The crosswalk across Garfield Avenue on Moffat Boulevard near Manteca High will be getting a HAWK in the coming months.
HAWK is shorthand for a high intensity activated crosswalk Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon signal system.
It is part of a $3.9 million Safe Routes to Schools project the City Council awarded on Wednesday.
Making the main routes safer to six schools — Manteca High and Sierra High as well as Shasta, Golden West, Stella Brockman, and Brock Elliott elementary schools — is being funded with proceeds from the countywide half cent Measure K road and transportation tax along with a $500,000 infusion from the three-quarter center City of Manteca Measure Q sales tax that went into effect April 1.
The overall project was developed in collaboration with the Manteca Unified School District.
The Moffat Boulevard crossing is problematic both before and after school due to congestion. At other times, drivers exceeding the posted speed limit pose safety issues for pedestrians trying to judge how fast vehicles are approaching the crosswalk.
HAWK signals operate in a yellow-red-flashing red sequence to alert motorists that pedestrians need to cross the road.
Unlike traffic signals, the HAWK only operates when a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. Vehicles are free to move when no one is crossing the street.
The HAWK signal work in the following sequence:
*1. Dormant State: The signal remains dark (unlit) until a pedestrian activates it by pushing a button.
*2. Flashing Yellow: When activated, the signal will first display a series of flashing yellow lights. This indicates that a change is coming, and drivers should slow down.
*3. Solid Yellow: The yellow lights will then turn solid, signaling drivers to prepare to stop.
*4. Solid Red: The signal will turn solid red. Drivers must come to a complete stop, just as they would at a red traffic light.
*5. Alternating (Flashing) Red: After the solid red phase, the signal will display two red lights that flash alternately. Drivers can proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear of pedestrians.
*6. Dark: Once the pedestrian crossing is complete and there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk, the signal returns to its dark, dormant state.
In essence, the HAWK signal prioritizes pedestrian safety by providing a clear and distinct sequence of signals for drivers to follow.
Federal Highway Administration data shows the HAWK system makes a major difference for pedestrian and driver safety. Studies show a nearly 70% reduction in pedestrian crashes and almost a 30% drop in all crashes.
Modesto in April activated its first two HAWK crossings. They are on 16th Street at intersections at H and I streets near the Modesto Farmers Market.
Stockton installed HAWK crossings on South Airport Way last year.
The $2 million street upgrades now underway on North Main Street will include a HAWK crossing signal at Edison Street. The rest of the Main Street project includes a median with fencing to stop mid-block pedestrian crossings, turn pockets, ADA upgrades and bicycle lanes along with a pavement coating.
The Safe Route to Schools project includes work on Main Street involving the more traditional overhead crossing flashers now in place on Yosemite at both Sherman and Garfield avenues. They will be installed at Main Street at Jason Street. Besides a high visibility crosswalk, there will be a refuge island built in a median. It is designed to break crossing the busy four-lane North Main Street corridor with a raised area in the middle of the street that pedestrians can use while crossing Main Street.
Curb ramps will be added or replaced at nine intersections near Golden West School. That is in addition to replacing five existing crosswalks with high visibility crosswalks.
The Sierra High work incudes putting in place a missing segment of sidewalk on the north side of Thomas Street as well as adding sidewalk on the west side of Fishback Road from Thomas Street to Wawona Street.
The work will also include five highly visible crosswalks as well as ramp replacements or additions at 16 intersections or mid-block locations.
The work near Manteca High includes replacing or adding ramps at five intersections plus adding four high visibility crosswalks.
Ten intersections by Brock Elliott School will have ramps added or replaced. That is in addition to three new additional high visibility crosswalks.
Shasta School will see nine intersections with ramps replaced or upgraded with five new highly visible crosswalks. There is also a missing sidewalk gap being installed on the north side of Edison Street where the campus abuts residential use to the west.
The work near Stella Brockman School involves adding sidewalk to the south side of Crom Street from Silverado Drive to Zurich Drive along the municipal golf course.
Stella Brockman will also have 18 intersections that will have ramps replaced or added along with putting in place four highly visible crosswalks.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
