JULY/AUGUST 2014 TRANSREPORT THE NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING ORGANIZATION IN THIS ISSUE New Transportation Studies in Region to NEW TRANSPORTATION STUDIES Get Underway This Fall Page 1 The Boston Region Metropol- programs that will be imple- urban core, and a study to itan Planning Organization mented in the future. identify low-cost ways to REMEDIES FOR SAFETY (MPO) gave the go-ahead reduce congestion at freeway AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS for its staff to begin a number Among the new studies bottlenecks. PROBLEMS of new transportation studies that will get underway in Page 1 when it approved the federal October are an analysis of Descriptions of these studies, fiscal year (FFY) 2015 Unified impediments to bicycle and and many others, as well as SUMMER TRAVEL Planning Work Program on pedestrian access to stations descriptions of ongoing MPO Page 3 June 26. Studies in the UPWP on the Fairmount commuter projects and programs, can often represent a first step rail line, an examination of be found in the FFY 2015 BAY STATE BIKE WEEK in the process of planning for capacity constraints on the UPWP document. Click here Page 4 transportation projects and transportation system in the to view it online. MPO ACTIVITIES Page 4 MPO Offers Remedies for Safety and Traffic AACT UPDATE Operations Problems at Intersections Page 5 Each year, the Boston Region the groundwork for the con- Braintree, Holbrook, Lynn, ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE MPO evaluates selected ceptual design of intersection and Waltham. Summaries are Page 6 intersections in the region to improvement projects. provided on page 2 and 3. identify traffic operations and Click here to view the full MEETING CALENDAR congestion problems relating In June, the MPO released report, Safety and Operations to how motor vehicles and the results of this year’s Analyses at Selected Intersec- transit vehicles are processed studies, which were conducted For the most recent tions, FFY 2013. through the intersections, for selected intersections in information about the Studies, continued on page 2 and safety concerns for following public meetings, motorists, bicyclists, and and others that may have pedestrians. been scheduled after TRANSREPORT was released, Recommendations from visit www.bostonmpo.org the studies offer a range of or call 617-973-7100 (voice) solutions to the identified or 617-973-7089 (TTY). problems. Some are options A photo ID is required to that municipalities or district access most meeting sites. offices of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation AT THE STATE TRANSPOR- (MassDOT) can implement TATION BUILDING, right away and others may 10 PARK PLAZA, BOSTON require long-term planning. Frequently, these studies lay July 9 (Wednesday) Five Corners intersection in Braintree Regional Transportation Advisory Council. The members of the Boston Region MPO: Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Conference Rooms 2 and 3. Cities of Beverly, Boston, Everett, Newton, Somerville, and Woburn, Federal Highway 3:00 PM Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Advisory Board, Massachusetts Port Authority, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Regional Transportation Advisory Council, Towns of Calendar, continued on page 2 Arlington, Bedford, Braintree, Framingham, Lexington, Medway, and Norwood Studies, continued from page 1 Calendar, continued from page 1 Western Avenue (Route 107) at July 10 (Thursday) Lynn Washington Street (Route 129) Boston Region Metropoli- The Problem: This location has a high number tan Planning Organization. of crashes, many involving pedestrians and Conference Rooms 2 and 3. bicyclists. There are no accommodations for 10:00 AM bicyclists. Poor traffic operations contribute to the problem of congestion at peak travel times. July 16 (Wednesday) Potential Solutions: Restripe the roadways ap- MassDOT Board of Directors. proaching the intersections to create turn lanes; Location TBD. 1:00 PM replace signals with ones that have flashing yellow left-turn arrows and pedestrian count- July 23 (Wednesday) down features; incorporate pedestrian signal timing in the signal operations plan; install signs Access Advisory Committee to instruct motorists to yield to pedestrians; to the MBTA: Board of add bicycle accommodations, such as bicycle Directors. Conference signal detection and sharrow markings on the roadway; install Opticom signal preemption Rooms 2 and 3. 10:00 AM equipment for public safety vehicles; and reconstruct wheelchair ramps to ADA to noon standards. Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA: Membership. Conference Rooms 2 and 3. North/South Franklin Street (Route37) at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Union Street/Plymouth Street (Route 139) Holbrook July 24 (Thursday) The Problem: This location is among the top 200 crash locations in the state, and more than over 30 Boston Region Metropoli- percent of the crashes at this intersection result in tan Planning Organization. personal injury. Frequently traffic backs up nearly Conference Rooms 2 and 3. half a mile during morning and evening peak travel 10:00 AM hours, but nearly 80 percent of crashes occur during off-peak hours. Speeding vehicles are likely the July 25 (Friday) cause of many crashes at this location. MassDOT: Public-Private Potential Solutions: Retime the signals based on Partnership Oversight updated traffic and pedestrian counts to improve Commission Meeting. Suite operations; enforce the 25-mph speed limits for the 3830. 