What Is It?
Sharrows are a bicycle marking placed in the travel lane that remind motorists and bicyclists to share the lane. They are usually installed in areas where there is not enough room for a designated bicycle lane. Sharrows help:
• Motorists and bicyclists safely use the same space;
• Bicyclists avoid hitting the open door of a parked vehicle;
• Encourage safe passing; and • Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling.
How to Drive in a Sharrow Lane
When driving in a sharrow lane, drivers should remember bicycles are the same as cars with the same rights and responsibilities as a vehicle. Bicyclists should also follow the same rules of the road and use hand signals to let cars know when they are turning and wear reflective, colorful clothing that can be seen whether it is day or night.
Ohio roads serve drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. It is a complex system requiring cooperation and coordination. To help choreograph these complicated movements, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other agencies use signals and pavement markings to guide users in the right direction. Following are descriptions of new signals and markings that may not be as familiar as the traditional traffic stop.
New SignalS & PavemeNt markings
rOaDwaY 411By the
NEW SIGNALS & PAVEMENT MARKINGS FACT SHEET
SHaRrOws OR BiCYClE markings
What Is It?
A pedestrian hybrid beacon, also known as a HAWK or high-intensity activated cross walk, stops traffic so pedestrians can cross safely. The beacon, which is two red signals above a yellow one, is activated by the pedestrian when they want to cross the street. Warning lights flash letting traffic know to slow down and stop so the pedestrian can cross, and again to let the pedestrian know when the clearance time is ending.
How to Cross Using a HAWK
The HAWK is dark until the pedestrian pushes a button that activates the device. Once pushed, the yellow light will flash then turn to a steady yellow beacon followed by a steady red beacon alerting drivers to stop. A WALK indication lets the pedestrian know it is safe to cross. Once the pedestrian phase is finished, the WALK flashes notifying the pedestrian the time to cross is over. The red beacons flash to let drivers know the pedestrian crossing time is ending before all beacons go dark and traffic can move forward.
reCtangULar raPiD FlasH BeaCOn (rRFB)
PeDeStrian HYBRiD BeaCOnS (HawkS)INSTRUCTIONS FORDRIVERS PEDESTRIANS
1Proceed
with caution
Push the button
to activate the
system
2
Slow down
A pedestrian has activated
the system
Wait
3Prepare
to stop
Continueto
wait
4
STOP
A pedestrian is in the
crosswalk
Start crossing when all vehicles
have stopped
5
STOP
Proceed with
caution if the
crosswalk is
clear
Continue crossing, the signal
will countdown
6
Proceed if the
crosswalk is clear
Push the
button to activate the system
Dark until activated
Flashing yellow
Steady Don’t Walk
Steady Don’t Walk
Steady yellow Steady Don’t Walk
Steady red Steady Walk
Alternating ashing red
Dark again until activated
Flashing Don’t Walk
with countdown
Steady Don’t Walk
INSTRUCTIONS FORDRIVERS PEDESTRIANS
1Proceed
with caution
Push the button
to activate the
system
2
Slow down
A pedestrian has activated
the system
Wait
3Prepare
to stop
Continueto
wait
4
STOP
A pedestrian is in the
crosswalk
Start crossing when all vehicles
have stopped
5
STOP
Proceed with
caution if the
crosswalk is
clear
Continue crossing, the signal
will countdown
6
Proceed if the
crosswalk is clear
Push the
button to activate the system
Dark until activated
Flashing yellow
Steady Don’t Walk
Steady Don’t Walk
Steady yellow Steady Don’t Walk
Steady red Steady Walk
Alternating ashing red
Dark again until activated
Flashing Don’t Walk
with countdown
Steady Don’t Walk
INSTRUCTIONS FORDRIVERS PEDESTRIANS
1Proceed
with caution
Push the button
to activate the
system
2
Slow down
A pedestrian has activated
the system
Wait
3Prepare
to stop
Continueto
wait
4
STOP
A pedestrian is in the
crosswalk
Start crossing when all vehicles
have stopped
5
STOP
Proceed with
caution if the
crosswalk is
clear
Continue crossing, the signal
will countdown
6
Proceed if the
crosswalk is clear
Push the
button to activate the system
Dark until activated
Flashing yellow
Steady Don’t Walk
Steady Don’t Walk
Steady yellow Steady Don’t Walk
Steady red Steady Walk
Alternating ashing red
Dark again until activated
Flashing Don’t Walk
with countdown
Steady Don’t Walk
www.pedbikeimages.org/Mike Cynecki www.pedbikeimages.org/Mike Cynecki www.pedbikeimages.org/Mike Cynecki
What Is It?
Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB) use an attention grabbing, high-intensity beacon with an irregular flash similar to emergency flashers to alert drivers that pedestrians are in the roadway. They are used at unsignalized intersections, mid-block crossings, or roundabouts where there are no signals or stop signs. The beacons are activated by the pedestrian with a push button or through a pedestrian detection system, and are usually placed on pedestrian yellow yield signs. Research has shown this type of signal is effective in getting drivers to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, which may be due to the unique rapid flash which is eye catching even at a distance. When not in use, the beacon remains dark until activated.
How to Cross with an RRFB
When approaching an intersection with an RRFB, slow down and stop to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway. Move forward only when the flashing stops and the lights go dark.
NEW SIGNALS & PAVEMENT MARKINGS FACT SHEET
FlasHiNG YeLlOW aRrOwWhat Is It?
Drivers are often frustrated when a signal prevents them from making a left turn even though it is safe to do so. A flashing yellow arrow gives drivers the option to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic which has the green light. Once the yellow flash turns to a steady yellow arrow, drivers know the signal is about to turn red and they either stop before entering the intersection or complete their turn. A steady red arrow indicates no traffic should enter the intersection.
How to Make a Turn with a Traffic Signal
Drivers making a turn at a dedicated turn lane with a traffic signal have the right of way when there is a steady green arrow. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians are stopped. When the yellow arrow is flashing, drivers know left turns are permitted once there is no oncoming traffic. When making the turn, drivers should look for pedestrians in the crosswalk and for bicyclists, both of which have the right of way. Flashing yellow arrows help move traffic more efficiently by giving drivers more opportunities to make a left-hand turn.
NEW SIGNALS & PAVEMENT MARKINGS FACT SHEET