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Why Crosswalk Warning Lights Are Becoming Essential for Modern Traffic Safety?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:27:22 GMT

Walk through any growing city, and you’ll notice the tension between vehicles and pedestrians. Streets that once carried light neighborhood traffic now handle steady streams of commuters, delivery vans, buses, and rideshare drivers. Meanwhile, more people are walking to school, work, or transit stops. The traditional painted crosswalk and roadside sign simply don’t command attention the way they once did. Drivers are juggling navigation screens, tight schedules, and crowded lanes. In that environment, crossings need to do more than exist. They need to speak up. That’s exactly why communities are investing in crosswalk warning lights .

The Reality of Today’s Crosswalks

Ask any traffic engineer or city planner and you’ll hear the same concern: visibility. Not whether a crosswalk is marked, but whether drivers actually see it in time.

Many crossings sit on multi-lane roads where traffic moves faster than expected. A driver in the far lane might not notice a pedestrian stepping off the curb until another car slows suddenly. Add dusk lighting, rain, or glare from headlights, and the risk multiplies.

This is where crosswalk warning lights change the equation. Instead of relying on static paint and signage, the crossing becomes active. Lights flash when someone approaches or presses the activation button. Drivers don’t have to search for a pedestrian. The roadway itself signals that someone is crossing.

That difference, simple as it sounds, has a real impact on driver response.

Visibility That Drivers Actually Notice

There’s reason emergency vehicles use flashing lights. Our eyes instinctively respond to movement and brightness. Static signs fade into the background after drivers pass them every day.

Flashing crosswalk warning lights cut through that familiarity. They create a moment of contrast on the road. Drivers notice the change immediately.

In practice, these systems may include:

● LED beacons mounted beside the crosswalk

● Flashing signals embedded directly in the pavement

● Dual-sided warning lights facing approaching traffic

The goal is straightforward: give drivers a visual cue they can’t easily ignore. When the lights activate, drivers instinctively ease off the accelerator and scan for pedestrians.

Smart Systems That Work When Needed

Not every crossing needs a traffic signal. In fact, installing full signals at lower-volume crossings can slow traffic unnecessarily and frustrate drivers. That’s where modern pedestrian technology fills the gap.

At LightGuard Systems, we’ve spent years refining safety solutions that activate only when someone is present. A pedestrian taps the push button or approaches a sensor, and the crosswalk warning lights begin flashing. The message to drivers is immediate and clear.

Some systems rely on in-road lighting that pulses toward oncoming vehicles. Others combine overhead beacons with pavement lights to reinforce the warning from multiple angles.

It’s a practical balance. Pedestrians receive protection when they need it, and traffic continues moving normally the rest of the time.

Where These Systems Make the Biggest Difference

Certain locations practically demand additional visibility.

School crossings come to mind first. Anyone who has driven through a busy school zone at dismissal time understands how unpredictable that environment can be. Children step off curbs quickly. Drivers may be unfamiliar with the area. Crosswalk warning lights add a layer of clarity in those moments.

The same applies to:

● University campuses with heavy foot traffic

● Hospital entrances where patients and visitors cross frequently

● Airports and transportation hubs

● Commercial districts with parking on both sides of the street

In each setting, LightGuard Systems works with municipalities, planners, and facility managers to install reliable crosswalk warning lights designed for the specific conditions of the roadway.

Safer Streets Begin with Better Signals

Traffic safety often comes down to small improvements that change driver behavior. Better lighting. Clearer markings. Signals that appear exactly when they’re needed.

Illuminated crossings do something subtle but powerful. They tell drivers, unmistakably, that someone is there.

That moment of recognition is often all it takes.

At Light Guard Systems, we help cities, campuses, and organizations strengthen pedestrian protection with proven visibility technology. If your community is exploring safer crossings, our team can help you evaluate the right placement and design. Reach out to LightGuard Systems to learn how advanced roadway warning lights can support safer infrastructure and reinforce practical pedestrian safety tips through well-designed crosswalk warning lights.

FAQs

1. What are crosswalk warning lights?

Crosswalk warning lights are flashing LED systems installed near or within crosswalks to alert drivers when pedestrians are crossing. They improve visibility and help drivers recognize crossings sooner.

2. How do crosswalk warning lights activate?

Most systems activate when a pedestrian presses a push button or when a sensor detects someone approaching the crosswalk.

3. Where are crosswalk warning lights typically used?

They are often installed in school zones, campuses, hospital entrances, airport facilities, and city streets with frequent pedestrian crossings.

4. Do crosswalk warning lights work at night?

Yes. The LED lights used in modern systems remain highly visible in darkness, rain, and other low-visibility conditions.

5. Why are cities installing more crosswalk warning lights?

Communities are adopting crosswalk warning lights because they improve driver awareness, increase yielding rates, and provide a cost-effective way to strengthen pedestrian safety at uncontrolled crossings.

Necessity Of Pedestrian Warning Lights And How They Improve Safety

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:18:37 GMT

The Growing Risk on Our Roads: Most people assume that if they step into a marked crosswalk, drivers will notice. That assumption feels reasonable. It is also where things start to go wrong.

Visibility is inconsistent. Drivers glance at phones. Headlights blur in the rain. Road paint fades. A person crossing at dusk can disappear into the background faster than anyone expects. Even when someone follows basic pedestrian safety tips , there is still a moment of uncertainty. Did the driver see me? Are they slowing down?

Paint and posted signs help, sure. But they depend on attention. And attention, especially behind the wheel, is fragile. That thin space between being seen and not being seen is where many serious crashes happen.

Why Visibility Changes Everything

If the real issue is visibility, then the fix has to be more than advice. It has to be something drivers cannot easily overlook.

That is where pedestrian warning lights come in. They do not sit quietly on the side of the road hoping for compliance. They flash. They interrupt. They create movement in a driver’s field of vision, which the human brain is wired to notice.

Instead of relying on a driver to interpret static markings, pedestrian warning lights send a direct signal. Someone is here. Slow down. Pay attention. And that small shift, from passive to active warning, changes behavior.

What Actually Improves When Lights Are Installed

The benefits are not abstract. They show up in real-world driving behavior.

First, reaction time improves. A flashing light gives drivers an earlier cue, sometimes just a few extra seconds. That small buffer matters more than most people realize.

Second, yielding becomes more consistent. Drivers are far more likely to stop when a crossing is illuminated compared to when it relies on paint alone. The message is clearer, and clarity reduces hesitation.

Third, nighttime visibility improves dramatically. Darkness flattens depth perception. Rain makes reflections confusing. In those moments, pedestrian warning lights cut through visual noise and define exactly where attention should go.

It is not about adding complexity. It is about making the crossing obvious.

Infrastructure Helps, But Habits Still Matter

No system replaces awareness. Pedestrian safety tips still play an essential role in reducing risk.

Simple actions matter:

● Looking someone in the eye before moving forward

● Not using your phone while crossing

● Taking marked crossings instead of shortcuts

● Wearing clothes that can be seen after dark

These tips for keeping pedestrians safe are useful and often ignored. They reduce unpredictability. They give drivers more time to respond.

But personal caution alone cannot control traffic speed or driver distraction. That is why physical safety measures matter. They reinforce responsible behavior instead of leaving pedestrians to rely only on judgment and hope.

Connecting Road Design With Human Behavior

Most road safety tips for pedestrians focus on staying alert. Look both ways. Avoid distractions. Follow signals. All solid advice.

Still, road safety tips for pedestrians cannot force a distracted driver to notice someone in a dark jacket. They cannot make a speeding vehicle slowdown in advance. Infrastructure fills that gap.

When crossings include pedestrian warning lights, responsibility shifts from being one-sided to shared. Pedestrians act carefully. Drivers receive unmistakable visual cues. The environment itself supports safer decisions.

That combination, behavior plus design, is where meaningful safety improvements happen.

Advanced Controllers Built for Flexibility and Expansion

At the heart of each system are LightGuard Systems controllers designed for ease of setup diagnostics and future adaptability.

Controller features include multiple inputs and outputs supporting various activation devices, an LCD display for intuitive configuration, and system status monitoring support for manual passive and hybrid activation modes, and flexibility to accommodate future expansion or site changes.

For contractors this means faster commissioning smoother inspections and simpler troubleshooting.

Where These Systems Make the Most Sense

Certain areas benefit more than others. Multi-lane roads. School zones. Places with steady foot traffic. Crossings near transit stops. Areas with limited lighting.

In these situations, it doesn't feel right to only rely on general road safety tips for pedestrians or pedestrian safety tips. The stakes are higher. The margin for error is thinner.

Adding visible, active alerts reduces ambiguity. Drivers understand sooner. Pedestrians feel less exposed. The crossing becomes defined rather than implied.

Prevention Is Smarter Than Reaction

Communities often respond after incidents occur. A better approach is to act before patterns turn into statistics.

Installing pedestrian warning lights is not just about compliance. It signals intent. It tells drivers that this crossing deserves attention. It tells pedestrians that their presence is anticipated, not secondary.

Education shapes habits. Engineering shapes outcomes. When both align, risk drops in a way that feels steady rather than temporary.

Conclusion

Warning lights for pedestrians help fill a gap in today's world of roadways; People need to be able to see and understand their own safety immediately. If we combine warning lights with conscious walking behavior and consistent pedestrian safety tips, we can create an environment where all crossings are more predictable and safe places.

At LightGuard Systems, we believe safety should be visible, immediate, and dependable. Our pedestrian warning lights are built to increase driver awareness while supporting proven pedestrian safety tips and road safety tips for pedestrians . We focus on practical design, long-term reliability, and real-world performance. When communities choose our systems, we are not just installing lights. We are strengthening crossings, reinforcing safer behavior, and helping prevent avoidable harm before it happens.

FAQs

1. What are pedestrian warning lights?

Pedestrian warning lights are active flashing signals, such as in-roadway warning lights, flashing warning signs, and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), placed at crossings to alert drivers that a person is about to cross or is already on the road.

2. Why are pedestrian warning lights necessary?

They improve visibility and give drivers an immediate cue to slow down, reducing the risk of accidents at busy or poorly lit crossings.

3. Do pedestrian warning lights really improve safety?

Yes. They increase driver reaction time, encourage consistent yielding, and make pedestrians more visible, especially at night or in bad weather.

4. Are pedestrian warning lights enough on their own?

No. They work best when combined with good pedestrian safety tips like staying alert, using marked crossings, and avoiding distractions.

5. Where should pedestrian warning lights be installed?

They are most effective in school zones, multi-lane roads, transit stops, and areas with heavy foot traffic or limited lighting.

6. How do they support road safety tips for pedestrians?

They reinforce alert behavior by giving clear visual signals, making it easier for pedestrians to cross safely while drivers respond sooner.

7. Do these lights help during low visibility conditions?

Yes. Pedestrian warning lights cut through darkness, rain, and glare, making crossings easier for drivers to identify.

8. Can warning lights change driver behavior?

Over time, yes. Repeated exposure to active signals encourages drivers to slow down and stay attentive near crossings.

Why Contractors Prefer LightGuard Systems for In Roadway Warning Light Installations

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:28:14 GMT

IRWL success is driven by installation efficiency adaptability to site conditions and long term reliability

For contractors working with in-roadway warning lights , the job is rarely about the lights alone. It’s about how quickly you can get them in, how well they adapt once you hit real pavement conditions, and whether they’re still doing their job a few winters down the line. LightGuard System seems to understand that balance. Their IRWL setups are built with installation in mind first, then long-term performance, not the other way around.

Shallow Saw Cuts for Faster, Less Invasive Installation

LightGuard System IRWL is installed into a two-inch deep, ten-inch round saw cut. That detail matters more than it might seem at first glance.

Shallower cuts mean less time on the saw, less wear on equipment, and fewer surprises when you’re working over utilities or rebar. Anyone who’s had to stop mid-cut because they hit something unexpected knows how quickly a “simple install” turns into a problem.

It also keeps the pavement structure more intact. That pays off later, fewer failures, cleaner restoration, and less chance of callbacks. On active roadways or retrofit jobs, that kind of efficiency isn’t just helpful, it’s the difference between staying on schedule or not. These kinds of efficiencies become especially important when installing in-roadway warning lights across busy corridors.

Compatible with Concrete and Asphalt Pavement

Switching systems between asphalt and concrete jobs is a headache most crews would rather avoid. LightGuard sidesteps that.

The same IRWL setup works across both surfaces, whether it’s a municipal crosswalk, a school zone, a campus roadway, or a parking structure. You’re not juggling multiple product lines or rethinking installation methods from one site to the next.

It simplifies bidding, too. Fewer variables, clearer estimates. For contractors regularly deploying in-roadway warning lights, that consistency can save both time and budget.

Durable Stainless Steel Construction with Flexible Base Options

The housings are stainless steel, built to take traffic loads, weather exposure, and the kind of freeze-thaw cycles that quietly destroy weaker installations over time.

What stands out is the flexibility at the base. Installers can choose between composite or stainless steel base plates depending on the pavement and site conditions. That choice isn’t cosmetical; it’s what determines how well the system holds up after thousands of vehicle passes and seasonal shifts.

IRWL Installation and Maintenance Advantages

Easy to install and mount to the roadway base.
Direct bury cable and wire reducing trenching and conduit.
Two part epoxy compound permanently bonds base plates to the roadway.
Quick and easy IRWL replacement minimizing downtime.
Three year warranty on IRWL for most systems including parts and labor.
Three year warranty on base plates.

Together these features help contractors complete projects faster reduce callbacks and deliver long term reliability.

Multiple Pedestrian Activation Methods for Any Application

No two crossings behave the same, and LightGuard doesn’t force them into a single activation model.

You can go with standard push buttons, passive detection sensors, bollard-mounted options, decorative or otherwise, or combine multiple sensor types depending on how the crossing is used. Some sites need simple, manual activation. Others benefit from fully passive systems that trigger without user input.

The key is that you don’t have to redesign the system to make those changes. The core infrastructure stays the same, which is particularly useful when scaling in-roadway warning lights across different environments.

Advanced Controllers Built for Flexibility and Expansion

The controller is where a lot of systems either shine or become a headache. LightGuard’s approach leans toward practicality.

Multiple inputs and outputs allow different activation devices to tie in without complication. The LCD interface is straightforward, no digging through obscure settings just to make a small adjustment. You can check system status, tweak configurations, and troubleshoot without needing a manual every five minutes.

It also leaves room for future changes. If the site evolves, the system doesn’t need to be rebuilt from scratch.

Performance and Installation Benefits at a Glance

The lights are visible in full daylight and hold up just as well at night, no drop-off where it matters most. Power consumption stays under twenty watts, which opens the door for solar setups without pushing system limits.

They run on twelve VDC and can be configured for AC, solar, or fully wireless solar installations. The LED technology is solid, long service life, and requires minimal maintenance. The controller allows for timing adjustments and behavior tuning, which is useful when traffic patterns don’t quite match initial assumptions.

