September 18, 2015 – The City of Midland recently installed High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) beacons on East Sugnet Road near Plymouth Elementary School and also on Chestnut Hill Drive across from Chestnut Hill Elementary School.
A HAWK beacon is a pedestrian-activated device used to warn and control traffic for pedestrians crossing at a marked crosswalk. The beacon head is dark until the pedestrian activates the device by pushing the crosswalk button.
When activated, drivers will see a flashing yellow light indicating the need to reduce speed, followed by a solid yellow light, and then a solid red light requiring drivers to stop while pedestrians are crossing. Pedestrians must wait during the yellow lights and cross only when the light is solid red for traffic and the pedestrian crossing signal indicates to start crossing. The signal to begin crossing is followed by a countdown showing the amount of time to safely cross. During the countdown, the lights will flash red, indicating drivers can proceed – if clear – through the intersection. The lights will remain dark until another pedestrian activates the signal.
More information on a HAWK beacon can be found at various websites, including www.drivesafemichiana.com/hawk.html.
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