Agenda Text
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Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 12/10/15.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
Agenda Item 200432
That the Commissioner of Public works adjust the traffic lights on McGrath Highway and Washington Street by Cobble Hill, to ensure seniors can cross the street.
Traffic and Parking has reviewed the time for pedestrians to cross Washington St by Cobble Hill. This pedestrian crossing time to cross Washington St is 25 seconds. The distance across Washington St is 55’4” (from curb to curb). Based on the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control (MUTCD) which is a federal, state and city standard, the walking speed is 3.5’ per second, a pedestrian in this time frame can walk a distance of 87.5’ The time for pedestrians to cross Washington St at Cobble Hill (55’4”)exceeds the minimum time established by the MUTCD.
While Traffic and Parking was reviewing this traffic signal it was observed that the pedestrian walk/do not walk signal was not in coordination with the traffic signal for pedestrians crossing Washington St. This condition may have caused confusion for pedestrians crossing Washington St. DPW has been notified of this situation.
Agenda Item 200433
That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a NOT A THROUGH STREET sign at the entrance to Cobble Hill to prevent cut through traffic.
A No Outlet sign was previously installed at this location.
Agenda Item 200437
That the Director of Traffic and Parking replace the missing Florence Street sign by Symphony Park.
The Florence Street sign will be replaced.
Agenda Item 200444
That the Director of Traffic and Parking enforce traffic regulations at the corner of Wigglesworth and Otis Streets.
The corner of Wigglesworth and Otis streets is on a defined Parking Control Officer’s route. All observed parking violations will be issues citations.
Agenda Item 200453
That the Director of Traffic and Parking report any violations pertaining to the business at 61 Prospect Street to the Committee on Licenses and Permits.
Traffic and Parking violations are issued to vehicle infractions not businesses.
Agenda Item 200496
That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a crosswalk at Arlington and Franklin Streets.
Traffic and Parking has conducted a site review of Franklin St and Arlington St relative to the installation of a crosswalk across Franklin St. It should be noted that prior to resurfacing this street there was a crosswalk at this location. Traffic and Parking did not support a crosswalk at this location.
When Traffic and Parking surveys a location for a crosswalk several conditions are reviewed. These conditions include adequate sight distance and stopping sight distance for a crosswalk in both directions approaching a crosswalk. A need for a crosswalk at a particular location i.e. sufficient number of pedestrians crossing the street at a location, location of nearby crosswalks and the presence of American With Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps.
The reviewed location did meet the criteria for sight distance and stopping sight distance for a crosswalk.
Notwithstanding the above, outside of Central Business Districts (CBD) crosswalks are generally not installed at mid- block locations. Franklin St at Arlington St would be considered a mid- block location. Studies have shown that when crosswalks are installed in mid- block locations pedestrian accidents increase. This phenomenon is caused by motorists not having proper perception reaction time to stop for a pedestrian at a location where generally a crosswalk is not expected.
In addition there must be a need for a crosswalk. Pedestrian crossings in an area must be apparent. Transportation Industry/Traffic Engineering Standards require either 20 pedestrian per hour or 60 pedestrians per four hour period for a new crosswalk. This figure must be documented by a valid survey. Traffic and Parking is not aware of such a valid survey at this location.
To install a new crosswalk, a new crosswalk is mandated to comply with the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). These standards mandate ADA ramps (in compliance with the latest ADA ramp specifications) at each end of the crosswalk. There are no ADA ramps for a crosswalk across Franklin St at Arlington St.
Based on the above Traffic and Parking does not support reinstalling a crosswalk at this location.
Agenda Item 200497
That the Director of Traffic and Parking repair the bus sign at Pearl and Cross Streets.
Traffic and Parking has notified the MBTA of the bus sign at Pearl and Cross Street.
Please contact me with any questions.
Suzanne Rinfret
Director of Traffic and Parking