There’s also data collection built in. Not something every project uses immediately, but it’s there when needed. And the Enlighten one flash rate, it’s subtle, but it does improve driver recognition compared to more generic flash patterns.

IRWL Installation and Maintenance Advantages

Installation is straightforward. The system mounts cleanly to the roadway base, and direct-bury cabling reduces the need for trenching or conduit work. That alone can shave significant time off a project.

The two-part epoxy bonding holds the base plates firmly in place, which is critical for long-term stability. When a unit does need replacement, it’s quick, with no extended closures or complicated removal.

The three-year warranty on IRWL components and base plates, including parts and labor for most systems, isn’t just a line item. It reflects confidence in how the system performs in the field.

Multiple Twelve-Volt Power Options for Any Site Condition

Power access isn’t always convenient. LightGuard System accounts for that with twelve-volt systems that can run on AC, solar, or solar wireless configurations.

On sites where trenching is impractical or simply too disruptive, solar options make the installation far more manageable. Less electrical work, fewer safety concerns, and a cleaner setup overall. These options are especially valuable when deploying in-roadway warning lights in remote or high-traffic locations.

Added Confidence with a Three-Year Warranty

Most LightGuard System IRWL installations come with a three-year warranty covering parts and labor, along with separate coverage for base plates.

For contractors, that reduces the risk of post-installation issues turning into unpaid return visits. For owners, it’s reassurance that the system won’t quietly fail after the first year.

Designed for Contractors Built for Long-Term Performance

There’s a noticeable difference between products designed in theory and those shaped by field experience. LightGuard System leans toward the latter.

The systems install quickly, adapt to different surfaces and activation needs, and keep power and maintenance demands low. Over time, that translates into fewer issues, fewer callbacks, and installations that hold up the way they’re supposed to.

It’s not flashy. It just works, and in this line of work, that’s usually what matters most, whether you’re installing in-roadway warning lights or integrating them with broader flashing pedestrian warning sign systems.

Pedestrian Safety Grants for Lighted Crosswalk Systems

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:53:30 GMT

Federal and State Pedestrian Safety Grant Programs for Lighted Crosswalk Systems

Improving pedestrian safety is no longer a niche concern. It sits at the center of how transportation agencies, municipalities, campuses, airports, hospitals, parking structures, and even private developments think about roadway design. And increasingly, pedestrian safety systems are part of that conversation from the start, not added later as an afterthought.

Lighted crosswalk systems, whether that’s in-pavement flashing amber LEDs, illuminated signage, or targeted nighttime visibility upgrades, have earned their place. Not because they look good on a plan set, but because they work. Drivers notice them. Pedestrians feel the difference. Crash data tends to follow.

The funding is there, too, if you know where to look and how to position the project. Most successful applications don’t treat these systems as isolated upgrades. They tie them to a broader safety story, one that’s backed by data, context, and a clear understanding of risk.

Federal Pedestrian Safety Grant Programs

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) is one of the more visible funding streams right now. It’s competitive, yes, but it’s also flexible if the groundwork is in place. Created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, SS4A focuses on reducing fatalities and serious injuries at scale.

SS4A tends to favor applicants working at a broader level, cities, counties, MPOs, tribal governments, and those looking at networks, not just single intersections.

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) operates a bit differently. It’s formula-funded, distributed to states, and grounded heavily in data. If there’s a pattern of crashes, especially severe ones, HSIP is often part of the funding conversation.

Pedestrian crossing improvements, including lighting and visibility enhancements, are commonly funded here. The key is documentation. Crash history, contributing factors, and site-specific risk all need to be clear. When pedestrian safety systems are presented as targeted countermeasures rather than general upgrades, they tend to align well with HSIP priorities.

Each state DOT manages its own process, which means timelines and requirements vary. Still, the underlying principle stays consistent: data drives decisions.

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside funding leans more toward multimodal access, walking, biking, and connectivity. It’s often used for crosswalk improvements, ADA upgrades, and visibility enhancements, including lighting when it supports safe pedestrian movement.

These programs run through state DOTs and MPOs, and they’re competitive. What makes a difference here is how well the project connects to broader mobility goals. Not just safety in isolation, but access, who’s using the corridor, and why.

In many cases, pedestrian safety systems strengthen an application when they’re paired with infrastructure that improves overall usability, not just compliance.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Competitive Grants Dashboard is worth keeping open in a browser tab. It’s not flashy, but it’s practical. It tracks current and upcoming opportunities across safety, infrastructure, and multimodal funding.

For agencies trying to time applications or identify the right program, it’s one of the more useful tools available.

State-Level Pedestrian Enhancement Funding

At the state level, the structure is familiar, even if the names change.

First, there are state-administered HSIP and local safety programs. These routinely fund pedestrian crossings, lighting, and visibility improvements, provided the project is grounded in data. Local road safety programs often fall into this category as well.

Second, Transportation Alternatives programs continue at the state and MPO level, each with its own application cycle and scoring criteria. Eligibility lists almost always include pedestrian lighting and enhanced crossings.

Beyond those, many states run their own initiatives, Active Transportation Programs, Complete Streets grants, Multimodal Transportation funds, and Safe Routes to School infrastructure. The branding varies, but the intent is consistent: safer, more accessible streets.

These programs often support installations near schools, campuses, transit stops, hospitals, and employment centers. In other words, places where pedestrian activity isn’t optional, it’s constant. That’s where pedestrian safety systems tend to show their value most clearly.

How to Position Lighted Crosswalk Systems for Grant Success

This is where projects are won or quietly set aside.

Lighted crosswalk systems, including LightGuard System’s in-roadway warning lights, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), and flashing pedestrian, school crossing, or other MUTCD warning signs, perform best in grant applications when they’re part of a package. Not a standalone fix.

Strong applications usually highlight a few consistent themes:

● Nighttime visibility challenges

● High pedestrian volumes or known risk areas

● Accessibility gaps, especially ADA-related

● Proximity to schools, campuses, medical facilities, airports, or transit

● Corridor-level safety strategies rather than isolated points

Bundling matters. Lighting paired with signage, pavement markings, ADA ramps, and even traffic calming measures tends to score better. It shows intent. It shows planning. And frankly, it reflects how these systems are actually used in the field.

Summary of Funding Pathways

Safe Streets and Roads for All is a federal competitive grant program.

Highway Safety Improvement Program funding is federal but administered by states.

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside funding flows from federal to state and MPO competitive programs.

State active transportation and safety programs vary by state and are typically competitive.

Official Grant Program Links

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A

SS4A Implementation Grants

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/implementation-grants

SS4A Planning and Demonstration Grants

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/planning-and-demonstration-activities

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

https://highways.dot.gov/safety/hsip

HSIP Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Overview

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/hsip.cfm

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/ta.cfm

USDOT Competitive Grants Dashboard

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dashboard

State Highway Safety Improvement Programs

Search “[State] DOT Highway Safety Improvement Program”

Transportation Alternatives State and MPO Programs

Search “[State] Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside”

State Active Transportation and Complete Streets Programs

Search “[State] Active Transportation Grant Program”

Final Takeaway

Lighted crosswalk systems align closely with current safety priorities, a nd that alignment matters when funding is on the line. When projects are framed around real risk, supported by data, and tied to accessibility and network-level improvements, they tend to move forward.

Done right, these installations don’t just check a compliance box. They change how crossings function day to day. And whether you’re building out broader pedestrian safety systems or upgrading existing infrastructure, integrating lighted crosswalks is often one of the most practical steps toward making those spaces safer, and noticeably so.

Landside Pedestrian Safety for Airports, Hospitals, and Industrial Facilities

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:48:01 GMT

MUTCD-Compliant Flashing LED Signs for Risk Reduction

If you spend any time around an airport curb, a hospital entrance, or an industrial yard during shift change, the pattern is obvious. People are moving with purpose, not caution. Drivers are watching traffic gaps, not crosswalks. Sightlines get pinched by parked vehicles, service lanes, or just poor layout decisions made years ago. This is exactly where landside pedestrian safety starts to break down.

These aren’t edge cases. They’re the norm in landside environments and active facilities. And when something goes wrong, the question that follows is predictable: what was in place to warn, guide, and slow people down?

Flashing LED-enhanced signs answer that question in a way static signage often can’t. They don’t replace the rule. They make it harder to miss.

Why MUTCD Still Carries Weight on Private Property?

Private facilities don’t always fall under strict MUTCD enforcement, but that doesn’t mean the standard is optional in practice. Investigators, insurers, and attorneys lean on it heavily when they assess whether a site was reasonably safe.

In other words, if something happens, MUTCD becomes the measuring stick anyway.

Using compliant, LED-enhanced signage does a few important things without much fanfare. It shows alignment with a recognized standard. It creates consistency that drivers already understand. And it signals that the facility didn’t improvise safety controls on the fly.

That matters more than most operators realize, especially in environments where landside pedestrian safety is under constant pressure.

Airports: The Landside Problem

Inside terminals, movement is controlled. Outside, it’s something else entirely.

Curbside lanes, parking structures, rental car loops, employee crossings. You get a mix of taxis, private vehicles, shuttles, distracted drivers circling for pickups, and pedestrians juggling luggage while checking their phones. It’s messy.

LED-enhanced pedestrian signs cut through that noise. The message doesn’t change, but the visibility does. Drivers pick it up earlier. Reaction time improves, sometimes just enough to prevent the kind of low-speed incidents that pile up over time.

And those are the ones that quietly drive liability. Strengthening landside pedestrian safety in these zones isn’t optional anymore; it’s expected.

Flashing Stop Signs: Different Job, Same Principle

It’s worth separating pedestrian warning signs from stop signs. They don’t do the same job.

A stop sign isn’t about awareness. It’s about compliance.

Adding LEDs doesn’t change its authority. It just reinforces it, especially in places where drivers tend to roll through out of habit or because they didn’t see it soon enough. Tight corners, obstructed approaches, mixed traffic. You’ve seen the spots.

The important detail is this: the sign still looks and functions exactly as required. Shape, color, placement. No improvisation. That’s what keeps it enforceable and defensible, particularly in areas where landside pedestrian safety overlaps with vehicle control.

Hospitals and Industrial Sites: Familiar Conflicts

Different setting, same friction points.

Hospitals deal with emergency vehicles, patient drop-offs, and foot traffic that doesn’t always move predictably. Industrial facilities add forklifts, delivery trucks, and shift-based surges of pedestrians. In both cases, people and vehicles are sharing space that was never designed to handle that volume cleanly.

LED-enhanced signage works here for a simple reason. It’s consistent. Drivers recognize it immediately. Pedestrians notice it without needing to think about it. That kind of passive clarity goes a long way in busy environments, where landside pedestrian safety principles apply just as much as they do at airports.

What Sets These LED Signs Apart?

Not all LED signage is built the same, and the differences show up quickly in the field.

These units use 24 high-intensity amber LEDs per sign, which is more than what you’ll find in most standard setups. The result isn’t just brightness. Its presence. You notice it even in daylight, and at night it’s hard to ignore.

The flash pattern runs on a higher duty cycle, which keeps the signal active longer within each interval. It sounds like a small detail. It isn’t. That extra visibility window can be the difference between a driver reacting early or braking late.

They’re built for real-world conditions, too. Wireless activation options, solar or A/C power, low-voltage operation that holds steady even when the supply dips. The hardware is sealed, conduit-housed, and mounted to resist tampering. Once installed, they tend to stay out of the maintenance cycle, which operators appreciate more than they admit.

Activation and Flexibility on Site

No two sites behave the same way, so activation needs to be flexible.

Push buttons remain the standard, especially when paired with audible and tactile feedback for accessibility. But automatic bollard sensors are gaining traction in higher-traffic areas where pedestrians won’t always stop to press anything. Remote activation, whether through a handheld device or an integrated relay, adds another layer for controlled environments.

Standard sign sizes cover most applications, but custom configurations are usually where things land once a site is properly evaluated. There’s always something slightly off about real-world layouts.

A Practical, Defensible Upgrade

This isn’t about overengineering a solution. It’s about making existing controls work better.

LED-enhanced, MUTCD-compliant signs sit in that middle ground. They don’t require major infrastructure changes. They don’t confuse drivers with unfamiliar signals. But they do strengthen visibility in places where it actually matters.

For anyone responsible for safety on a complex site, that balance is hard to ignore. It’s a relatively small upgrade that holds up well under scrutiny, both in the field and after the fact. When paired with well-placed pedestrian warning lights , the overall system becomes far more effective without adding unnecessary complexity.

Expanding the Uses of In-Roadway Warning Lights (IRWL)

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 20:53:03 GMT

How In-Roadway Warning Lights Improve Safety at Crosswalks, Intersections, and Beyond

LightGuard Systems didn’t arrive at in-roadway lighting as a concept. It came out of real conditions, the kind where paint fades, signs get ignored, and drivers miss what’s right in front of them. Over the past three decades, their In-Roadway Warning Lights (IRWL) have earned their place by doing something simple and difficult at the same time: getting noticed when it matters. At the center of it all is a practical understanding of road safety tips for pedestrians , not as theory, but as something that has to work in motion.

These lights sit where decisions happen. At the pavement level. Right in the driver’s line of travel.

Color isn’t a design choice here. Its function. Amber, white, and red each carry a different message, and if they’re used correctly, drivers don’t have to think twice about what they’re seeing.

Amber IRWL – Crosswalk Visibility That Actually Cuts Through

Amber is the workhorse. You’ll see it at crosswalks, especially where traffic doesn’t naturally slow down, on multi-lane roads, on long approaches, places where pedestrians tend to hesitate before stepping off the curb.

When activated, amber IRWLs create a direct, in-lane warning. Not off to the side like a sign, not overhead where it competes with everything else. It’s right where the driver is already looking, whether they realize it or not.

On wider crossings or higher-speed corridors, that early visual cue makes a measurable difference. Drivers pick it up sooner. Braking starts earlier. The whole interaction feels less abrupt. It reinforces real-world road safety tips for pedestrians, the kind that depend on drivers actually noticing them in time.

They also play well with other systems. Pair them with LED pedestrian signs, RRFBs, or overhead beacons, and you start to build a layered warning environment. Not redundant, just harder to ignore.

White IRWL – Quiet Control in Complex Traffic Spaces

White IRWLs don’t shout. They guide.

You’ll find them in places where traffic patterns aren’t immediately obvious, such as bus depots, airport loops, oversized intersections where lanes split or merge in ways that aren’t intuitive. In rain or low light, when painted lines start to disappear, these lights keep the path visible.

In private facilities, they do even more. Warehouses, distribution yards, logistics hubs, anywhere vehicles and equipment share space. White IRWLs define movement. They show drivers where to go without needing constant signage or supervision.

It’s not dramatic, but it’s effective. Fewer wrong turns. Fewer close calls. Smoother flow overall. And more quietly, they support road safety tips for pedestrians by reducing unpredictable vehicle movement.

Red IRWL – When Stopping Isn’t Optional

Red changes the tone immediately. It’s not guidance anymore, it’s instruction.

