902.20 In-Roadway Warning Lights (MUTCD Chapter 4U) - Revision history

Hoskir: Renamed, renumbered and updated article due to MUTCD updates (See Special Ballot) moved from 902.14

2026-01-05T18:31:10Z

Renamed, renumbered and updated article due to MUTCD updates (See Special Ballot) moved from 902.14

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 5 January 2026
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	==902~~.14.1 Application of In-Roadway Lights~~ (MUTCD ~~Section 4N~~.~~01)==~~		[[Category:902 Signals (MUTCD Part 4)\|902.20]]

	~~'''Support~~.~~'''~~ In-Roadway Lights are special types of highway traffic signals installed in the roadway surface to warn road users that they are approaching a condition on or adjacent to the roadway that might not be readily apparent and might require the road users to slow down and/or come to a stop. This includes situations warning of marked school crosswalks, marked midblock crosswalks, marked crosswalks on uncontrolled approaches, marked crosswalks in advance of roundabouts as described in [[:Category:620 Pavement Marking\|EPG 620 Pavement Marking]], and other roadway situations involving pedestrian crossings.		=={{SpanID\|902.20.1}}902.20.1 Application of In-Roadway Warning Lights (MUTCD Section 4U.01)==

	'''~~Standard~~.''' In-Roadway Lights ~~shall~~ not be ~~used for any application that is not~~ described in ~~this article~~.		'''Support. '''In-Roadway Warning Lights are special types of highway traffic signals installed in the roadway surface to warn road users that they are approaching a condition on or adjacent to the roadway that might not be readily apparent and might require the road users to reduce their speed and/or come to a stop. This includes situations warning of marked school crosswalks, marked midblock crosswalks, marked crosswalks on uncontrolled approaches, marked crosswalks in advance of roundabouts as described in [[620.4 Circular Intersection Markings (MUTCD Chapter 3D) #620.4\|EPG 620.4]], and other roadway situations involving pedestrian crossings.

	~~If used,~~ In-Roadway Lights shall not ~~exceed a height of 3/4~~ in~~. above the roadway surface~~.		'''Standard. '''In-Roadway Warning Lights shall not be used for any application that is not described in this Article.

	When used, In-Roadway Lights shall be flashed and shall not be steadily illuminated.		When used, In-Roadway Warning Lights shall be flashed and shall not be steadily illuminated.

	'''Support.''' Steadily illuminated lights installed in the roadway surface are considered to be internally illuminated raised pavement markers (see [[620.2 Pavement and Curb Markings (MUTCD Chapter 3B)#620.2.~~11 Raised Pavement Markers (MUTCD Section 3B.11)~~\|EPG 620.2.11]]).		'''Support. '''Steadily illuminated lights installed in the roadway surface are considered to be internally illuminated raised pavement markers (see [[620.2 Pavement and Curb Markings (MUTCD Chapter 3B) #620.2.16\|EPG 620.2.16]]).'''

	'''Option.''' In-Roadway Lights may be flashed in a manner that includes a continuous flash of varying intensity and time duration that is repeated to provide a flickering effect (see EPG 902.14.2).		'''Option. '''In-Roadway Warning Lights may be flashed in a manner that includes a continuous flash of varying intensity and time duration that is repeated to provide a flickering effect (see [[902.20 In-Roadway Warning Lights (MUTCD Chapter 4U) #902.20.2\|EPG 902.20.2]]).

	~~==902~~.~~14.2~~ In-Roadway Warning Lights ~~at Crosswalks (MUTCD Section 4N~~.~~02)==~~		'''Standard. '''If used, In-Roadway Warning Lights shall not exceed a height of ¾ inch above the roadway surface.

	~~'''Option~~.~~'''~~ In-~~roadway lights may be installed~~ at ~~certain marked crosswalks, based on an engineering study or engineering judgment, to provide additional warning to road users~~.		=={{SpanID\|902.20.2}}902.20.2 In-Roadway Warning Lights at Crosswalks (MUTCD Section 4U.02)==

	'''Standard.''' If used, In-Roadway Warning Lights at crosswalks shall be installed only at marked crosswalks with applicable warning signs. They shall not be used at crosswalks controlled by YIELD signs, STOP signs or traffic control signals.		'''Option. '''In-Roadway Warning Lights may be installed at certain marked crosswalks, based on an engineering study or engineering judgment, to provide additional warning to road users.

			'''Standard. '''If used, In-Roadway Warning Lights at crosswalks shall be installed only at marked crosswalks with applicable warning signs. They shall not be used at crosswalks controlled by YIELD signs, STOP signs, traffic control signals, or pedestrian hybrid beacons.

