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Light Emitting Diode (LED) signs installed at 34th Avenue and Broadway

Pedestrian-activated, rectangular rapid flashing beacons will help alert drivers to pedestrian crossings

On Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) installed and activated two Light Emitting Diode (LED) signs at 34^th Avenue and Broadway. The rectangular rapid flashing beacons will help alert drivers to pedestrian crossings.  

The two LED signs were installed on both sides of the pedestrian crossing (east and west of Broadway) for north and southbound traffic. Two additional bases were installed near the signs providing pedestrians with an additional button to activate the signs.

Pedestrians must push the button located on the sign, or on a nearby base, to activate the signs. Once activated, both signs will flash for a minimum of one minute.

Motorists will be quickly alerted of pedestrian crossings as the LED signs will emit a rapid, bright flash from a rectangular beacon.

Pedestrians should keep these helpful tips in mind when crossing Broadway:

• Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections.
• Stop and look every time before crossing the street.
• Use pedestrian push buttons and obey “walk” and “don’t walk” signals.
• Make eye contact with drivers to confirm they see you. Never assume they do, even with eye contact.

Drivers are also an important factor in improving safety for pedestrians and other motorists. INDOT reminds motorists to obey the posted speed limit of 30 MPH and to look for pedestrians crossing Broadway between 33rd and 35th Avenues.

Drivers need to:

• Slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
• Always look for pedestrians, especially when turning at an intersection with a traffic light.
• Look for stopped vehicles; they could be stopping for pedestrians. Indiana law requires all vehicles to stop if approaching a vehicle from the rear that has stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian.

INDOT recently received approval from the Federal Highway Administration to install these experimental signs.

The safety of IU Northwest’s campus community is of the upmost importance and the university will continue to work with INDOT to improve pedestrian safety.

IU Northwest is hopeful the newly installed and activated LED signs, along with additional pedestrian crossing warnings located on Broadway, will help to make the campus safer for both pedestrians and motorists.