Cave Creek staff propose new flashing beacons, crosswalk upgrades after years of pedestrian-safety work

Town staff told the Cave Creek Town Council they are moving ahead with plans to strengthen pedestrian protection in the town core by adding upstream warning beacons and upgrading three existing crossings.

At a workshop presentation, staff said the town in recent years has installed crosswalks at several downtown locations, followed a 2019 MAG (Maricopa Association of Governments) safety study and later added rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) and speed-feedback signs. “Today we’d like to talk about the pedestrian safety workshop,” staff said, framing the session as a review of those efforts and new project proposals.

Staff described a proposed configuration that would add solar-powered 12-inch pre-warning beacons about 100–150 feet upstream of each crosswalk so that a pedestrian activating the RRFB would also trigger the advance beacon; at night the activated system would briefly illuminate the crosswalk. The equipment for the three locations was estimated at about $28,000, which staff said was approximate and did not specify as per-crossing or total.

Council members pressed staff on several points: whether beacons should be yellow (the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, MUTCD, typically calls for yellow for warning devices) or red (which many residents associate with a definitive “stop”), whether to rely on push-button activation or automated sensors that detect pedestrians, and whether in-pavement flashing red lights would be more effective. Staff said automated detectors are more expensive and can produce false activations and recommended keeping push-button activation unless the council directs further study.

Councilmembers also asked for metrics tying the town’s investments to safety outcomes. Staff reported the town’s speed data shows a modest reduction—average speed is now about 36 mph and the 85th percentile about 37 mph, down from a reported 43 mph in the 2019 study—and said enforcement increases likely contributed to the decline. Staff also noted an outlier reading of 99 mph recorded by a speed-feedback sign in the early morning hours.

Locations singled out for upgrades included a proposed new crossing across from Circle K (Viola) where staff recommended placing one RRFB with an advance beacon and removing a nearby Hideaway crossing to avoid duplication; and the existing Linda Drive crossing, which previously had a benefit-cost ratio of about 2.3 and would see upgrades to handle expected pedestrian demand if a planned hotel is built. Staff told the council developers are extending sidewalks from adjacent subdivisions and that permit review for the hotel is in process.

Next steps: staff will research whether the chosen beacon devices can be configured or specified as red, evaluate compatibility of in-pavement lights, clarify the $28,000 equipment estimate, and return with refined cost and design options. No formal motion or council vote was recorded during the workshop discussion.

The council also asked staff to assemble state crash statistics so the town can publish confirmed trends and to coordinate with the sheriff’s office about increased patrols on busy weekend nights.