FDOT builds Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon on Hawthorne Trail
Press release from Florida Department of Transportation
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Construction is now complete on a safety improvement project on State Road 24A and Williston Road (State Road 331) at Hawthorne Trail.
FDOT activated a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) that will improve safety and increase pedestrian mobility in the area by providing pedestrians with a new place to safely cross State Road 331. PHBs are advanced crosswalk systems that control both vehicle and pedestrian movements using traffic signals.
Activation of this new innovative safety feature marks the fourth PHB to be installed in the Gainesville area since 2023. Other locations include NE 39th Avenue at NE 28th Avenue, University Avenue (State Road 26) at Fred Cone Park, and SW 16th Avenue (State Road 226) near SW 10th Terrace.
For a video on how PHBs operate, please see below.
What good are the PHBs if people don’t cross the streets where they’re located? Crosswalks too. Take a ride around the downtown areas, you’ll have a better understanding.
Some people think they’re entitled to cross wherever they feel like it.
That’s, this is a specific location which is heavily used by those on the G’nv-Hawthorne Rail Trail. There is no significant random foot traffic near it and those using the trail would have to try to miss crossing there. Your comment is irrelevant to this location.
It’s a means for people to cross the street at a location clearly marked, as a crosswalk or the signals along 8th Ave and Main St., that offer a supposedly safe means of alerting drivers of pedestrian traffic. Crosswalks are at intersections. For some reason, people choose not to use them and instead cross other places not designated.
It’s relevant because just like the trash cans in and around Gainesville, they’re not being used for their intended purpose.
?? The crosswalk we are talking about is nowhere near Main or 8th Ave. It’s on the Williston/Waldo Road east of SE $th Street and is no where near an intersection of roads.
I suggest you visit the site and familiarize yourself with the situation, which is inherently dangerous absent a treatment like this one. Drivers on the road and bicyclists on the trail both approach this intersection without any natural warnings which might prepare them to be careful. Visibility is an issue for bicyclists who enter the intersection immediately after exiting a wooded area on both sides, though the North entrance is worse. There is nothing except these warning lights on the road giving drivers a heads up that they are approaching a sometimes busy crossing.
east of SE 4th Street
I think they should have put railroad crossing arms there.. and have it sound a train horn and the sounds of an approaching train when the button is pressed. 😉 it would also link it to the history of the rails to trails path as well.
I’ve seen it. My comment is how people don’t use the methods implemented to cross streets. Not everyone, but a higher number than you’re willing to admit.
Suggest you get out and around Gainesville and open your eyes and you’ll see what I’m referring to. Main St is a primary example, Newberry Rd but another. Just because you don’t want to see it with your rose-colored glasses doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Are these sponsored by ambulance chasing attorneys? Because what they do is cause rear end crashes. Ever see the skid marks from trucks when somene jams their brakes on at that last second? The crossing on Williston at rails to trails usually has car parts strewn about too.
I’ve been there, have not seen that. Those who live here no doubt approach that crossing from the trail knowing it is a dangerous spot. However, the trail is used by many visitors because it is a great attraction, and approaching that crossing without knowing it features high speed vehicles could lead to dangerous accidents.
Some of you just like to bitch.
As someone who has crossed that intersection numerous times, people are better off waiting 30 seconds until there is no traffic approaching instead of relying on flashing yellow lights to stop traffic nowadays. There is a place to stand in the middle. It’s located blocks away from the big subsidized complex on 4th Street (not the ‘polite, careful driver’ side of town). Those using the trail generally have enough sense to cross a road, unlike the residents of GRACE, for example.
Indeed Peabody, most can cross there and live to tell about it. That’s not the problem.
Yes, I have crossed there numerous times. The warning lights for cars may not be as important as warning lights for bicyclists approaching it from out of the woods.
There has always been a big STOP sign on both sides that says ‘Cross-street traffic does not stop’ or something to that effect. If you have been there yourself, you should know that. I would just caution pedestrians and bicyclists not to count on people actually stopping, especially right there in that part of town. Somebody might even think it’s funny to run you down.
Thanks for making my argument.
Carry on.
They spent alot of taxpayer money building one of these for the vagrants in front of Grace marketplace too…
I’m so thankful this has finally been installed! It’s so nice.
Why not build a pedestrian bridge instead?
FDOT will look at historical accident data and if enough accidents/deaths occur there over a certain time frame, they are obligated to provide safety improvements. A red light there will certainly improve that specific crossing.
It’s not a red light, just flashing yellow lights.
There is now a red light for traffic when pedestrians and bicyclists press the button.
At work, we have the push button yellow flashing light. Even with the lights, it is scary at times to cross. How many red lights at vehicle intersections are ran in Florida? How many phone users or drunks are on the road? Three thousand pounds always wins over two hundred pounds.
It would be nice if trail user would have to fund their infrastructure the same way motorist have to fund roads.