1. Town Center Streetscape Project
Phase 1
Lexington, MA

2. Selectmen’s Introduction

3. Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety in Center
Address Critical Infrastructure Issues
2012 Annual Town Meeting: $240,000 for 25% design
2014 Annual Town Meeting: $600,000 for 100% design and bid documents
This project focuses on Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety in the center and addresses critical infrastructure needs as will be detailed in the presentations.
It has also received 2 prior funding allocations from Town Meeting (see slide for details)

4. Current Conditions – Phase 1

5. Current Conditions – Phase 1

6. Current Conditions – Phase 1

7. Safety Elements – Phase 1
Improve lighting including at crosswalks
Move crosswalks away from cars turning out of driveways
Shorten crossings
Improve sidewalks
Narrow travel lanes
Improve intersection

8. Intersection Current Conditions
Zoom-in

9. Intersection Safety Elements
Zoom-in
Reconfigure Intersection
Square Mass Ave & Woburn St
Shift and Grow Island
One-Way Mass Ave to Fletcher and Woburn St

10. Intersection Safety Elements
Zoom-in
Narrow Traffic Lanes
Bike Lane
Flush Median
Slows Traffic

11. Intersection Safety Elements
Zoom-in
New Crosswalks
Protected Pedestrians
Island Refuge
Traffic Light

12. Town Engineer’s Report

13. List of meetings Date Committees 3/17/2014 BOS Meeting 3/18/2014
6/24/2013
Transportation Forum
8/8/2013
Center Committee
9/10/2013
Streetscape Committee
9/30/2013
11/25/2013
12/5/2013
Public Meeting Workshop
12/19/2013
Streetscape Committee (debrief public workshop)
1/9/2014
Streetscape Committee (on Battlegreen)
ADA Committee
1/18/2014
Battle Green Committee
2/14/2014
Coordination Meeting with Nelson Nygaard on Parking Study
2/20/2014
2/28/2014
Tourism Committee
3/11/2014
Pre-BOS meeting with Town Manger
3/12/2014
Property Owners Meeting
Streetscape Committee-Lighting
3/17/2014
BOS Meeting
3/18/2014
Public Meeting
6/13/2014
Streetscape Committee (Preliminary Design Reviews
7/10/2014
7/17/2014
Preliminary Design Submittal
9/10/2014
Streetscape Committee (Project Coordination)
10/6/2014
Sample of the meetings held to date

14. Phase 1 limits
The limits of the project extend from approximately 200 feet to the east of the intersection with Woburn Street through the intersection and to the exit driveway of the Cary memorial building as the westerly limits. The primary goal of the project is safety for all users and there is a significant focus on the safety of pedestrians. Additionally there is critical maintenance that is essential and included in this phase. First I will discuss the maintenance (much of which has a safety component) and I will follow up with the major safety components of this phase.

15. Adjacent to Fletcher Ave
Drainage
Prior to rebuilding this (or any road) we evaluate the existing drainage. There is currently substandard drainage in this area that does result in puddling for extended periods as well as icing. These issues will be resolved as part of the phase 1 construction.
Near Conscience land
Adjacent to Fletcher Ave

16. Roadway condition Westbound lane Eastbound lane
Additionally the road conditions are very poor with a PCI of 36 with 100 being excellent condition. There is significant cracking, roadway distortion, as well as some pothole issues. This section of roadway will have a new surface when this project is complete creating a more comfortable and safe ride for bicycles and vehicles.
Westbound lane
Eastbound lane

17. Sidewalk condition
The recently completed sidewalk inventory identifies the sidewalks and ramps in these areas as non-compliant with accessibility regulations and has prioritized them as high priority since there are in an area of high pedestrian use with numerous destination points.

18. Sidewalk condition Near Hosmer House Approaching Winthrop Road
Examples of the condition of the sidewalks can be seen here. There are non-compliant ramps and excessive cross-slopes along this phase.
Near Hosmer House
Approaching Winthrop Road

19. Sidewalk condition Southerly side Southerly side
Additionally there are numerous tripping hazards throughout this section of roadway.
Southerly side
Southerly side

20. Pedestrian Safety
The most critical aspect of this project and the most difficult one to solve is the issue of pedestrian safety. The photo you see here and the ones on the next few slides were taken at the intersection of Mass Ave with Woburn Street and Winthrop Road. As you can see in these photos and likely witnessed firsthand there is a heavy volume of vehicles travelling through this intersection and a very confusing pattern of turning movements (describe different movements).

