Creating ways to make pedestrian crosswalks at intersections and across roads has always been a challenge. To step up from the basics, the HAWK crosswalk beacon was developed.
The HAWK or High-intensity Activated Crosswalk beacon can be used where current traffic lights are not in place. It is not used at controlled intersections as these types of systems are coordinated with the traffic lights. Instead, the HAWK is used when traffic is only stopped as pedestrian traffic is present.
It is also important not to mistake the HAWK for other types of traffic signal systems. These can include the systems in place outside of hospital emergency rooms, police stations or fire halls to stop traffic to allow emergency vehicles immediate access to the roadway.
Recent Safety Upgrade
The use of the HAWK crosswalk is actually very new. The device was first recognized in the US Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in 2009. It was originally developed in 2000 by Transportation Administrator Dr. Nassi working out of Tucson, Arizona.
The design of the system is familiar to most drivers. The overhead lights across the road will have two sets of lights, both identical. The top is two flashing red lights on each signal and the bottom is a single yellow flashing light.
How it Works
When there is no pedestrian traffic present, the all of the overhead lights are out on the system and on either side of the crosswalk a pedestrian walk light has the red hand for stop visible.
As the pedestrian approaches the crosswalk from either side, they can either push a button to activate the signal or they may be detected by the system. Either option will start the sequence of lights which go from flashing yellow to solid yellow and then solid red to bring traffic to halt.
At this point the pedestrian crossing light changes from the stop hand signal to the walking figure. This will remain on for the preset time and then the overhead red light begins to flash and then goes out, allowing the normal flow of traffic to resume.
During the flashing red there is the stop and proceed as clear protocol for drivers. Yellow is designed to indicate to drivers that the HAWK crosswalk signal is going to turn to red, allowing drivers advanced notice to slow down when approaching the crosswalk, even if they may not see a pedestrian.