	If In-Roadway Warning Lights are used at a crosswalk, the following requirements shall apply:		If In-Roadway Warning Lights are used at a crosswalk, the following requirements shall apply:
			:A. Except as provided in the third and fourth option paragraphs of this Article, they shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk and shall span its entire length.
	:A. Except as provided in the ~~Option below~~, they shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk and shall span its entire length.

	:B. They shall initiate operation based on pedestrian actuation and shall cease operation at a predetermined time after the pedestrian actuation or, with passive detection, after the pedestrian clears the crosswalk.		:B. They shall initiate operation based on pedestrian actuation and shall cease operation at a predetermined time after the pedestrian actuation or, with passive detection, after the pedestrian clears the crosswalk.
			:C. They shall display a flashing yellow light when actuated. The flash rate shall be at least 50, but not more than 60, flash periods per minute. If they are flashed in a manner that includes a continuous flash of varying intensity and time duration that is repeated to provide a flickering effect, the flickers or pulses shall not repeat at a rate that is between 5 and 30 per second to avoid frequencies that might cause seizures.
	:C. They shall display a flashing yellow light when actuated. The flash rate shall be at least 50, but no more than 60, flash periods per minute. If they are flashed in a manner that includes a continuous flash of varying intensity and time duration that is repeated to provide a flickering effect, the flickers or pulses shall not repeat at a rate that is between 5 and 30 per second to avoid frequencies that might cause seizures.		:D. They shall be installed in the area between the outside edge of the crosswalk line and 10 feet from the outside edge of the crosswalk.

	:D. They shall be installed in the area between the outside edge of the crosswalk line and 10 ~~ft.~~ from the outside edge of the crosswalk.

	:E. They shall face away from the crosswalk if unidirectional, or shall face away from and across the crosswalk if bidirectional.		:E. They shall face away from the crosswalk if unidirectional, or shall face away from and across the crosswalk if bidirectional.

	If used on one-lane, one-way roadways, a minimum of two In-Roadway Warning Lights shall be installed on the approach side of the crosswalk. If used on two-lane roadways, a minimum of three In-Roadway Warning Lights shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk. If used on roadways with more than two lanes, a minimum of one In-Roadway Warning Light per lane shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk.		If used on one-lane, one-way roadways, a minimum of two In-Roadway Warning Lights shall be installed on the approach side of the crosswalk. If used on two-lane roadways, a minimum of three In-Roadway Warning Lights shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk. If used on roadways with more than two lanes, a minimum of one In-Roadway Warning Light per lane shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk.

	'''Guidance.''' If used, In-Roadway Warning Lights should be installed in the center of each travel lane, at the center line of the roadway, at each edge of the roadway or parking lanes, or at other suitable locations away from the normal tire track paths.		'''Guidance. '''If used, In-Roadway Warning Lights should be installed in the center of each travel lane, at the center line of the roadway, at each edge of the roadway or parking lanes, or at other suitable locations away from the normal tire track paths.

	The location of the In-Roadway Warning Lights within the lanes should be based on engineering judgment.		The location of the In-Roadway Warning Lights within the lanes should be based on engineering judgment.

	'''Option.''' On one-way streets, In-Roadway Warning Lights may be omitted on the departure side of the crosswalk.		'''Option. '''On one-way streets, In-Roadway Warning Lights may be omitted on the departure side of the crosswalk.

			Based on engineering judgment, the In-Roadway Warning Lights on the departure side of the crosswalk on the left-hand side of a median may be omitted.

	~~Based on engineering judgment~~, the In-Roadway Warning Lights on the ~~departure side of~~ the ~~crosswalk on~~ the ~~left side of a median may be omitted~~.		Unidirectional In-Roadway Warning Lights installed at crosswalk locations may have an optional, additional yellow light indication in each unit that is visible to pedestrians in the crosswalk to indicate to pedestrians in the crosswalk that the In-Roadway Warning Lights are in fact flashing as they cross the street. These yellow lights may flash with and at the same flash rate as the light module in which each is installed.

