FDOT offers tips on safely crossing Williston Road on the Hawthorne Trail
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – FDOT has released a video, educating pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers on the proper use of the mid-block pedestrian signal where the Hawthorne Trail crosses Williston Road.
Watch the video here:
As trail users approach the signal, motion sensors signal the lights to change, but pedestrians should confirm that the lights have changed and all incoming traffic has stopped before crossing; they should also wait for the “Walk” signal. The signal can also be activated by pressing the button.
Approaching drivers should stay alert as they approach the signal and must stop at the stop bar when the light turns red; if the signal is flashing red, drivers must come to a complete stop, look both ways, and then proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear.
The first time I experienced this blinking red light it caught me off guard. I treated it like any other blinking red light.
If that means you stopped and made sure there was no one in the crosswalk before you proceeded and drove through the crossing, good for you! Most drivers don’t stop for the red flashing light there anymore. And, if you stopped and didn’t get rear ended, you were lucky.
I’ve crossed that road from the trail many times. The drivers do stop. I don’t always trust them, but they wait for me to go. I wish all of the crossings had the sensor to automatically turn on the flashing lights or the red light.
Dave- Most drivers DO stop when the MPS light turns SOLID RED.
When the MPS is first triggered by someone pushing the WALK button, or by someone walking, running or riding up to the motion sensor at the intersection, (sometimes, by someone not intending to cross the road at all,) it turns the signal solid red, and most drivers know to obey a solid red light.
Often, the motion sensor activates the signal for no apparent reason at all, as many of the drivers have learned.
The solid red light only stays solid red for a short time before it turns to flashing red.
It is the flashing red light that many drivers ignore, or treat as a yellow light, and just slow down a little. Yet, many trail users assume that they can still walk, run or ride across the road because there is still time left on the countdown timer while the drivers are seeing the flashing red light (and many are ignoring it ignoring it.)
It’s great that it works like this for safety. But it would be even better if there was some signage on the trail to explain about the sensors. Additionally, ALL trail crossings, both FDOT and for local roads, should have signage indicating the name of the road being crossed.
This article and video doesn’t make clear why there would be a Red light and a Flashing Red light. Why have both?
Also there are people on bikes who may approach the trail entrance from Williston using the bike lane. There should be a way to ride the bike from Williston onto the trail so they can use the sensor or button. As it stands it’s a very sharp turn to get onto the trail or to turn onto the highway.
FDOT is making a good start to integrate bikes and roads, but a painted line is no substitute for a raised bike lane or barrier between the cars and the bikes.
This article could have also included a way to contact FDOT directly so comments could be sent to them. Hopefully you can forward this and other suggestions to the appropriate person or people.
I especially agree with this:
“This article and video doesn’t make clear why there would be a Red light and a Flashing Red light. Why have both?”
Why indeed?
FDOT needs to keep it simple and understandable by everyone, if they want this to be safe.
I will share some FDOT and City of Gainesville contact info.
(The Alachua Chronicle is a huge, amazing effort by a very small crew to keep us informed. The Alachua Chronicle can’t be responsible for forwarding our suggestions to the appropriate people.)
But if you want to join the effort:
These people at FDOT have responsibility for the road, which is a state highway:
James.Hannigan@dot.state.fl.us
Cody.Ko@dot.state.fl.us
brenda.young@dot.state.fl.us
These City of Gainesville people have responsibility for the Downtown Connector Trail:
rodriguesk1@cityofgainesville.org
gadielg1@cityofgainesville.org
leistnerdl@cityofgainesville.org
This is not a comprehensive list, but if you want to do something, this a good place to start. Send them an email. I do not recommend trying to call FDOT people. It is very difficult to get through to anyone there. City of Gainesville is probably easier. But if you send an email, it becomes public record, so they are more accountable that way.
