3.0 Signing, Markings and Channelization

3.9.3 Recommended Guidelines

Flashing Beacon Design Issues and Guideline Development

Some of the significant issues to consider in using flashing beacons/warning lights are the following:

Avoiding confusion by approaching users with the installation of a flashing beacon next to a lane-use signal centered over a toll lane;
Selecting a location to mount a flashing beacon on both sides of the canopy lane status sign that results in maximum effectiveness in distinguishing a dedicated ETC lane both at a distance and within the queue zone of the conventional plaza;
Selecting a location to install a flashing beacon on either an impact attenuator or toll island crash block/rampart that will be most effective in avoiding single vehicle collisions with the toll island protection materials.
The flashing beacon design and installation should be in full compliance with the MUTCD.

Flashing Beacon Guidelines

Guideline	Flashing Beacons/Warning Lights Design Guideline 1
Title	Supplement to Lane-use Signals
Text	Flashing beacons should not be installed together with lane-use signals, as it provides contradictory information to drivers.
Commentary	Use with lane-use signals presents contradiction to MUTCD.

Guideline	Flashing Beacons/Warning Lights Design Guideline 2
Title	Supplemental to Canopy Signs
Text	Flashing beacons may be used as warning devices with canopy lane status signs for ETC dedicated lanes only, with the intended purpose of indicating the location of the dedicated ETC lane(s) when approaching the conventional plaza lanes.
Commentary	Installation of the flashing beacon at the bottom of the lane status sign has been shown to be effective in highlighting the location of the ETC dedicated lanes when maneuvering within the queue zone to find the toll lane with the shortest vehicle queue.

Guideline	Flashing Beacons/Warning Lights Design Guideline 3
Title	Overall use of Flashing Beacons
Text	Flashing beacons may be used in overhead mounts to supplement canopy lane status signs for ETC dedicated lanes, or on impact attenuators backup blocks or toll island crash blocks/ramparts at toll plazas.
Commentary	Use should be limited as much as possible to minimize distractions to drivers. Only the yellow color application should be considered. An automatic dimming device may be used to reduce the brilliance during night operation. The flashing beacons mounted on the island should be at an appropriate height above the ground for viewing.

Federal Highway Administration - United States Department of Transportation