STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The HAWK crossing system at Main and Fourth streets in Ketchum is in place and about to be unveiled pending a little more work at that intersection.
The High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) at 4th and Main Street is a pedestrian-activated traffic control device that creates more spacing between pedestrians and drivers. Pressing crossing buttons activates flashing lights, signaling vehicles to stop so pedestrians can cross safely.
When not in use, the HAWK will remain dark. Once triggered it will go through a series of yellow and red sequences. It will synchronize with the signal at Sun Valley Road and Main Street, which the Idaho Transportation Department is converting to a pedestrian scramble stop light.
The scramble is a redesign of the traffic signal that stops all vehicular traffic movements, creating a pedestrian-only phase for pedestrians to cross the intersection in any direction, including diagonally, at the same time. Pedestrian scramble crossings reportedly enhance the safety and mobility of pedestrians, although wait times can be longer.
The redesign eliminates the right turn on red that is allowed at most intersections but enhances the safety of pedestrians because no vehicles are permitted to move through the intersection while pedestrians cross.