At stop-controlled intersections, especially in rural areas or places with limited sight distance, red IRWLs reinforce what the sign is already telling drivers. But instead of relying on recognition alone, they add urgency. A visual cue that’s hard to rationalize away.

They’re particularly useful where compliance has been inconsistent. You know the kind of intersection where drivers tend to roll through unless something catches their attention. This tends to catch it.

In industrial settings, the application shifts a bit. Red IRWLs mark boundaries. Closed lanes, active loading zones, restricted access points. When tied to doors, gates, or pedestrian detection, they respond in real time. That immediacy matters in environments where conditions change quickly, and where road safety tips for pedestrians depend on clear, immediate signals.

Integration That Feels Natural, Not Layered

One of the strengths of these systems is how easily they fit into what’s already there.

IRWLs don’t compete with existing controls. They reinforce them. Whether it’s LED signage, RRFBs, or traditional flashing beacons, the integration tends to feel intuitive. Drivers aren’t learning something new; they’re getting a clearer version of what they already know. It strengthens the effectiveness of road safety tips for pedestrians without requiring behavioral retraining.

The modular design helps, too. Public roads, transit facilities, and private campuses each come with their own constraints. These systems adapt without requiring a full redesign of the environment.

And that’s really the point. Not to overwhelm the roadway with signals, but to make the critical ones impossible to miss. When combined with flashing RRFB beacons , the visibility and driver response improve in a way that feels immediate and hard to ignore.

Built to Last: Stainless Steel LightStar™ M12 Launches with Shipments Beginning in November '25

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:53:38 GMT

Introducing the LightStar™ M12 — Now in Stainless Steel

LightGuard Systems, the inventor of the In-Roadway Warning Light (IRWL) and the original Smart Crosswalk™, is proud to announce the newest generation of our flagship in-roadway warning light — the LightStar™ M12, now built with a stainless steel housing for unmatched strength, longevity, and performance.

For more than three decades, LightGuard Systems has led the industry in pedestrian safety innovation — protecting lives at airports, school zones, and city crosswalks across North America. The new LightStar™ M12 continues that legacy, combining our proven optical performance with enhanced, heavy-duty stainless steel construction designed to withstand the harshest conditions.

Stronger. Smarter. Stainless.

The transition from composite to stainless steel delivers key advantages:

Superior durability under heavy traffic and snowplow impact
Corrosion resistance ideal for coastal and de-icing salt environments
Improved thermal stability for consistent LED performance year-round
Modern, professional design that complements contemporary infrastructure

Featuring SMPL™ – Surface-Mounted Pedestrian Luminaire

The LightStar™ M12 continues to feature LightGuard’s exclusive SMPL™ (Surface-Mounted Pedestrian Luminaire) — a built-in uplight that softly illuminates pedestrians from below at night, enhancing driver awareness and overall crosswalk safety.

While SMPL™ functionality remains the same as in prior LightStar™ models, it will only operate when all in-roadway lights in the crosswalk are upgraded to the M12 or other previous models containing the SMPL feature.

Full Compatibility and Easy Upgrades

The LightStar™ M12 is fully backwards compatible with all previous Smart Crosswalk™ systems and in-roadway warning lights hardware, including:

Both 10" composite and 14" snowplow blade–resistant steel base plates
All existing LightGuard wiring configurations and mounting systems

For systems not using our latest model UC (Universal Controller), an upgrade kit is required to enable full SMPL™ functionality.

Shipping Begins November 2025

Production of the stainless steel LightStar™ M12 is complete, with shipments beginning in November.

The Original Smart Crosswalk™ — Reinforced for the Future

As the originator of IRWL and Smart Crosswalk™ technology, LightGuard Systems continues to set the standard for innovation, quality, and safety. The new LightStar™ M12 represents the next evolution in in-roadway lighting — engineered to perform longer, shine brighter, and protect pedestrians better than ever before.

Available Now for Pre-Order

The LightStar™ M12 Stainless Steel model is available now for pre-order. Request a quote today.

Expanding the Passive Pedestrian Activation Lineup: Introducing the Decorative Boulder Bollard and Complete Family of Sensor Activation Solutions

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 21:22:24 GMT

NEW Decorative Boulder Bollard - Passive Pedestrian Sensor

At LightGuard Systems, we understand that pedestrian safety isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we continue to expand our Passive Gateway Pedestrian Activation Product Line—a suite of passive sensor systems tailored to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of various environments.

Today, we’re proud to introduce the newest addition: the Decorative Faux Boulder Bollard, a nature-inspired, rugged solution for outdoor and natural settings. This new offering complements our trusted T6L Bollard Sensor, designed for use at refined cityscapes and downtown crossings, and the cost-effective, industrial-grade RAD Sensor—giving agencies, engineers, and planners a complete toolkit for enhancing crosswalk safety in any setting.

New: Decorative Boulder Bollard

The new Decorative Boulder Bollard (PN: LGS-DPD) offers the same intelligent pedestrian detection technology as our T6L and RAD sensors, now housed in a durable, natural-looking faux boulder enclosure. This bollard system blends seamlessly into parks, trails, and other landscaped areas where a traditional bollard may feel visually incongruous.

Using dual infrared sensors positioned as “entry gateways,” the DPD automatically activates in-roadway warning lights (IRWL), LED flashing signs, or RRFBs when a pedestrian enters the crosswalk—completely hands-free and directionally sensitive.

Ideal for:

* Parks & greenways

* Trailheads

* Campuses

* Rural crossings

T6L Bollard: Architectural Elegance for Cityscapes

The T6L Bollard Sensor remains a flagship in our passive activation lineup. Known for its elegant design and slim profile, it’s a perfect fit for urban environments, historic downtowns, and upscale retail centers where aesthetic integration is key.

Housed in a sleek enclosure and available in various powder-coasted paint colors with optional customer branding, the T6L maintains both visual appeal and robust pedestrian detection, making it the go-to solution for communities that demand both form and function.

Ideal for:

* City centers

* Main streets

* Shopping centers

* Airports

* Historic and traditional architectural zones

RAD Sensor: Rugged & Economical for Industrial and Budget-Conscious Projects

Rounding out the product family is the RAD Sensor, a durable, industrial-grade unit that utilizes the same sensor technology as the LGS-DPD and T6L, but in a cost-effective, metal housing. Designed for performance in rugged environments or where pole-mounted or wall-mounted installations are preferred, the RAD sensor offers smart pedestrian detection without aesthetic frills.

It’s the ideal solution for industrial zones, utility paths, remote crossings, and projects with tighter budgets that still require reliable, directionally sensitive pedestrian activation.

Ideal for:

* Industrial environments

* Utility easements

* Remote or rural crossings

* Budget-sensitive installations

Features Across the Passive Gateway Family

✅ Passive Pedestrian Detection – No need to press buttons; pedestrians are detected automatically upon entering the crosswalk.

✅ Directional Sensitivity – Triggers activation only when entering the crosswalk, avoiding unnecessary flashing.

✅ Field Adjustable – Sensor alignment, orientation, and sensitivity can be easily tuned during installation.

✅ Failsafe Mode – System continues to flash if the sensor beam is blocked or obstructed.

✅ Compatibility – All models integrate seamlessly with LightGuard’s flashing output controllers.

✅ Optional Audible Alerts – Enhances accessibility for visually impaired pedestrians.

A Solution for Every Crosswalk

With the addition of the LGS-DPD Decorative Boulder Bollard, LightGuard Systems now offers a complete sensor automatic activation portfolio to suit every crosswalk application—from decorative trails to industrial corridors. Each solution shares the same trusted detection core, giving you consistent performance in any package.

Whether you're designing a charming downtown, a remote trail crossing, or an industrial facility, you can rely on LightGuard to deliver safety that fits the setting.

Contact us today to learn more about our Passive Pedestrian Activation Systems and find the perfect match for your next project.

LightGuard Systems — Safer Crossings. Smarter Design.™

Introducing LightGuard Systems' Most Configurable—and Colorful—RRFB Yet: The All-In-One (AIO)

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 17:32:43 GMT

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety with LightGuard's Most Affordable and Versatile Solar-Powered RRFB System

At LightGuard Systems, we understand that in busy pedestrian areas, standard signage and paint just don’t cut it. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our most advanced solution to date: the All-In-One (AIO) RRFB System. This sleek, compact system is designed to improve pedestrian safety with unmatched flexibility, performance, and style.

Why Choose the AIO RRFB System?

The AIO RRFB offers everything you need to boost pedestrian safety, all in one efficient package. Whether you’re managing mid-block crossings, school zones, or multi-lane uncontrolled intersections, the AIO provides the reliability and functionality required to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Unbeatable Flexibility: With more configuration options than ever before, the AIO can be customized to meet your specific needs. Choose from black or yellow housing, and select the configuration that works best for your site.

Solar-Powered and Wireless: Powered by a solar wireless unit controller, the AIO is MUTCD-compliant and engineered to improve yield rates by as much as 98%, based on studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Cutting-Edge Technology: Featuring a wireless sync optional capability, you can operate up to 4 systems simultaneously, ensuring that large or complex pedestrian areas stay safe and functional (upgrade required).

Budget-Friendly and Easy-to-Install: Designed to simplify pedestrian safety upgrades without compromising performance.

A Full Spectrum of Features:

Our AIO RRFB system is packed with features that prioritize safety, efficiency, and user-friendliness:

All-In-One Design: Radios and timers are housed within the RRFB, ensuring a clutter-free, sleek appearance.

Solar Wireless Power: Featuring add-ons for power packs, the AIO’s solar wireless setup ensures reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Multiple Activation Methods: Choose from a range of activation methods, including the standard ADA push button, or optional bollard sensors, audible systems, and even touchless stations.

4 Configurations, 2 Colors: The AIO offers four configurations, including angled and back-to-back setups, and comes in either black or yellow to blend seamlessly into your environment.

Optional Add-ons: For those who want even more control and data insights, the AIO offers more optional features like data logging, remote access, and phone programmability.

Need More Power? More Options!

If you need even more power and flexibility, LightGuard Systems also offers an AC RRFB System, perfect for locations that require enhanced performance.

The AC Hardwired RRFB System comes equipped with the Universal AC Controller , supporting multiple inputs and outputs to ensure the system meets your most demanding requirements. With the ability to collect directional statistics, identify peak usage hours, and track weekly/monthly usage patterns, the AC system is perfect for high-traffic areas where advanced functionality is key.

The AC system can be activated using various methods, including push buttons, bollard sensors, RADs, motion detection, or a wireless remote key fob. Once activated, the system flashes an irregular WW+S pattern, alerting drivers to pedestrians crossing or about to cross. The AC RRFB system is often paired with LED flashing signs or in-roadway warning lights (IRWL) to enhance visibility and safety.

Ready to Elevate Your Crosswalk Safety?

LightGuard Systems has been a trusted partner in pedestrian safety for over 30 years. Our Smart Crosswalk systems, including in-roadway warning lights, flashing regulatory and warning signs, RRFBs, and automatic pedestrian activation methods, have helped contractors, agencies, cities, schools, and transportation engineers ensure safer streets for pedestrians everywhere.

Request a quote today or call us at 707-542-4547 to find out how we can help enhance your pedestrian safety strategy.

About LightGuard Systems

For over a quarter-century, LightGuard Systems has been a pioneer in the field of pedestrian safety. Trusted by transportation engineers, contractors, schools, and municipalities, we specialize in providing highly customizable traffic safety systems. Our solutions help reduce risks and improve pedestrian safety with innovative products that include RRFBs, in-roadway warning lights, flashing signs, and more.

Let us assist you in your next pedestrian safety project—request a quote online or give us a call at 707-542-4547 to learn more.

Stay Safe on St. Patrick’s Day: Essential Traffic Safety Tips

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:18:32 GMT

St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration—parades, parties, and plenty of festive cheer. However, with the excitement comes increased traffic, crowds, and a higher risk of unsafe driving. Whether you’re heading out for a night on the town, joining a parade, or simply enjoying the holiday, prioritizing road safety is key. Here are some essential traffic safety tips to ensure a fun and accident-free St. Patrick’s Day:

1. Plan Ahead: Designate a Driver

If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a safe ride home. Impaired driving is a serious risk—not only to yourself but to everyone on the road. Arrange for a designated driver, use a rideshare service, or take public transportation. A little preparation can prevent a tragedy.

2. Be Aware of Road Closures

Parades and celebrations often lead to road closures and detours. Check local traffic reports in advance to avoid unexpected delays. Knowing alternate routes ahead of time can save you from frustration and keep traffic flowing smoothly.

3. Watch for Pedestrians

With large crowds and celebratory distractions, pedestrians may not always be paying attention. Always yield at crosswalks and stay extra vigilant in busy areas, especially near bars, event venues, and parade routes.

4. Stay Focused—Avoid Distracted Driving

Between checking maps, responding to messages, and managing passengers, distractions can be tempting. Keep your eyes on the road and avoid using your phone while driving. A moment of distraction can lead to an accident.

5. Stay Alert for Impaired Drivers

Unfortunately, drunk driving spikes on holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. If you notice a driver swerving, speeding, or behaving erratically, keep your distance and report them to authorities. Your vigilance could save lives.

6. Buckle Up—Every Trip, Every Time

Seat belts save lives, no matter how short the drive. Ensure that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up before hitting the road.

7. Plan Your Parking Strategy

Expect crowded parking lots and limited spots near popular events. To avoid the stress, look up parking options in advance or carpool with friends. Walking a short distance from a well-lit, secure parking area is a small trade-off for peace of mind.

8. Be Patient and Expect Delays

Traffic congestion is almost guaranteed on St. Patrick’s Day. Stay calm, give yourself extra time to reach your destination, and remember that arriving safely is more important than rushing.

9. Keep Emergency Contacts Handy

In case of an emergency, have local law enforcement and towing service numbers saved in your phone. Being prepared can make all the difference if something unexpected happens.

Enhancing Safety with Lighted Crosswalks

Installing a LightGuard Systems lighted crosswalk in your community is an effective way to reduce pedestrian and cyclist accidents. These crosswalks use in-road warning lights and flashing LED signs to alert drivers when pedestrians are crossing, improving visibility—especially in low-light conditions. By increasing driver awareness and compliance with traffic laws, lighted crosswalks make streets safer for everyone.

Celebrate Responsibly—Safety Comes First

St. Patrick’s Day should be fun and memorable for all the right reasons. By planning ahead, driving responsibly, and staying alert, you can help ensure a safe holiday for yourself and others.

