Key:flashing_lights

flashing_lights
Description
Further refinement for nodes already tagged with highway=crossing where crossing traffic receive a flashing caution light
Group: properties
Used on these elements
Requires
highway=crossing or footway=crossing
Useful combination
crossing_ref=* tactile_paving=* crossing:island=* crossing:signed=* kerb=* supervised=* lit=* wheelchair=*
Status: in use
flashing_lights=* More details at taginfo
Tools for this tag
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The flashing_lights=* tag indicates the presence of flashing lights to warn traffic at a highway=crossing (or similar) to be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists who wish to cross. Such a flashing light at a crossing might give some greater awareness to motorist and thus improve safety of crossing pedestrians.

The required behaviour of oncoming traffic varies from legislation to legislation (e.g. some legislations require to give priority if people want to cross, other legislations require motorists to always slow down, even if there is seemingly no-one). However, a flashing_lights=* generally does not indicate the obligation to stop - for this, traffic_signals=* is used.

The presense of this tag does not say anything about other aspects of the crossing, such as crossing:markings=*, button_operated=*, ...

Depending on the configuration, the lights might be flashing at all time (flashing_lights=always) or may only flash when a pedestrian/cyclists want to cross, activitating the flashlights with flashing_lights=button or flashing_lights=sensor.

The flashing lights themselves may be either included as part of roadside signage or integrated into the road like some traffic_calming=table structures have.

In the United States, a common type of flashing light for crossings is a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB).

Values

flashing_lights=no

This is the default or assumed state if the flashing_lights tag is not included and indicates that no flashing lights are present at the highway=crossing.

flashing_lights=yes

A flashing lights for crossing traffic is presence at the highway=crossing and no further information about it's operation or triggering is known. The flashing_lights=button, flashing_lights=always, or flashing_lights=sensor tag values are better and preferred selection when known.

German version/example of "Schutzblinker" safety indicators (e.g. the turning motorized traffic is warned especially on highway links about crossing pedestrians and cyclists who have priority):

flashing_lights=button

A button may be pressed by the pedestrian/cyclist wishing to cross which activates the flashing lights for crossing traffic.

flashing_lights=always

A flashing light is always operational at the crossing regardless of the presence of any pedestrian, cyclist, etc. This is different than flashing_lights=yes in that it indicates an always-on condition without trigger by either flashing_lights=button or flashing_lights=sensor while flashing_lights=yes does not specify the state or triggering.

flashing_lights=sensor

A flashing light is triggered by an approaching pedestrian/cyclist or movement in the waiting area of the crossing making an initial button press unnecessary and ideally allowing for the crossing pedestrian/cyclist to be able to cross without stopping. In some scenarios, the approach sensor doesn't provide safe crossing conditions, requiring crossing pedestrians/cyclists to stop at the crossing. In these scenarios it is not uncommon to see both a flashing_lights=sensor + flashing_lights=button values or flashing_lights=button;sensor

Use with other Tags

Combining with crossing=traffic_signals

Although uncommon, if the crossing pedestrian/cyclist has a traffic light while crossing traffic has only flashing lights, it is possible for these tags to be used together. It is far more common that, if the crossing pedestrian/cyclist have a highway=traffic_signals node, that the crossing traffic will likewise have a highway=traffic_signals node.

Combining with crossing:signed=*

flashing_lights=* are sometimes mounted on the same post as a warning sign. This can be indicated with crossing:signed=*.

See also

• crossing:light=* used mostly on railway=crossing and railway=level_crossing
• crossing:signed=*
• light:flash=* for light_source=* from Proposed features/Key:light source
• seamark:light:character=* and seamark:light:period=* for seamark:type=light_* from Seamarks/Lights