City installs HAWK pedestrian beacons
The city of Idaho Falls Public Works Department has installed a series of three HAWK (High-intensity Activated crossWalK) pedestrian beacons on Pancheri Drive to better accommodate pedestrian traffic between Eagle Rock Junior High School and Skyline High School.
The HAWK beacon is a new type of pedestrian crossing beacon that has proven in several states to increase safety for pedestrians by grabbing the attention of motorists.
“The HAWK beacons are the first to be installed in Bonneville County so it’s important that we educate the public on how to use them, especially in light of school starting August 31,” states City of Idaho Falls Public Information Officer, Kerry McCullough.
While the HAWK beacon looks fairly similar to a traditional signalized pedestrian crossing, it functions a bit differently. When not in use, it will remain dark. The beacon goes through a sequence of five movements after a pedestrian pushes the button:
The HAWK beacon begins flashing yellow to indicate to drivers someone will be using
the crosswalk.
It then goes to solid yellow like a typical traffic signal, advising drivers to stop if safe to
do so.
The beacon then turns solid red, requiring drivers to stop at the stop line.
Finally, the beacon goes to the flashing red, letting drivers know that after coming to a complete stop, they can proceed with caution if the way is clear—the same movement they would make at any other flashing-red signal or beacon.
The beacon then returns to a dark state.
The three beacons were part of the $3.5 million Pancheri Drive Expansion Project which also included widening the road to five lanes with curb, gutter, sidewalk and landscaping. Construction on the project began on June 8.
A crossing guard will be located at Pancheri Drive & Grizzly Avenue throughout the school year, and motorists are reminded to use caution and slow down to 20 mph in school zones.
Barring unforeseen conditions, construction on the remaining section of Pancheri Drive, from the East Lateral Canal to Bellin Road, will be complete in mid-October. The speed limit in construction zones is 25 mph.
