RRFB Industry Updates & FHWA Approvals

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RRFB Industry Updates & FHWA Approvals

websitebuilder • January 9, 2018

Information for our Customers and Agencies Regarding the Federal Highway Administration’s Recent Rescission of Interim Approval for RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons)

RECENT UPDATES: January 29, 2018 & March 20, 2018 (at end)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has rescinded its approval of new installations of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), effective December 21st, 2017, due to on-going patent lawsuits which LightGuard Systems is not involved in or a party to, regarding the design of the RRFB.

What Are the Implications for Existing RRFBS?

As detailed in FHWA’s December 21st Memorandum, “Installed RRFBs may remain in service until the end of useful life of those devices and need not be removed.”

Any new RRFB installations after December 21, 2017 could present a liability risk for agencies and we are not recommending that RRFBs be proposed or installed on public roads until the patent issue is resolved.

For customers and agencies that have purchased or have an existing contract with LightGuard Systems to purchase RRFBs, but have not yet installed them, we recommend that the agency release a bid addendum to remove the installation of RRFBs, and substitute our MUTCD compliant Flashing LED Signs as a stand-alone system, or in conjunction with our in-roadway warning lights.

Installed RRFBs — Santa Rosa, CA — Lightguard Systems

Managing Existing RRFB Systems

When existing RRFB devices are damaged and require replacement, it is recommended that the device be removed at the crossing location and replaced with another treatment, such as LightGuard Systems’ MUTCD compliant Flashing LED Signs and our Smart Crosswalk™ in-roadway (embedded) warning lights.

LightGuard Systems’ Flashing LED Warning Sign Systems:

Offer high visibility and increased driver yieldings
Contain 96 super-bright, high-intensity LEDs
Our LEDs are high-powered, with 12 x’s more lights and 10 x’s more duty cycle rate than other flashing signs on the market
Are available in A/C, solar, and wireless solar power
Can be activated with push button, wireless detection bollard or radar
Can be used for continuous flashing applications
Can operate as a stand-alone system, or be paired with our in-roadway warning lights
Are cost effective and easy to install—making them an ideal, budget-friendly alternative to RRFBs
Are FHWA and MUTCD compliant

Available in 30” and 36”, our flashing LED signs are robust, maintenance-free and powerfully built. They flash at our Enlighten1™ rate, which is photosensitive epilepsy safe.

Our LED signs are time-tested with over twenty-five years of operation at thousands of locations throughout the US—offering an effective, tried and true crosswalk warning light solution.

To learn more and request a quote for your project, contact us today at (707) 542-4547.

UPDATE: January 29, 2018

FHWA issued an update regarding current RRFB projects. Agencies that had previously requested and received approval from FHWA can complete projects that have documentation of RRFBs with procurements issued and/or construction plans underway prior to the December 21, 2017, notice. See Q3 on the MUTCD FAQ page for more details .

UPDATE: March 20, 2018

FHWA returns rectangular rapid flashing beacons to approved product list following patent cancellation. See the Memorandum: Interim Approval 21 – Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons at Crosswalks (IA-21).

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