	~~Unidirectional~~ In-Roadway Warning Lights ~~installed at crosswalk locations may have an optional, additional yellow light indication in~~ each ~~unit that is visible~~ to ~~pedestrians~~ in the crosswalk to ~~indicate~~ to pedestrians in the crosswalk ~~that the In-Roadway Warning Lights are~~ in ~~fact flashing as they cross the street. These yellow lights may flash with and at~~ the ~~same flash rate as the light module in which each is installed~~.		'''Guidance. '''If used, the period of operation of the In-Roadway Warning Lights following each actuation should be sufficient to allow a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk to leave the curb or shoulder and travel at a walking speed of 3.5 feet per second to at least the far side of the traveled way or to a median of sufficient width for pedestrians to wait. Where pedestrians who walk slower than 3.5 feet per second, or pedestrians who use wheelchairs, routinely use the crosswalk, a walking speed of less than 3.5 feet per second should be considered in determining the period of operation.

	~~'''Guidance.''' If~~ used~~, the period of operation of the~~ In-Roadway Warning Lights ~~following each actuation should be sufficient to allow a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk to leave the curb or shoulder and travel at a walking speed of 3.5 ft. per second~~ to ~~at least the far side of the traveled way or to a median of sufficient width~~ for pedestrians to wait. Where pedestrians who walk slower than 3.5 ft. per second, or pedestrians who use wheelchairs, routinely use the crosswalk, a walking speed of less than 3.5 ft. per second should be considered in determining the period of operation. See [[902.6 Pedestrian Control Features (MUTCD Chapter 4E)#902.6.6 Pedestrian Intervals and Signal Phases (MUTCD Section 4E.06)\|EPG 902.6.6 Pedestrian Intervals and Signal Phases]] for additional information.		An audible information device should be used with In-Roadway Warning Lights to provide assistance for pedestrians with vision disabilities.

	'''Standard.''' If pedestrian ~~pushbuttons~~ are used to actuate the in-~~roadway lights~~, a PUSH BUTTON ~~TO TURN ON~~ WARNING LIGHTS ~~(with pushbutton symbol)~~ (R10-25) sign (see MUTCD ~~Figure~~ 2B~~-26~~) shall be ~~mounted~~ adjacent to ~~or integral with each~~ pedestrian ~~pushbutton~~.		'''Standard. '''If pedestrian push buttons (rather than passive detection) are used to actuate the In-Roadway Warning Lights, a PUSH BUTTON FOR WARNING LIGHTS/WAIT FOR GAP IN TRAFFIC (R10-25) sign (see [[903.2 Regulatory Signs and Barricades (MUTCD Chapter 2B) #903.2.47\|EPG 903.2.47]]) shall be installed adjacent to a pedestrian push button detector explaining the purpose and use of the pedestrian push button detector.

	Where the period of operation is sufficient only for crossing from a curb or shoulder to a median of sufficient width for pedestrians to wait, median-mounted pedestrian actuators shall be provided.		Where the period of operation is sufficient only for crossing from a curb or shoulder to a median of sufficient width for pedestrians to wait, median-mounted pedestrian actuators shall be provided.

			If an audible information device is used in conjunction with In-Roadway Warning Lights, the audible information device shall not use vibrotactile indications or percussive indications.

			'''Guidance. '''If an audible information device is used in conjunction with In-Roadway Warning Lights, the audible message during the time that the lights are flashing should be a speech message that says, “Warning lights are flashing.” The audible message should be spoken twice.
	~~[[Category:902 Signals\|902~~.~~14]]~~

Hoskir: Hoskir moved page 902.14 In-Roadway Lights (MUTCD Chapter 4N) to 902.20 In-Roadway Warning Lights (MUTCD Chapter 4U): renumbered and renamed due to MUTCD Update (See Special Ballot)

2026-01-05T18:29:12Z

Hoskir moved page 902.14 In-Roadway Lights (MUTCD Chapter 4N) to 902.20 In-Roadway Warning Lights (MUTCD Chapter 4U): renumbered and renamed due to MUTCD Update (See Special Ballot)

← Older revision	Revision as of 13:29, 5 January 2026
(No difference)

Smithk: Per Traffic, new article to bring policy into substantial compliance with the 2009 MUTCD.

2012-01-18T17:00:08Z

Per Traffic, new article to bring policy into substantial compliance with the 2009 MUTCD.

New page

==902.14.1 Application of In-Roadway Lights (MUTCD Section 4N.01)==

'''Support.''' In-Roadway Lights are special types of highway traffic signals installed in the roadway surface to warn road users that they are approaching a condition on or adjacent to the roadway that might not be readily apparent and might require the road users to slow down and/or come to a stop. This includes situations warning of marked school crosswalks, marked midblock crosswalks, marked crosswalks on uncontrolled approaches, marked crosswalks in advance of roundabouts as described in [[:Category:620 Pavement Marking|EPG 620 Pavement Marking]], and other roadway situations involving pedestrian crossings.

'''Standard.''' In-Roadway Lights shall not be used for any application that is not described in this article.

