A traffic signal designed to dramatically increased pedestrian safety was unveiled Wednesday at a Mid-Wilshire intersection that City Councilman David Ryu said has been plagued by collisions.
Located at Sixth Street between Fairfax and Curson Avenues, the High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, or HAWK Beacon, is a “three-light yellow and red signal” aimed at ensuring drivers come to a stop before pedestrians are cleared to cross. According to Ryu’s office, the signal — the first of its kind in Los Angeles — could make streets with higher speeds and longer crossing distances safer.
“There have been far too many accidents on this stretch of Sixth Street, which connects residential areas like Park La Brea to Los Angeles icons like LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits,” Ryu said. “That is why we have been implementing many data-driven solutions that reduce the rate of accidents and save lives.”
Ryu took part in a dedication ceremony for the HAWK Beacon with Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta Reynolds, the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and community leaders from the Mid-City West Community Council.
“My office was happy to support this important Mid-Wilshire safety project,” Kuehl said. “I’m hopeful that pedestrians will be able to cross more safely as a result of this new signal.”
According to the Federal Highway Administration, streets with pedestrian hybrid beacons can reduce pedestrian crashes by 69% and total crashes by 29%, a statistic that was provided by Ryu’s office.