New pedestrian signals sighted

[Bryant5493]

I've seen these not quite a bit, but I have seen them: there's some on U.S. 23/S.R. 13 in Suwanee and Buford Highway in Chamblee and Doraville. As well as in Washington, D.C.


Be well,

Bryant

[Scott5114]

Am I the only one snerking at the convoluted method used to force "High-intensity activated crosswalk" into HAWK? Generally when forming acronyms, one doesn't disregard the first letter of two words in favor of taking the middle and final letters of the last word. Obviously some Congressional person was trying to come up with a "cool" acronym to provoke support...

[vdeane]

That's what they do.

[roadfro]

Am I the only one snerking at the convoluted method used to force "High-intensity activated crosswalk" into HAWK? Generally when forming acronyms, one doesn't disregard the first letter of two words in favor of taking the middle and final letters of the last word. Obviously some Congressional person was trying to come up with a "cool" acronym to provoke support...

I think the folks in Arizona were trying to fit it to the winged-animal naming theme that existed with other types of pedestrian crossings (terms primarily used in the UK).

PELICON: PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled - A typical signalized crossing.
TOUCAN: A signalized combination pedestrian & bicycle crossing where "two can" cross, as in two types of traffic.
PEGASUS: A signalized combination pedestrian & equestrian crossing, with push buttons also mounted high so horse riders can reach.
PUFFIN: Pedestrian User-Friendly INtelligent crossing - A pelicon crossing with ped signal mounted on near side and active pedestrian detection.

[english si]

I think the folks in Arizona were trying to fit it to the winged-animal naming theme that existed with other types of pedestrian crossings (terms primarily used in the UK).

Although we do have other animals than birds/mythical winged horses as names for pedestrian crossings - Zebra have been all over the British road network for decades (so-called due to the strips); the predessor to the Pelican (like PUFIN, the acronym was tweaked to make a word) was the Panda (well, there's X-ways in-between) and we trialled a Tiger crossing (zebra crossing allowing cyclists to use it as well) - so called as the strips are yellow, not white.

[andrewkbrown]

Saw one for the first time on Georgia Avenue NW in Washington, just before crossing into Silver Spring, MD. Don't know how long it has been up, Google maps shows them installed, but covered. Seemed that people were familiar on how to proceed through it when it activated. I would have too thanks to this topic, but it activated the moment I drove past the crosswalk.

[Bryant5493]

^^

Yeah, that's the one that I was referencing on U.S. 29, coming into the District from Silver Spring.

Video with the HAWK light in it.


Be well,

Bryant

[wh15395]

They have a couple of these up now in Fort Wayne, IN.
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/HAWK-signal-covington-road

[US12]

Ann Arbor has the first H.A.W.K signal in Michigan http://www.annarbor.com/news/downtown-ann-arbors-new-pedestrian-hawk-signal-operational/
It is equipped with Michigan Specs M DOT video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7x_4Wu8EnQ

[SignBridge]

It looked like the signal in the video didn't operate as prescribed in the Manual. In final flashing mode the signals in each head are supposed to alternate, like a RR crossing signal. These flashed together. Brand new concept in traffic signals, and they couldn't get it right?

I agree that these HAWK signals are a bad idea, that will cause confusion. Unlighted signals are potentially dangerous.  We already have a  standardized nationwide traffic signal set-up that everybody knows. We should stick with that. The only rationale I can see for HAWK signals is to save money on initial installation costs and power consumption. A big selling point with municipal agencies nowadays for sure.

[Scott5114]

Anyone know how much it costs to operate a typical LED signal head? How much cost savings are we talking here? What does the pricing look like on the HAWK system versus a typical stoplight-controlled pedestrian crossing?

[rawmustard]

Ann Arbor has the first H.A.W.K signal in Michigan

Not quite, as Oakland County had some of theirs installed earlier.

[US12]

Not quite, as Oakland County had some of theirs installed earlier.

Sorry meant to put first on a state trunkline

[roadfro]

Anyone know how much it costs to operate a typical LED signal head? How much cost savings are we talking here? What does the pricing look like on the HAWK system versus a typical stoplight-controlled pedestrian crossing?

With the energy output of the LEDs being far less than their incandescent bulb predecessors, I can't imagine that the electric costs to run a HAWK  signal would be significantly greater than a traditional signal... Can't speak for sure though.

[tradephoric]

In 2009 a HAWK signal was installed at the Maple & Drake roundabout in Michigan.  The law offices of Sam Bernstein filed a lawsuit against the Road Commission for Oakland County claiming the roundabout didn't comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and prevented disabled pedestrians from being able to move freely throughout the area.  The HAWK signal is currently being studied by a number of Universities to determine the potential safety benefits to pedestrians at Roundabouts and is operational to this day.

Richard Bernstein (who himself is blind) also spoke out against a major roundabout project being planned in Green Bay...

(from wiki)
"Attorney Richard Bernstein spoke at the Council's February 16, 2009 meeting in opposition of the roundabout installations.[22] In an interview with Green Bay television station WBAY-TV, Richard Bernstein stated that if the roundabouts are approved as-is on Military Avenue, he is prepared to explore taking the issue to federal court.[28] In March 2009, due to public outcry and the proposed law suit, the Council cancelled installation of the six proposed roundabouts, instead opting for installation of traffic signals.[29]"

[1995hoo]

There's been a HAWK signal on Van Dorn Street in Alexandria, Virginia, for several years. It's there specifically to serve a bus stop located across Van Dorn from a residential area. I've never actually seen anyone activate the signal, although it looks like someone was either about to use it, or else had recently used it, when the Google Street View car came through:

http://maps.google.com/?ll=38.826444,-77.11926&spn=0.001594,0.004128&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.826381,-77.119392&panoid=CI_V0ycZMEC2_MIBztP1RA&cbp=12,266.99,,0,1.4


(The cars seen in the Street View image would face an identical signal that can be seen if you pan the image around.)

[Alps]

I brought up the idea of a HAWK for an upcoming project that will be studying what to do at a potential mid-block crossing location somewhere in Camden County, NJ. I intend to pursue the idea as far as they'll let me

[roadfro]

^ Well, a pedestrian hybrid beacon (formal name) would be a good candidate for mid-block locations, if it's determined that a signal would be needed based on vehicle and pedestrian volumes.

Otherwise, a cheaper solution might be to use either overhead beacons or the rectangular rapid flashing beacon (still an experimental device through MUTCD), with either of those options activating by pedestrian pushbutton.