In the past few years, new pedestrian crossings have been installed in Powell. They are known as “High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacons”, or HAWK signals for short. One was installed on Home Road in the summer of 2024, and another was installed more recently on Powell Road this past spring.

HAWK signals are different than typical pedestrian crossings because they are used at intersections where a stoplight isn’t justified, but there is still high foot traffic. When a crosser activates it, there’s a sequence of a yellow light that tells drivers to slow down, a red light that requires them to come to a stop, and a flashing red light that allows them to proceed with caution after coming to a full stop if the crossing is clear.

“I had no idea I could go when the light is blinking, and I think many people don’t,” said Andrea Mulford, a Powell driver. “Because last time I was at the light, lots of people just sat there like I did.”

  As for people crossing, it is important to begin crossing only when the white walk signal is displayed, although you can finish crossing until the countdown is over. This also helps ensure that cars have stopped.

“I always make sure there are no cars going,” Arya Prakash ‘28 said, “because sometimes they don’t stop at the signal.”

Between the two HAWK signals, the Home Road one is closest to Liberty, being just a quarter of a mile from the school. This makes it especially useful for students who live nearby, and want to walk home safely. 

“It’s really useful for when I walk home every day,” Russel Yao ‘28 said, “and I also use it whenever I go to soccer practice”

The Powell Road crossing is also important in its own right, as it connects the residents of Wedgwood to the rest of Powell. Like the Home Road signal, it also improves the safety for those trying to cross. 

“I use it when I’m running a lot and also when I bike with friends,” Tommy Strunck 28’ said, “Before it was there it was really hard to cross safely, but now it allows me to.”