Proposed North Main Street Crosswalk Changes

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Project Overview

Hudson City Council is seeking citizen input on proposed North Main Street crosswalk changes designed to increase pedestrian safety and improve traffic flow from Aurora Street to Church Street.

Based on citizen concerns and Council’s direction, a traffic study was performed that recommended the following improvements to those crosswalks.

  1. Remove the existing crossing on North Main Street at the mid-block which connects to the sidewalk at the center of the Clocktower Green.
  2. Upgrade the existing crosswalk on North Main Street at Church Street at the south end of the Clocktower Green by installing a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB). The new beacon, when activated by a pedestrian, would signal traffic to completely stop in both directions.

Click here to view the entire study.

1. Remove the existing crossing on North Main Street at the mid-block which connects to the sidewalk at the center of the Clocktower Green.
2. Upgrade the existing crosswalk on North Main Street at Church Street at the south end of the Clocktower Green by installing a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB). The new beacon, when activated by a pedestrian, would signal traffic to completely stop in both directions.





What is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)?

A PHB only is visible when activated by a pedestrian. Rather than flash yellow like the current crosswalk signals, it goes to yellow then red, indicating traffic should stop in both directions. It also is overhead, rather than on the side of the street like the current beacons.


How is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Different Than the Current Signals?

When a pedestrian activates a PHB, a flashing yellow light is followed by a solid red light. This on-demand operation offers enhanced pedestrian safety by providing a clear red light and visual/audio alerts for pedestrians, particularly for those visually impaired to know when traffic has stopped.

Being overhead like a regular traffic light rather that by the sidewalk, PHBs are more visible to motorists and the red light compels them to stop. According to the Federal Highway Administration, PHBs reduce pedestrian crashes by 55%. In addition, an activated PHB can coordinate with nearby Adaptive Signals, minimizing traffic delays. Watch the video to learn how PHBs work.


Why Eliminate the Mid-Block Crosswalk?

The current flashing crosswalks -- called Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) -- were installed to increase driver awareness of pedestrians. However, their flashing yellow caution lights have posed challenges, especially for the visually impaired. The current crosswalk signals don't require vehicles to come to a complete stop, making it difficult for pedestrians to know if it is truly safe to cross.

In addition, with the current two yellow-flashing signals (Mid-Block and Church Street) at such close proximity, there is no way to coordinate them with nearby traffic signals, leading to pedestrian and vehicle flow disruptions and increased congestion.

We Need Your Input!

Take the survey below to let Council know how you feel about adding a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at the Church Street crosswalk and eliminating the mid-block crosswalk. Click on the survey link below.

Project Overview

Hudson City Council is seeking citizen input on proposed North Main Street crosswalk changes designed to increase pedestrian safety and improve traffic flow from Aurora Street to Church Street.

Based on citizen concerns and Council’s direction, a traffic study was performed that recommended the following improvements to those crosswalks.

  1. Remove the existing crossing on North Main Street at the mid-block which connects to the sidewalk at the center of the Clocktower Green.
  2. Upgrade the existing crosswalk on North Main Street at Church Street at the south end of the Clocktower Green by installing a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB). The new beacon, when activated by a pedestrian, would signal traffic to completely stop in both directions.

Click here to view the entire study.

1. Remove the existing crossing on North Main Street at the mid-block which connects to the sidewalk at the center of the Clocktower Green.
2. Upgrade the existing crosswalk on North Main Street at Church Street at the south end of the Clocktower Green by installing a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB). The new beacon, when activated by a pedestrian, would signal traffic to completely stop in both directions.





What is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)?

A PHB only is visible when activated by a pedestrian. Rather than flash yellow like the current crosswalk signals, it goes to yellow then red, indicating traffic should stop in both directions. It also is overhead, rather than on the side of the street like the current beacons.


How is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Different Than the Current Signals?

When a pedestrian activates a PHB, a flashing yellow light is followed by a solid red light. This on-demand operation offers enhanced pedestrian safety by providing a clear red light and visual/audio alerts for pedestrians, particularly for those visually impaired to know when traffic has stopped.

Being overhead like a regular traffic light rather that by the sidewalk, PHBs are more visible to motorists and the red light compels them to stop. According to the Federal Highway Administration, PHBs reduce pedestrian crashes by 55%. In addition, an activated PHB can coordinate with nearby Adaptive Signals, minimizing traffic delays. Watch the video to learn how PHBs work.


Why Eliminate the Mid-Block Crosswalk?

The current flashing crosswalks -- called Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) -- were installed to increase driver awareness of pedestrians. However, their flashing yellow caution lights have posed challenges, especially for the visually impaired. The current crosswalk signals don't require vehicles to come to a complete stop, making it difficult for pedestrians to know if it is truly safe to cross.

In addition, with the current two yellow-flashing signals (Mid-Block and Church Street) at such close proximity, there is no way to coordinate them with nearby traffic signals, leading to pedestrian and vehicle flow disruptions and increased congestion.

We Need Your Input!

Take the survey below to let Council know how you feel about adding a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at the Church Street crosswalk and eliminating the mid-block crosswalk. Click on the survey link below.