The Town of Atherton has installed a new type of pedestrian signal called a HAWK beacon (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK beacon) at El Camino Real and Almendral Avenue. It is a traffic control device used to stop road traffic and allow pedestrians to cross safely using a series of steady and flashing yellow and red lights or “beacons” on an overhead signal pole. A pedestrian activates the signal by pushing a button when ready to cross, then waits for the pedestrian signal to change to the “Walk” indication. The sequence for the beacons is as follows:

• Dark until activated by pedestrian push button
• Flashing yellow light for motorists and “Don’t Walk” for pedestrians
• Steady yellow light for motorists and “Don’t Walk” for pedestrians
• Steady red light for motorists and “Walk” for pedestrians
• Alternating flashing red light for motorists and flashing “Don’t Walk” for pedestrians. Motorists must come to a complete stop then proceed when safe
• Dark again for motorists and “Don’t Walk” for pedestrians

To learn more about this project, visit the Town of Atherton's project page.  

This graphic illustrates how the signal works:


Source: City of Billings, MT 


Source: Delaware Department of Transportation on YouTube