New HAWK Signal Keeps Out an Eagle Eye for Pedestrians, Bicyclists
The HAWK has landed in Eau Claire! If you have yet soar beneath its magical wings of safety, allow us to explain: The HAWK is a unique kind of pedestrian-activated traffic signal that, in this case, will allow walkers, runners, and bicyclists to safely cross Menomonie Street on the Chippewa River State Trail, between County Materials and Dairy Queen. Previously, there was no traffic signal at the intersection, simply a zebra-striped pedestrian crossing which required trail users to wait until either: 1. Drivers stopped on their own (rare); or 2. A gap in the traffic allowed them to scurry across (more common).
On Wednesday, however, a city crew installed a HAWK, which stands for High Intensity Activated Crosswalk. (Well, sort of: The actual acronym would be HIAC, which doesn’t sound nearly as cool.) Last spring, City Councilwoman Catherine Emmanuelle successfully proposed installing the device – the first of its kind in town – when the Eau Claire City Council voted on the Menomonie Street reconstruction project. The road was rebuilt this summer, and Emmanuelle enthusiastically trumpeted the installation of the HAWK on her Facebook page Wednesday:
Maybe you've shared the same experience as I have: you are on your bike or feet and the drivers don’t stop! Well, hopefully that will be changing on Menomonie Street.
I was able to see the first HAWK signal usage: the HAWK button was activated (like a crosswalk button), and cars stopped! This bicyclist was able to stay on his bike and then hop right on to the trail.
I will admit, I jumped up and down with excitement. IT WORKED!!!
Not only will the HAWK make the trail crossing easier to use, but it also will likely make it safer: HAWKs have been shown to reduce pedestrian crashes by 69 percent, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation study. The study describes the devices this way: “The purpose of a HAWK is to stop vehicles to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway and then permit drivers to proceed as soon as the pedestrians have passed.” Most of the time, the HAWK traffic signals are dark and the intersection is clear for vehicle traffic. Unlike a typical set of traffic lights, there’s no green light to tell cars to go; only yellow and red lights that activate on as needed. However, when a pedestrian or bicyclist hits the button to cross the street, drivers first see a blinking yellow light, then a steady yellow light, then a steady red light telling them to stop. At that point, a “walk” signal turns on, and bicyclists and pedestrians can cross the road. (In this case, there’s a good chance they’re heading to Dairy Queen. Or maybe that’s just me.) Once the “countdown” clock for pedestrians activates – warning them that their time to cross is running out – the lights for drivers begin to blink red, allowing them to proceed with caution once pedestrians have crossed the street. Once the countdown timer expires, the traffic lights go dark again and drivers can proceed as usual. If all that sounds confusing, check out this handy video for a visual explanation, then drive, bike, and walk safely.
