RRFBs are pedestrian-actuated conspicuity enhancements used in combination with a pedestrian, school, or trail crossing warning sign to improve safety at uncontrolled, marked crosswalks. The device includes two rectangular-shaped yellow indications, each with an LED-array-based light source, that flash with high frequency when activated.
The RRFB is a treatment option at many types of established pedestrian crossings. Research indicates RRFBs can result in motorist yielding rates as high as 98 percent at marked crosswalks. However, yielding rates as low as 19 percent have also been noted. Compliance rates varied most per the city location, posted speed limit, crossing distance, and whether the road was one- or two-way. RRFBs are particularly effective at multilane crossings with speed limits less than 40 mph. Consider the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) instead for roadways with higher speeds. FHWA's Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations (HSA-17-072) provides specific conditions where practitioners should strongly consider the PHB instead of the RRFB.