HAWK signal on GW Parkway on 11/18?

[bobco85]

I saw this on the BikeArlington Facebook page and was surprised to see it hasn’t been mentioned yet on this forum, so here goes. To me, it sounds like a HAWK signal will be used, so I am very excited to see this. (EDIT: It will not be a HAWK signal because drivers are not being forced to stop when it is activated. My excitement level is a bit lower because of it, but a flashing yellow light would still help alert drivers.)

George Washington Memorial Parkway News Release

George Washington Memorial Parkway Seeks Public Feedback on Temporary Flashing Beacon Warning System

McLean, VA – The National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway in consultation with the Federal Highway Administration, will be temporarily installing a flashing beacon warning system at the trail crosswalk of the northbound lanes of the Parkway, just prior to Arlington Memorial Bridge, one mile north of I-395. Temporary installation is planned to the week of November 18th and be in place for approximately thirty days as a trial to help inform the upcoming Environmental Assessment (EA) process that will evaluate long-term safety and traffic improvements in the area.

The purpose is to improve safety and increase awareness by slowing down traffic when pedestrians and bicyclists intend to cross the Parkway. Trail users can activate the flashing beacon and notify motorists of their intention to cross the Parkway. Trail users need to be aware that the flashing beacon is a warning, not a stop signal.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is accepting public feedback on the effectiveness of the system from Monday, November 18th, 2013 to Friday, January 17th, 2014. Comments may be submitted electronically on the project website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/warningsystem. Written comments may be mailed to: Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, c/o Turkey Run Park, McLean, VA 22101.

Public involvement in the Environmental Assessment process is expected to take place in early 2014. If you are interested in participating in the EA process, please send your email to kate_barrett@nps.gov .

Topic

[oldbikechick]

@dbb 78346 wrote:

I wasn’t successful, for reasons described below. I think the fact the lights are still there is like a function of the other workload of the staff.

I learned that the flashing lights were on loan from a vendor for the test period and have to be returned. I am hoping at the conclusion of the environmental assessment, a decision to purchase those or similar lights will be made and we will have flashing lights to help us across that crosswalk.

Thanks for following up with them and letting us know. I’m sure your advocacy is a huge help in pushing this in the right direction.

[dbb]

@oldbikechick 78350 wrote:

Thanks for following up with them and letting us know. I’m sure your advocacy is a huge help in pushing this in the right direction.

Thanks. I have been dealing with individuals from the NPS GWMP (up to the Deputy Superintendent) since 2012 and I find them accessible, reasonable and professional. The Arlington County staff has good lines of communication with the NPS GWMP as well.

We have to remember that they are getting pulled in a bunch of directions both publicly and politically. I think they understand the issues and are doing their utmost to balance all of their stakeholders.

[Author]

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