3400 Block S. Broadway HAWK Beacon

Share 3400 Block S. Broadway HAWK Beacon on Facebook Share 3400 Block S. Broadway HAWK Beacon on Twitter Share 3400 Block S. Broadway HAWK Beacon on Linkedin Email 3400 Block S. Broadway HAWK Beacon link

Project: 3400 Block South Broadway HAWK Signal

Status: Design Phase


Description:

The City of Englewood will improve pedestrian safety along the 3400 Block of South Broadway by constructing a HAWK traffic signal at the existing midblock crossing between Englewood Pkwy/Girard Avenue and Hampen Avenue. A HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK beacon) is a traffic signal used to stop vehicular traffic and allow pedestrians to cross an intersection safely. It is officially known as a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) and it is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proven safety countermeasure. The purpose of a HAWK signal is to allow protected pedestrian crossings, stopping road traffic only as needed.

This project is estimated to cost approximately $400,000 for design and construction. The project is state funded by the Revitalizing Main Streets (RMS) Opportunity 1 fund. The RMS program began as a part of Colorado’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan and is administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) via the Local Agency process.

*Hyperlink: https://www.codot.gov/programs/revitalizingmainstreets

Construction Outreach

Residents and businesses near the construction area will receive direct notification and additional information before construction begins. This outreach will include contact information on who to reach out to during construction. The City of Englewood and Englewood Downtown District Authority (EDDA) will also provide project updates through the usual communication mediums.


Construction Schedule

Project design is just getting underway and is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2024. Construction is scheduled to begin in Summer 2024 and completed in Fall 2024. This is an estimated timeline and detailed construction schedules can’t be provided until construction bids are received and a construction contractor is selected in Summer 2024.


Construction Impacts

Traffic control and partial lane closures will be in place on South Broadway between Englewood Parkway/Girard Avenue and Hampden Avenue. Traffic will be able to travel through South Broadway most of the time, but there may be delays.

Sidewalk closures may be necessary for construction. In the event segments of sidewalk must be closed, alternative routes will be provided to ensure pedestrian connectivity and access to businesses along South Broadway.

The heavy equipment being used will create construction noise. Construction hours will be limited to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Limited night and weekend work may be needed under special circumstances.

Materials, equipment, and debris will need to be delivered to and removed from the construction area.

The existing crosswalk striping will be removed and replaced with high visibility pavement markings. Barring further evaluation, on-street parking spaces directly adjacent to the midblock crossing may be eliminated to improve visibility at the crossing.

Project Elements

Existing Crosswalk

The existing midblock crosswalk serves as a critical connection between Englewood’s downtown district; however the existing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) serving the crosswalk do not provide the level of safety that the City desires at this location.

HAWK Signal

The pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control device designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections. The beacon head consists of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The lenses remain “dark” until a pedestrian desiring to cross the street pushes the call button to activate the beacon. The push button initiates a yellow to red lighting sequence consisting of flashing and steady lights that directs motorists to slow and come to a stop, providing the right-of-way to the pedestrians to safely cross the roadway before the lenses go dark again.



Sequence for a PHB. Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition, p. 511, FHWA


A Cost-Effective Safety Solution

The City of Englewood HAWK Signal project will enhance pedestrian safety and complement the CDOT Revitalizing Main Streets Opportunity 1 grant awarded to the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA) in 2021 which includes enhancements to the crosswalk and adjacent paseos. Safety improvements for that project include crosswalk improvements and bollard lights at both ends of the midblock crossing.


Downtown Paseo, east of South Broadway midblock crossing. Source: City of Englewood Public Works

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a HAWK signal?

Answer: A HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK beacon) signal is a traffic signal used to stop vehicular traffic and allow pedestrians to cross an intersection safely. It is officially known as a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) and it is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proven safety countermeasure. The purpose of a HAWK signal is to allow protected pedestrian crossings, stopping road traffic only as needed.

The crosswalk already has flashing beacons, why are they being replaced?

Answer: The existing midblock crossing is currently equipped with pedestrian actuated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), however, based on feedback from community members, these RRFBs are not providing users with a sense of safety. Community members felt that the current RRFBs lack visibility and do not provide a clear “stop” signal for motorists who may see flashing yellow as a suggestion to proceed slowly instead of yielding to pedestrians. Downtown business owners and customers report vehicles routinely not stopping for pedestrians, close calls and collisions. Traffic data collected in July 2021 shows 40-52% of vehicles are traveling above the speed limit of 30 mph, some as fast as 45 mph. Crash data obtained from the City of Englewood Police Department indicates two (2) collisions between vehicles, vehicles and bicyclists, or vehicles and pedestrians between 2019 and 2021.

Why is this project important?

Answer: This is an important pedestrian midblock crossing in the heart of Englewood’s downtown district, near public parking, bike amenities, and transit connections. It is used by many vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, seniors, low-income individuals and young children to get to local shops, restaurants, services and healthcare. Concerns about safety at this crosswalk have increased over the past few years, with data showing that up to half of motorists are routinely exceeding the speed limit. Installation of a HAWK signal and additional safety improvements will potentially improve the safety and comfort of pedestrians, increase compliance of vehicles stopping for pedestrians, and reduce or eliminate the number crashes and near-miss incidents.

I live or work in the project area; how will I be impacted?

Answer: The HAWK Signal Project is currently under design. Construction is scheduled to begin in Summer 2024 and completed in Fall 2024. . Residents and business owners directly impacted by this project will receive more information about the project, construction impacts, and construction schedule before the start of construction.