Let’s make this St. Patrick’s Day one to remember—for the fun, not the risks. Don’t rely on luck—plan ahead for safety! ��

Improving Pedestrian Safety at Parking Structures, Shopping Malls, and Casinos

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:02:29 GMT

Pedestrian Holiday Safety at Retail Shopping Centers

During the holiday season, pedestrian accidents spike significantly as streets, parking lots, and retail centers become congested with shoppers, travelers, and event-goers. The surge in both foot and vehicle traffic, coupled with shorter daylight hours and sometimes inclement weather, increases the likelihood of accidents. Many pedestrians are distracted by holiday activities, carrying shopping bags, checking mobile devices, or navigating through unfamiliar areas, making them less aware of surrounding vehicles. Meanwhile, drivers may also be distracted, rushed, or fatigued, especially in crowded shopping districts, casinos and parking structures. These factors create a perfect storm for accidents, underscoring the need for heightened caution and improved safety measures, such as well-marked crosswalks, increased lighting, and traffic calming efforts to ensure safer environments for pedestrians during the bustling holiday season.

The Problem: Pedestrian Accidents in High-Traffic Areas

1. Parking Structure

Parking garages are often dimly lit, with tight corners, low visibility, and a lack of clear pedestrian pathways. During the holiday season, the increased flow of vehicles and pedestrians heightens the likelihood of accidents. Many drivers are often more focused on finding parking spaces than watching for pedestrians, while pedestrians may be distracted by holiday preparations, carrying bags, or handling children.

2. Retail Shopping Malls

Shopping mall parking lots and crosswalks are another area of concern, especially during peak shopping seasons. Crowded with cars and pedestrians, and with distracted or hurried drivers, the chances of accidents multiply. Pedestrians may find themselves crossing multiple lanes of traffic in these parking lots, with drivers who may not be fully aware of crosswalk locations or may be dealing with low visibility due to vehicle congestion.

3. Casino Parking and Entrances

During the holiday season, casinos see a significant increase in foot traffic as visitors flock to enjoy entertainment, dining, and shopping. This uptick in pedestrian activity, combined with high vehicle turnover in parking areas and valet zones, raises the risk of accidents.

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety with Lighted Crosswalks

Lighted crosswalks are an effective way to increase pedestrian visibility in high-traffic areas. By integrating these crosswalks in parking structures, shopping centers, and casinos, we can create a safer environment for everyone. Here are some key benefits and considerations for implementing lighted crosswalks:

1. Enhanced Visibility for Drivers

Lighted crosswalks use embedded LED lights that flash when pedestrians approach, alerting drivers to potential foot traffic even before they reach the crosswalk. This feature is crucial in dimly lit areas such as parking garages, where traditional crosswalk markings are often difficult to see, particularly in poor weather or during nighttime hours.

2. Increased Awareness for Pedestrians

Lighted crosswalks can also help pedestrians recognize designated safe crossing areas, encouraging them to use these instead of crossing at random points. This is particularly useful in sprawling shopping mall parking lots or corporate campuses, where crosswalks may not be as obvious.

3. Seasonal Safety for High-Traffic Periods

During the holiday season, when pedestrian and vehicle traffic spikes, lighted crosswalks can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. When activated, these lights serve as a visual cue for both drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution.

4. Reduction in Accident Rates

Studies have shown that illuminated crosswalks in high-risk areas can decrease pedestrian accidents by as much as 30%. Their effectiveness is particularly pronounced in low-visibility settings, making them ideal for parking structures and corporate campuses with long, dark stretches of road between buildings.

Implementing Lighted Crosswalks: Practical Steps for Cities, Municipalities, and Property Managers

To maximize pedestrian safety, property managers of shopping malls, parking structures, should consider the following steps when planning for lighted crosswalk installations:

1. Conduct a Site Assessment

Identify high-traffic pedestrian zones, areas with limited visibility, and places where vehicles and pedestrians are likely to intersect. These spots are prime candidates for lighted crosswalks.

2. Integrate with Existing Infrastructure

Lighted crosswalks can be installed on top of existing crosswalk markings, reducing the need for major structural changes. They are also compatible with motion sensors, enabling them to illuminate only when pedestrians are present.

3. Consider Solar-Powered Options

For outdoor areas, solar-powered crosswalk lighting is a sustainable, cost-effective option. These lights can operate independently of traditional power sources, making them easier to install in large parking lots and corporate campuses.

4. Raise Awareness Among Employees and Patrons

Informing people about the presence of lighted crosswalks can help increase their usage. This can be achieved through visible signage, announcements, and notifications on corporate or mall apps.

Additional Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

In addition to lighted crosswalks, here are a few other measures that can improve pedestrian safety during the holiday season:

Increased Security Presence: Having security or traffic control personnel in parking structures and at busy crosswalks can help manage the flow of traffic, especially during peak shopping hours.

Encourage Pedestrian Awareness: Through signage or announcements, remind pedestrians to stay alert, avoid using cell phones, and follow designated crosswalks.

Traffic-Calming Measures: Install speed bumps, stop signs, and pedestrian-focused signage to encourage slower driving in high-risk areas.

Regular Maintenance: Ensure that existing crosswalk lights and signage are well-maintained and visible. Replace any worn or faded paint, and check that all lighting is operational.

Final Thoughts

As retail centers, parking structures, and casinos prepare for the holiday season, a proactive approach to pedestrian safety is essential. Lighted crosswalks offer an affordable, effective, and scalable solution to protect pedestrians from accidents in these high-traffic zones. By increasing visibility, reducing speed, and promoting awareness, businesses and property managers can create safer environments that benefit drivers, shoppers, and employees alike.

Contact us today to explore our complete line of lighted crosswalk solutions, from in-roadway warning lights and flashing pedestrian signs, to radar, motions sensors and rectangular rapid flashing beacons, LightGuard Systems has a solution for every pedestrian safety need.

September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:08:35 GMT

September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California

Recent reports highlight the growing crisis of traffic-related fatalities across the nation. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that traffic deaths reached a 16-year high in 2021 , with an estimated 42,915 motor vehicle fatalities, marking a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 deaths recorded in 2020. The number of pedestrians and cyclists killed also rose last year, with a 13% increase in pedestrian fatalities and a 5% rise in bicyclist fatalities. Additionally, preliminary data from State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) shows that 7,485 pedestrians were struck and killed by drivers in 2021 — the highest number in four decades.

In California specifically, UC Berkeley SafeTREC’s most recent fact sheet on pedestrian safety reports a 5.7% increase in pedestrian deaths, from 933 in 2016 to 986 in 2020. This crisis disproportionately affects communities of color, with the Dangerous By Design 2022 Report revealing that Native and Black Americans are more likely to die while walking than any other racial or ethnic group. These deaths are both unacceptable and preventable.

Promoting Pedestrian Safety

Every September, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) marks Pedestrian Safety Month by raising awareness about the risks faced by pedestrians and the importance of safe travel for all. This year, OTS is encouraging both drivers and pedestrians to collaborate in keeping our streets safe. Here are some tips to help ensure pedestrian safety in your community:

Safety Tips for Drivers:

Reduce Speed: Slow down, especially at intersections.
Stop for Pedestrians: Always be ready to stop for pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Stop before the crosswalk, not in it.
Keep Crosswalks Clear: Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make turns.
Drive Sober: Never drive while impaired.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians:

Stay Alert: Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
Use Crosswalks: Opt for signalized crosswalks where drivers expect pedestrian traffic.
Exercise Caution: Look for approaching vehicles and use caution when crossing streets.
Be Visible: Take extra care when crossing streets at night or on busier roads with higher speed limits.

Pedestrian Safety Resources

Explore resources from traffic safety partners and advocacy organizations across California and beyond!

California Office of Traffic Safety: Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety, Go Safely CA
California Walks: Visit California Walks
Check out our Guides and Toolkits webpage for resources to help make walking safer in your community.
America Walks: Learn More about America Walks
NHTSA: Pedestrian Safety

By following these guidelines and utilizing available resources, we can all contribute to a safer environment for pedestrians.

Adding a LightGuard Systems lighted crosswalk to your community can be an effective measure in reducing pedestrian and cyclist accidents. These crosswalks use in-roadway warning lights, flashing LED signs, and RRFBs to alert drivers when a pedestrian is present or preparing to cross. Studies have shown that lighted crosswalks significantly improve driver awareness and compliance with stopping laws, particularly in low-visibility conditions or at night. By increasing the visibility of crosswalks and making them more noticeable to drivers, LightGuard Systems helps create a safer environment for everyone on the road, encouraging safer behaviors and reducing the risk of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.

LightGuard Systems to Showcase Innovative Roadway Safety Solutions at ITE Conference

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 23:05:06 GMT

ITE conference brings together professionals dedicated to making transportation safe, effective, and equitable for everyone.

Transportation connects people to their community. Whether crossing the street, navigating busy intersections, or commuting through neighborhoods, safety is paramount for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists alike. This year, the ITE conference brings together professionals dedicated to making transportation safe, effective, and equitable for everyone.

LightGuard Systems is excited to announce our participation in this year’s ITE conference, where we will showcase our latest advancements in crosswalk warning and roadway safety systems. In addition to highlighting our innovative solutions, we are proud to celebrate our 30th anniversary of creating safer pedestrian environments. For three decades, we have been committed to enhancing mobility and safety in communities across the nation with our innovative solutions such as passive pedestrian bollard sensors, robust controllers, in-roadway warning light, LED signs and RRFB systems.

Our customizable products and equipment are designed to provide real-time alerts to both pedestrians and drivers, ensuring that everyone can navigate roadways with confidence. By integrating advanced technology into our systems, we aim to reduce accidents and enhance the overall safety of vehicles and pedestrians alike.

Join us at Booth #220 to learn more about our state-of-the-art solutions and how they can contribute to safer roadways and improved community connectivity. We look forward to sharing our safety solutions for a safer future and engaging with fellow professionals who are passionate about pedestrian safety and creating more walkable communities.

Together, let’s work towards a world where safety is at the forefront of every journey. See you at the ITE conference as we celebrate 30 years of dedication to safety through technology!

Protecting Pedestrian Safety in the Workplace: Top 10 Safety Tips

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:46:10 GMT

In any workplace setting, pedestrian safety is a critical issue that cannot be overlooked.

According to recent statistics, pedestrian accidents involving vehicles are one of the main causes of workplace fatalities, with a staggering 36% of forklift accident victims being pedestrians. However, it's important to note that vehicles are not the only potential hazards for employees in the workplace. To ensure the safety and well-being of all employees, it is crucial for employers to prioritize pedestrian safety in the workplace and implement measures to minimize the risk of accidents. It is also crucial for employees to stay alert to hazards, and follow protocols to ensure their own safety.

Here are the top 10 workplace pedestrian safety tips that can help create a safer work environment:

Stay Alert: Always be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards in the workplace. Avoid distractions such as texting or using headphones while walking.
Use Designated Walkways: Stick to designated pedestrian walkways and pathways, and avoid walking in areas where vehicles operate.
Make Eye Contact: When crossing paths with a vehicle or equipment operator, always make eye contact to ensure they are aware of your presence.
Wear High-Visibility Clothing: Make yourself more visible to vehicle operators by wearing high-visibility clothing, especially in low-light conditions.
Follow Traffic Signs and Signals: Obey all traffic signs and signals within the workplace premises to prevent accidents and ensure a smooth flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Avoid Blind Spots: Be mindful of blind spots where vehicle operators may have limited visibility. Stay clear of these areas to reduce the risk of accidents.
Use Safety Barriers: When working in areas where vehicles operate, use safety barriers or guardrails to create a physical separation between pedestrians and moving equipment.
Attend Safety Training: Participate in regular safety training sessions to learn about potential hazards in the workplace and how to prevent accidents.
Report Any Safety Concerns: If you notice any safety hazards or concerns in the workplace, promptly report them to your supervisor or safety officer for immediate action.
Encourage a Safety Culture: Promote a safety-conscious work environment where all employees actively participate in maintaining a safe workplace for everyone.

By following these pedestrian safety tips and fostering a culture of safety in the workplace, employers and employees can work together to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. While vehicles are a major cause of workplace pedestrian accidents, they are not the only potential hazard. Slip and fall incidents, falling objects, and collisions with fixed objects can also pose a significant risk to pedestrians in the workplace. Therefore, it is crucial for employers to address all potential hazards and implement comprehensive safety measures to protect pedestrians.

In addition to the top 10 workplace pedestrian safety tips mentioned earlier, employers should also consider the following measures to further enhance pedestrian safety:

Regular Maintenance of Walking Surfaces: Ensure that walking surfaces are well-maintained and free from hazards such as loose tiles, uneven flooring, or debris.
Proper Storage of Objects: Store objects and equipment properly to prevent them from obstructing walkways or falling onto pedestrian areas.
Clear Signage and Labels: Clearly mark pedestrian walkways, zones, and potential hazards with signage and labels to provide guidance and increase awareness. Consider installing automatic pedestrian-activated flashing warning devices at all pedestrian walkways. These devices are triggered by the pedestrian and warn forklift and auto drivers of pedestrian activity.
Good Lighting: Adequate lighting in all areas of the workplace, especially in pedestrian walkways, crosswalks and parking lots, can help improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.
Regular Safety Inspections: Conduct routine safety inspections to identify potential hazards and address them promptly.

By incorporating these additional measures, employers can create a comprehensive approach to pedestrian safety in the workplace and mitigate a variety of potential risks. Remember, pedestrian safety is everyone's responsibility and prioritizing safety benefits not only individuals but the entire workplace community. Employers must prioritize safety by implementing proper training, enforcing safety guidelines, and providing a safe work environment.

Likewise, employees must remain vigilant, follow safety protocols, and report any potential hazards. By working together, we can achieve a workplace where pedestrian accidents are greatly reduced, ensuring the well-being of all.

About LightGuard Systems® :

LightGuard Systems®, innovators of lighted crosswalks, stands at the forefront of workplace pedestrian safety, with safety solutions that combine advanced technology with a commitment to safeguarding lives. Equipped with flashing warning devices that alert both pedestrians and forklift drivers, these systems empower employers to create a safer, more secure environment for all individuals moving within the workplace. By integrating the superior performance of LightGuard Systems® products, workplaces can elevate their pedestrian safety standards and proactively reduce the risk of accidents. With a global reach and unwavering dedication to creating safer communities through technology, we at LightGuard Systems® remains a driving force in championing pedestrian safety worldwide.

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety: The Efficacy of In-Roadway Warning Lights at Crosswalks

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 22:35:25 GMT

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety: The Efficacy of In-Roadway Warning Lights at Crosswalks

Why IRWL's

In bustling urban areas and quiet suburban neighborhoods alike, the safety of pedestrians traversing crosswalks is paramount. With the ever-increasing volume of vehicles on the roads, ensuring that pedestrians can safely navigate intersections is a critical concern for communities worldwide.

In this pursuit, innovative solutions have emerged, among them the implementation of in-roadway warning lights (IRWLs) at uncontrolled public and private facility crosswalks. These lights, often coupled with additional safety measures such as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) and flashing pedestrian signs, represent a proactive approach to mitigating pedestrian accidents and improving overall road safety.

