Pedestrian Signs

Pedestrian crossing signs are road warning signs used to alert drivers about the possibility of individuals crossing the road in front of their vehicle. By providing advance notice of high pedestrian activity areas, these signs help drivers prepare to slow down or stop at short notice and prevent pedestrian crashes. Pedestrian crossing signs are one of the means used to make roads safer for walking and are a common sight in areas with high pedestrian activity, such as school zones, city centers, and commercial areas.

Pedestrian crossing signs are covered in MUTCD Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers, which states that pedestrian warning signs may carry a black legend on a yellow or fluorescent yellow-green background on a diamond-shaped sign. Two types of pedestrian warning signs are described in the chapter: a pedestrian crossing sign (W11-2) and a pedestrian/bicycle crossing sign (W11-15). The chapter also covers the placement of pedestrian crossing signs, the use of supplemental plaques, and their use alongside corresponding yield and stop signs.

Pedestrian safety is important because walking is a basic and perhaps the most common mode of transport, and the number of pedestrians killed in road accidents remains high, since pedestrians are especially susceptible to heavy injuries and fatalities from direct vehicle impact. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities stood at 6,283 in 2018, with speeding, careless driving, negligence, ignorance of traffic rules, driving under the influence, poor road design, and lack of road infrastructure among the common factors contributing to pedestrian crashes. Creating a road network that promotes pedestrian safety and spreading awareness of traffic rules and best practices are both important to building a safe environment for road users.

Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings are intersections of a sidewalk or designated walkway and a roadway without any traffic control, such as a traffic signal or a stop sign. With inadequate pedestrian crossing accommodations, uncontrolled crossings often lead to higher pedestrian crash rates. Measures such as enhancing crosswalk visibility, implementing a road diet, and deploying curb extensions, raised crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and pedestrian hybrid beacons help manage uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, as detailed in an FHWA guide on pedestrian crossings.

An LED and solar powered pedestrian crossing sign is a MUTCD-compliant pedestrian crossing sign kit equipped with solar-powered LED lights that flash to draw extra driver attention to the crossing, offered in 24" x 24".

Yes, pedestrian crossing signs designed for school zones are available under a dedicated School Zone Signs category, in addition to general pedestrian, slow pedestrian crossing, and stop-for-pedestrian signs that can also be used in areas with high student foot traffic.

The most common types of pedestrian crossing signs include the pedestrian symbol sign, pedestrian crossing sign with graphic, slow pedestrian crossing sign, stop pedestrian crossing sign, yields-to-peds sign, and pedestrian crosswalk sign, each used to alert drivers to foot traffic at a specific location.

Yes, no pedestrian crossing and no pedestrian traffic signs are both available to indicate an area where pedestrian crossing or foot traffic isn't permitted, rather than warning drivers about pedestrians who may be present.