21. Pedestrian Safety 54 to 68 feet
There is an MBTA bus stop directly across from the camera position at the intersection with Winthrop Road and one nearby the camera location. Additionally the Farmers Market is adjacent to this intersection as well which brings in large numbers of pedestrians. There is currently no crossing or curb cuts for crossing at this intersection. The distance across the street in this area ranges from 54 to 68 feet. At an average crossing speed for a pedestrian of 3.5 feet per second it would take approximately seconds to cross at this location.

22. Pedestrian Safety
Finding a gap in traffic of seconds makes it very difficult to cross here even for the most able-bodied. I personally tried unsuccessfully twice this week. Let’s discuss this intersection in more detail.

23. Intersection
What can be done at this intersection to improve safety. We can tee it off to reduce the expanse of asphalt , better control movements and speeds, better define lanes, and improved the sight line for vehicles.
We can add crosswalks at this location to define crossing points and provide a layer of safety for pedestrians.
And we can shorten the crossing lengths…at the same location previously discussed the distance has been reduced to approximately 47 feet. This reduces the crossing time from the 15 to 20 second range down to about 13.5 seconds. Definitely and improvement but still difficult to cross with all the movements.
So the options that exist are…

24. Design Option Comparisons Massachusetts Avenue/Woburn Street/Winthrop Road Intersection
Pros
Cons
Option 1 - Do Nothing
Maintains existing traffic movements.
Maintains the existing island.
Unsafe traffic patterns.
No pedestrian or bicycle support.
Queuing on Woburn St (320 feet)
Poor Operation (LOSF)
Appearance/ expansive pavement
Option 2 - Modify Geometry, No Signal
Establish gateway to Town Center.
Pedestrian/ bicycle support.
Improved traffic patterns/channels
Traffic Calming.
Pedestrian crosswalk unprotected.
Longer traffic queues on Woburn St. (Bikeway crossing; 500 ft.)
Poor operation (LOSF).
Option 3 - Modify Geometry, Traffic Signals
Enhanced gateway to Town Center
Protected pedestrian/ bicycle
Improved traffic safety/ operations.
Traffic calming benefits.
Manage Mass. Ave. & Winthrop Rd.
Installation and maintenance of traffic signals.
Roundabout
Controls traffic without signals.
Requires extensive Right-of-Way.
Of course Do Nothing
T’ing off the intersection and without a signal
T’ing off the intersection with a signal
and a Roundabout option

25. Modify Geometry, No Signal Modify Geometry, Traffic Signal
Design Option Comparisons Massachusetts Avenue/Woburn Street/Winthrop Road Intersection
Design Option
Option 1
(Do Nothing)
Option 2
Modify Geometry, No Signal
Option 3
Modify Geometry, Traffic Signal
Overall Safety – +
+ +
Pedestrian Crossing
Traffic Calming
Level of Operation (Delays/LOS)
– –
Appearance
Gateway
7. Winthrop Rd.
A comparison of the three feasible options led us to the following chart (point out first four). The option with the signal is the only option that allowed for a protected pedestrian crossing. Currently the closest protected crossing is at the Waltham Street intersection with Mass Ave. This crossing is 1,300 feet away (1/4 mile, a 371 second or 6 minute walk).
Note:
Our recommendation is Option 3. It provides overall safety, operational improvements and gateway enhancements.
Legend
– Negative
Positive

26. View A Existing Proposed
These two images show existing conditions (at the top) and proposed conditions (at the bottom) the vantage point is looking from the Arlington side of Winthrop Road toward the west.
You can see the new safety improvements including sidewalks and crosswalks, new road surface, and entering bike lane. You may also notice a mast arm of the proposed signal. This signal would have a protected pedestrian phase for the crossings and would also include countdown timers to assist with crossings. This would allow the pedestrians to safely cross without the conflict of vehicles.
View A

27. View B Existing Proposed
A second view shows the existing conditions and the proposed improvements from the vantage point of Winthrop Road looking North. You can see three of the proposed crosswalks at the controlled intersection with the protected crossing.
You may also notice the proposed signals which are an ornamental style to match those at the Mass Ave/ Waltham intersection in the middle of the downtown area.
View B

28. Phase 1 benefits
Replacement of existing non-compliant sidewalk
Roadway Restoration
Drainage improvements
Improved Bike accommodations
Improved Level of Service at the intersection
Improved safety for all users
Vehicles
Bicycles
Pedestrians
able-bodied
Wheelchair bound
Those pushing strollers
Those with canes
Those with walkers
Children
Legally blind
This project is also very much in line with the goals of Article 35 for Complete Streets in Lexington and Article 45 which calls for improved safety for pedestrian and cyclists.
See text on slide