Resolution 2019-30953 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-30953
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NOT MOVE FORWARD
WITH THE PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF HIGH-INTENSITY
ACTIVATED CROSSWALK ("HAWK") BEACONS IN MIAMI BEACH
AND TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES TO
IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
WHEREAS, in 2015, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2015-29083
establishing a new modal hierarchy prioritizing the pedestrian above all other modes of
transportation; and
WHEREAS, the City has worked with the Florida Department of Transportation
("FDOT") and Miami-Dade County to prioritize improvements to enhance pedestrian
safety on all City streets; and
WHEREAS, one of the devices approved by the Federal Highway Administration
and FDOT for use on crosswalks is the high-intensity activated crosswalk ("HAWK")
beacon; and
WHEREAS, HAWK beacons are designed to assist pedestrians on high trafficked
areas that do not qualify for mid-block traffic signals due to geometric conditions and/or
lower pedestrian or vehicular volumes than those required to warrant a full signal; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, FDOT installed HAWK beacons on Collins Avenue south of
69th Street (adjacent to the Publix Supermarket entrance); and
WHEREAS, the HAWK beacon has been observed to be less effective than other
pedestrian crossing devices because its operation is confusing to both pedestrians and
motorists; and
WHEREAS, given the convoluted operation of the HAWK beacon and the high
number of pedestrians and drivers using Collins Avenue who were unfamiliar with how
the beacon operates, low compliance was consistently observed by City staff and police;
and
WHEREAS, based on the results of field observations and concerns, the City
requested that FDOT replace the HAWK beacon with a mid-block traffic signal.; and
WHEREAS, in response to the City's concerns, FDOT launched an educational
campaign to educate pedestrians on how to use the HAWK device; however, compliance
by both pedestrians and motorists has not been as high as with other pedestrian crossing
devices; and
WHEREAS, staff observations of the existing HAWK beacon on Collins Avenue
and 69th Street revealed that the high number of phases was causing some confusion
and drivers would stop during the wrong phase, thus prompting pedestrians to cross the
street without having the appropriate walk signal; and
WHEREAS, in June 2019, the City received FDOT construction plans for the
intersection of Harding Avenue and 79th Street proposing the installation of HAWK
beacons; and
WHEREAS,the City communicated with FDOT District Six staff and requested that
other devices be explored given the ineffectiveness of HAWK beacons in Miami Beach;
and
WHEREAS, FDOT advised that HAWK beacons were being considered for
implementation at various locations in the City and a resolution from the Mayor and City
Commission would be necessary to prompt FDOT to consider other devices instead of
the HAWK beacons.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, to adopt a resolution urging
the Florida Department of Transportation to not move forward with the proposed
installation of high-intensity activated crosswalk ("HAWK") beacons in Miami Beach and
to consider alternative traffic control devices to improve pedestrian safety.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 11th day of September, 2019
111111,
ATTEST:
Dan Gel e, Mayor
ctlib I ,9
Ra el E. ranado, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR XECUTION
g(36 11
City Attorney Date
(RV-
Resolutions -C7 P
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: September 11, 2019
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSED
INSTALLATION OF HIGH-INTENSITY ACTIVATED CROSSWALK ("HAWK")
BEACONS IN MIAMI BEACH AND TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC
CONTROL DEVICES TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
RECOM M ENDAT ION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution.
BACKGROUND
In 2015, the City Commission adopted a resolution establishing a new modal hierarchy
prioritizing the pedestrian above all other modes of transportation. Based on this resolution, the
City has worked with the Florida Department of Transportation(F DOT)and Miami-Dade County
to prioritize improvements to enhance pedestrian safety on all city streets.
One of the devices approved by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT for use on
pedestrian crosswalks is the HAWK signal. HAWK signals are designed to assist pedestrians
at crossings that do not qualify for mid-block traffic signals due to geometric conditions and/or
lower pedestrian or vehicular volumes than those required to warrant a full traffic signal. HAWK
signals can be effective; however, in our City, they have proven to be confusing to both drivers
and pedestrians due to their intricate operation.A HAWK beacon functions as follows: 1) a
pedestrian activates the system by pressing a button; 2) overhead flashing yellow lights alert
drivers that pedestrians have activated the beacon; 3) the yellow light flashes for several
seconds;4)the yellow light then turns solid yellow, preparing drivers to make a complete stop at
the intersection; 5)a solid red light appears for vehicular traffic at which time pedestrians receive
a white "walk" signal, and may proceed across the intersection; 6)flashing red lights for drivers
appear when the pedestrian countdown begins, to alert the driver that if the intersection is clear,
he or she may proceed through it with caution; and 7) when the pedestrian countdown has
expired, the beacon goes dark and vehicular traffic can resume.
