SUNNYVALE INCREASES PEDESTRIAN SAFETY WITH HIGH-TECH CROSSWALK

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Sunnyvale’s pedestrians are now even safer, thanks to a new high-tech lighted crosswalk on Maude Avenue at Bayview Avenue, in front of Bishop Elementary school. The $25,000 crosswalk project, jointly funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety and the City of Sunnyvale, features pedestrian-activated lights embedded in the roadway that flash to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians in the crosswalk.

While California law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians, Sunnyvale has taken this extra step to heighten drivers’ awareness and increase visibility and safety for pedestrians. The intersection of Maude and Bayview Avenues was selected based on criteria established by the state, which provided $20,000 to fund the purchase of materials. The adjacent school, large numbers of student pedestrians and high traffic volumes on Maude Avenue were all factors in the selection.

The City will evaluate the effectiveness of the system and may consider additional locations for lighted crosswalks.