Abstract
On April 8, 2013, the Virginia Department of Transportation installed a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) system at Belmont Ridge Road in Loudoun County, Virginia; two units at the Washington and Old Dominion Trail crossing were included in addition to advance warning units for the northbound and southbound travel directions. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility, effectiveness, and safety of the RRFB system during a 1-year period. Of particular interest were (a) the percentage of trail users who pressed the push button to activate the RRFBs and whether that action varied by mode (pedestrians versus bicyclists), (b) motorist behavior when the RRFB system was activated and not activated, and (c) trail user impressions of the system relating to perceptions of safety. The results of the study indicated that the RRFB systems had a positive effect on motorist awareness. This finding was evidenced by the increased yield rates when the system was activated rather than not activated, speed reductions when the system was activated, and trail user perspectives on increased opportunities to cross and increased safety at the crossing location. In addition, the RRFB system was perceived by trail users as an enhancement to safety at the Belmont Ridge Road crossing, trail user perceptions of RRFB system benefits grew over time, and there was a correlation between trail user activations and the presence of traffic.
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