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A new pedestrian crossing safety system is being tested in Tashkent.
On Osiyo Street in Mirzo-Ulugbek district, RRFB technology — high-intensity beacons — has been introduced in test mode together with a new type of active road sign, according to the press service of the Traffic Management Center.
The system is designed so that drivers can notice the pedestrian crossing from any lane and from any direction of travel. The complex is intended for streets with low and medium traffic intensity.
“Signal beacons are installed on the roadside, in the center of the street and on a high overhead bar above the roadway, following the principle used for installing main traffic lights. Support poles with call buttons have been installed on both sides of the road. After the button is pressed, bright yellow signal lights on the upper part of the poles turn on instantly,” the statement says.
The “Pedestrian Crossing” sign itself is made in the form of an illuminated box, ensuring good visibility of the crossing from a distance, especially at night.
It is emphasized that, according to large-scale studies by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), RRFB technology can completely change driver behavior.
In particular, statistics show that at ordinary zebra crossings, drivers yield to pedestrians on average in only 18–30% of cases. After RRFB beacons are installed, this figure may rise to 98%, as drivers brake in almost 100% of cases.
In addition, the system allows drivers to react four times faster: the driver notices the flashing strobe light and begins to slow down smoothly long before reaching the zebra crossing.
“This is one of the first pilot projects introducing the RRFB approach into Uzbekistan’s road infrastructure. In Tashkent, this technology is being used in test mode and will help assess its practical effectiveness in improving pedestrian safety,” the Traffic Management Center concluded.
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