1. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Carolyn Morehouse, PE;
Statewide Preconstruction Engineer’s Meeting
January 30, 2013

2. Juneau’s Experience with the HAWK
By Floyd Dryden Middle School in Mendenhall Valley (on Loop Road)
By Walmart in Lemon Creek Neighborhood (on Glacier Highway)

3. 1 Mile Walking Radius
Garnet Street
Floyd Dryden
Nancy Street

4. Mendenhall Blvd
Traffic Signal
Floyd Dryden
Crosswalk
Stephen Richards
Traffic Signal

5. Mendenhall Blvd – Stephen Richards
Where can children cross Loop Road to get to school?

6. Crash History 2002 – 2006 Stephen Richards – Back Loop
1 Mile Segment Surrounding Crosswalk:
Types
6 Pedestrian Crashes
3 Bicycle Crashes
Outcome
2 Fatalities
1 Major Injury
3 Minor Injuries

7. 2007 Accident
Student was brushed by a vehicle while crossing Loop Road December 2007

8. Partnering DOT, School District, CBJ, Floyd Dryden Community
All have a role
Safe Routes to School program

9. Past Project 2003 Replaced 20MPH flashing beacons
Installed overhead illuminated school zone signs
Installed new luminaires

11. 2007
November 20, 2007 received from concerned Floyd Dryden Middle School parent.
Traffic staff evaluated the conditions.
Area lighting and speed zone met standards.
Decided to increase the bulb wattage at the Loop Road Crosswalk and remove high wattage bulb from Drop off Area.

12. 2007 Field visit December 3, 2007 to verify plans.
Work order issued December 4, 2007.
Student was hit December 5, 2007.
Lighting work completed December 6, 2007.

14. Engineers
Problem + Analysis + $$$ = Solution

15. MUTCD
At the time of the Floyd Dryden issue, the 2009 MUTCD had been issued but not adopted by Alaska.
New MUTCD allowed pedestrian hybrid beacon (HAWK).
Floyd Dryden HAWK installation was allowed as experimental for a 5-year period per FHWA approval letter of 3/11/09.
Project was funded by Safe Routes to Schools.

16. New Project Proposal: The HAWK

17. Source: Texas Transportation Institute, 2006

18. Pedestrian Beacon Sequence1 4
2 Flashing
5 Wig-Wag
Return
To 1 3
Pedestrian Beacon Sequence

19. Proposal: Install HAWK on Existing Mast Arms

20. HAWK Accessories Pushbutton Pedestrian Signal Head
Emits audible “Beep”
Visible LED flash
Pedestrian Signal Head
Countdown Timer

21. 1st HAWK, operational Oct. 13, 2009

22. Juneau’s 2nd HAWK June 2011: late-night hit-and-run at Walmart
Intersection used to be signal-controlled before Sunny Pt. Signal had been decommissioned for years but poles, mast arms, and cabinet were left in place.
Decision was not to restripe crosswalk.
12-hour traffic and ped count of corridor revealed light activity, not enough to reinstall signal. But indicated several crossing locations were being used (including midblock locations).
HSIP project underway to install a concrete median as well as two other locations. Region changed the location from concept approved so it was removed from project.

23. Juneau’s 2nd HAWK
Recommendation was to restripe the crosswalk and provide handheld flags. This was completed in August 2011.
December two juveniles struck in crosswalk.
Immediate response was to add reflectorized tape to the handheld flags, add a 250-watt luminaire, and trim adjacent tree branches.

24. Juneau’s 2nd HAWK
Following meeting with concerned citizens, decision was made to install a HAWK.
HSIP project was developed and funded in January 2012.
Project was expedited by reusing poles, mast arms, and control equipment of the old traffic signal.
Constructed using State Forces
Facility was placed into service late March 2012.

25. Juneau’s 2nd HAWK @ Walmart

26. Common Issue Teaching drivers “how to use the HAWK”
Drivers remain stopped when crosswalk is clear during “wig-wag” phase.
SER has put out radio PSA’s, newspaper articles, a HAWK web page on DOT site.
Situation persists. May work with JPD and do more public outreach.
Can affect capacity but so far, not in JNU

27. HAWK page on DOT web site

28. We all have a role
Even the best engineering strategies cannot prevent every crash
Pedestrians must use the tools available to them
Retro-reflective tape
Crosswalks, HAWK, pedestrian overpass, traffic signals
Finding a gap
Pedestrians and drivers must EXERCISE CAUTION at all times