In 2015, FDOT installed a HAWK beacon on Collins Avenue south of 69th Street (adjacent to
the entrance to Publix Supermarket). See attachment. Given the convoluted operation of the
Page 376 of 2228
HAWK beacon and the high number of pedestrians and drivers using Collins Avenue who were
unfamiliar with how the beacon operates, low compliance was consistently observed by city staff
and police. Given these observations and concerns, the City requested that FDOT replace the
HAWK beacon with another type of pedestrian traffic control device . In response to the City's
request, in January 2018, FDOT reduced the duration of the various phases which has had
limited effects on compliance and on the effectiveness of the HAWK beacon at this location.
In June 2019, the City received FDOT roadway construction plans for the intersection of
Harding Avenue and 79th Street proposing the installation of a HAWK beacon at that location.
City staff communicated with FDOT District 6 staff immediately and requested that other
pedestrian traffic control devices (such as LED flashing beacons, and mid-block traffic signals
described in the Analysis section of this memorandum)be explored given the ineffectiveness of
the existing HAWK beacon in Miami Beach. FDOT advised that these devices were being
considered for implementation at various locations in the City and a resolution from the Mayor
and City Commission would be necessary for FDOT to consider another type of pedestrian
crossing device in lieu of the HAWK beacon in Miami Beach.
ANALYSIS
Staff observations of the existing HAWK beacon on Collins Avenue and 69th Street reveal that
the high number of phases was causing confusion and drivers would stop during the wrong
phase, thus prompting pedestrians to cross the street without having the appropriate walk signal.
While some drivers stopped during the flashing yellow, others would proceed while pedestrians
were in the crosswalk thus creating safety concerns. Although FDOT launched a campaign to
educate users on the operation of the HAWK device shortly after its installation, over time, the
message is lost due to the high volume of transient pedestrians and motorists that traverse the
area.
OTHER TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
The safest traffic control device for pedestrians is a full traffic signal with pedestrian
signalization. However, when a traffic signal is not warranted pursuant to a traffic study
conducted in accordance with federal guidelines or feasible due to roadway geometric
constraints, other types of traffic control devices can be effective. In highly urbanized and
touristic communities such as ours, LED flashing beacons, such as the ones at Alton Road and
13th Street, have proven to be effective. Additionally, the LED-illuminated crosswalk at Alton
Road and 1st Street has also achieved adequate compliance levels from both pedestrians and
motorists. As an alternate configuration, the LED flashing beacons could be installed overhead
(over each lane of vehicular traffic)to increase visibility as opposed to installation on the sides of
the road. In fact, FDOT recently installed overhead LED flashing beacons on SW 8th Street at
16th Avenue and at 13th Avenue in the Little Havana community of the City of Miami which is
also characterized as a highly touristic area. Thus far, these devices have proven effective in
raising driver awareness of pedestrians using the crosswalk and high compliance by users has
been reported.
The safest traffic control device for pedestrians is a full traffic signal with pedestrian
signalization. However, when a traffic signal is not warranted pursuant to a traffic study
conducted in accordance with federal guidelines or feasible due to roadway geometric
constraints, other types of traffic control devices can be effective. In highly urbanized and
touristic communities such as ours, LED flashing beacons, such as the ones at Alton Road and
13th Street, have proven to be effective. Additionally, the LED-illuminated crosswalk,at Alton
Road and 1st Street has also achieved adequate compliance levels from both pedestrians and
Page 377 of 2228
motorists.As an alternate configuration, the LED flashing beacons could be installed overhead
(over each lane of vehicular traffic)to increase visibility as opposed to installation on the sides of
the road.In fact, FDOT recently installed overhead LED flashing beacons on SW 8th Streetat
16th Avenue and at 13th Avenue in the Little Havana community of the City of Miami which is
also characterized as a highly touristic area. Thus far, these devices have proven effective in
raising driver awareness of pedestrians using the crosswalk and high compliance by users has
been reported.
y of the operation creates confusion and the effectiveness of the device is reduced.
CONCLUSION
Transportation staff professional opinion is that HAWK beacons are more appropriate in
communities with repeated motorists and pedestrians who can benefit from an educational
campaign. In Miami Beach, where a high percentage of drivers and pedestrians are visitors and
tourists, the complex operation of the HAWK beacon creates confusion and reduces the
effectiveness of the device as a pedestrian safety measure. As such, staff believes that other
types of pedestrian traffic control devices are more appropriate for crosswalks in Miami Beach.
KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES SUPPORTED
Ensure Comprehensive Mobility Addressing All Modes Throughout The City
Legislative Tracking
Transportation
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Existing HAWK Beacon on Collins Avenue
a Resolution
Page 378 of 2228
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