Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and District 5 Councilwoman Betty Guardado joined members of the Maryvale community and staff from the Street Transportation Department to commemorate the activation of the city's 75th pedestrian signal crossing on Thursday. The newest signal is located at Indian School Road and Amelia Avenue (between 83rd and 81st avenues along Indian School Road).
WATCH: 75th Pedestrian Signal Crossing Activation Event
"Addressing roadway safety issues in Phoenix is a top priority," Mayor Gallego said. "I'm proud of the work being done by the Street Transportation Department to add infrastructure and implement strategies to address that critical concern. Signals like the one that was activated today don't just improve pedestrian safety, they also make the road safer for bicyclists and drivers."
Formally referred to as a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK), the signal features pedestrian triggered flashing red-yellow-red beacons and provides a safe crossing point for pedestrians near busy intersections and mid-block locations. A HAWK operates similar to a standard traffic signal, minus a green-signal light, and remains "dark" until engaged by a pedestrian.
"During the last several years, there has been a dramatic increase in traffic collisions and incidents involving pedestrians in Maryvale," Councilwoman Guardado said. "The addition of this signal is an important step to reverse that trend. Residents will feel safer when they walk, bike or access public transit along this stretch of Indian School Road."
The HAWK that was activated today is one of 38 to be installed citywide during the last five years, and more are scheduled to be added to the inventory in the coming months. Phoenix ranks among the top three cities nationally for using this type of pedestrian signal technology, behind Tucson (141) and Austin, Texas (98). The city's first two HAWKs came online in August 2009, one at 7th Avenue and Glenrosa Avenue and the other on 19th Avenue at the Thunderbird High School crosswalk.
In addition to the ongoing effort to expand its network of HAWKs, the Street Transportation Department is developing a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan that will incorporate the goals of Vision Zero.
"The Street Transportation Department, along with other city departments, is dedicated to developing and implementing the Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan, which will ensure that a consistent strategy is used to address the recent increase in collisions and other incidents," Street Transportation Department Director Kini Knudson said. "A HAWK is one of many effective tools that will continue to be used and incorporated into the plan to improve the safety of all who use roadways citywide."
Vision Zero is built around a core philosophy that traffic-related deaths and serious injuries are preventable. The Vision Zero Network recognizes cities that take action towards adopting this approach to road safety as "Vision Zero Communities." In March 2021, Phoenix City Council unanimously approved funding for the Road Safety Action Plan and in January 2022 approved to incorporate the goals of Vision Zero into it. The completed plan will be presented to the community by winter 2022.
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