The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has completed the installation of new pedestrian crosswalks equipped with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at two intersections in Spotsylvania County. The crossings are located on Spotsylvania Parkway at Deep Creek Drive and Holley Oak Lane, as well as New Berne Road and Yellow Birch Drive.
Pedestrians and bicyclists can activate the RRFB by pressing a button beneath a white sign, which triggers flashing yellow lights to alert drivers that someone is preparing to cross or is already crossing the street. Drivers are required to stop for all pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Alongside the new signage and beacons, accessible ramps have been constructed at both intersections to link sidewalks directly with the crosswalks.
These enhancements were implemented as part of the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program, aiming to increase visibility for pedestrians and bicyclists in the area. The total estimated cost for these improvements at both sites is $671,000.
According to research from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), installing an RRFB with a crosswalk can reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 47 percent.
