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McCain Hawk creates safer crossings

Just in time for the new school year, McCain has installed its high-intensity activated crosswalk, or Hawk, in the City of Chula Vista, California to create a safer crossing for elementary school students. Hawk signalling systems provide protected pedestrian crossings at intersections without signals or in mid-block locations. Two red traffic signals mounted above a yellow signal remain off until activated by a pedestrian pushbutton, when the signal flashes yellow then displays steady yellow, then solid red
August 13, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Just in time for the new school year, 772 McCain has installed its high-intensity activated crosswalk, or Hawk, in the City of Chula Vista, California to create a safer crossing for elementary school students.

Hawk signalling systems provide protected pedestrian crossings at intersections without signals or in mid-block locations. Two red traffic signals mounted above a yellow signal remain off until activated by a pedestrian pushbutton, when the signal flashes yellow then displays steady yellow, then solid red, bringing drivers to a stop to allow pedestrians to cross the road. The solid red is followed by flashing red lights, allowing drivers to proceed if the crosswalk is clear. The Hawk system then switches off, allowing traffic to return to normal.

"We are pleased to have partnered with the City of Chula Vista and Perry Electric on this landmark project," said Jesse Phelan, account manager at McCain Inc. "Though the Hawk signal was developed more than a decade ago, it has remained in limited use until recently. Hopefully, this project will spark a positive trend in pedestrian and motorist safety."
 
A study by the 232 Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) on a similar system in Tucson, Arizona found a 29 per cent reduction in total crashes and a 69 per cent reduction in pedestrian-related crashes.

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