‘Confusion at the crosswalk’: Drivers, pedestrians unsure about crossing beacons

Drivers fail to yield to pedestrians. And pedestrians enter the crosswalk without pushing the button.

These are the occurrences at many crosswalks where there is a pedestrian hybrid beacon, a crosswalk with a traffic signal, to indicate to drivers when they should stop and to pedestrians when they should move, according to research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Both drivers and pedestrians in Massachusetts are confused at these crosswalks, particularly in Western Massachusetts, because of how uncommon they are, said Michael Knodler, director of UMass Amherst's Transportation Center.

The research, led by Knodler's student, Angelina Caggiano, a Ph.D. candidate at the university, showed that in places like Somerville and Cambridge, pedestrian hybrid beacons are more common. The research was conducted between November 2022 and May 2024.

"There are different roadways there, and people are used to seeing (pedestrian hybrid beacons)," she said. In Western Massachusetts, there are only a handful of these kinds of crosswalks: one in Springfield on State Street, plus a few in Northampton and Hadley. One is coming soon to Pittsfield.

A pedestrian crossing at 858 State St. in Springfield. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook

Across the state, 40 pedestrian hybrid beacons have been installed, and others are in planning stages, according to Caggiano.

"Pedestrian safety is critical, and (pedestrian hybrid beacons) offer a promise of both safety and efficiency," said Knodler.

The beacons have five phases that signal how motorists should move.

The "dark" mode is when no pedestrian has activated the beacon; drivers proceed as usual.

When a pedestrian pushes the walk button, a yellow light begins to flash; indicating to drivers to slow down.

When the yellow turns solid, it tells drivers to prepare to stop.

Solid red requires drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians; walkers or non-motorists would see the typical "walk" sign on.

A flashing red means stop and proceed if the crosswalk is clear, as a driver would do at any stop sign.

The beacons, which are much more popular in Arizona and Texas, are "favored by traffic engineers, because they don't require warrants as other crosswalks might," said Caggiano. Warrants on roadways are a specific set of conditions that spur a signal installation.

In Western Massachusetts, the research showed that drivers yielded to pedestrians prior to approaching the beacons when near a rail trail or shared-use path.

At wider road crossings, the research found lower compliance by drivers than in other places, Caggiano said.

"These (beacons) are relatively new. They have potential, but drivers and pedestrians need to understand what its purpose is," said Knodler.

He explained that as the beacons gain popularity, drivers and pedestrians' compliance should increase.

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