HAWK beacon
Encyclopedia
A HAWK beacon is a traffic signal used to stop road traffic and allow pedestrians to cross safely. It is officially known as a "pedestrian hybrid beacon". The purpose of a HAWK beacon is to allow protected pedestrian crossing
s, stopping road traffic only as needed. Research has shown that motorists' compliance with the HAWK beacon is higher than with conventional traffic signals.
Until December 2009, the HAWK beacon was categorized as an experimental device in the USA. Highway agencies wishing to use a HAWK signal were required to obtain approval from the Federal Highway Administration
, as well as collect and submit data on the effectiveness of the device. The first beacon was developed in Tucson, Arizona by Transportation Administrator R. B. Nassi, P.E., Ph.D., and installed in 2000. The bird name HAWK was suggested by his wife to continue the tradition of naming pedestrian crossings (as in Great Britain) with bird names. It was included in the 2009 edition of the US Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
as the "pedestrian hybrid beacon."
The vehicular signal faces suspended above the roadway have two round red lenses side-by-side, above a single yellow lens. There must be at least two HAWK beacons facing each vehicular approach to the crossing. Unlike an ordinary traffic signal, the HAWK beacon only lights when activated by a pedestrian who wishes to cross. Generally, activation is by a push-button. The HAWK beacon first flashes yellow, then displays steady yellow, and finally steady red over a period of several seconds. Pedestrian signal heads
at either end of the crosswalk display the upraised hand (don't walk) signal until the HAWK beacon displays the steady red signal. At this time, the pedestrian heads display the walking-person (walk) indication.
As at conventional signalized crossings, the pedestrian signals display flashing "don't walk" indications when typical pedestrians no longer have enough time to cross before the HAWK beacon releases cross traffic. At the same time as the "don't walk" indication, the HAWK beacon displays a flashing red indication to vehicular traffic (the equivalent of a stop sign, indicating that vehicles on the roadway must stop), and may proceed after yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk. When vehicle traffic is about to restart, the pedestrian signal goes to steady "don't walk". Then, the HAWK beacon goes dark and the pedestrian signal remains in "don't walk" mode until the signal is activated by another pedestrian.
A HAWK beacon is generally used only for crosswalks; however, it may also be applied to crossings on multi-use paths. A HAWK beacon activated by bicyclists is under consideration, but there are some conceptual difficulties with this application.
Pedestrian crossing
A pedestrian crossing or crosswalk is a designated point on a road at which some means are employed to assist pedestrians wishing to cross. They are designed to keep pedestrians together where they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic...
s, stopping road traffic only as needed. Research has shown that motorists' compliance with the HAWK beacon is higher than with conventional traffic signals.
Until December 2009, the HAWK beacon was categorized as an experimental device in the USA. Highway agencies wishing to use a HAWK signal were required to obtain approval from the Federal Highway Administration
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two "programs," the Federal-aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway Program...
, as well as collect and submit data on the effectiveness of the device. The first beacon was developed in Tucson, Arizona by Transportation Administrator R. B. Nassi, P.E., Ph.D., and installed in 2000. The bird name HAWK was suggested by his wife to continue the tradition of naming pedestrian crossings (as in Great Britain) with bird names. It was included in the 2009 edition of the US Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration of the United States Department of Transportation to specify the standards by which traffic signs, road surface markings, and signals are designed, installed, and used...
as the "pedestrian hybrid beacon."
The vehicular signal faces suspended above the roadway have two round red lenses side-by-side, above a single yellow lens. There must be at least two HAWK beacons facing each vehicular approach to the crossing. Unlike an ordinary traffic signal, the HAWK beacon only lights when activated by a pedestrian who wishes to cross. Generally, activation is by a push-button. The HAWK beacon first flashes yellow, then displays steady yellow, and finally steady red over a period of several seconds. Pedestrian signal heads
Traffic light
Traffic lights, which may also be known as stoplights, traffic lamps, traffic signals, signal lights, robots or semaphore, are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic...
at either end of the crosswalk display the upraised hand (don't walk) signal until the HAWK beacon displays the steady red signal. At this time, the pedestrian heads display the walking-person (walk) indication.
As at conventional signalized crossings, the pedestrian signals display flashing "don't walk" indications when typical pedestrians no longer have enough time to cross before the HAWK beacon releases cross traffic. At the same time as the "don't walk" indication, the HAWK beacon displays a flashing red indication to vehicular traffic (the equivalent of a stop sign, indicating that vehicles on the roadway must stop), and may proceed after yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk. When vehicle traffic is about to restart, the pedestrian signal goes to steady "don't walk". Then, the HAWK beacon goes dark and the pedestrian signal remains in "don't walk" mode until the signal is activated by another pedestrian.
A HAWK beacon is generally used only for crosswalks; however, it may also be applied to crossings on multi-use paths. A HAWK beacon activated by bicyclists is under consideration, but there are some conceptual difficulties with this application.
External links
- Safety Effectiveness of the HAWK Pedestrian Crossing Treatment, Federal Highway Administration, July 2010
- Brochure from Alexandria, Virginia, USA describing the operation of HAWK beacons
- Video of a HAWK beacon in operation in Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Discussion of a HAWK beacon on a major street which crosses a bicycle route in Portland, Oregon, USA