When will construction begin?

Answer: Construction to begin as early as Summer 2024. Subscribe to this page to get updates on construction.

Project: 3400 Block South Broadway HAWK Signal

Status: Design Phase


Description:

The City of Englewood will improve pedestrian safety along the 3400 Block of South Broadway by constructing a HAWK traffic signal at the existing midblock crossing between Englewood Pkwy/Girard Avenue and Hampen Avenue. A HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK beacon) is a traffic signal used to stop vehicular traffic and allow pedestrians to cross an intersection safely. It is officially known as a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) and it is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proven safety countermeasure. The purpose of a HAWK signal is to allow protected pedestrian crossings, stopping road traffic only as needed.

This project is estimated to cost approximately $400,000 for design and construction. The project is state funded by the Revitalizing Main Streets (RMS) Opportunity 1 fund. The RMS program began as a part of Colorado’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan and is administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) via the Local Agency process.

*Hyperlink: https://www.codot.gov/programs/revitalizingmainstreets

Construction Outreach

Residents and businesses near the construction area will receive direct notification and additional information before construction begins. This outreach will include contact information on who to reach out to during construction. The City of Englewood and Englewood Downtown District Authority (EDDA) will also provide project updates through the usual communication mediums.


Construction Schedule

Project design is just getting underway and is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2024. Construction is scheduled to begin in Summer 2024 and completed in Fall 2024. This is an estimated timeline and detailed construction schedules can’t be provided until construction bids are received and a construction contractor is selected in Summer 2024.


Construction Impacts

Traffic control and partial lane closures will be in place on South Broadway between Englewood Parkway/Girard Avenue and Hampden Avenue. Traffic will be able to travel through South Broadway most of the time, but there may be delays.

Sidewalk closures may be necessary for construction. In the event segments of sidewalk must be closed, alternative routes will be provided to ensure pedestrian connectivity and access to businesses along South Broadway.

The heavy equipment being used will create construction noise. Construction hours will be limited to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Limited night and weekend work may be needed under special circumstances.

Materials, equipment, and debris will need to be delivered to and removed from the construction area.

The existing crosswalk striping will be removed and replaced with high visibility pavement markings. Barring further evaluation, on-street parking spaces directly adjacent to the midblock crossing may be eliminated to improve visibility at the crossing.

Project Elements

Existing Crosswalk

The existing midblock crosswalk serves as a critical connection between Englewood’s downtown district; however the existing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) serving the crosswalk do not provide the level of safety that the City desires at this location.

HAWK Signal

The pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control device designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections. The beacon head consists of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The lenses remain “dark” until a pedestrian desiring to cross the street pushes the call button to activate the beacon. The push button initiates a yellow to red lighting sequence consisting of flashing and steady lights that directs motorists to slow and come to a stop, providing the right-of-way to the pedestrians to safely cross the roadway before the lenses go dark again.



Sequence for a PHB. Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition, p. 511, FHWA


A Cost-Effective Safety Solution

The City of Englewood HAWK Signal project will enhance pedestrian safety and complement the CDOT Revitalizing Main Streets Opportunity 1 grant awarded to the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA) in 2021 which includes enhancements to the crosswalk and adjacent paseos. Safety improvements for that project include crosswalk improvements and bollard lights at both ends of the midblock crossing.


Downtown Paseo, east of South Broadway midblock crossing. Source: City of Englewood Public Works

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a HAWK signal?

Answer: A HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK beacon) signal is a traffic signal used to stop vehicular traffic and allow pedestrians to cross an intersection safely. It is officially known as a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) and it is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proven safety countermeasure. The purpose of a HAWK signal is to allow protected pedestrian crossings, stopping road traffic only as needed.

The crosswalk already has flashing beacons, why are they being replaced?

Answer: The existing midblock crossing is currently equipped with pedestrian actuated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), however, based on feedback from community members, these RRFBs are not providing users with a sense of safety. Community members felt that the current RRFBs lack visibility and do not provide a clear “stop” signal for motorists who may see flashing yellow as a suggestion to proceed slowly instead of yielding to pedestrians. Downtown business owners and customers report vehicles routinely not stopping for pedestrians, close calls and collisions. Traffic data collected in July 2021 shows 40-52% of vehicles are traveling above the speed limit of 30 mph, some as fast as 45 mph. Crash data obtained from the City of Englewood Police Department indicates two (2) collisions between vehicles, vehicles and bicyclists, or vehicles and pedestrians between 2019 and 2021.

Why is this project important?

Answer: This is an important pedestrian midblock crossing in the heart of Englewood’s downtown district, near public parking, bike amenities, and transit connections. It is used by many vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, seniors, low-income individuals and young children to get to local shops, restaurants, services and healthcare. Concerns about safety at this crosswalk have increased over the past few years, with data showing that up to half of motorists are routinely exceeding the speed limit. Installation of a HAWK signal and additional safety improvements will potentially improve the safety and comfort of pedestrians, increase compliance of vehicles stopping for pedestrians, and reduce or eliminate the number crashes and near-miss incidents.

I live or work in the project area; how will I be impacted?

Answer: The HAWK Signal Project is currently under design. Construction is scheduled to begin in Summer 2024 and completed in Fall 2024. . Residents and business owners directly impacted by this project will receive more information about the project, construction impacts, and construction schedule before the start of construction.

When will construction begin?

Answer: Construction to begin as early as Summer 2024. Subscribe to this page to get updates on construction.

Page last updated: 04 Jan 2024, 09:48 AM