The Georgia Department of Transportation has installed a pedestrian hybrid beacon on Whitlock Avenue at Cheatham Hill in Marietta.
This beacon replaces the previous crosswalk between two sections of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
The pedestrian hybrid beacon, also known as the High intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK), is a pedestrian-activated warning device located on the roadside or on mast arms over mid-block pedestrian crossings, according to a city statement.
The beacon head, consisting of two red lenses above a single yellow lens, is “dark” until the pedestrian wants to cross the street.
Then the pedestrian will push a button to activate the beacon.
After displaying brief flashing and steady yellow intervals, the device will display a steady red indication to drivers and a “WALK” indication to pedestrians, allowing them to cross a major roadway while traffic is stopped.
Once the pedestrian phase ends, the “WALK” indication changes to a flashing orange hand to notify pedestrians that their clearance time is ending.
The hybrid beacon displays alternating flashing red lights to drivers while pedestrians finish their crossings before once again going dark at the conclusion of the cycle.
Information: MariettaGa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4802.
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