If used, In-Roadway Lights shall not exceed a height of 3/4 in. above the roadway surface.

When used, In-Roadway Lights shall be flashed and shall not be steadily illuminated.

'''Support.''' Steadily illuminated lights installed in the roadway surface are considered to be internally illuminated raised pavement markers (see [[620.2 Pavement and Curb Markings (MUTCD Chapter 3B)#620.2.11 Raised Pavement Markers (MUTCD Section 3B.11)|EPG 620.2.11]]).

'''Option.''' In-Roadway Lights may be flashed in a manner that includes a continuous flash of varying intensity and time duration that is repeated to provide a flickering effect (see EPG 902.14.2).

==902.14.2 In-Roadway Warning Lights at Crosswalks (MUTCD Section 4N.02)==

'''Option.''' In-roadway lights may be installed at certain marked crosswalks, based on an engineering study or engineering judgment, to provide additional warning to road users.

'''Standard.''' If used, In-Roadway Warning Lights at crosswalks shall be installed only at marked crosswalks with applicable warning signs. They shall not be used at crosswalks controlled by YIELD signs, STOP signs or traffic control signals.

If In-Roadway Warning Lights are used at a crosswalk, the following requirements shall apply:

:A. Except as provided in the Option below, they shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk and shall span its entire length.

:B. They shall initiate operation based on pedestrian actuation and shall cease operation at a predetermined time after the pedestrian actuation or, with passive detection, after the pedestrian clears the crosswalk.

:C. They shall display a flashing yellow light when actuated. The flash rate shall be at least 50, but no more than 60, flash periods per minute. If they are flashed in a manner that includes a continuous flash of varying intensity and time duration that is repeated to provide a flickering effect, the flickers or pulses shall not repeat at a rate that is between 5 and 30 per second to avoid frequencies that might cause seizures.

:D. They shall be installed in the area between the outside edge of the crosswalk line and 10 ft. from the outside edge of the crosswalk.

:E. They shall face away from the crosswalk if unidirectional, or shall face away from and across the crosswalk if bidirectional.

If used on one-lane, one-way roadways, a minimum of two In-Roadway Warning Lights shall be installed on the approach side of the crosswalk. If used on two-lane roadways, a minimum of three In-Roadway Warning Lights shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk. If used on roadways with more than two lanes, a minimum of one In-Roadway Warning Light per lane shall be installed along both sides of the crosswalk.

'''Guidance.''' If used, In-Roadway Warning Lights should be installed in the center of each travel lane, at the center line of the roadway, at each edge of the roadway or parking lanes, or at other suitable locations away from the normal tire track paths.

The location of the In-Roadway Warning Lights within the lanes should be based on engineering judgment.

'''Option.''' On one-way streets, In-Roadway Warning Lights may be omitted on the departure side of the crosswalk.

Based on engineering judgment, the In-Roadway Warning Lights on the departure side of the crosswalk on the left side of a median may be omitted.

Unidirectional In-Roadway Warning Lights installed at crosswalk locations may have an optional, additional yellow light indication in each unit that is visible to pedestrians in the crosswalk to indicate to pedestrians in the crosswalk that the In-Roadway Warning Lights are in fact flashing as they cross the street. These yellow lights may flash with and at the same flash rate as the light module in which each is installed.

'''Guidance.''' If used, the period of operation of the In-Roadway Warning Lights following each actuation should be sufficient to allow a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk to leave the curb or shoulder and travel at a walking speed of 3.5 ft. per second to at least the far side of the traveled way or to a median of sufficient width for pedestrians to wait. Where pedestrians who walk slower than 3.5 ft. per second, or pedestrians who use wheelchairs, routinely use the crosswalk, a walking speed of less than 3.5 ft. per second should be considered in determining the period of operation. See [[902.6 Pedestrian Control Features (MUTCD Chapter 4E)#902.6.6 Pedestrian Intervals and Signal Phases (MUTCD Section 4E.06)|EPG 902.6.6 Pedestrian Intervals and Signal Phases]] for additional information.

'''Standard.''' If pedestrian pushbuttons are used to actuate the in-roadway lights, a PUSH BUTTON TO TURN ON WARNING LIGHTS (with pushbutton symbol) (R10-25) sign (see MUTCD Figure 2B-26) shall be mounted adjacent to or integral with each pedestrian pushbutton.

Where the period of operation is sufficient only for crossing from a curb or shoulder to a median of sufficient width for pedestrians to wait, median-mounted pedestrian actuators shall be provided.

[[Category:902 Signals|902.14]]