Let's say a bicyclist up ahead has already pushed the button and a green
bike symbol appears.  If I am also a bicyclist and come up to the
intersection while it's still green, do I need to stop first (since there is
a stop sign) and then proceed through the green light, or can I ignore the
stop sign and zoom on through?

-Kristy

On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 1:51 PM, Ross, Arthur <[email protected]>wrote:

>  To add to Dan’s post, The HAWK, as it was known when Tucson
> developed/experimented with this, is now included in the MUTCD (Manual on
> Uniform Traffic Control Devices) but is now called a Pedestrian Hybrid
> Beacon.  There have been other similar signals used experimentally in other
> cities called half signals because they only control traffic on one of the
> streets, not both of them.  These have always fallen outside of the MUTCD
> norms and caused a lot of concern within the profession, so it is great to
> see a new tool adopted formally.  The one we are installing is different
> from the norm in that it will include a traffic signal for bicyclists (the
> red, yellow, and green signals will be bicycle icons).  We had to apply to
> the Federal Highway Administration for special permission to experiment with
> the bicycle signal.  By applying for experimental status we are helping with
> the process of bicycle signals being formally approved and adopted into a
> future update of the MUTCD.
>
>
>
> The way it will work at Mifflin / Blair is basically as follows.
>
> Blair Street traffic faces the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon.
>
> The beacon has three signal faces, two reds side-by-side at the top with a
> yellow centered below these.
>
> Mifflin Street traffic has three different traffic controls, one for each
> mode of traffic
>
>      Motorists will have to obey the existing stop sign.
>
>      Pedestrians will have a pedestrian signal activated by a push button
>
>      Bicyclists will have the new, experimental bicycle signal, activated
> by a push button
>
>
>
> The bicycle signal will rest (general operation as you approach the
> intersection) on flashing red.  Flashing red is equivalent to a stop sign,
> which is the existing situation.  There will be a push button next to the
> curb for bicyclists to be able to activate the bicycle signal and the
> pedestrian hybrid beacon to stop Blair Street traffic.  If Blair Street
> traffic is light, the bicyclist can simply stop for the flashing red and
> then go when clear.  No need to push the button and call the green bike /
> ped hybrid beacon cycle.  If Blair Street traffic is heavy, the bicyclist
> can push the button, wait for the bicycle signal to turn green, which will
> also stop the traffic on Blair Street with the double solid red, make sure
> it is clear then go.
>
>
>
> Pedestrians will have a similar situation to bicyclists.  The ped signal
> will be rest in blank (dark) mode so if Blair Street traffic is light, the
> ped can continue across.  If Blair Street traffic is heavier, the ped can
> push the button to activate the ped signals and the ped hybrid beacon to
> stop Blair Street traffic.
>
>
>
> The way the ped hybrid looks to Blair Street traffic is as follows
>
> Rests in dark/blank mode.
>
> When a bicyclist or pedestrian wanting the cross Blair pushes their button,
> the PHB will first start flashing yellow, giving a clearance interval to
> Blair Street traffic.  At the same time the Bike signal will go to solid red
> and the ped DON’T WALK signal will come on.
>
> Next the PHB will display both reds in solid/constant mode.  At the same
> time the bike signal will turn green and the Walk signal will come on for
> peds.
>
> AS the cycle is ending the PHB goes to flashing red, alternating the two
> reds, the bike signal goes through a typical green to yellow to red cycle
> and back to rest on flashing red,  and the ped signal goes through a typical
> WALK to flashing DON’T WALK to solid DON’T WALK and back to rest in
> blank/dark mode.
>
>
>
> Right now the bike push buttons say push button for walk, but we are
> working to change that to indicate that the push button is for  activating
> the bicycle signal.
>
>
>
> Here is a video of a similar set up in Portland.  Ours will be a bit
> different, but this should help understand the basic functionality for those
> who are more visual learners / thinkers.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHihP2t5mdQ  about 3 minutes
>
>
>
>
>
> Arthur
>
>
>
> Arthur Ross, Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator
> City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division
> 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Suite 100
> PO Box 2986
> Madison, WI  53701-2986
> 608/266-6225
>
> *From:* [email protected] [mailto:
> [email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Dan Ross
> *Sent:* Friday, November 19, 2010 11:51 AM
>
> *To:* [email protected]
> *Subject:* [Bikies] New signal at Blair and E Mifflin
>
>
>
> Yes, that is the new "HAWK" beacon.  It is a user-activated (via button?)
> to allow bikes (and maybe peds?) to cross Blair.  More info on HAWK beacons,
> although it may not be exactly the same for the one installed here:
> http://john-s-allen.com/blog/?p=16
>
> A full traffic signal is supposed to go in at E Mifflin and Webster, timed
> with the outer loop and coordinating with the to-be-installed (painted)
> counter flow lane for bikes in the 100 block of E Mifflin.
>
> Dan
>
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:58:16 -0600
> From: David Waugh <[email protected]>
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [Bikies] new bike coordinator
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> [...]
>
> Does anyone know if the new stop lights going in at the intersection of
> Blair and East Mifflin have anything to do with Mifflin being designated
> a bike blvd?
>
> David Waugh
> 1213 East Mifflin
>
>
> -
>
>
>
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>
>
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