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There are pedestrian crossing signals in
several locations in Ada County but
never one like the new “HAWK” signal.
HAWK stands for High-intensity Activated
crossWalK signal. The Ada County Highway
District (ACHD) has received approval to
use the new type of signal at crossing
locations in Boise, Eagle and Meridian in an effort to
increase pedestrian safety.
Click here
to watch a video clip of what the signal
looks like.
The new HAWK signal uses traditional
traffic and pedestrian signal heads but
in a different configuration, with
features that have not been used on any
other ACHD signal. The Boise HAWK signal is located about
500 feet west of the Cole and Ustick
intersection in Boise.
Click here to learn about the two
HAWK signals in Eagle. Two are
planned for Meridian in fall 2009.
When not activated, the signal is dark. It is activated when
a pedestrian pushes the walk button. The HAWK signal begins
flashing yellow to indicate to drivers someone will be using
the crosswalk. It then goes to solid yellow like a typical
traffic signal, advising drivers to prepare to stop. The
signal then turns solid red, requiring drivers to stop at
the crosswalk. Finally, the signal goes to flashing red,
letting drivers know that after coming to a complete stop,
they can proceed once the pedestrian has crossed safely. The
signal then turns to the dark condition.
The HAWK pedestrian crossing signals have greatly improved
pedestrian safety in Tucson, Arizona where it was found that the
device substantially improves motorist stopping behavior.
The technology has been so successful that the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) visited Tucson to look at the
crossings and see how well they might work in other cities.
Other cities, including Portland, Oregon have also received
permission to install and use HAWK signals. ACHD is one of
the latest agencies to get permission to use the HAWK
signal.
ACHD manages and maintains all traffic and pedestrian
signals in Ada County, as part of its duties as a countywide
highway district.
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ACHD traffic engineers are studying how motorists respond to the
signals. There have been a variety of reactions from drivers, but for the
most part people are able to use the signal effectively. ACHD is working
to educate pedestrians and motorists
about how the new signals work. ACHD has
also provided police officers with information on how the HAWK signal
operates.
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If you'd like to contact ACHD staff about the new HAWK signal, please call
387-6140 or at tellus@achdidaho.org.