Crosswalk lights up for pedestrians

The city of Commerce and Texas A&M University-Commerce coordinated with TXDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) to install flashing lights onto two of the city's crosswalks.

One of the crosswalk systems was installed across Highway 24/50 and the other across Culver Street in front of Whitley Hall.

For many of the students who live in Whitley Hall the new improvement to the crosswalk is a huge relief. After all, the purpose is to improve the safety for students and anyone using the crosswalks.

"I don't have to worry about getting hit by a car," freshman higher education major Donna Maldon said.

Construction on the crosswalks had just concluded when students came back on campus after the holiday break; however, the flashing lights could have an effect on people afflicted with epilepsy.

"This is known as photosensitive epilepsy," PA-C (physician's assistant-certified) Maxine Mendoza-Welch said. "This is rare, but seizures can be provoked by specific stimuli such as flashing lights, a flickering television set or video game."

Mendoza-Welch is neither a neurologist nor a specialist in the field, though she has seen the lights.

"They sure are bright and hard to ignore," Mendoza-Welch said.

The plans for the crosswalks have been in the works for the past seven months during which the university and the city collaborated with TXDOT in a competitive bid process.

"[The crosswalks] were installed by Facilities personnel over a period of two weeks," Executive Director of Facilities & Support Services David McKenna said.

Many students and residents of the university see the lights as a guiding beacon.

"I think the crosswalk is helpful because, without it, it would be nearly impossible to get across the street to campus," freshman elementary education major Alyssa Shepard said. "The flashing lights really make a difference at night."

Drivers can also recognize the importance of the new crosswalks.

"I think they're helpful from a driver's perspective," senior sociology and English major Danielle Owens said. "There have been plenty of times I've driven through the crosswalk and didn't realize people were there and didn't see them."

The light, which flashes from the ground via high intensity bulbs installed into the concrete, increases the conspicuity of the crosswalk and pedestrians.

"I think it has a huge impact on drivers," Maldon said. "One can see it from 500 feet away. It attracts a lot of attention."

If nothing else, the new flashing lights on two major roadways of Commerce serve as entertainment.

"It's cool to watch at night," freshman music education major, Colby Charles said.