Due to the amount of pedestrian traffic crossing East Wooster Street, the Ohio Department of Transportation, City of Bowling Green, and Bowling Green State University conducted a joint safety study funded by ODOT to determine if more crosswalks were needed. As a result of this work, four additional crosswalks were recently installed – also funded by ODOT.
At two of these locations, pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHB) are scheduled to be added within the next few months. The PHBs will be located across from Founders Hall (east of Troup, near BGSU Lot Q) and at the Stroh Center.
A pedestrian hybrid beacon is a pedestrian-activated warning device located on the roadside or on mast arms over midblock pedestrian crossings. The beacon consists of three lights – two red lights over one yellow light. The beacon is dark until a pedestrian hits the activation button, at which time the yellow light will begin blinking followed by a solid yellow light – alerting motorists to prepare to stop. Solid red lights will then be displayed telling drivers that they must stop while pedestrians cross. Once the red lights begin to blink, motorists may proceed if the crosswalk is clear of pedestrians. At the conclusion of the lighting sequence, the blinking red lights will stop and the beacon will go dark again. The entire interval at both locations will be programmed to last approximately 30 seconds.
A video about the pedestrian hybrid beacon may be found on the engineering division’s webpage as well as a link to a U.S. Department of Transportation fact sheet. Questions about this work may be directed to the engineering division by calling 419-354-6227.
