SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – As one drives through South Lake Tahoe, they will notice the Caltrans US50 Safety Project coming to a close with several new features along US50.
The most obvious ones that many drivers are not aware of are the new Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs). There are now four, with the first one at South Tahoe Middle school being activated this week. The rest should be active next week. They are on the highway in front of Grocery Outlet, Taco Bell, and Whole Foods, Caltrans used data to create the safety project, determining the areas where pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles had a higher collision record.
The next new feature coming on board soon is the stop light at Johnson Blvd. in front of Safeway.
The PHBs consist of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. It will remain dark until a person pushes the button to activate it. When activated, the beacon displays a sequence of flashing and solid lights that indicate the pedestrian walk interval and when it is safe for drivers to proceed. The light will start with a blinking yellow, then a solid yellow before it turns red. Those crossing will not be able to safely cross until vehicles have stopped at the red light.
Drivers can then proceed when the solid red light changes and the person crossing is safely across.
Adding a PHB to a street results in:
- 55% reduction in pedestrian/vehicle incidents
- 29% reduction in total crashes
- 15% reduction in serious injury/fatal crashes
Also included in the $36 million safety project are new street lights on boths sides of the highway from the Y to Pioneer Trail, and a green painted bike lane.
