State Transportation Committee Approval


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On July 17, 1997, after several years of testing and evaluation, the California Traffic Control Devices Committee (CTCDC) has recommended approval of a new Experimental Crosswalk Warning System and forwarded the device to Caltrans for review and development of specifications and guidelines for its use. The CTCDC is a state advisory committee that makes recommendations to Caltrans regarding traffic safety issues and traffic control devices. Upon Caltrans acceptance of the recommendations, it means communities can use the crosswalk device for safety enhancement measures. LightGuard Systems, Inc. of Santa Rosa, California is the originator of the crosswalk warning device, known as the LightGuard™ System.

The System is also the subject of approved applications to the Federal Highway Administration for experimentation and evaluation with the assigned name: FHWA IV-138(E) Pedestrian Crosswalk LED Warning Lights.

Traffic engineers have studied the crosswalk warning devices under the auspices of the CTCDC through evaluation study funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety and FHWA contract grants through the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. Study results have consistently shown a significant increase in the percentage of drivers that yield to pedestrians after a LightGuard System has been installed and activated. The device was tested at mid-block and intersection pedestrian crosswalks where no controls previously existed. No additional signage, markings or driver education was necessary to achieve the positive test results. Drivers say the lights flashing up from the pavement commands their attention.

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