WILMINGTON — Visitors to Wrightsville Beach are no stranger to the HAWK Beacon (High-intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon) a traffic signal that has created confusion for drivers, and has been the cause of many traffic citations. Now, Wilmington is considering installing the same the system within city limits.
“We currently have what is called a rapid-flash rectangular beacon at the intersection of Third and Ann. I think it was as of October of last year the Federal Highway Administration, upon settlement of a patent case for that device has banned the use of those on public highways,” Don Bennett, traffic engineer for Wilmington said.
The city is no longer able to install any more of the current beacons, and if an accident were to occur causing damage to the system, it would be deemed end of usable life.
The HAWK Beacon was developed by the City of Tucson, Ariz., and it displays a stop signal to motorists, as opposed to the current yield message.
According to Bennett, motorist compliance is higher when the red stop signal than with traditional flashing lights.
Currently, Wrightsville Beach has the sole HAWK Beacon in New Hanover County, located at Causeway Drive and North Channel. In January, Wrightsville Beach Police Department issued 21 citations in two days during a controversial operation to enforce compliance at the light.
Chief of Police for Wrightsville Beach Daniel House admitted the signal was confusing to drivers since there are several steps to its operation.
The way the HAWK Beacon works is as follows:
- A pedestrian triggers the beacon by pushing a button
- The beacon turns yellow to alert drivers the light is about to change
- The light turns to a steady red light, indicating drivers must stop
- The light begins flashing red, drivers can now treat the signal the same as a stop sign
There are three potential locations for the HAWK Beacon in Wilmington, Third Street and Ann Street, Market and 21st Street, and 17th Street at Church Street. Residents at Carolina Place have been requesting some sort of signal placed at Market Street and 21st Street, according to Bennett.
Each HAWK Beacon is expected to cost the city approximately $100,000-$200,000 after installation, he said.
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