The city of Alexandria, Virginia (128,000), has installed in-ground flashing beacons at two pedestrian crosswalks to alert drivers that pedestrians are in the roadway. The beacons are installed in the road surface and use the same LED lights that are used in airport runways to guide airplanes as they land. The lights begin flashing when pedestrians press a button before crossing the street, and they continue to flash for at least 30 seconds—long enough for the pedestrian to reach the other side safely. To further enhance pedestrian safety, one crosswalk with in-ground beacons that is located near a subway station has a brick-like paver crosswalk, which provides enhanced visibility during the day, when the beacons are less noticeable. This crosswalk also has a pedestrian refuge island in the middle of the street. Pedestrians who walk more slowly can thus aim to get halfway across during the first green light and wait safely on the island until the light turns green again. Paul DeMaio Traffic Calming Coordinator City of Alexandria 301 King Street, Suite 1000 Alexandria, VA 22314 703/519-3400 ext. 217 Fax: 703/519-3356 E-mail: paul.demaio@alexandriava.gov Web site: ci.alexandria.va.us/tes/td/traffic_calming/calming.html