Efficacy of IRWL's

The efficacy of in-roadway warning lights, as supported by available research, showcases promising outcomes in enhancing pedestrian safety at crosswalks and other pedestrian-heavy areas. Research studies have consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of in-roadway warning lights in reducing pedestrian-related accidents and fatalities. A study conducted by Whitlock & Weinberger Inc. concluded that IRWL had a positive effect on enhancing drivers’ awareness of crosswalks and modifying driver behaviors, and IRWL effectiveness were more significant under adverse conditions such as darkness, fog, and rain. Further studies suggest that in-roadway warning lights led to a significant decrease in pedestrian crashes at marked crosswalks compared to traditional signage and markings alone.

Increasing Driver Compliance

The effectiveness of IRWLs lies in their ability to provide a highly visible warning to motorists, drawing attention to pedestrian crossings and encouraging them to yield to pedestrians. Placed directly in the roadway, these lights capture the attention of drivers more effectively than traditional signage alone, especially in low-light conditions or areas with high traffic volume where pedestrian visibility may be compromised.

Pairing IRWLs with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) further enhances pedestrian safety by creating a multi-modal warning system. RRFBs, characterized by their rapid and alternating flashing patterns, serve as an additional visual cue for drivers, signaling the presence of pedestrians at crosswalks. Studies have shown that RRFBs can significantly increase driver compliance with yielding to pedestrians, thus reducing the risk of collisions.

Extra Layers of Warning

Flashing pedestrian signs complement IRWLs and RRFBs by providing additional visual reinforcement of the crosswalk's presence. Placed strategically at the approaches to crosswalks, these signs serve as an extra layer of warning, ensuring that drivers are adequately alerted to pedestrian crossings well in advance.

The collective impact of these integrated safety measures is substantial. Not only do they improve pedestrian safety by reducing the likelihood of accidents and collisions, but they also contribute to a more pedestrian-friendly environment, encouraging active transportation and enhancing the overall livability of communities.

Furthermore, the flexibility of IRWL systems allows for their implementation in various settings, including public roads, private facilities, school zones, and recreational areas. By tailoring the configuration and placement of IRWLs to suit specific pedestrian traffic patterns and environmental conditions, municipalities and organizations can maximize their effectiveness in improving safety outcomes.

In addition to the advanced technology they employ, the effectiveness of in-roadway warning lights (IRWLs) at crosswalks is greatly influenced by their strategic placement within the roadway. Placing IRWLs in the optimal location ensures maximum visibility for both pedestrians and drivers, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and collisions.

IRWL Placement

The placement of IRWLs should take into account several factors, including the speed limit of the road, the volume of traffic, pedestrian crossing patterns, and potential obstructions to visibility. Placing IRWLs too close to intersections or bends in the road may limit their effectiveness, as drivers may not have sufficient time to react to the warning lights. Conversely, placing IRWLs too far from the crosswalk may reduce their visibility and fail to adequately alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians.

Moreover, proper placement of IRWLs should also consider the angle of approach for approaching vehicles. Placing lights at an angle that aligns with the line of sight of drivers allows for optimal visibility and ensures that the warning signals are not obscured by other vehicles or environmental factors.

Furthermore, the spacing between IRWLs within the crosswalk area is essential for providing consistent and uniform warning to drivers. Adequate spacing ensures that drivers receive clear and continuous visual cues as they approach the crosswalk, minimizing the likelihood of confusion or misinterpretation.

Maximizing Effectiveness

By carefully considering these factors and adhering to best practices in placement, municipalities and organizations can maximize the effectiveness of IRWLs in improving pedestrian safety at crosswalks. Properly placed IRWLs not only enhance visibility and awareness but also contribute to a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment for communities.

Roadway Safety Pioneers

LightGuard Systems is one of the pioneering companies in this field, recognized for our groundbreaking Smart Crosswalk technology. Coined by Michael Harrison, the president of LightGuard Systems, the term "Smart Crosswalk" encapsulates a comprehensive approach to pedestrian safety, integrating cutting-edge IRWL systems with other advanced warning mechanisms.

IRWL Studies and Articles

These studies and articles offer valuable insights into the efficacy of IRWLs and contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting their role in improving pedestrian safety at crosswalks.

" Evaluation of In-Roadway Warning Lights at Crosswalks in Seattle " (Published in Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2014)

This study evaluates the effectiveness of IRWLs installed at crosswalks in Seattle, Washington. It examines factors such as driver compliance with yielding to pedestrians, pedestrian safety outcomes, and overall traffic flow. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the positive impact of IRWLs on pedestrian safety and driver behavior.

2. "Enhancing Pedestrian Safety Using In-Roadway Warning Lights: A Review of Current Research and Practice" (Published in the Journal of Transportation Safety & Security, 2018)

This review article provides an overview of current research and best practices related to the use of IRWLs for enhancing pedestrian safety. It synthesizes findings from various studies and identifies key factors contributing to the effectiveness of IRWL systems. The article serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the benefits and implementation strategies of IRWLs at crosswalks.

3. Whitlock and Weinberger Transportation, Inc. An Evaluation of a Crosswalk Warning System Utilizing In-Pavement Flashing Lights. Funding by State of California, Office of Traffic Safety and Federal Highway Administration, through University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, April 1998.

School Crossing Safety Systems Help Kid

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 19:33:55 GMT

With the end in daylight savings, school crossing safety is even more critical

Walking to school can be a fun and healthy activity for children, but school crossings can put them at risk of being hit by a vehicle. According to the U.S. Department o f Transportation, 20% of all pedestrian fatalities occur between 3 and 7 pm. With the end of daylight savings time and shorter days, school crossing safety becomes particularly critical. This is where crosswalk warning systems come in, providing enhanced visibility and safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.

Crosswalk warning systems are designed to provide a visual warning to drivers that a pedestrian is about to cross the road. Enhanced with bright flashing lights, they alert drivers to slow down and proceed cautiously, reducing the risk of a collision. They are especially effective during the hours when it is dark outside, when visibility is reduced.

The benefits of crosswalk warning systems are numerous. They improve the safety of school crossings by reducing the chances of accidents and injuries related to pedestrian and driver error. This is particularly important during the darker months of the year, when the risk of accidents is higher.

The systems also help school children develop safe habits, by reinforcing the importance of using crosswalks and following traffic signals. They help create safer environments for pedestrians and reduce the stress of crossing the road for both children and adults.

Crosswalk warning systems can be installed in a variety of settings, including busy intersections and school drop-off zones. They can also be highly customizable, providing targeted messages and signaling based on specific times of day, traffic patterns, and school schedules.

Overall, crosswalk warning systems are an effective tool for improving pedestrian safety and reducing the risk of accidents. With the end of daylight savings time and shorter days, it is vital to consider installing these systems in school areas. By doing so, we can help keep children safe when they are walking to school, and remind drivers to stay alert and cautious.

Pedestrian Crosswalk Warning Light Systems | GOOD, BETTER, BEST

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 02:59:47 GMT

[Updated Jan. 23, 2019] In 2017, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, 16% of all traffic fatalities. This is a 1.7% increase in pedestrian fatalities from 2016 1 and averages to about one crash-related pedestrian death every 1.6 hours. Forward thinking cities and municipalities with a Vision Zero strategy of achieving zero pedestrian deaths are installing lighted crosswalks to help make public crossings safer environments for pedestrians.

When Designing a Lighted Crosswalk, The Goal is to Save Lives with The Most Effective Solution

When it comes to achieving pedestrian safety with lighted crosswalks, the goal isn’t to save money—it’s to save lives! Each situation is also different and therefore, requires a unique solution. For example: 2-Lane school zone crosswalks in residential neighborhoods; 4-Lane un-controlled intersections on busy city thoroughfares; multi-level shopping mall parking structures with interior walkways; city park trails that traverse several roads; public venues with multi-point parking lot entrances—just to name a few situations. Understanding that each pedestrian crossings requires a specific design that takes into account all of its needs is important. Ideally the effectiveness of the system, and not its costs will determine which system is selected.

Speeds Affect Crosswalk Visibility

According to the NHTSA, “…more than 75 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersection locations, and vehicle speeds are often a major contributing factor.”1 The motorists’ field of vision is different at different speeds. The faster the speed, the more targeted the field of vision.2

Field of Vision at Different Speeds

As a driver’s speed increases, their peripheral vision narrows severely. [Graphic via LADOT Vision Zero Report ]

GOOD: RRFB

RFFBs are installed at both entrances of the crosswalk located underneath pedestrian signs. The RRFB’s amber lights flash in a ‘wig-wag,’ ‘one-two,’ strobe-like pattern that catches motorists’ attention, alerting them to crosswalk activity. RRFBs perform best on roadways with ≤4-Lanes, in speed zones ≤20 mph( speeds that offer the greatest field of vision to motorists), and in areas where motorist familiarity with the crosswalk location is high. With a lower cost, the RRFB is an attractive entry-level safety option. However, RRFBs are a newer MUTCD traffic control device and some motorist confusion has been reported.

At either higher speeds or close range or vehicular obstructions, RRFB can be a Good Safety Treatment but still be less effective, since they are located at the crosswalk entrances & not directly in the motorist field of view.

BETTER: Flashing LED Warning Sign Systems

For crosswalks with ≥2-Lanes, in ≥20 mph speed zones, and where commuter or highway cross-traffic exists (i.e., out-of-towners), flashing LED warning signs are an ideal solution. LED signs simply and elegantly communicate the message that a pedestrian is inside the crosswalk by reinforcing existing traffic warning measures. They are non-intrusive, as signs must already be used at crosswalks.

LightGuard’s flashing MUTCD compliant signs contain 96 high-intensity LEDs, greatly enhancing the sign’s visibility to the motorist. They flash only when a pedestrian is present and increase motorist yielding. LED signs can have active or passive detection, be paired with in-roadway warning lights or used as stand-alone systems. LED signs are budget-friendly, easy-to-install and offered in solar, A/C and wireless solar.

BEST: In-Roadway Warning Lights (IRWL)

M11 LED LightStar™ In-Roadway Warning Light Installation

For crosswalks on ≥2-Lane roadways in ≤45mph speed zones, In-Roadway Warning Lights (IRWL) are the most effective method at alerting the motorist. IRWLs illuminate the crosswalk lines—visually reinforcing the crosswalk, and alert the motorist up to 1,000 feet in advance using our proprietary Enlighten1 flash rate. Coupled with LED signs, IRWLs provide the maximum level of pedestrian safety and warning to the motorist. IRWLs also offer the highest level of visibility within the field of vision at all speeds. They are the most reliable method at alerting the motorist in severe weather, on wide roadways with no center dividers, and at night, when pedestrians’ need for safety is greatest.

LightGuard’s in-roadway warning lights alert motorists 1,000 feet in advance of the crosswalk

In-pavement LED traffic calming devices have evolved and are becoming more effective with less maintenance issues
Studies using LightGuard’s in-pavement LED products show improvements in drivers yielding to pedestrians and better yielding at night4
In-pavement warning lights are visible at all speeds, even when drivers’ peripheral vision narrows with speed

Field of Vision at Different Speeds with IRWL Lights

NOTE: In-roadway warning lights are visible at all speeds. [Graphic via LADOT Vision Zero Report with modifications by LightGuard]

In-Roadway Warning Light systems offer the greatest design flexibility and help overcome crosswalks with limited visibility, obstructions, curves in the roadway and where crosswalk approaches are hidden from the motorists’ view. LightGuard’s Smart Crosswalk™ IRWL is a highly configurable system that can be used with advanced controllers, radar devices, push buttons, LED signs, pedestrian detection bollards and solar power. IRWLs are ideal for use at parking structure exits, building entrances, airports, employee crossings and other locations where pedestrian safety is a concern.

Motion detectors, IRWLs and flashing LED signs are used at an underground parking garage exit to alert motorists to the presence of pedestrians on the sidewalk. Trace Loft building, Seattle, Washington.

4-Lane Smart Crosswalk IRWL system with automatic pedestrian detection bollards. Marco Island, Florida

With the Broadest Application, Time-tested IRWLS Are Lightguard Systems’ Most Specified Lighted Crosswalk System

Shopping mall entrance with multiple parking and crosswalk access points. The Outlets at San Clemente, California. Installation includes: custom bronze colored bollards; flashing 9X LightStar™ in-roadway warning lights, and flashing LED pedestrian signs.

The Zone of Convergence

Only LightGuard’s IRWL light beams can be directionally aimed at the approaching motorist’s line of sight, merging to form a blanketed area of light that we call ‘The Zone of Convergence.’ LightGuard’s IRWLs flash at the Enlighten1™ (meaning ‘to inform one’) rate which was developed in conjunction with the UC Berkeley Vision Detection Laboratory. Enlighten1™ reaches a primitive part of the brain that responds to danger and is photosensitive epilepsy safe.

Aesthetics Matter

The sleek, low profile of LightGuard’s IRWL system on the curb and in the street appeals to a minimalist sense of design. Whereas erecting a huge mast arm across the roadway, or crowding the curb with more traffic controls is contrary to every design idea we as a modern society are accustomed to. Undergrounding power lines and utilities is requisite to all new residential and urban design. The same design sensibility should also be applied to pedestrian safety.

In-roadway warning lights are low profile, appealing to a minimalist design aesthetic.

In contrast, HAWK beacon traffic control devices clutter the roadway and cost roughly 4X more $$$$ than in-roadway warning lights, even before installation costs are considered.

Studies Using LightGuard Systems’ IRWL

LightGuard Systems, inventors and pioneers of in-roadway warning lights have had numerous studies conducted using our IRWL system. In a study conducted by Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation Inc., April 1998 , LightGuard’s Smart Crosswalk™ IRWL system increased driver yield rates to pedestrians from 20 percent to 95 percent in the evening.4 LightGuard’s products can be customized to fit any uncontrolled marked crosswalks, crosswalks marked with pedestrian, school or trail crossing signs, at locations such as:

Urban mid-block crosswalks
School zones
Intersections with through lanes on major legs
Multi-lane crosswalks
Greenways
Trail crossings
Public parking garages
Corporate campuses
Rail Grade Crossings

LightGuard’s Solutions Include:

Flashing LED safety systems for crosswalks and pedestrian crossings
Automatic and manual activation devices that trigger a lighted system
System controllers, data collection, storage and management devices
Flashing LED Sign and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) systems
Flashing LED pedestrian, stop, yield, school zone and other signs

References

National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2018, October). 2017 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview (Traffic Safety Facts Crash•Stats. Report No. DOT HS 812 603). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812603 .
Bartmann, W. Spijkers and M. Hess, “Street Environment, Driving Speed and Field of Vision” Vision in Vehicles III (1991)
KLEWtv.com , Flashing lights at crosswalks confuse motorists at two busy intersections in Lewiston, by Shannon Moudy, (February 1st, 2017).
Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation Inc., An Evaluation of a Crosswalk Warning System Utilizing In-Pavement Flashing Lights (April 1998).
A. Leaf and David F. Preusser. Literature review on vehicle travel speeds and pedestrian injuries . (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1999).

