The City of Lakeland is getting four new high intensity activated crosswalks called HAWKS as part of a Florida Department of Transportation project on Memorial Boulevard that includes concrete pavement repairs, intersection modifications, median safety improvements, upgraded street lighting and sidewalk repairs. Construction costs for the improvements on Memorial Boulevard is estimated to be $4.9 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HAWK signals are being installed in for locations on Memorial Boulevard to assist pedestrians with safely crossing the roadway. When a pedestrian pushes the crosswalk button, the traffic signals activate to stop vehicles and allow the pedestrian to safely cross the road. The new activated crosswalks are being installed at Kettles Avenue, Vermont Avenue, Stella Avenue and Morgan Avenue. The pedestrian crossings are scheduled to be active at all four locations by mid-January 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Angelo Rao, Traffic Operations & Parking Manager said, \u201cPedestrian safety is of the utmost importance for us and these hot response beacons will notify traffic to stop at the push of a button so pedestrians can cross busy Memorial Boulevard.\u201d He added, \u201cDrivers will notice flashing yellow beacons as a warning before the lights turn red, notifying drivers to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drivers approaching the high intensity activated crosswalks on Memorial Boulevard will see a flashing yellow light that starts immediately after a pedestrian has activated the push button. The flashing yellow is a warning for motorist to slow down and prepare to stop as the flashing yellow light turns solid and then solid red lights indicate traffic to completely stop for a pedestrian crossing the street. Once the pedestrian crosses the street and the solid red lights flash, traffic can proceed with caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rao said, \u201cThe HAWK system is dark until it is activated by a pedestrian. Drivers only need to react to the signal when the lights are on and going through the process of notifying drivers that a pedestrian is crossing the street. We will be working with pedestrians and motorists to educate them how the HAWK signals work.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Florida Department of Transportation has also developed a few video clips to help educated pedestrians and drivers about the HAWK pedestrian hybrid beacons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n