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Interpretation Letter 4(09)-61 (I) — Use of an Alternative Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Sign

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1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.
Washington, D.C. 20590

December 5, 2016

In Reply Refer To: HOTO-1

Mark Luszcz, P.E., PTOE
Chief Traffic Engineer
Delaware DOT
P.O. Box 778
800 Bay Road
Dover, DE 19903

Dear Mr. Luszcz:

Thank you for your October 26 letter requesting an official interpretation as to whether it is permissible to use an alternative sign instead of the CROSSWALK, STOP ON RED (symbolic circular red) (R10-23) sign that is required in Paragraph 8 of Section 4F.02 of the 2009 MUTCD to be used in conjunction with a pedestrian hybrid beacon.

You were prompted to request this official interpretation because your agency and other agencies across the country have noticed that some drivers do not seem to understand that the flashing red signal indications allow them after coming to a complete stop to proceed across the crosswalk if it is safe to do so. Drivers have been observed to remain stopped during the entire period that the red signal indications are flashing even when the crosswalk is clear.

In response to the situation described in the previous paragraph, the FHWA has developed an alternative word message sign that better describes the road user's responsibilities during the various portions of the pedestrian hybrid beacon cycle. The alternative sign is designated as an R10-23a sign and is illustrated on the attached page.

It is the FHWA's official interpretation that a CROSSWALK, STOP ON RED, PROCEED ON FLASHING RED WHEN CLEAR (R10-23a) word message sign may be used instead of the required R10-23 sign in conjunction with a pedestrian hybrid beacon.

For recordkeeping purposes, we have assigned the following official ruling number and title: "4(09)-61 (I) – Use of an Alternative Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Sign." Please refer to this number and title in any future correspondence regarding this topic.

Thank you for your interest in improving the clarity of the provisions contained in the MUTCD.

Sincerely yours,

Original signed by:

Mark R. Kehrli
Director, Office of Transportation Operations


Layout of the R10-23a sign:

Crosswalk Stop on Red Proceed on Flashing Red When Clear

Long description for CROSSWALK, STOP ON RED, PROCEED ON FLASHING RED WHEN CLEAR sign