Lightguard Introduces Innovative Illuminated Folding Traffic Signs

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:10:45 GMT

LightGuard Systems announces the introduction of an innovative MUTCD compliant Temporary Traffic Control Zone Device - Illuminated Collapsible Traffic Control Signs for use at temporary traffic control areas.

ILLUMINATED FOLDING TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS

SANTA ROSA, Calif., March 2023—North Bay Area LightGuard Systems, Inc., manufacturer, distributor and tech leader of pedestrian/motorist warning traffic control devices announces the introduction of an innovative MUTCD compliant Temporary Traffic Control Zone Device - Illuminated Collapsible Traffic Control Signs for use at temporary traffic control areas.

MUTCD standard folding signs ( https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part6/part6f.htm#table6F01 ) are fitted with LED in the sign border visible up to 1000 feet with a continuous flashing output. Outputs are User Selectable Flash Patterns VariFlashTM. All folding signs (either reflective or mesh) are compatible with all rollup sign stands, heavy duty cross bars, & foldable flag mounts.

Collapsible Illuminated Signs are maintenance free & simple to set up with long lasting easily rechargeable batteries. The signs provide a low-cost solution for enhancing safety at temporary traffic control zones. All signs are Weather Resistant with High-intensity Amber LEDs. All signs are robust & available in multiple configurations (optional flag mounts, heavy duty cross ribs, plastic corner pockets, Velcro straps for storage, etc.) .

About LightGuard Systems

For twenty-five years, LightGuard Systems—traffic safety pioneers and creators of the lighted crosswalk category—has provided cities, schools, urban planners and transportation engineers early warning devices for pedestrian enhancements. Customers choose LightGuard Systems for their robust, reliable, cutting-edge technology, better pedestrian safety outcomes and a safer, more effective traffic calming measure—such as their world-renowned Smart Crosswalk™ in-roadway warning light system. Visit LightGuard Systems at www.lightguardsystems.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Lightguard Systems Solutions Include:

Warning systems for uncontrolled intersections and mid-block crosswalks
Equipment that triggers a system’s flashing lights
System controllers, data collection, storage and management devices
Solar wireless illuminated warning signs
Solar wireless flashing RRFBs

Learn more about our Illuminated Collapsible Traffic Control Signs and how you can save 10% off through April 2023 here

LIGHTGUARD’s Next-Generation IRWL Offers Increased Durability, Water-Resistance, And Pedestrian Safety

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 09:44:32 GMT

Revolutionary Seamless In-Roadway Light Design Simultaneously Illuminates Pedestrians and Warns Motorists for Increased Nighttime Crosswalk Traffic Safety

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (March 11, 2020) — San Francisco North Bay Area crosswalk safety and traffic calming device tech leader LightGuard Systems® Inc., (LIGHTGUARD) announces that it has begun shipping V1 of its next-generation Smart Crosswalk™ in-roadway warning light (IRWL) fixture LightStar™ featuring high-intensity flashing amber LEDs in a seamless water-resistant, ruggedized polyurethane exterior housing. V2 of the same model will include a revolutionary non-flashing white Surface Mount Pedestrian Luminaire (SMPL™). LightStar™ Plus (V2) is scheduled to launch in Q3.

DAYTIME – Amber Warning Lights

The first-of-its-kind Lightstar™ IRWL is sleeker, offers more safety lighting features than any other similar product of its kind while offering unsurpassed durability in harsh roadway environments. Lightstar™ promises a higher level of pedestrian safety inside a crosswalk at urban neighborhoods, cities, airports, school zones, parking areas, campuses and private facilities using its Smart Crosswalk™ system controllers, LED border-enhanced warning signs, and pedestrian activation devices that work in sync to alert motorists to pedestrians inside a crosswalk.

NIGHTTIME – 2-in-1 System with Amber Warning Lights & White Pedestrian Luminaire (U.S. Patent Pending)

“We’re excited to offer customers a more ruggedized, all-weather roadway warning light,” says LIGHTGUARD President Michael Harrison. “In-roadway warning lights are longtime proven to be the most effective way of alerting motorists, and soon we will be able to light-up the pedestrian as well. The best crosswalk warning solution just got better.”

Key features include:

Ruggedized polyurethane exterior in a seamless, water-resistant housing
High-intensity LEDs with custom-engineered optics for precise focused light output
Enlighten1™ flash rate reaches a primitive part of the brain that elicits a response to danger
Surface Mount Pedestrian Luminaires™ (SMPL) gently illuminate the pedestrian as they are inside the crosswalk at nighttime

LightStar™ Plus simultaneously warns motorists and illuminates pedestrians at nighttime

The first generation LightStar™ M11 is now shipping to customers everywhere. The second generation LightStar™ Plus with SMPL™ is scheduled to launch Q3 2022.

First showcased in 2018 at AAAE in San Diego, CA, LightStar™ in-roadway warning lights are installed across the roadway before the crosswalk. As pedestrians enter the crosswalk and pass between a pair of bollard sensors, infrared light beams detect their presence—activating a chain of automated silent and visual communications between the motorist, the pedestrian, the pedestrian activation bollard, and the LightStar™ light fixture embedded into the pavement. Once activated, the amber LED portion of the light fixture flashes, warning motorists up to 1,000 feet in advance. The white LED SMPL™ portion of the light fixture also simultaneously energizes via photo cell activation at nighttime.

###

About LightGuard Systems®:

For twenty-five years, LIGHTGUARD’s—pioneers in traffic safety and category creators of lighted crosswalk systems—has helped cities, municipalities, schools, traffic safety and transportation engineers build safer crossing environments for pedestrians, students, employees, the elderly and disabled. Customers choose LIGHTGUARD for its easy-to-install, robust, reliable and cutting-edge-technology systems, better pedestrian safety outcomes, and a safer, more effective public safety traffic calming method. In a study conducted by Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation Inc., April 1998 , LIGHTGUARD’s systems increased driver yield rates to pedestrians from 20 percent to 95 percent in the evening.

LIGHTGUARD’s solutions include:

Lighted safety systems for crosswalk and pedestrian crossings
Automatic (sensor, radar) activation and manual push button devices that trigger a lighted crosswalk warning/control system’s blinking lights
Robust system controllers, data collection, storage and management devices
Flashing LED pedestrian, stop, yield, school zone and other signs
Flashing LED Sign and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) systems

Contact: Sharon Hustwit, Director of Marketing

P: (707) 542-4547 | F: (707) 525-6333

LIGHTGUARD Announces Development of COVID-19 Touchless Pedestrian Push Button for Public Safety at Crosswalks

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 09:41:42 GMT

Covid-19 Driven Touchless Crosswalk Push Button Designed to Activate Pedestrian Walk Time via a Hand-wave Offers Cities a Way to Reduce the Spread of Viruses

SANTA ROSA, Calif., July 7, 2020 — San Francisco North Bay Area crosswalk safety and traffic calming device tech leader LightGuard Systems® (LIGHTGUARD) is excited to announce the development of their latest product line to help cities, municipalities, and state health officials fight COVID-19 and the spread of most viruses capable of being contagious on public crosswalk push buttons for minutes or days.

SmartSense™ touchless PED push button helps reduce pedestrian exposure to contact viruses commonly found on push button surfaces

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things — to the extent that simply pushing a button has become a personal safety hazard. SmartSense™ helps cities who are trying to balance public safety with pandemic safety by providing pedestrians the ability to activate crosswalks without using their bare finger. This series of touchless, hands-free, hand-sensing devices will replace and/or upgrade existing PED-buttons, and allow the public the option to wave a hand in front of the hand sensing button — activating the crosswalk request at the controller, instead of pushing a button to cross.

With an initial launch of Q3 2020, SmartSense™ will be compatible with LIGHTGUARD’s complete line of lighted crosswalks and traffic safety equipment, including its Smart Crosswalk™ in-roadway warning lights, automatic (touchless) pedestrian detection bollard , solar wireless LED border-enhanced warning signs, and RRFB systems. SmartSense™ will operate at both controlled and uncontrolled intersections, and mid-block crosswalks where the company’s lighted crosswalks are commonly used.

The first SmartSense™ to be released is a supplemental push button sign kit with an embedded sensor that is compatible with LIGHTGUARD’s LGS-PBA manual push button mechanism, and most other manufacturer stations. The sign kit can be installed at new and existing manual push button stations, with the manual push button retaining its ability to send a call signal back to the controller to initiate a lighted crosswalk, PED countdown timer, or other output signal. The second SmartSense™ is a touchless crosswalk activation switch that completely replaces an existing manual push button (pictured).

Key SmartSense™ product line features include:

Activation proximity range: 5 inches
No contact needed to activate
Replaces existing PED-button and/or PED-placards/signs
Simple electrical connections
Nominal 12 VDC operation; optional 110 VAC operation
Retrofittable into compatible push button stations
IR technology

Government agencies have set guidelines for social distancing, isolation, cleaning and disinfecting public spaces and keeping track of how someone infected might have infected other people. We at LIGHTGUARD are taking precautionary measures even farther by developing a modification of or replacement for one of the most publicly used and accessed traffic controlled devices in the public traffic safety market; a device that is touched by pedestrians 24/7 — the PED-button!

###

About LightGuard Systems®:

LIGHTGUARD’s solutions include:

Lighted safety systems for crosswalk and pedestrian crossings
Automatic (sensors, radar) and manual activation devices that trigger a lighted crosswalk warning/control system’s blinking lights, and/or crosswalk WALK signal timing
Robust system controllers, data collection, storage and management devices
Flashing LED pedestrian, stop, yield, school zone and custom signage
Flashing LED Sign and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) systems

Contact: info@lightguardsystems.com
Phone: (707) 542-4547
Fax: (707) 525-6333

2292 Airport Blvd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
www.lightguardsystems.com
www.crosswalks.com

LED Warning Signs in National City: a Citywide Pedestrian Enhancement Project

Tue, 05 May 2020 09:19:38 GMT

Solar school crossing sign in National City, CA – LightGuard Systems

Overview:

City of National City, California aimed to implement a citywide plan to make pedestrian, school crossing and pedestrian/bicycle signs more visible to motorists. Here, a succession of LED enhanced school crossing signs on 8thStreet warn motorists in real-time of pedestrians inside or waiting to cross at a crosswalk. To enhance the safety of school children and pedestrians at approximately 35 crossing locations inside city limits, the City of National City aimed to find a solution that would not only create safer crossing environments for the public, but also increase driver yielding by giving them ample time and sufficient warning to slow down at mid-block crossings where pedestrians are present. This project is on-going with systems installed starting in 2011.

Type: Citywide mid-block pedestrian, bike, and school zone safety crossing enhancement

Project Size: 70, 36” x 36” Flashing Solar LED Border-Enhanced Pedestrian, School Crossing & Ped/Bike Warning Signs; 70 push button stations with braille placards

Client: City of National City

Preferred Architects: Dokken Engineering

Preferred Installing Contractor: Perry Electric

Requirements:

An effective, budget-friendly, scalable traffic calming safety system that’s proven effective at alerting motorists up to 1,000 feet in advance of a crosswalk. Rush hour traffic, school children excitement, low visibility at night, and other visual roadway distractions created the need for highly visible, high-intensity, LED border-enhanced warning sign systems for use throughout the city. Additionally, solar power and push button mechanisms with braille were required for a Co2 carbon-neutral, and sight-impaired accessible, public safety solution.

Solution 1:

48 Solar Flashing 36” x 36” LED Pedestrian Signs

Our W11-2 flashing LED border-enhanced warning signs were added to mid-block crossings where additional pedestrian visibility was desired. MUTCD compliant, only LightGuard Systems’ LED signs contain 8 light bars with 96 high-intensity flashing LEDs. Visible from 1,000 feet, LED signs help to increase motorist yielding. National City’s LED signs activate via pedestrian push buttons with braille placards, operate via solar power, and flash only when a pedestrian is present.

Solution 2:

20 Solar Flashing 36” x 36” LED School Crossing Warning Signs

Our S1-1 flashing LED border-enhanced warning signs were added to mid-block crossings where motorists encountered multiple mid-block crossings within a 1-mile area. MUTCD compliant, only LightGuard Systems’ LED signs contain 8 light bars with 96 high-intensity flashing LEDs. Visible from 1,000 feet, LED signs help to increase motorist yielding. National City’s LED signs activate via pedestrian push buttons with braille placards, operate via solar power, and flash only when a pedestrian is present.

Solution 3:

2 Solar Flashing 36” x 36” LED Ped/Bike Warning Signs

Our custom W11-15 flashing LED border-enhanced pedestrian/bicycle warning signs were added to crossings where public crossing warning sign visibility was desired. MUTCD compliant, only LightGuard Systems’ LED signs contain 8 light bars with 96 high-intensity flashing LEDs. Visible from 1,000 feet, LED signs help to increase motorist yielding. National City’s LED signs activate via pedestrian push buttons, operate via solar power, and flash only when a pedestrian is present.

Solution 4:

70 Push Button Stations with Braille Placards

Braille Placard

Our MUTCD & ADA compliant 2” push button contains 4 lights that flash when pushed—letting pedestrians know that the flashing LED crosswalk signs are activated. Sold in pairs, it has tamper-resistant hardware, large mushroom buttons and easily mounts to existing poles. National City selected optional braille placards for the visually impaired public. Push buttons can be used alone, or as an adjunct activation method to passive activation bollards.

The Cost of Pedestrian Injury Versus the Cost of Prevention

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 08:24:07 GMT

Pedestrian accidents in crosswalks occur all too often and are on the rise. According to a recent GHSA study [1] , the nationwide number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2018 was 6,227 – an increase of four percent from 2017.

Accident prevention can come at a cost. But the cost of crosswalk accidents at a private facility or public crosswalk can be more costly – even devastating to the business or city.

While providing pedestrian safety systems for many industries, including private campuses and facilities, as well as airports, cities and school zones, we have witnessed that the cost of pedestrian accidents can massively outweigh the cost of prevention.

So What Do Pedestrian Accidents Cost?

All crosswalks carry a certain level of risk regardless of location. Whether it’s at a parking garage entrance or exit, a corporate campus parking area, a heavily used public downtown crossing, or at a trail crossing where pedestrians take walks – anywhere vehicles intersect with pedestrians potential danger exists.

For example, according to published data thousands of individuals are struck by automobiles that are backing out of parking spots every year. Parking lot accidents can take place at grocery stores, supermarkets, shopping malls, school parking structures, building parking garages and lots, airport parking structures, and just about any kind of parking lot. Low-speed impacts with pedestrians in parking lots are thought of as minor, but often result in serious and life-threatening injuries including fractures to the foot, knee and ligament damage, brain injuries, and facial injuries, even death. Victims of parking lot pedestrian accidents are entitled to compensation from all at fault parties.

Damages caused by pedestrian accidents can be easily mitigated by adding more safety lighting such as a pedestrian warning system, which is better known as a lighted crosswalk . Lighted crosswalks are a fixed cost.

Public streets, workplace and facility injuries, however, can create a financial ripple effect. This goes well beyond medical expenses and can cost any company, city or facility owners valuable time and money.

