The Tribune

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Deputy Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

MOTORISTS stuck in long lines of traffic were confused and angered yesterday by the newly installed HAWK pedestrian signal crosswalk on University Drive.

As several students have been hit crossing the street between the Michael Eldon Building and the main University of the Bahamas campus, officials said it adds a safety mechanism for students who need to cross the street.

But because the new system's traffic light does not ever change to green to signal when they could go, some drivers did not know if and when it was safe to drive through the crossing.

Others did not acknowledge the system's flashing lights and drove through the pedestrian's markings as some students were crossing.

On the other hand, most students were not using the system properly and did not wait for the ten-second system countdown for the walk signal.

The chaos this created yesterday led many motorists to voice their frustrations and honk their horns, telling reporters they had no idea how the new system was to work.

Generally, they all agreed this would create a daily traffic nightmare in the area.

"To an extent I feel like it's kind of unnecessary, but I guess it's a safety precaution for the students but like this extra traffic I don't think that's necessary," resident Jonathan Munroe said. "Something else should have been done."

"It's gonna cause a lot of traffic," motorist Travis Archer said.

One woman who only wanted to be identified as Ms Wallace said: "I think it is going to cause traffic to be backed up on this road because it is a very busy thoroughfare."

Another motorist added: "I don't understand this. This is so confusing. So what am I supposed to do?"

But UB president Rodney Smith yesterday said the new crossing is necessary after having several students hit by cars travelling in both directions of University Drive.

Damian Francis, Ministry of Works deputy director in the civil design section, explained the HAWK - High-Intensity Activated crossWalk - is a model used in the United States. The UB crosswalk is the first of its kind in The Bahamas.

It is a prototype for other locations where there is a high demand of motorists and pedestrians crossing.

How it works

Pedestrians should push the call button for the walk signal and then wait for the signal to change. This could take from ten seconds to one minute.

Once the walk signal appears, pedestrians should begin to cross the road once they are sure the traffic from both sides has stopped.

Meanwhile, motorists will see several things signal what the next move should be.

When no lights are visible on the traffic light, it is all clear to proceed. If a flashing yellow light appears, this means to proceed with caution.

A solid yellow light means drivers should slow down and prepare to stop.

Once there are two solid red lights visible, motorists are to stop and two flashing red lights means to stop and proceed with caution.

Mr Francis reminded motorists that the area is a 25mph zone where caution should be used.

He said: "I remind everyone, with the new signal, both pedestrians and motorists should be driving in this area cautiously and should be aware of what's happening and be cautious of vehicles potentially overtaking in the area and make sure that they are safe."

Asked whether the Ministry of Works factored in the effect the new crossing will have on the traffic flow in the area, Mr Francis said: "It's a safety issue so it's a joint use. So there will be impact on traffic in any case.

"It really doesn't matter what type of crossing you put in. Pedestrians are going to walk through and it's going to impact on traffic particularly the volume of traffic that we have on Thompson Blvd (University Drive)."

Considering the frustration the crosswalk caused yesterday, Project Engineer Seth Apau was asked about the non-conventional option of installing a pedestrian bridge.

He said of this idea: "People were complaining about the disabled and how they would get over it and some people also said students are naïve and may stand on it and fall (so it was ruled out)."