HAWK Thread

[SignBridge]

These basically are what many of us have called for in terms of HAWK beacons. The phasing is G/Y/SR/FR, with Steady Red displayed for the walk indication (+buffer) and Flashing Red displayed for the ped clearance interval.

Video from another installation: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QY2cYBbMadg

Unfortunately, compliance is still sub-par just like HAWK/PHB signals...

Overall, I do really like these signals, but I gotta love how the FDOT example video of a "Midblock" signal is literally not at a midblock location. I think that's okay, but maybe if it is at an intersection, replace the green with a flashing yellow (to indicate that cross traffic is possible).

An ICWS ("TRAFFIC ENTERING WHEN FLASHING") would probably be better than a continuous flashing beacon imho, based on some research I've seen. D2 is installing a bunch of them.

Yeah ! That video shows cross traffic going thru the intersection when the light is circular green! That shouldn't be. Any driver approaching that location will interpret the green light as an intersection traffic light, not a mid-block crosswalk, especially when the crosswalk is virtually at the intersection. FDOT's traffic engineers should know better than to set it up this way.!. And it's probably an MUTCD violation. Even a true HAWK signal would be less mid-leading.

[Revive 755]

^ Depends how one interprets the MUTCD.  Based on https://www.portland.gov/transportation/engineering/documents/half-signals/download there are some who don't consider 90 degree cross traffic as a minor conflict.

No movement that creates an unexpected crossing of pathways of moving vehicles or pedestrians should be allowed during any green or yellow interval, except when all three of the following conditions are met:
A. The movement involves only slight conflict, and
B. Serious traffic delays are substantially reduced by permitting the conflicting movement, and
C. Drivers and pedestrians subjected to the unexpected conflict are effectively warned thereof by a sign.

There's also the following for the pedestrian signal warrant:

A. If it is installed at an intersection or major driveway location, the traffic control signal should also control
the minor-street or driveway traffic, should be traffic-actuated, and should include pedestrian detection.

B. If it is installed at a non-intersection crossing, the traffic control signal should be installed at least 100 feet from side streets or driveways that are controlled by STOP or YIELD signs, and should be pedestrian-actuated. If the traffic control signal is installed at a non-intersection crossing, at least one of the signal faces should be over the traveled way for each approach, parking and other sight obstructions should be prohibited for at least 100 feet in advance of and at least 20 feet beyond the crosswalk or site accommodations should be made through curb extensions or other techniques to provide adequate sight distance, and the installation should include suitable standard signs and pavement markings.

There's nearly, if not identical language in the school crossing warrant section.

I seem to recall FHWA previously having more guidance against using "half signals" for crosswalks, possibly due to issues with side street traffic.

[mrsman]

There are many HAWKs (and half-signals and other equivalent types of signals) at intersections.  They really shouldn't be.  These devices are best suited for mid-block locations (or the few intersections that don't involve cross-traffic, like where the side street is a one-way street going away from the intersection or where side street traffic is forced to make a right turn onto the main street).

Half-signals at stop-sign intersections, as stated earlier, are contrary to driver expectations of seeing cross-traffic when the main street has a green.  It is also a problem that drivers on the side street don't really have the ability to control the signal (unless you send a passenger to push the button).

There is no good safety related reason for half-signals.  If they are present at an intersection, they should be full signals.

I think they are installed this way because the local DOT recognizes the problem of assisting ped crossing, but they don't want to induce auto traffic on the side street.  In my experience, especially in a busy city, if you have several parallel local streets, the street with the traffic signal will have more traffic, because drivers know that it is easier to cross the main street (or turn left) with the assistance of the signal.  But again, NIMBYism by residents on the local street should not dictate a safety decision.

Would a half-signal be better with a flashing yellow?  While it avoids the problem of the expectations that drivers have with respect to a green light (that cross traffic has a red and will stop and remain stopped) it maintains the problem that many of us have with the HAWKs, that the flashing yellow is misunderstood and that in most cases a flashing yellow is always a flashing yellow and drivers have no expectation that the flashing yellow ever turns red.

In my area, there is a pedestrian crossing at an intersection where drivers on the main street see a signal similar to fire station signals (flashing yellow most of the time, then faster flash, then solid yellow, then solid red).  The signal does not have a flashing red phase like a HAWK.  There are also more red light runners than expected, I believe because many drivers probably pass by here without the expectation that the light could ever turn red since it is flashing yellow most of the time.  So while I have my problems with it, I can say they address the side street problem, since the side street sees a flashing red most of the time (equivalent to the existing stop sign) and a solid red during the pedestrian phase.  So even when peds are crossing, drivers on the side street are not allowed to go straight or turn left, even though main street traffic is supposed to stop.

University Blvd and Reedie Drive in Wheaton, MD:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0399443,-77.042967,3a,75y,214.86h,85.08t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sc7iaCbyfS6hUrewH3wppig!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D4.924006788102574%26panoid%3Dc7iaCbyfS6hUrewH3wppig%26yaw%3D214.86240999034646!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D



In summary, the L.A. style (or Florida style) ped signal is a great alternative to HAWK, but it only belongs at a decent distance away from an intersection.  At intersections, a full signal should be used.