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Last year the City of Urbandale received funding from the Iowa Department of Transportation to install six push-button activated pedestrian beacons. The funding was through the Safe Routes to School Program. This program encourages children, kindergarten through 8th grade, to walk and bike to school. The locations of the pedestrian beacons are along Aurora Avenue at the intersections of 75th Street, at the Middle School entrance, and at 82nd Street.
The City is pleased to report that these beacons are now installed and operational. To use the pedestrian beacons, push the pedestrian button on the beacon pole to register that you wish to cross Aurora Avenue. Once the button is pushed the yellow beacons on the top of both poles will begin to flash for both directions of approaching vehicular traffic. These lights warn approaching motorist of pedestrians within the crosswalk. The pedestrian can cross the street while the beacons are flashing, but needs to remember to be aware of the traffic and make sure vehicles have stopped before crossing the road.
For motorists approaching the pedestrian beacon, yield to all pedestrians within the crosswalks and obey all traffic regulations. The beacons are intended to be an additional measure to alert motorist to pedestrians in the area.
The City encourages students, parents and pedestrians to familiarize themselves with the beacons and the procedure to utilize them. The new push-button activated pedestrian beacons now provide three locations for pedestrians, bikers, and school children to safely cross Aurora Avenue.