Thank you for this video! I’m glad the video focuses on the responsibilities of pedestrians as well as vehicles. It’s good to know that pedestrians have signs explaining how to use the crosswalk. However, many times when that light is green, people are still coming into the crosswalk. Safety responsibility is for everyone — not just those driving vehicles.
Unfortunately, for some reason beyond understanding, the signs for the pedestrians and cyclists do NOT include STOP signs and STOP AHEAD signs.
For some reason, FDOT took those down and put up picture signs showing a traffic signal, even though there isn’t a typical traffic signal at that location.
The signs that tell the pedestrians and cyclists and the drivers what to do are pretty small and wordy. What is needed is a typical traffic signal (green, yellow and SOLID RED) for the drivers, and STOP signage for the trail users. Keep it simple and easy for everyone to understand what they need to do.
Unfortunately it’s located in District 1. If you’re a hiker or biker at that crossing, keep that in mind.
A car weighs 4,000 lbs. My bike and I weigh a bit less than 200 lbs. I don’t care what the flashing light legally signals to drivers, I never assume a car is going to stop until it does so.
Exactly!!! But not everyone seems to understand that. And the motion sensor and lights make it confusing. Still, you are very wise. Always take a few seconds to make certain it’s all good before crossing. Don’t trust the drivers or the traffic engineers!
People understand green-yellow-red. If you need a lot of signage, you have the wrong design.
EXACTLY!!!! Well said, with very few words.
It’s Called common sense!
Which most people don’t have!
I learned long ago, The person crossing, LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING!😳
This trail with it’s connection to Depot Park, downtown, and even UF is a real gem that is very popular. Overtime it will become more so, which raises the question of how much use – and danger – triggers construction of a raised crossing.
Sure, like that cost less than common sense. Maybe they should have used the funds spent on those flashing crosswalks and bike lanes on 8th Ave for that raised crossing here instead.
Billions are spent in the US on road improvements every year and one of the main criteria is saving lives . Given that this roadway is under the FDOT, is relatively high speed with no signals until you get to it – visual or otherwise – that there are high numbers of pedestrian crossings for drivers to be wary of – as say at Univ and 13th or anywhere downtown along Main Street – and the otherwise mostly safe trail invites kids as much as adults, the level of potential danger is high. It could be completely eliminated with an elevated crosswalk and one hopes the FDOT engineers are considering that option going forward.
Perhaps you could write them to encourage they work on the homeless problem instead. That’s your usual “what aboutism” deflection.
It should be noted that the trail and it’s connection to downtown is a potential tourism destination for those who like riding bikes on paved trails through beautiful natural surroundings and in this case can end their ride at one of several great restaurants, bars, or brew houses before settling in at their hotel.
Jazzman, unfortunately, the most important consideration for FDOT (and all the DOTs) is moving drivers on the roads efficiently…
I agree, but they will listen to elected politicians. Hopefully it doesn’t take accidents to get their attention.
I am afraid it will take a death or two, unfortunately. (Although, if more people speak out, to the FDOT District 2 traffic engineers, and the City of Gainesville’s Traffic Operations and Vision Zero coordinator, maybe they will make changes before that happens.)
My understanding is that a raised crosswalk won’t work there because of road drainage issues, and the fact that there so many 18 wheelers go through there, connecting I-75 and I-10.
There is hope that a pedestrian bridge over the road/highway will be part of FDOT’s long term plan.
In the meantime, changing the light to a traditional traffic signal (with no flashing red phase) for the drivers that is activated ONLY by a trail user pushing the button, and providing clear, attention getting signage instructing the trail users to STOP and push the button and wait for the WALK signal (and look both ways) before proceeding, and clearing trees and vegetation to give drivers and trail users adequate line of sight-those simple, inexpensive measures would reduce the confusion and likely save lives and injuries until the ped bridge is someday built.
The only red flashing lights should on the STOP AHEAD and and STOP signs- to get the attention of the trail users!
Sounds right. What is the difference between a raised crosswalk and a pedestrian bridge?