The city of Vancouver is looking into installing flashing beacons at pedestrian crossings in hopes they will help avoid pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
The technology, known as a Rapid Flashing Beacon, will be installed at three pilot locations this week, including:
- Victoria Drive and Grant Street (near Victoria Park)
- West Boulevard and 42nd Avenue (near Kerrisdale Community Centre)
- Elliot Street and Waverly Avenue (near Waverly Elementary School and Nanaimo Park)
Pedestrians will activate a high intensity amber beacon light with a push-button, which is supposed to increase the awareness of people driving or cycling that a pedestrian may be crossing the street.
The city says rapid flashing beacons are typically installed at locations with a high volume of pedestrian crossings, where a pedestrian signal is desired but not warranted, or where drivers rarely stop to let pedestrians cross.
The technology has already been tested in Surrey, New Westminster and Port Moody.
It is also in use in Portland, Washington DC and other US cities.
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