According to OSHA , it has been estimated that employers pay almost $1 billion per week for direct workers’ compensation costs alone. The costs of workplace injuries include direct and indirect costs.

What Are Direct and Indirect Costs?

Direct costs include workers’ compensation payments, medical expenses, and costs for legal services. Examples of indirect costs include legal representation, accident investigation and implementation of corrective measures, lost productivity, and costs associated with lower employee morale and absenteeism.

A Further Look Into These Costs:

Compensation for Employees or Injured Family Members

If a member of staff is injured in a work-related accident, it is the employer’s responsibility to cover any medical expenses. If a pedestrian is injured at a private or public parking garage or facility, the facility owners (or city if a publicly owned property) may be sued by the injured party and/or their family. Accidents victims at locations with a history of pedestrian accidents have been awarded upwards of $12M .

What You Can Do to Increase the Safety of Pedestrians?

Prevention is the key. You can help prevent any of these costs and potentially human lives by putting preventions in place:

Advanced Warning Lights

Smart crosswalk components: in-roadway warning lights (IRWLs), base plates, passive pedestrian detection bollards (or push buttons), LED border-enhanced warning signs (or RRFBs), solar or AC powered controller, and cabinet.

The most effective way to prevent pedestrian injury and accident costs is to install a LightGuard Systems advanced warning light solution. Lighted crosswalks are a proven method of alerting drivers of pedestrians inside a crosswalk. In-roadway warning lights are embedded into the asphalt ahead of the crosswalk. When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk, sensors trigger the system’s flashing lights. RRFBs or LED border-enhanced warning signs can also be added to increase the level of warning. Using motion detection devices, pedestrians can also be warned of approaching vehicles with LED warning signs, or other output devices available from LightGuard Systems.

The Price Is Irrelevant, as Pedestrians Lives Will Be Saved

The equipment cost of a LightGuard Systems smart crosswalk advanced warning solution (the prevention) starts at $5000 with an average system cost of $14,500 — which is far better than the ongoing costs of pedestrian accidents.

[1] Spotlight on Highway Safety, Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State, 2018 Preliminary Data, Governors Highway Safety Association, ghsa.org @GHSAHQ

Lightguard Systems Appoints New Distributor for Its Traffic Safety Product Line in the Southeast

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 08:09:41 GMT

LightGuard Systems® is pleased to announce that it has recently appointed SESCO Lighting as its new representative in the Southeast region for its traffic safety warning light system product line. SESCO Lighting will offer expert guidance on equipment selection and configuration, advising customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee—as well as Cuba and the Caribbean Islands—on the best LightGuard Systems solution for their particular needs.

Customers in these regions can now discuss their requirements for Smart Crosswalk™ in-roadway warning lights, solar wireless RRFBs, passive pedestrian detection sensors, radar detection devices, and illuminated warning sign systems directly with a SESCO Lighting sales expert.

As the largest lighting manufacturers’ representative company in the nation with over 50 years of experience, the SESCO Lighting team brings a strong technical background, along with the knowledge and experience to ensure their recommended solution will suit the customer’s application.

Sher Paz, National Sales Manager at LightGuard Systems said, “We are delighted to be working with SESCO Lighting to ensure that our customers receive the best support in the Southeast region. They’re a terrific team who shares our enthusiasm in representing LightGuard’s pedestrian and traffic safety product line.”

SESCO Lighting’s knowledge of the market—along with their relationship focused approach—will be invaluable in supporting LightGuard Systems to provide our customers from both government agency and private sector markets with a service that is second to none.

For more information or a quote, contact SESCO Lighting at info@sescolighting.com or (407) 629-6100 .

How We Help You Select the Right Lighted Crosswalk for Your Pedestrian Safety Project

Tue, 28 May 2019 07:49:06 GMT

When busy crosswalks face low driver compliance to pedestrians, installing a lighted warning countermeasure—such as LIGHTGUARD’s proven in-roadway warning lights, LED border enhanced warning signs, and/or solar flashing RRFBs—is a smart safety option. Deciding which one, or all of these, warning measures will be the most effective way to increase driver yieldings can be daunting.

Traffic engineers in the crosswalk jurisdiction should always access each location and recommend an appropriate treatment that takes into account traffic and pedestrian flow, speeds, weather conditions, visibility, cost, sun exposure, and other relevant information. Created as a quick visual guide, our product matrix helps to determine which of our lighted crosswalks is right for your installation location based on number of lanes, posted vehicle speeds, and power source.

Our product matrix helps to determine which of our lighted crosswalks is right for your installation location based on number of lanes, posted vehicle speeds, and power source.

Why Is It Important to Specify for Your Lighted Crosswalk Project?

Specifying the best lighted crosswalk countermeasure for your location is critical for ensuring safety, longevity, and cost-effectiveness. As the inventors of the lighted crosswalk category, our robust systems are time-tested with 25 plus years of installed systems to prove it.

If you are interested in a solar powered system, we apply our SolarCalculator™ tool to assess panel size and battery power needs – to ensure that your system always has enough power. Giving us the crosswalk location’s precise street address also helps us to determine if a solar panel will receive enough sun exposure latitudinally. Otherwise, our AC systems operate on 12 VDC, making them an attractive low-energy consumption alternative.

What Kind of Questions Do We Ask for a Solar Lighted Crosswalk Installation?

Our sales and engineering staff take the time to run multiple simulation equations for your installation in order to properly determine the best real-life scenario before making any recommendations. Our solar controllers are capable of collecting and storing data, such as time, date and number of activations, and can be adjusted for activation on/off times for multiple crosswalk zones.

We Will Start by Asking You Several Questions, Such as:

How many lanes does the crosswalk have?
What kind of LIGHTGUARD lighted crosswalk is desired, in-roadway warning lights (IRWLs), RRFBs or LED signs?
Did you know that IRWLs are commonly used in conjunction with RRFBs and/or LED signs to increase visibility to motorists?
Do you want solar power, or a solar wireless system? If solar power, does the site receive direct sun exposure?
Do you want passive or manual pedestrian activation?
How many activations in a 24 hour period are you expecting?
Where will the system be installed? Please be as specific as possible, including cross streets and google map site location.
Is the location in a snowy region or flood zone?

After we receive the above information, we recommend our best, most effective system and provide a cost estimates with other add on options, if desired.

Request a quote

To request a quote for a LightGuard Systems lighted crosswalk for your project, call us at (707) 542-4547 , or use our online Contact Us form available at our website. If you decide to use the online form, please include answers to the above questions in a MSWord or PDF file, and attach any plans, drawings, or photos you might have of the location. We will get back to you with any further questions before providing you with a price quote.

Lightguard Announces Development of Innovative Traffic Safety Warning App With U.S. Patent Awarded

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 07:35:42 GMT

SANTA ROSA, Calif., April 9, 2019—North Bay Area LightGuard Systems, Inc., manufacturer, distributor and tech leader of pedestrian/motorist warning traffic control devices announces the development of HeadsUp!®—a mobile traffic safety warning app for use at crosswalks, school zones, work zones, and on school buses and emergency vehicles, such as highway patrol units who are stopped along the roadway—among other applications.

HeadsUp! sends alerts via a beacon which transmits a BTLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) signal to the app in advance of pedestrian activity, roadway hazards, or other changes in traffic conditions. The beacon integrates with the company’s lighted crosswalks and can be installed at intersections, crosswalks, on school buses and work zone trucks, or worn on the body by a cyclist or jogger, for example.

HeadsUp! App sends alerts in advance of manual or on-demand events—such as a pedestrian activating a lighted crosswalk—and has a broad range of traffic safety applications, including roadway hazards, emergency vehicle, or other changes in traffic conditions.

Manual or on-demand events—such as a pedestrian activating a lighted crosswalk—trigger the beacon to communicate with the app via BTLE short-range communication. Motorists receive instant alerts—such as the presence of a pedestrian in an approaching crosswalk—via IOS or android mobile device.

HeadsUp! can substitute some CVI (Connected Vehicle Interface) functions, while also offering a more easily deployable, and less expensive option. Unlike CVI, its alerting system does not rely on line-of-sight. HeadsUp! also offers more timely alerts by broadcasting directly to a mobile phone—bypassing multiple communication layers, such as those CVI uses.

“Smart cities, schools, and the autonomous vehicle industry need a scalable way to tackle pedestrian and traffic safety,” says LightGuard Systems President Michael Harrison. “We believe that we have the solution and are excited to begin field testing.”

About LightGuard Systems

Lightguard Systems Solutions Include:

Warning systems for uncontrolled intersections and mid-block crosswalks
Equipment that triggers a system’s flashing lights
System controllers, data collection, storage and management devices
Solar wireless illuminated warning signs
Solar wireless flashing RRFBs

Applying Wireless Technologies to Pedestrian Safety Systems

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 06:53:56 GMT

Wireless Technologies Fill Different Roles in Pedestrian Safety Systems

By nature a wireless system only replaces wires, but it doesn’t replace the information passed on by the medium. Depending on what information needs to be communicated and/or its context, different technologies are deployed.

Solar Powered System

For example, some people refer to a solar powered system as wireless, since no external wires to the system (AC power lines) have to be connected for the power source. In this context, no information is communicated wirelessly.

Wireless Sensors

Another commonly deployed technology addresses wireless detection – identifying the presence of pedestrians at a crosswalk entrance in order to activate the safety systems. The generic term for this application is sensors. There are a host of sensor technologies designed for this purpose, where some fill the purpose efficiently and inexpensively, while others are costly and less effective.

Wireless Activation Devices

A third technology can be thought of as a wireless switch – like a garage door opener, or TV remote control, or a key fob, etc. The device transmits a signal to wirelessly activate a switch. These are deployed in crosswalk safety systems at all entrances to a crosswalk so that the signaling devices at each entrance don’t have to be physically connected to each other in order for the entire system to operate.

Remote Wireless Transfer

A fourth technology is an extension of the third. It facilitates bi-directional communication for remote information transfer. The key term here is remote. This application is deployed to operate equipment without actually being on site at the crosswalk controller. This technology is the most advanced and also supports the US DOT Integrated Traffic Systems goals.

LightGuard Wireless Crosswalk Alerting System Component Option List

Outputs:

RRFB-F

RRFB-FS

Illuminated signs

Overhead
beacons

Other

Electrical loads:

MUTCD compliant flash patterns, brightness/beam-patterns, 1w, 12vdc

MUTCD compliant flash patterns, brightness/beam-patterns, 2w, 12vdc

MUTCD compliant border enhanced, 5w, 12vdc

Interface for single beacon1,2or dual alternating beacons1,2, 25w max, 12vdc

Extensible message signs1, voice message & locator tones

Inputs:

PBA R10-25

PBA

PBA Guardian

Other

Activation Mechanisms:

Manual Piezo push button mechanism (4EVR), 0.5w 12vdc, MUTCD R10-25 sign

Manual Piezo push button mechanism, (4EVR), 1w, 12vdc, LED embedded sign pair

Manual Piezo push button mechanism, programmable voice message, 8w 12vdc, LED

Automatic IR (wireless) passive directional pedestrian detection bollard sensor 2w 12vdc, LED courtesy light

Motion sensors2, Microwave detectors1,2, loop detectors1,2

Power

Low

Medium

High

GRID (120VAC) or Solar

Solar: 30w min Solar Panel, 35AH Battery, 3A max

Solar: 55w min Solar Panel, 100AH Battery, 5A max

Solar: 80w min Solar Panel, 200AH Battery, 10A max

Controller

Configurable/Programmable, LCD, keypad, scheduled activations via internal RTC, data logging, supports up to 4 different outputs simultaneously

Wireless Communication
900MHz Industry Standard RF, FCC approved, secure node/gateway connections, supports 1 Master + 1 Slave up to 1 Master + 4 Slaves2 for multiple crosswalks managed from one controller

Upgrades
Enlighten1 Flash Rate, Bollard inputs, Multi-Slave (4 max), Dual Alternating Beacons, Multi-output Master

Static signs
Arrow, Pedestrian, school, etc…

1 – not supplied by LGS | 2 – additional upgrade required

LightGuard Solar Wireless System with Power, Outputs & Inputs Options

Pictured above: LightGuard’s Solar Wireless LGS-WRRFB-F System with power, outputs and inputs system options/call-outs.

System Configuration:
Controller — Configurable/programmable, LCD, keypad, scheduled activations via internal RTC, data logging, supports up to 4 different outputs simultaneously

Wireless activation hardware — 900MHz industry standard RF, FCC approved, secure node/gateway connections, supports 1 master + 1 slave up to 1 Master + 4 Slaves, 2 for multiple crosswalks managed from one controller

Upgrades — Enlighten1 flash rate, bollard inputs, Multi-Slave (4 max), Dual Alternating Beacons, Multi-output Master

Static signs — Arrow, pedestrian, school, etc…

How to Get a Lighted Crosswalk in Your Community

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 06:21:05 GMT

There is an unsafe crosswalk in your community and you want a lighted crosswalk installed. Sometimes the solution is as easy as making a phone call to your city’s traffic engineer. In reality, you may need to build a case, get community buy-in, and petition your city for an effective traffic safety solution. These 8 steps will help guide you through the process, and navigate the many traffic safety project hurdles that you may encounter along the way.

Step #1: Identify the Crosswalk that You Want “Lit Up”

Here are some highlights on pedestrian and traffic crashes and deaths from 2008 to 2017:

Identify the crosswalk location that you feel is unsafe and where you would like the city to install a lighted crosswalk system. To qualify for a lighted crosswalk system, the location must be an uncontrolled mid-block crosswalk, or uncontrolled intersection, where no traffic lights or signs [stop or yield] are used to indicate the right-of-way.

Step #2: Talk with Neighbors and Community

Find out if your neighbors and other community members also have a pedestrian safety concern around the same crosswalk that you have identified. If so, let them know that you are organizing a petition to the city to improve pedestrian safety by installing a Smart Crosswalk™, and that you will be planning and inviting them to a meeting to help organize and support this effort. If you can, organize a meeting through your block captain, neighborhood group, or homeowners’ association. If the crosswalk is at or near a school zone, contact the local PTA group, school principal, or other local organization for support. You will have an easier time approaching local officials if you work with existing community leadership.

Step #3: Research Your City’s Procedure

Research and be clear on your city’s procedure for traffic calming devices, such as lighted crosswalks. These specifics will help you determine your course of action. Cities may require a traffic or pedestrian crosswalk study before authorizing a lighted crosswalk system, so your initial goal might be to prompt this.

Identify the appropriate department and contact person. It may be public safety, engineering, public works, transportation, street, or something else.
Identify the local process for obtaining a traffic study, if one is required.
Identify legal and preferred [already in use] traffic calming methods for your municipality. Not every city allows lighted crosswalk systems, but most do.
Print related guides and applications from your local government’s website.

