City officials unveiled a new type of crosswalk and crossing signal in Mission Valley Friday, meant to improve safety for those crossing the street.
The new traffic control device features double flashing beacons and stop signals at the Mission Center Road crosswalk near the San Diego River Park Pathway.
Linda Marabian, Deputy Director for Traffic Engineering Operations, said the new device would maximize the safety of pedestrians and minimize the delays cars face when they wait for pedestrians to cross the crosswalk.
“At a reg traffic signal you have to wait for a pedestrian…to walk the entire length from curb to curb,” said Marabian. “In this particular instance, it is timed, so the pedestrian can walk by you and the light will flash red and when the path is clear, you can proceed. And so it minimizes the vehicular delay.”
Here’s how the new system works. When a pedestrian presses the cross button, the lights – visible from a distance – will flash yellow. When the lights become a solid yellow, the driver should stop if safe. A red light means the driver should stop. After a certain amount of time, when the pedestrian has moved out of the car’s way, flashing red lights will indicate the car can proceed.
When cars can drive while a pedestrian is finishing the cross, it minimizes the delay for cars.
“It’s really important because it does take longer for a wider street for pedestrians to cross,” Marabian said.
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The cost of the system activated Friday is $200,000. The systems will be installed at a Camino Del Este intersection and Torrey Pines Road intersection soon, Marabian said, with more planed.
