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Hybrid lights still causing confusion
Posted: 08.29.2011 at 9:31 PM
Updated: 08.30.2011 at 5:40 AM
Rachel Welte

Rachel Welte is the Weekend News Anchor and a General Assignment Reporter.

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Hybrid Pedestrian Beacon  / FOX21: File Photo
Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It has been eight months since the City of Colorado Springs installed its first hybrid traffic light, and they are still causing confusion.

The first light, also known as a hybrid pedestrian beacon, was placed at the intersection of Hancock Avenue and 3rd Street back in January.

Then, earlier this month, the city installed another at the intersection of Colorado Avenue and 17th Street.

"Basically it sits in an all-dark condition, and then when a pedestrian hits the button, it will wait a specified period of time," Robert Helt, Principal Traffic Engineer with the City of Colorado Springs said.

From there, the lights change to a flashing, then solid yellow, a warning to drivers someone is waiting to cross.

Next, the lights switch to a solid red to stop traffic.

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And then finally, they flash red.

It is at that point officials said things get a little confusing.

"Once it starts flashing double red, if it is clear, the vehicle can proceed and move through the crosswalk," Helt said.

Even though many drivers still do not understand how the traffic lights work, Helt said the city has not received any negative feedback.

Overall he said they are a great investment, and may be installed elsewhere throughout town.

"It is about a third of the cost of a traditional traffic signal," Helt said.

For those who use the signal on a regular basis, they have mixed feelings.

Pedestrians said it is a nice change, while drivers are not convinced.

"You can not just look for the little white guy that says you can walk, I mean you really have to look," resident Sue Reynolds said.

"Oh yeah, some people stop and others keep going, it was just a nervous wreck," James Hazlewood said.

In the past two weeks, officials said the hybrid beacon at 17th and Colorado has been used more than 400 times.

Map of hybrid lights in Colorado Springs:

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