Step #4: Hold a Community Meeting & Begin Gathering Data

By now, you understand what your municipality requires and have defined the target crosswalk location in need of a lighted crosswalk system. Bring all of this with you to share with the community at the meeting. Additional research may need to be done and/or items filled out for the city. Items to discuss at the meeting could include:

The cause(s) of the unsafe crosswalk. Does heavy traffic start before and extend beyond your block and this location? Look at the bigger picture; try to be specific about the cause of the safety issue.
Establish who will be the liaison and contact between the neighborhood and the city.
Determine what data needs to be collected and who will be responsible for collecting it. Make sure the format is easy to understand. Data to collect includes:

Identify the number of pedestrian-generating facilities (Ex. schools, parks, restaurants, transit stops, shopping malls), basically any place that generates pedestrian activity, their proximity to the target area and frequency of occurrence.
Identify when heavy traffic, speeding, and any other driving condition that create hazards.
Identify pedestrian usage of the crosswalk, and times. [Most accidents occur at nighttime.]
Try to demonstrate that a number of cars aren’t stopping for pedestrians.
Identify the number or percentage of pedestrians considered vulnerable; this includes children under 12, seniors, disabled, etc.
Gather other data, accident reports, newspaper articles and stories about the crosswalk location.
It is helpful to collect testimonials from neighbors about how the dangers of this crosswalk affects their and/or their family’s safety, and impacts their quality of life.

Step #5: Create A Petition

By now you should have enough information to create your petition. You can create one yourself with space enough for 200 signatures (or more if required by the city). Print it out and begin gathering signatures, or use online petition sites such as: www.change.org , www.thepetitionsite.com or www.gopetition.com . Online petitions make signature-gathering and sharing easy, and let you email the petition directly to the city and other local officials. Be sure to collect addresses along with signatures, as the city will want to see the names of its local residents who are in favor of a lighted crosswalk. If accidents have occurred at this crosswalk, include URL links or photocopies of news articles, photos of the crosswalk, testimonials from residents, and documentation gathered from Step #4 and attach send with the petition.

Step #6: Present Your Case to the City

Present/send the signed petition, along with your city’s official application and documents created in Step #3. Include a cover letter with your contact information explaining your request for a lighted crosswalk system, such as a LightGuard Systems Smart Crosswalk, and the reasons your community wants this.

Provide the name of your neighborhood or organization and the crosswalk location.
Tell them why you are concerned about this crosswalk’s safety, and reference the neighborhood testimonials, data, accident reports, newspaper articles and stories collected in Step #4.
Explain that you’ve held a meeting and have a petition with a certain number of signatures from residents in the target area.
Explain the procedure you are following, such as the city’s application form.
Print (on official letterhead, if possible) and mail these to your city contact(s) identified in Step #3.

Step #7: Contact Other Local Officials

You should also identify and reach out to your local council person, police precinct and fire house. Ask your council person to send a letter of support to the city contact. Can they provide any resources to assist? Ask the precinct if they are able to conduct a traffic study, if needed.Report findings back to your community.

Step #8: Follow Up

However, if you do not hear back from your city contact within two weeks, call and follow up. Ask when you can expect to receive an answer about the installation of a lighted crosswalk system, and the next steps in the process. [You may need to do this several times.] If necessary, bring your formal complaint—and other concerned neighbors—to council meetings or other relevant public meetings.

TIP: If tax dollars are insufficient for funding a lighted crosswalk project, consider holding a fundraising event or online campaign. Funding sources could be neighbors, local businesses and government—anyone who has an interest or whose establishment will be affected by the project. Get pricing from LightGuard Systems on lowest cost options, such as a push button activated, AC powered flashing LED sign or RRFB system—a faster and less costly solution than a complete lighted crosswalk system with in-roadway warning lights. For ideas, take a look at our Smart Crosswalk Brochure and starting pricing .

INFOGRAPHIC: 2017 Trends in Traffic Fatalities

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 06:10:57 GMT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) releases its Traffic Safety Facts Research Notes on U.S. 2017 traffic fatalities. In 2017, despite a trend downward in traffic fatalities over the past 40 years, 37,133 people were killed in motor vehicle related crashes on U.S. roadways. Twenty-seven states saw a reduction in traffic fatalities in 2017, with California seeing the largest reduction, with 235 fewer fatalities. Twenty-two states saw an increase with the largest seen in Indiana, with 85 additional fatalities.

Here are some highlights on pedestrian and traffic crashes and deaths from 2008 to 2017:

RRFB Industry Updates & FHWA Approvals

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 04:42:25 GMT

Information for our Customers and Agencies Regarding the Federal Highway Administration’s Recent Rescission of Interim Approval for RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons)

RECENT UPDATES : January 29, 2018 & March 20, 2018 (at end)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has rescinded its approval of new installations of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), effective December 21st, 2017, due to on-going patent lawsuits which LightGuard Systems is not involved in or a party to, regarding the design of the RRFB.

What Are the Implications for Existing RRFBS?

As detailed in FHWA’s December 21st Memorandum, “Installed RRFBs may remain in service until the end of useful life of those devices and need not be removed.”

Any new RRFB installations after December 21, 2017 could present a liability risk for agencies and we are not recommending that RRFBs be proposed or installed on public roads until the patent issue is resolved.

For customers and agencies that have purchased or have an existing contract with LightGuard Systems to purchase RRFBs, but have not yet installed them, we recommend that the agency release a bid addendum to remove the installation of RRFBs, and substitute our MUTCD compliant Flashing LED Signs as a stand-alone system, or in conjunction with our in-roadway warning lights.

Managing Existing RRFB Systems

When existing RRFB devices are damaged and require replacement, it is recommended that the device be removed at the crossing location and replaced with another treatment, such as LightGuard Systems’ MUTCD compliant Flashing LED Signs and our Smart Crosswalk ™ in-roadway (embedded) warning lights.

LightGuard Systems’ Flashing LED Warning Sign Systems:

Offer high visibility and increased driver yieldings
Contain 96 super-bright, high-intensity LEDs
Our LEDs are high-powered, with 12 x’s more lights and 10 x’s more duty cycle rate than other flashing signs on the market
Are available in A/C, solar, and wireless solar power
Can be activated with push button, wireless detection bollard or radar
Can be used for continuous flashing applications
Can operate as a stand-alone system, or be paired with our in-roadway warning lights
Are cost effective and easy to install—making them an ideal, budget-friendly alternative to RRFBs
Are FHWA and MUTCD compliant

Available in 30” and 36”, our flashing LED signs are robust, maintenance-free and powerfully built. They flash at our Enlighten1™ rate, which is photosensitive epilepsy safe.

Our LED signs are time-tested with over twenty-five years of operation at thousands of locations throughout the US—offering an effective, tried and true crosswalk warning light solution.

To learn more and request a quote for your project, contact us today at (707) 542-4547 .

UPDATE: January 29, 2018

FHWA issued an update regarding current RRFB projects. Agencies that had previously requested and received approval from FHWA can complete projects that have documentation of RRFBs with procurements issued and/or construction plans underway prior to the December 21, 2017, notice. See Q3 on the MUTCD FAQ page for more details .

UPDATE: March 20, 2018

FHWA returns rectangular rapid flashing beacons to approved product list following patent cancellation. See the Memorandum: Interim Approval 21 – Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons at Crosswalks (IA-21) .

LIGHTGUARD’s TraxAlert™ ‘Lights Up’ RR Grade Crossing in Elk City, OK in USDOT Study

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 03:24:14 GMT

A demonstration was held with representatives from several agencies, including Volpe National Research Center, Farmrails, City of Elk City and the ODOT on September 18, 2017. This illuminating event commemorates the first installation and study of TraxAlert™ LED in-roadway warning lights (IRWL) used at a RR Grade Crossing in the state of Oklahoma. Funded by the USDOT Volpe National Research Center, the study will evaluate traffic behavior and motorist stopping yield rates before and after the IRWL installation. Results will be available in early 2018.

About TraxAlert™

TraxAlert™ is an in-pavement LED warning light signaling system designed for Rail Grade crossing safety. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 240,528 at-grade highway-rail crossings exist in the United States. Even with gates and signal lights, nearly 50% of vehicle-train collisions occur at crossings, creating the need for a more effective active traffic warning device. TraxAlert’s red and amber LED in-roadway warning lights (IRWL) are embedded into and across the roadway, creating two LED flashing warning lines in front of the railroad tracks. The amber IRWLs are located at the stop bar line and define where motorists should stop. The IRWL lights flash automatically, activated by the approaching train. First the red IRWL flash in a quick strobe pattern, then remain on until the train clears the track crossing zone. The amber lights continually flash for the duration of the train’s crossing.

About LightGuard Systems®

For twenty-five years, LightGuard Systems’—pioneers in traffic safety and inventors of lighted crosswalk systems—has helped cities, municipalities, schools, traffic safety and transportation engineers build safer crossing environments for pedestrians, students, employees, the elderly and disabled. Customers choose LightGuard for its easy-to-install, robust, reliable and cutting-edge-technology systems, better pedestrian safety outcomes, and a safer, more effective public safety traffic calming method. In a study conducted by Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation Inc., April 1998 , LightGuard’s systems increased driver yield rates to pedestrians from 20 percent to 95 percent in the evening.

LightGuard’s products can be customized to fit any uncontrolled marked crosswalks, crosswalks marked with pedestrian, school or trail crossing signs, at locations such as:

Urban mid-block crosswalks
School zones
Intersections with through lanes on major legs
Multi-lane crosswalks
Greenways
Trail crossings
Public parking garages
Corporate campuses
Rail Grade Crossings

LightGuard’s solutions include:

Lighted safety systems for crosswalk and pedestrian crossings
Automatic activation and manual push button devices that trigger a lighted crosswalk warning system’s blinking lights
System controllers, data collection, storage and management devices
Flashing LED pedestrian, stop, yield, school zone and other signs
Flashing LED Sign and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) systems

History of Smart Crosswalk™

In 1991, LightGuard’s President, Michael Harrison conceived the idea of a pedestrian crosswalk warning system after a close friend was involved in a fatal crosswalk crash. After several years of research and development, the first ever lighted crosswalk system was created. In 1999, LightGuard presented its technology to the Federal MUTCD Marker and Signals Committees, recommending amendments to the existing MUTCD manual. After both committees approved the recommendations, the FHWA made the final decision on the language and inclusion of in-roadway warning lights at crosswalks into the Millennium Edition of the Federal MUTCD. (See: MUTCD Section 4N ). LightGuard Systems® in-roadway warning lights (AKA lighted crosswalks), are now a recognized traffic calming standard in the U.S. LightGuard Systems holds multiple design and utility patents and is based in Santa Rosa, California.

LIGHTGUARD Continues Lighting the Way for Crosswalk Safety with Newest Model of Pedestrian Detection Bollard

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 09:41:44 GMT

The crosswalk safety and traffic calming device tech leader makes improvements to its automatic pedestrian-activated infrared bollard system with new NightGuide™ and customizable branded logo light embellishment.

Santa Rosa, Calif.—San Francisco North Bay Area LightGuard Systems announces updates to its Smart Crosswalk™ infrared Automatic Activation Bollard pedestrian detection system for better public crosswalk safety at urban neighborhoods, cities, airports, school zones, parking areas, campuses and private facilities using its Smart Crosswalk™ flashing LED systems, signs, and traffic calming pedestrian safety devices designed to alert motorists to pedestrians inside a crosswalk.

The next-generation Smart Crosswalk™ Automatic Activation Bollard (T6) is more attractive and offers more safety lighting features than its predecessor—and any other similar product in the industry—with a new fully customizable lighted logo embellishment on the front and improved courtesy light, NightGuide™—a downward conical-shaped light containing 16 LEDs that softly illuminates and calls pedestrians’ attention to the crosswalk entrance, ‘inviting’ them to a safer place to cross the street.

The Automatic Activation Bollard pedestrian detection system consists of entry ‘gateways’ created by two opposing bollards which are installed approximately 2’–4’ from the curb at the crosswalk entrance. As pedestrians enter the crosswalk and pass between the two bollards, infrared light beams detect their presence—activating a chain of automated silent and visual communications between the motorist, the pedestrian, the bollard, and the LED warning lights embedded into the pavement that are visible to approaching motorists up to 1,000 feet in advance of the crosswalk.

The Automatic Activation Bollard ‘gateway’ detection system was invented by the company in the early 90’s to provide the additional safety benefits that a lighted crosswalk system offers to the 67% of pedestrians who did not use the push button to activate the lights. (Whitlock & Weinberger, April 1998, page 32). Using the Automatic Activation Bollard—which requires no pedestrian action aside from walking inside the bollard gateway—nearly 100% pedestrian compliance, or usage, is achieved—providing safety to 67 more pedestrians per 100.

The new T6 bollard is backwards compatible with the company’s in-roadway warning light (IRWL) fixtures, flashing LED warning signs, solar, controllers, and other wireless ITS systems—but offers its fullest capabilities to customers using the complete Smart Crosswalk™ IRWL system with flashing pedestrian border-enhanced warning signs.

“Cities, schools and municipalities need a proven method to tackle the problems that distracted driving and lack of drivers’ awareness of crosswalks has on pedestrian safety,” says LightGuard Systems President Michael Harrison. “We have a solution. Smart Crosswalk™ alerts motorists, in real-time, of pedestrians inside a crosswalk.”

LIGHTGUARD’s products can be customized to fit any uncontrolled marked crosswalks, crosswalks marked with pedestrian, school or trail crossing signs, at locations such as:

Urban mid-block crosswalks
School zones
Intersections with through lanes on major legs
Multi-lane crosswalks
Greenways
Trail crossings
Public parking garages
Corporate campuses

“We want city and school leaders to know that technology can support their goals, whether it’s in public safety, reaching Vision Zero, creating a more walkable community, or avoiding a potential liability at an accident-prone crosswalk,” says LightGuard President Michael Harrison.

About LightGuard Systems®
For twenty-five years, LightGuard Systems’—pioneers in traffic safety and inventors of lighted crosswalk systems—has helped cities, municipalities, schools, traffic safety and transportation engineers build safer crossing environments for pedestrians, students, employees, the elderly and disabled. Customers choose LightGuard for its easy-to-install, robust, reliable and cutting-edge-technology systems, better pedestrian safety outcomes, and a safer, more effective public safety traffic calming method. In a study conducted by Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation Inc., April 1998 , LightGuard’s systems increased driver yield rates to pedestrians from 20 percent to 95 percent in the evening.

LightGuard’s solutions include:

Lighted safety systems for crosswalk and pedestrian crossings
Automatic activation and manual push button devices that trigger a lighted crosswalk warning system’s blinking lights
System controllers, data collection, storage and management devices
Flashing LED pedestrian, stop, yield, school zone and other signs
Flashing LED Sign and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) systems

History of Smart Crosswalk™

References
Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation, Inc. (1998, April 10). An Evaluation of Crosswalk Warning System Utilizing In-Pavement Flashing Lights, Pages 28-32.

Media Contact: Sharon Hustwit, Director of Marketing