10:00 AM roadways approaching the intersection to reduce the crashes caused by speeding vehicles; widen the roadway shoulders to accommodate bicycles; and extend the westbound left-turn July 28 (Monday) lane. MBTA Rider Oversight Com- mittee. Conference Rooms Franklin Street (Route 37) at West Street 1, 2, and 3. 5:00 PM to Braintree and Granite Street 7:00 PM The Problem: Often used as a cut-through by drivers trying to avoid traffic incidents or August 7 (Thursday) delays on Interstate 93 and Route 3, the Five Corners intersection is heavily congested during morning and evening peak travel hours and has a high crash rate. Boston Region Metropoli- tan Planning Organization. Potential Solutions: Retime the signals; install new pedestrian signal heads with Conference Rooms 2 and 3. countdown features; define the traffic lanes with pavement markings; modify the 10:00 AM entrances to nearby driveways; install signs to instruct motorists to yield to pedestrians; add bicycle accommodations, such as bicycle detection and signage; and reconstruct wheelchair ramps at the curbs to meet ADA standards. Calendar, continued on page 3 Studies, continued on page 3 Page 2 TRANSREPORT Calendar, continued from page 2 Studies, continued from page 2 August 21 (Thursday) Lexington Street at Beaver Street Waltham Boston Region Metropoli- The Problem: This intersection is among the tan Planning Organization. top 200 crash locations in the state. Nearly 30 Conference Rooms 2 and 3. percent of crashes at this location involve 10:00 AM left-turning vehicles. Some drivers may be confused and think that there is a protected August 25 (Monday) phase on the green light for left-turning vehicles. Conflicts between pedestrians and traffic are MBTA Rider Oversight also common and there are no accommodations Committee. Conference for bicyclists. Rooms 1, 2, and 3. 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Potential Solutions: A suite of signal improve- ments, including the installation of traffic signals August 27 (Wednesday) for westbound right-turning vehicles and accessible pedestrian signals, the modification of the signal phasing to provide protection for crossing pedestrians, and the installation of Access Advisory Committee communications equipment for future signal coordination; a redesign of traffic islands to to the MBTA: Board of provide better protection for pedestrians; installation of signs alerting drivers to yield to Directors. Conference pedestrians; and construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps at crosswalks. Rooms 2 and 3. 10:00 AM to noon Summer Travel: Alternatives to Driving Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA: Membership. With the summer season in How about a beach trip that links Boston’s waterfront Conference Rooms 2 and 3. full swing, now is a great or antiquing on the North at Long Wharf and Logan Air- 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM time to start using your Shore? Crane Beach in Ipswich port with Hull and Hingham. vacation days. Whether you and the shops in Essex can You can also take a ferry are staying in the Common- be reached by commuter to Georges Island in Boston AT OTHER BOSTON AREA wealth or have plans farther rail (Ipswich Station on the Harbor and Grape Island in LOCATIONS away, it is possible for you Newburyport/Rockport Line) Hingham Bay. (Grape Island to get to your summer in conjunction with the Cape service is on an on-demand July 10 (Thursday) destination in convenient Ann Transportation basis and requires that a park and sustainable ways. Here Authority’s summer shuttle ranger be notified in advance.) MassDOT Public Meeting: are a few options that will service, the Ipswich-Essex Bikes are permitted on these Morton Street Bridge allow you to leave your car Explorer. The shuttle service ferries, at no charge. Click Project. Economy Plumbing at home this summer. operates through Labor Day. here for schedules and Training Room, 874 Morton Click here for a schedule. ticketing information. Street, Mattapan. 6:00 PM Commuter Rail to the to 7:30 PM Coast Ferry Services Boston Harbor Cruises also operates ferry service to the Heading to Cape Cod? This Interested in a day trip from islands in the Boston Harbor summer, for its second the city to explore Nantas- Islands National Recreation year, the CapeFLYER, a ket Beach, catch the vista Area, where you can weekend passenger train at historic Fort Revere, play explore Fort Warren, go for a with service from Boston’s the arcades in Hull, or visit hike, camp, hear a concert, South Station to Hyannis the historic sites or shops in or even watch an old-time on Cape Cod, can get you Hingham? Want to travel from baseball game.