City staff outlines West Spring Valley pedestrian upgrades: first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon and overhead RRFBs, education plan

City staff presented details of the West Spring Valley pedestrian improvement project and described the traffic-signal technology and outreach that will accompany it.

Staff said West Spring Valley was identified in a 2021 regional pedestrian-safety plan and later studied in a Federal Highway Administration road-safety audit. As part of implementation, the city is installing a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) at one mid-block crossing and enhanced Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) with overhead mounting to improve driver visibility at others.

A staff presenter explained the PHB differs from an RRFB because a PHB can display a red light to drivers when pedestrians are present; the PHB will show a pedestrian "walk/don't walk" indication and stop drivers during pedestrian phases. The staff presenter said this PHB is the first of its kind in Richardson and noted the overhead RRFBs are being used to increase visibility across multiple lanes.

Committee members questioned timing and synchronization. Staff said pedestrian phases will be timed so pedestrians can cross the full width of the road and that at some locations the new signals will be tied to the nearby Spring Valley and Coit intersection to prevent queueing. Staff indicated the new signals were expected to be turned on by the end of the month as final programming is completed.

To support the transition, staff said the city will publish English and Spanish materials, post an informational web page (including a QR code), produce yard signs, and run social media and outreach to explain how the new signals operate and how road users should behave.

Next steps: staff will complete final programming and activate the signals, continue monitoring after activation, and bring DART or other regional partners to a future meeting to discuss bus-stop amenities in the area.