Irrigon and local schools. They will also be distributed to local businesses in the area and posted on the ODOT Web at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION5/Pages/index.aspx . Included in the flyer is a Web link to a short, animated video showing how the rapid flash beacons work. The one-and-a-half minute video can be viewed on the Web at http://tinyurl.com/RapidFlashBeaconVideo .

 

For more information about this project, please contact ODOT Region 5 Public Information Officer Tom Strandberg at (541) 963-1330, or by email at thomas.m.strandberg@odot.state.or.us

 

## ODOT ##

 

NOTE TO MEDIA: Informational Flyer (pdf) attached