Traffic Calming Measures That Work:

How Ellensburg's Complete Streets Create Safer Communities

In Washington's Kittitas Valley, the City of Ellensburg is transforming its streets through proven traffic calming measures and Complete Streets design. Rather than prioritizing vehicle speed, the city has embraced an approach focused on safety and accessibility for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. At the core of this transformation are advanced pedestrian crossing technology and crosswalk lighting systems that deliver measurable traffic calming results.

Complete Streets: A Comprehensive Approach to Traffic Calming Measures

Complete Streets use strategic traffic calming measures to create spaces where people can safely reach their destinations regardless of how they travel. By implementing infrastructure that naturally reduces speeds and increases driver awareness, these streets serve the entire community—from parents with strollers to students cycling to campus.

Proven Traffic Calming Measures in Action

Ellensburg's success relies on combining infrastructure design with advanced safety technology. The rapid flashing beacons at Pfenning Road demonstrate how modern pedestrian crossing technology serves as a powerful traffic calming measure at high-speed locations.

JSF Technologies' RRFB systems represent one of the most effective traffic calming measures available, increasing driver yield rates by up to 96% at crosswalks. These systems feature an intuitive on-board user interface that makes activation simple for all ages. When activated, high-intensity LED lights create unmistakable alerts that demand driver attention—especially critical since 76% of pedestrian incidents occur in low-light conditions.

Real-World Implementation

Ellensburg has deployed comprehensive traffic calming measures including:

Enhanced Crosswalk Safety:

• Rapid flashing beacons with pedestrian crossing signage

• Advanced crosswalk lighting systems with 24-hour flashers

• Curb bulb-outs that physically narrow lanes and slow traffic

• Median islands providing safe refuge while reducing vehicle speeds

Infrastructure-Based Traffic Calming:

• The 7th Avenue Bike Boulevard with sanctuary islands

• Shared use paths like the 8' wide Alder Street corridor

• Roundabouts maintaining flow while reducing speeds

• Narrow travel lanes that naturally slow speeds

Why JSF's Traffic Calming Measures Deliver Results

JSF Technologies offers proven traffic calming solutions that work in all conditions:

Solar-Powered Deployment: JSF's solar-powered beacons eliminate costly trenching, making urban crosswalk installation feasible across entire street networks. This streamlined approach reduces installation time and costs while expanding safety coverage.

Advanced Crosswalk Lighting: JSF's LumiWalk system floods crossing zones with vertical illumination when activated, addressing the visibility gap where 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark. Enhanced visibility naturally encourages drivers to slow down and yield.

24-Hour Protection: JSF's 24-hour flashers provide continuous traffic calming benefits at critical locations. Unlike traditional signage, these active traffic calming measures alert drivers day and night, ensuring consistent speed reduction regardless of conditions.

Smart Integration: JSF's Connected Beacon Series can be programmed for specific schedules—perfect for implementing traffic calming measures in school zones or playground areas. The on-board user interface allows easy configuration and real-time monitoring.

Measurable Results

Communities implementing JSF's traffic calming technology report:

• Driver yield rates increasing from 18% to 96% at crosswalks

• 47% reduction in pedestrian collisions

• Vehicle speed reductions of up to 7 MPH

• 30% reduction in pedestrian fatalities in major deployment areas

  
  

A Scalable Model for Any Community

Ellensburg's transformation demonstrates what's possible when comprehensive planning meets proven traffic calming measures. The Pfenning Road crossing shows how rapid flashing beacons with integrated crosswalk lighting create safer environments at high-speed locations. The 7th Avenue Bike Boulevard illustrates how multiple traffic calming measures—sanctuary islands, clear markings, strategic signage, and 24-hour flashers—work together to protect all road users.

For municipalities considering Complete Streets initiatives, Ellensburg proves you don't need massive budgets or years-long construction projects to implement effective traffic calming measures. Strategic deployment of JSF's crosswalk lighting systems, RRFB beacons, school zone systems, and 24-hour flashers delivers immediate traffic calming results.

The JSF Advantage: Comprehensive Traffic Calming Solutions

JSF Technologies specializes in traffic calming measures that make Complete Streets possible:

• Crosswalk Lighting Systems: LumiWalk provides vertical illumination that dramatically improves pedestrian visibility

• Advanced RRFB Systems: User-friendly devices that increase driver yielding and reduce speeds at crossings

• 24-Hour Flashers: Continuous traffic calming through round-the-clock visibility enhancement

• School Zone Traffic Calming: Programmable beacons that automatically activate during school hours

• Urban Crosswalk Installation: Solar-powered systems eliminating trenching requirements and reducing costs

• Smart City Integration: Centralized monitoring systems for managing entire traffic calming infrastructure

Building Safer Communities

By prioritizing people over speed with traffic calming measures that work, Ellensburg is building a more connected, accessible, and livable community. The integration of advanced crosswalk lighting, intuitive on-board user interfaces, efficient urban crosswalk installation practices, 24-hour flashers, and proven pedestrian crossing technology demonstrates a comprehensive approach to traffic calming.

Whether you're planning a single urban crosswalk installation or a city-wide Complete Streets initiative with comprehensive traffic calming measures, JSF's technology provides the foundation for measurable safety improvements and speed reduction.

Ready to implement proven traffic calming measures in your community? Learn more about how JSF Technologies' comprehensive safety solutions can support your Complete Streets and traffic calming initiatives.