Metro has begun installing blue strobe lights atop its buses operating in the District of Columbia to serve as a warning to pedestrians.
The lights are designed to let pedestrians know a bus is headed their way, and Metro officials hope the move will lead to fewer pedestrians being struck by buses.
“We think they will alert pedestrians when our buses are approaching,” said Jack Requa, who returned Thursday to overseeing Metro’s bus division after spending three months as the system’s acting general manager.
“We are continuing to work to identify ways to improve pedestrian safety. We hope these cameras will make a difference.”
Metro buses have struck and killed seven pedestrians in the past 18 months.
Most recently, a woman was killed Jan. 16. She was hit while trying to cross at the Mount Pleasant intersection while Metrobus No. 4261 turned left from 16th Street NW onto Park Road.
A traffic sign was missing from the intersection that warned traffic that buses were allowed to turn left, while all other vehicles were banned from doing so. A new sign was erected days after the incident.
Metro is spending $300,000 to install the lights on 100 buses that operate in D.C.
