Back-to-School Safety Starts at the Crosswalk
YPMO Supports City of Phoenix HAWK Signal Installations
School is back in session across Phoenix, and the City is prioritizing safety for students and families getting to and from school. As part of this effort, six High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) pedestrian signals have been recently installed and activated at key intersections throughout Phoenix. These HAWK signals are part of a citywide push to reduce traffic-related incidents and improve walkability, especially around neighborhoods where families and students travel every day.
The following intersections were selected through a detailed safety analysis and are now equipped with HAWK signals: 13th Avenue & Osborn Road; Thomas Road & Dayton Street;
Peoria Avenue & 17th Avenue; Colter Street & 7th Avenue; Buckeye Road & 16th Avenue; Virginia Avenue & 16th Street
These signals are a game-changer for pedestrian safety. When activated, they alert drivers with flashing lights and clear stop signals, giving people, especially students, a safer way to cross busy streets.
To make sure families, schools, and local businesses were informed every step of the way, the City of Phoenix Streets Transportation Department partnered with YPMO to lead public outreach and education around the project to help the community understand what’s changing, why it matters, and how to use the new signals safely.
When each signal became operational, we hand-delivered activation flyers to homes, schools, and businesses within a half-mile radius, showing exactly how pedestrians and drivers should navigate the updated intersections.
We also maintained a project hotline to answer questions directly from residents, teachers, and parents. One community even hosted a celebration event at their nearby HAWK signal, and we were proud to join the fun and hand out educational flyers!
Whether it’s your child crossing the street to get to school or a neighbor walking to the local park, these HAWK signals are helping make everyday trips safer for everyone. At YPMO, we’re proud to support projects that prioritize student safety, community communication, and neighborhood connectivity.
And we’re not stopping here, 12 more HAWK signals are on the way in the next phase of this project!
Let’s keep making Phoenix safer, one crosswalk at a time.
Learn more about HAWK signals and pedestrian safety at: phoenix.gov/streets/hawk