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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: hbelkins on September 17, 2021, 09:41:02 AM

Title: What's this device called?
Post by: hbelkins on September 17, 2021, 09:41:02 AM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51409502078_66b010322e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mjT8Tu)2021 Western road trip Day 4 - 043 (https://flic.kr/p/2mjT8Tu) by H.B. Elkins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hbelkins/), on Flickr

What is the official name of this pedestrian crossing signal? And wasn't there some sort of controversy about this type of device recently, where it was deleted but later restored to the MUTCD?
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: hotdogPi on September 17, 2021, 09:44:56 AM
RRFB (rectangular rapid flashing beacon)
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: Rothman on September 17, 2021, 10:19:50 AM
Quote from: 1 on September 17, 2021, 09:44:56 AM
RRFB (rectangular rapid flashing beacon)
I never can remember what the "r" stands for that doesn't stand for "rapid." :D
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: vdeane on September 17, 2021, 12:40:03 PM
As mentioned, they're RRFBs.  And yes, there was controversy due to a patent over the flash pattern.  This was resolved by changing to a more conventional flash pattern.

It hasn't yet made it to the full MUTCD... it had an interim approval (revoked and later restored due to said controversy) and is set to be fully incorporated with the 2020 MUTCD.
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: hbelkins on September 17, 2021, 02:04:35 PM
Quote from: vdeane on September 17, 2021, 12:40:03 PM
As mentioned, they're RRFBs.  And yes, there was controversy due to a patent over the flash pattern.  This was resolved by changing to a more conventional flash pattern.

It hasn't yet made it to the full MUTCD... it had an interim approval (revoked and later restored due to said controversy) and is set to be fully incorporated with the 2020 MUTCD.

Yep. I had forgotten what the dispute was over. They're popular in Montana. The photo I posted was from there, and I actually used one when I crossed the street at West Glacier.
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: SkyPesos on September 17, 2021, 02:14:45 PM
There's a similar type near where I live, but instead of a rectangular bar with flashing lights (those exist here too though), the lights are embedded into the edges of the sign. Also, the lights are triggered by a sensor instead of a button.
(https://i.imgur.com/0ymRN6Z.png?1)
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: Bruce on September 17, 2021, 02:18:12 PM
I thought they were common in cities across the country? They certainly are widespread in the Northwest, even in small towns.
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: Rothman on September 17, 2021, 02:23:32 PM
Quote from: Bruce on September 17, 2021, 02:18:12 PM
I thought they were common in cities across the country? They certainly are widespread in the Northwest, even in small towns.
They are in NY.
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: snowc on September 17, 2021, 02:27:58 PM
Quote from: Bruce on September 17, 2021, 02:18:12 PM
I thought they were common in cities across the country? They certainly are widespread in the Northwest, even in small towns.
(https://storage13.openstreetcam.org/files/photo/2020/6/23/proc/2447054_0_a6e82_4.jpg)
They are also here in the creek!
Title: Re: What's this device called?
Post by: jeffandnicole on September 17, 2021, 02:33:56 PM
They appear to be the preferred option in NJ as well.