| Signal Timing at HAWK Pedestrian Signals Modified to Improve Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/1350 | Street Transportation | | 6/18/2020 8:50:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1350/Newsroom_Streets_018.jpg | | Signal Timing at HAWK Pedestrian Signals Modified to Improve Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists | <div class="ExternalClass22060BC3843049B3A39E8F614D11E28A"><html>
<p>To help increase safety as more people are walking and riding bicycles, the Street Transportation Department reprogrammed its HAWK pedestrian signals to minimize time people spend waiting to cross the street at its HAWK signals. HAWKs are traffic signals that allow people to cross the road safely and operate in a YELLOW–RED–FLASHING RED sequence to alert drivers that there are people who need to cross the road. All HAWKs will be programmed to minimize wait delays by as much as 50 percent. </p><p><br>“What this means is that people seeking to cross the road will have shorter wait times before the HAWK signal begins alerting drivers to stop. In many cases, when people activate the signal by pressing the ‘Walk’ button, they will not experience a wait before the signal cycle starts,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said.</p><p><br>“More and more people are getting outside for recreation and as the weather heats up, this is a step we can take to keep people moving comfortably and safely around the city,” Mayor Gallego added.</p><p><br>Some HAWK signals had a 60- to 90-second delay between activations. The gap between activations at most HAWKs will now be only 30 to 40 seconds.</p><p><br>“With fewer cars on the roads, decreasing the wait time for people walking or riding bikes will discourage people from crossing the road without the signal,” said Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who chairs the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee. “The reprogramming of the HAWKs will be a permanent change to help improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.”</p><p><br>HAWKs that are programmed to coordinate with nearby traffic signals will continue to work in a coordinated fashion but wait times were also improved at these locations. </p><p><br>The changes resulted from close collaboration between the Street Transportation Department’s Office of Pedestrian Safety, the Active Transportation Program and pedestrian and bicycle advocacy groups. </p><p><br>“As an organization, we are more effective when we work together with community members and elected officials,” Street Transportation Director Kini Knudson said. “Monthly meetings between our staff and pedestrian and bicycle advocates are resulting in good, actionable ideas to improve safety throughout the city.” </p><p><br>Unlike standard traffic signals, HAWKs only operate when a person pushes the crossing button. Vehicles are free to move when the signal is dark and no one is waiting to cross the road. </p><p><br>Phoenix currently has 65 HAWK signals and they have all been updated in recent weeks. For a map of the HAWK locations or to learn more about how to use HAWK signals, go to <a href="/streets/hawk" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(38, 114, 38);">phoenix.gov/streets/HAWK</span></a>. The user guide is available in English and Spanish.</p><p><br>Learn more about the Street Transportation Department at <a href="/streets" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/streets</a> and follow the department on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/StreetsPHX" target="_blank">@StreetsPHX</a>.</p><p style="text-align:center;">###</p>
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| Phoenix Named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/1333 | Street Transportation | | 6/10/2020 11:18:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1333/Newsroom_Streets_017.jpg | | Phoenix Named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists | <div class="ExternalClass793ECA8465AF4DB3B090B72B64A74078"><html>
<p>Today, the League of American Bicyclists announced that Phoenix once again earned the Bronze-level award as a Bicycle Friendly Community for its commitment to making the city a better, safer place to bicycle. Phoenix is the fifth largest U.S. city and joins 482 communities across the country in the pursuit of safer streets and better bicycling for everyone. The award recognizes Phoenix for its commitment to improving transportation corridors and recreational opportunities that can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities.</p><p><br>“We are committed to making bicycling easier and safer for our residents,” said Mayor Kate Gallego. “Phoenix currently has 1,062 bike lane miles with that number continuously growing. Multi-modal transportation, in which bicycles play an important part, is the key to a healthier and more equitable future.”</p><p><br>“With support from the Mayor and City Council, the Street Transportation Department created the Office of Pedestrian Safety and the Active Transportation Program as proof of a lasting commitment to improving safety and active transportation options citywide,” said Kini Knudson, Phoenix Street Transportation Director. </p><p><br>Since 2002, the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly America program has accepted more than 1,800 applications for awards and there are currently nearly 500 Bicycle Friendly Communities in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. </p><p><br>“Phoenix made the cut and although we are happy with the Bronze award, we will continue to work with the community to make wise investments in bicycle infrastructure so we can improve our designation in the next evaluation,” Knudson said.</p><p><br>“Whether people are commuting to work, exploring trails or bicycling for fun and fitness, Phoenix has something for everyone,” said Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who chairs the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee. “With the Accelerated Pavement Maintenance Program, each paving project is a blank slate to reimagine how the road is used. Street Transportation is evaluating each paving project to see where new bike lanes can be added.”</p><p><br>“Across the country, we have seen so many Americans biking during the pandemic. It’s critical that communities like Phoenix are taking steps to make biking a safe, accessible option for people,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists.</p><p><br>The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets standards for how communities build and mark progress toward safer and better bicycling options. The Bronze level award recognizes Phoenix’s commitment to improving conditions for all people who bike through investments in bicycle infrastructure, bicycle education, adult and youth bicycle safety programs, events like Bike to Work Day, public input and more. </p><p><br>To learn more about the BFC program, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://bikeleague.org/community">bikeleague.org/community</a>.</p><p><br>Learn more about the Street Transportation Department at <a target="_blank" href="/streets/">phoenix.gov/streets</a> and follow the department on Twitter <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/StreetsPHX">@StreetsPHX</a>.</p><p style="text-align:center;">###</p>
<p><strong>About the League of American Bicyclists</strong><br>The League of American Bicyclists leads the national movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. With a history dating to 1880, the League is committed to engaging diverse communities and building a powerful, unified voice for change around protecting and promoting bicyclists’ rights. Learn more at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bikeleague.org">www.bikeleague.org</a>.<br></p>
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| Youth Activity Books Deliver Important Safety Messages | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/1176 | Street Transportation | | 4/29/2020 9:20:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1176/Newsroom_Streets_015.jpg | | Youth Activity Books Deliver Important Safety Messages | <div class="ExternalClass1D40FC2F16C243C6BF3C95A2FBEFE21C"><html>
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<p>Young people can learn how to safely cross streets, access public transit, walk to schools and libraries and more through City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department's HeadsUp! Pedestrian Safety Activity Book. The colorful, engaging activity book is available in English and Spanish at <a target="_blank" href="/streets/headsup"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.phoenix.gov/headsup</span></a>.<img src="/streetssite/MediaAssets/Activty_Book_Cover.jpg" style="margin:5px;width:219px;height:285px;vertical-align:auto;float:right;" /></p>
<p>Packed with lessons and fun safety activities, the book is aimed at youth from ages 7 to 12. Parents, grandparents or guardians who are looking for educational activities can use the book as a teaching tool by printing select pages or the entire book.</p>
<p>An online answer key is provided in English and Spanish as well. To get the answer key, children complete an online safety pledge that they can print and keep.</p>
<p>Learn more about the Street Transportation Department at<a target="_blank" href="/streets"> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">phoenix.gov/streets</span></a> and follow the department on Twitter <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/StreetsPHX"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">@StreetsPHX</span></a>.</p>
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