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Scottsdale Road gets a “HAWK” for pedestrian safety
Nov. 21, 2011
Contact: Mike Phillips, public affairs manager, (480) 312-7825
Scottsdale Road gets a “HAWK” for pedestrian safety
A busy traffic corridor between two premiere retail centers has received a safety upgrade just in time for holiday shopping.
The “HAWK,” an innovative pedestrian crosswalk went active Nov. 23 on Scottsdale Road between the Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons developments. It offers users a safer, more direct route for people to walk between the two popular shopping venues.
Officials from both Phoenix and Scottsdale helped activate the system in a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kierland Commons.
Scottsdale Road is the boundary between the communities in that area.
“Both cities have realized the need to enhance safety across Scottsdale Road,” said Scottsdale Transportation Director Dave Meinhart. “We have worked together to make this crossing a reality, and it’s exciting to see it debut.”
The HAWK, or High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, was selected for the site because pedestrian crossings are high and it’s considered too close between intersections for another traffic signal. In addition to its safety features, the HAWK device minimizes delays for major street traffic.
The HAWK crosswalk features a two-step process. When a person wishes to cross the street, a button is pressed that activates the signal. The signal then goes through a series of traffic light sequences that direct motorists to stop for pedestrians. The signal then goes dark, allowing motorists to continue through the intersection until the button is activated again.
More information on the HAWK is available at: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/traffic/hawk or www.phoenix.gov/STREETS/hawk.html
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