In recent years pedestrian safety has become an increasingly important issue. There are approximately 5,000 pedestrian deaths per year in the United States. Despite most states having some type of law that requires motorists to yield to pedestrians who are in a marked crosswalk, a recent FHWA study found that marked crosswalks are not safer than unmarked crosswalks. With the movement toward livable, walk-able communities and traffic calming, there is an ever increasing desire for more effective treatments to improve pedestrian safety.

There is a growing interest in enhanced treatments for mid-block crosswalks. One example of these treatments is our "Yield to Pedestrian" sign placed in the roadway. Yield to Pedestrian signs have the potential to substantially increase the percentage of motorists yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks adjacent to the sign.

In an effort to reduce the chances of accidents in school crosswalks, Davidson Traffic Control Products developed the Green Cross™ family of products for improving crosswalk safety. The Green Cross product line consists of:

• lightweight florescent safety posts & specially designed signs that mount in the middle of the road to highlight the location of crosswalks, alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians in the roadway, slow down traffic, and reduce crosswalk intrusions;

• several different bases for permanent or temporary placement of these safety posts in the roadway;

• STOP paddles for adult crossing guards that feature unbreakable, florescent plastic handles;

• a new type of flag for student crossing guards that is both lightweight and highly visible;

• Highly visible, ANSII-compliant safety vests for both adult and student school crossing guards.

Most of our products use a special color – Fluorescent Yellow Green – that is recognized by leading scientists as being quickly picked up by driver’s eyes. This color is so effective that it is restricted by the Federal government for use in crosswalks only. Now any time a driver sees this color, they know to be alert for pedestrians - especially children - who are in the roadway.

The Green Cross system offers the promise of a safer walk to and from school for thousands of children each year. Additional applications for the Green Cross product line include:

• pedestrian crosswalks at airport terminals and commercial parking garages;

• pedestrian crosswalks at universities, shopping centers and malls;

• Any location with heavy traffic and high pedestrian use where additional visibility is needed to provide that extra "Margin of Safety"