Great Falls Installs “Rapid Flash” Signs on River Drive North

Great Falls, Mont. - The City of Great Falls, in partnership with the River’s Edge Trail Foundation, installed new flashing Trail crossing signs on River Drive North. The new solar-powered signs, referred to as “Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons” or RRFBs, are user-activated, similar to a pedestrian button on a traffic light. When pushed, the signs will flash, and a voice announces that fact to inform visually impaired users that the crossing lights have been activated. The lights have a flash time of 24 seconds, giving pedestrians and bicyclists ample time to cross. Drivers are required by law to stop for pedestrians, but the flashing lights bring more attention to the fact that the crossing is actively in use. The Federal Highway Administration has studied the usefulness of RRFBs and has stated that their use can increase motorist yielding rates by up to 98%. The River’s Edge Trail Foundation requested the signs to improve the safety of the crossing of River’s Edge Trail on River Drive North near the skate park in Riverside Park, according to Andrew Finch, City Transportation Planner. Finch said this Trail crossing was a good candidate for more visible signage because it crosses a roadway with no streetlights, serves a high number of bicyclists and pedestrians, and traffic is relatively heavy with a mixture of passenger vehicles and large trucks. “We received a bequest from the estate of Wilbert Graf to improve the safety of the Trail, and this crossing has been on our radar for years,” stated Bruce Pollington, president of the River’s Edge Trail Foundation, in a press release. “Working with the Montana Department of Transportation and the City, this seemed to be the perfect location for a public/private partnership to make the Trail safer. The State did a study and confirmed the need, the City Park & Recreation Department ordered the signals, the City Street Division’s Traffic Section installed them, and the Foundation’s gift paid for the materials and the labor. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results and hope to install similar signs at two other crossings in the near future.” According to Andrew Finch, the River’s Edge Trail crossings of River Drive at the Electric City Water Park and 3rd Avenue South will receive sign upgrades when the new trail segment from Broadwater Bay to the Electric City Water Park entrance is constructed in a few years.

Great Falls Installs “Rapid Flash” Signs on River Drive North

Premium Membership Required

Author

About Karen

Welcome,

Premium Membership Required

Author

Related Posts

About Karen