"Across the state, 40 hybrid traffic lights - or pedestrian hybrid beacons - have been installed with more on the way to help people safely cross roads. But the design is confusing drivers and causing safety issues, according to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Unlike traditional traffic signals, these hybrid lights turn off when traffic moves freely, and are activated when a pedestrian presses the button to cross."
"Then the light sequence begins: A flashing yellow indicates to drivers they should slow down. A solid yellow means prepare to stop. Then, two solid red lights appear, signaling drivers to stop completely, while pedestrians have a walk signal to cross. Finally, two flashing red lights allows drivers to proceed if there are no pedestrians and the crosswalk is clear - similar to a stop sign. Cars have a "green light" when the hybrid light sequence ends and is turned off."
Forty pedestrian hybrid beacons have been installed across the state, with more planned, to help people safely cross roads while preserving vehicle traffic flow. The lights remain off when traffic moves freely and activate when a pedestrian presses the button, producing a five-stage sequence: flashing yellow, solid yellow, two solid reds for pedestrian walk, two flashing reds allowing proceed-if-clear, then off (vehicle green). UMass Amherst researchers observed compliance problems: nearly 25% of motorists ran solid reds, 65% ran flashing reds with pedestrians present, 9% stopped when lights were off, and 19% stopped during flashing yellow. Confusion poses danger to cyclists and runners on shared paths. MassDOT published an explanatory video in 2021.
Read at Boston.com
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