East 12th Street gets new safety beacon

Pedestrians and motorists may have noticed a flashy new beacon on East 12th Street where Boggy Creek trail crosses the road. Courtesy of the Austin Public Works Urban Trails Program and Austin Transportation Department, the new RRFB (rectangular rapid flashing beacon) increases driver awareness of pedestrians, making it safer for people to cross the street. When a pedestrian presses the button, the beacon lights up, alerting drivers in the area. The city plans to test a new sensor later this summer “that allows people riding bikes to activate the RRFB without needing to dismount to press a button,” according to the Transportation Department.