Walk+Bike+Roll Randolph

Update on Flashing Beacon Donation

The chair of the Randolph Selectboard asked us to defer discussion of the rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) that we want to donate to the town from the June meeting to this week on Thursday, July 10. You can see the details about the situation here – https://walkbikerandolph.org/2025/06/10/selectboard-to-consider-donation-of-15k-in-improvements/.

On Monday morning, 7/7/25, we met with the chair (Trini Brassard) and with John Shangraw, the Town highway supervisor, to review the proposed location and to hear their concerns. Trini raised some questions about having an outside party in charge of putting in infrastructure that the Town will then own. We don’t feel like that is insurmountable. We are willing to collaborate with the Town in whatever way they feel comfortable to make this work. 

Trini also expressed concern with having flashing lights in the downtown i.e. what will the public think of them. Of course, that is impossible to tell and it is unlikely that 100% of the public will be in favor of them (there is rarely, if ever, 100% support of anything that government does). However, we see the almost certain benefit of the flashing beacon signs as outweighing the grumblings of a small minority. That is really the crux of the question before the board on Thursday. Do they support the idea of pedestrian safety enough to outweigh minor administrative concerns and minor impacts to snow removal practices by the town crew? 

Note that the Federal Highway Administration lists RRFBs as a “proven pedestrian safety countermeasure” with up to 47% reduction in pedestrian crashes and an increase of 98% (almost doubling) in driver yielding rates. This is solid data that these features work to make it safer to walk. 

John was somewhat ambivalent about the signs, although with a short staff, he is leery of anything that adds to his workload. That is understandable. 
We hope that a majority of the Selectboard will see the benefit of this safety improvement for which we have secured funding and whose construction we will oversee. Please consider attending the meeting in person or virtually to express your feelings.