FAQs

A Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) is a type of crosswalk treatment used to enhance the conspicuity and visibility of the pedestrian crossing at uncontrolled, marked crosswalks. An RRFB can be used to accompany a pedestrian warning sign to bring attention and visibility to the pedestrian crossing as well as increase driver awareness. RRFBs consist of two, rectangular- shaped yellow indications, each with a flashing LED. See Figure 1 for an example of an RRFB. RRFBs flash with an alternating high frequency when activated by the pedestrian to enhance conspicuity of pedestrians at the crossing to drivers. You can read more about RRFBs, including safety statistics and design considerations here: FHWA - Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB)

A Pedestrian Signal is another type of crosswalk treatment designed to increase motorists' awareness of pedestrians crossing the road. A pedestrian signal consists of traffic signal heads displayed over the roadway on a mast arm. Like an RRFB, it is activated by pedestrians pressing a button, but a pedestrian signal includes a red light for motorists, legally requiring them to stop. A pedestrian signal also provides gaps in pedestrian traffic to reduce motor vehicle delay during heavy pedestrian times of the day (before and after school). See Figure 2 for an example of a pedestrian signal.

The current pedestrian crossings at SE 62nd Street and SE 63rd Street will be upgraded to a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB). See Figure 1 for an example of an RRFB.

Figure 1. Example of an RRFB.

The current RRFB at the Island Park Elementary crosswalk will be upgraded to a pedestrian signal. The enhancements will be similar to the pedestrian signal at SE 32nd St and Island Crest Way, including:

• Warning signs on both sides of the road
• High visibility crosswalk markings (continental stripes or known as zebra stripes)
• Curb ramps that are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant with detectable warning surfaces
• Enhanced lighting
• Pedestrian countdown timers

Figure 2: Pedestrian signal south of SE 32nd Street and Island Crest Way (facing north).

Throughout 2023, the City implemented several improvements the consultant identified along the one-mile section of Island Crest Way, from 90^th Avenue NE to SE 68^th Street, for the Island Crest Way Corridor Safety Analysis.

The completed short-term improvements includes:

• Add retroreflective sleeves to pedestrian crossing warning sign posts.  See Figure 3.
• Add left-mounted pedestrian crossing sign and diagonal-down arrow at each crossing. See Figure 3.
• Add retroreflective red post sleeves to stop sign posts.  See Figure 3.
• Add ALL WAY plaque under stop signs at SE 68^th St.  See Figure 3.
• Replace missing raised pavement markings. See Figure 4.
• Replace red/white median object markers with standard black/yellow markers. See Figure 4.
• Add Lane Use Control signs leading up to SE 68^th St.  See Figure 5.
• Add dotted marking to clarify right-turn lane drop on southbound Island Crest Way and SE 68^th St.  See Figure 5.
• Upgrade to City-owned street lighting to LED.
• Trim vegetation near pedestrian crossings to increase visibility.

The following figures highlight some of the completed improvements.

Figure 3. Looking south on ICW, photo shows reflective sleeve on pedestrian crossing warning sign post, diagonal-down arrow at pedestrian crossing, retroreflective red post sleeves on stop sign post, and ALL WAY plaque under stop sign.

Figure 4. Looking north on ICW, photo shows standard black/yellow marker in median and replaced raised pavement markings in the roadway.

Figure 5. Looking south on ICW, photo shows Lane Use Control sign and dotted markings for right-turn lane drop.

To address the remaining and re-occurring short-term improvements from the Island Crest Way Corridor Safety Analysis, the City plans to implement the following improvements in 2024:

• Continue trimming vegetation to increase visibility.
• Remove advertisements from right-of-way that obstruct sight lines.
• Install advance warning sign for southbound Island Crest Way drivers approaching SE 53^rd Pl.
• Evaluate retroreflectivity of stop signs and upgrade to high visibility retroreflective sheeting where needed.
• Restripe worn markings and symbols.
• Inspect all street lighting to ensure proper operation.

The project team includes an arborist who is a Registered Professional Landscape Architect, ISA Certified Municipal Arborist, and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. The arborist cataloged over 400 trees along the study corridor.

The shared-use path and crosswalk improvement projects will develop context-sensitive designs to preserve as many trees as possible. Each tree impacted by the design will be assessed for health, structural integrity, and safety.