A HAWK (high-intensity activated crosswalk) signal, also known as a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB), will be activated Monday, Nov. 21, along East 105th Street between Chester Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in University Circle. The HAWK signal is the first of its kind in the city and will enhance pedestrian safety efforts in the neighborhood.
HAWK signals work like other button-activated traffic signals and are recommended for roadways with three or more lanes of traffic and vehicles traveling at higher rates of speed. Pedestrians begin by pushing a button, which directs the signal to change to red and traffic to stop, allowing pedestrians to safely cross the street.
For drivers on the road, the signal remains dark until activated by a pedestrian. Once activated, the signal goes through a series of yellow and red sequences, requiring vehicles to fully stop while pedestrians cross and while the signal remains solid red. The signal concludes with a flashing red sequence. During this time, vehicles are required to stop first and then proceed with caution if no pedestrians are present.
East 105th Street was selected for a HAWK signal due to the increase in pedestrian traffic along the Nord Family Greenway. The greenway connects the Tinkham Veale University Center on the eastern end of Case Western Reserve University’s campus, to the Maltz Performing Arts Center at the west end.
Installation of the HAWK signal was a coordinated effort between the City of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve. These partners, with additional support from University Circle Inc., the Case Western Reserve Police Department and the University Circle Police Department, are working closely to update residents, employees and commuters about this new treatment and will closely monitor the area to ensure safety and compliance. Additional pedestrian hybrid beacons are scheduled to be installed in Cleveland on Clifton Boulevard at West 116th Street and West 112th Street in the coming months.