Pedestrian Safety

The City of New Orleans is working on a range of safety initiatives to make it easier for residents and visitors to navigate our city’s streets, sidewalks and trails.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) 

The City of New Orleans is introducing the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) as a tool to help make it easier and safer for people to cross busy streets without impeding traffic. PHB signals can be installed on streets with regular traffic signals as part of the city’s coordinated signal system.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Phases

How the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Works

Motorists

• PHB signals are traffic signals that allow pedestrians to cross the road safely. PHB signals operate in a YELLOW > RED > FLASHING RED sequence to alert motorists that pedestrians need to cross the road.
• Unlike traffic signals, the PHB only operates when a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. Vehicles are free to move when no one is crossing the street.
• Motorists should respond to yellow and solid red lights in the same manner as any other traffic signal. After stopping for the red light, motorists may proceed through the crossing area during the flashing red light interval only when safe to do so without risk to pedestrians.

Pedestrians

• The pedestrian the signal works like other push-button-activated traffic signals.
• Lights on the PHB signal are activated when a pedestrian pushes the button one either side of the intersection’s crossing.

Question or Info?

Call the Department of Public Works at 504-658-8000.