Proposal:Tag:flashing lights:design
| flashing lights:design | |
|---|---|
| Proposal status: | Draft (under way) |
| Proposed by: | Pietervdvn |
| Tagging: | |
| Applies to: |  
|
| Definition: | The design of a flashing light above a pedestrian crossing |
| Statistics: |
|
| Draft started: | 2026-01-18 |
Proposal
This tag is to be used with flashing_lights=yes to indicate the precise design of the flashing lights.
This will also allow traffic_sign=* + flashing_lights=yes to indicate that a flashing light is integrated of placed on the pole of the traffic sign.
Up till now, flashing_light=* is only used in the context of a highway=crossing
Some types of barriers (such as barrier=traffic_calming or barrier=sump_buster might also have flashing lights, and will get flashing_lights=*
Rationale
There are multiple types of flashing lights in use - sometimes even with legal repercussions.
Sometimes, contributors want to tag the type of flashing light and abuse crossing_ref=* for this (e.g. crossing_ref=hawk or crossing_ref=rrfb as used in the US, hence poluting that tag.
Tagging
| Tag | Applicable country | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
flashing_lights:design=belisha_beacon |
UK, Ireland, Common Wealth | A Belisha beacon (/bəˈliːʃə/) is a yellow-coloured globe lamp atop a tall black and white striped pole, marking pedestrian crossings of roads. |
 |
flashing_lights:design=standard |
* | A plain, orange flashing light. Note that the signal face (the drawing on the light) is not relevant for this tag. |
 |
flashing_lights:design=traffic_sign |
* | The flashing lights are integrated into the traffic sign |  .jpg) |
flashing_lights:design=rrfb |
US | "rectangular rapid flashing beacon |
 |
flashing_lights:design=road_surface_bulbs flashing_lights:design=road_surface_strip |
* | There are flashing lights embedded in the road surface, either as bulb or as a led-strip. Might also be found around barrier=traffic_calming or barrier=sump_buster objects (Note for the proposal - I've used 'road_surface' as 'pavement' is american english and can be confused with sidewalk; i've also opted for _bulbs and _strip, as this felt more as a design instead of a location) |
 |
| Please, add relevant examples |
Possible tagging mistakes
HAWK-beacons (US)
The hawk-beacon functions as a traffic light, except that it has flashing red/amber instead of green/orange/red. Cars must stop in one phase and are allowed to continue in another phase. As such, traffic_signal=hawk is more appropriate.
Other sources
https://ctre.iastate.edu/research-synthesis/intersections/flashing-beacons/
Features/Pages affected
flashing_lights=*will be broadened to includetraffic_sign=*and be linked from- Crossings will receive a link to this tag
External discussions
The first mention of flashing_lights:design=* was mentioned in this forum post. Earlier posts in the thread mention the desire for this tag, albeit with a different key.
The thread introducing this proposal is here
Out of scope
Signal face
The signal face is the icon on the traffic light or the flashing light. It typically depicts a pedestrian, a cyclist, a car or an arrow. Signal faces can be implemented by painting on the traffic signal, by using a removable lens or by having the light itself be constructed out of multiple small LED-lights, in a certain pattern.
Comments
Please comment on the discussion page.