Drivers and students getting used to new signal on campus

Classes started Monday for University of Missouri students. Both pedestrians and drivers have a new light signal to adjust to on a busy street.

MODOT crews were out monitoring the traffic on campus, especially near the new HAWK pedestrian signals on College Avenue.

“First day of school, we just want to watch to see what’s going on,” said John Schaefer, Senior Traffic Studies Specialist. “As everybody is aware traffic levels and volumes are going to be higher with the student population being back.”

Schaefer said the new lights are a pedestrian signal and work differently than a traffic signal.

Schaefer explains no light or a “dark light” acts like a normal green traffic light. Once a pedestrian hits the walk button, flashing yellow lights will appear telling drivers the pedestrian cycle has started and they will soon need to slow down. A solid yellow light will appear followed by a solid red light, indicating drivers to stop. The walk signal will then appear for pedestrians. They will have about 22 seconds to cross the street.

“So as of right now, it’s going to be a about a minute before you get that indication up again,” said Schaefer. “We’re in the process where we’re trying to get these to where they will coordinate with the corridors, so it may take a little longer than that once it’s in coordination.”

Some students said they didn’t like the new crosswalks and they especially didn’t like the new pedestrian wall that acts as a barrier on College Avenue.

Other students said they were mostly pleased with the new system.

“It’s kind of hard driving and pulling out from our parking lot, so that’s probably the only down fall I really have with it,” said John Rhea, sophomore at MU. “But besides that the safety of the students is definitely a top priority and I definitely appreciate that. And also you don’t have to dodge cars like it used to be in the past.”

“People are still getting used to it,” Schaefer said. “You see a lot of pedestrians that will push the button and go to the median instead of waiting for the walk indication and then they’ll continue on.My advice is just to be patient and wait at the curb where it’s safer.”

MODOT was also monitoring heavy traffic areas like at the Stadium and Providence intersection. Schaefer said they’ll continue to watch the traffic and HAWK signals for the next couple weeks.