New crosswalk signal system installed at 8th St. and 21st Ave.
A new hybrid pedestrian signal light system called a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, or HAWK, was officially put into operation earlier this month at the intersection of 8th Street and 21st Avenue in Yuma.
Jon Fell, an engineer for Arizona Department of Transportation’s Southwest District, says the new walkway signals will allow pedestrians to cross safely, and provide drivers approaching the crossing with better visual cues when to yield and stop.
He explained that the system may be activated by a pedestrian or bicyclist, and will begin flashing a yellow light to warn motorists to slow down. A red light means motorists must stop and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk,
When motorists approach the signals, they may continue through the crosswalk without slowing down or stopping if it has not been activated.
A flashing yellow light, however, means a pedestrian is waiting to cross and motorists should proceed with caution. The flashing yellow lights will then be followed by solid yellow lights, which indicate that the motorist should stop if it is safe to do so.
The solid yellow lights will then change to solid red lights, indicating that the driver must stop. Drivers cannot pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
Those solid red lights will be followed by alternating flashing red lights, which indicate that after first stopping, the driver may proceed through intersection with caution, as long as there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Using the system is simple for pedestrians. All they have to do is simply push the button and wait to receive visual and audio prompts after any approaching cars have been signaled.
“Proper driving at a HAWK means to slow down when it starts flashing, and stop when it goes solid red,” said City Engineer Jeff Kramer. “Then, when it starts flashing red again, you can go through It after you stop fully if the crosswalk is clear, just like you would at a stop sign.”
Fell went on to say that work on the new crosswalk signals began back in September and that it was activated on Nov. 8. As part of the project, new LED lights were also installed on the south side 8th Street, while the existing lights on the north side of the street were replaced.
The HAWK system is the first of its kind in Yuma, although there is one in San Luis, near the port of entry. The county is also building one at Avenue B and 5th Street.
The City and the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization secured grant funding for this project, which was administered by the Arizona Department of Transportation.