HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-10-TSAC-min`rNGS
Town of Lexington Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
MEMORANDUM
#0310
TO: Leo McSweeney, Chairman
Board of Selectmen
FROM: David T. Carbonneau, P.E.,
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
DATE: 12/11/2002
SUBJECT: TSAC Meetings 9/10/2002
The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met on September 10, 2002. The following agenda
items were brought before the Committee.
Stop Sign Diamond Middle School Drive at Hancock: The Committee discussed a request
from Mr. Charles Butt of 116 Burlington Road for a Stop sign at the drive for Diamond Middle
School. North bound Hancock Street has the higher volume and should have the right of way.
1 t(Pi 4A11 other minor approaches to this intersection have a Stop sign.
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Recommendation: The TSAC recommends that a Stop regulation be ordered on the
Diamond School Drive at Hancock Street.
No Parking on Worthen Road at Center Pool: The Committee met with Karen Powers of 12
Emerson Gardens Road regarding the existing No Parking regulations in front of the Center Pool
complex and the Hayden Rink. Ms. Powers questioned the need for No Parking at this location
44 considering the short parking supply and high parking demand at this location. The Committee
maintained that No Parking was warranted from Lincoln Street to the access drives for the Rink
and Pool to keep sight lines clear for pedestrians using the crosswalk and vehicles exiting the two
I 0 facilities. However the Committee believed that the No Parking regulation could be removed
south of the drives which would free up 150 feet of parking on both sides of Worthen Road.
This action would require moving the bus stop closer to Lincoln Street. We are currently in
discussion with the MBTA to accomplish this.
Recommendation: Removal of 150' of the No Parking zone on both sides of Worthen
Road near Lincoln Street as shown in the attached sketch and described in the attached
Order.
No Parking on Mass. Ave. at Munroe Center: Mrs, Powers also brought before the
Committee her concern for the sight distance problem for vehicles exiting the Munroe Center
caused by parking on Massachusetts Ave. Her concern was shared by Melinda Dietrich
Executive Director of the Munroe Center.
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Recommendation: The Committee recommends a No Parking regulation be put in
place on the North side of Massachusetts Ave. starting at the Munroe Center drive and
going 50' west.
te, Lincoln Street Blind Drive at 117: The Committee met with Mrs. Chelliah of 117 Lincoln
', Street to discuss the hazard she and her husband face when exiting their driveway onto Lincoln
Street. The Committee agreed that the curve on Lincoln Street at this location and the speed of
cars here pose a hazard for exiting here driveway. The Committee did not see any immediate
,\ li solutions to the problem. We did not believe that a "Blind Driveway" sign would be effective
and indicated that the Town does not currently install mirrors. We suggested that she continue to
\i� remove obscuring vegetation on her properly and request her neighbor trim back vegetation on
their property as well. (Mrs. Chelliah indicated that she had discussed the matter with her
neighbor). The TSAC also proposed moving her driveway opening to the other side of the
property which would provide greater sight distance. The TSAC has no recommendations to the
Selectmen on this matter.
c-_) Wigwag Crosswalk Waltham at Brookhaven: The Committee met to discuss the potential
installation of a crosswalk and "Wigwag" signal on Waltham at Brookhaven. The "Wigwag"
IliC23 signal is a pedestrian actuated flashing light that alerts motorists that a pedestrian wishes to cross.
Several area communities have installed then in areas similar to Waltham Street. The residents
at Brookhaven have been before the Committee on several occasions requesting a crosswalk
across Waltham Street to allow them to access the commercial area just over the town line in
Waltham. The TSAC has been unwilling to recommend a crosswalk at this location without a
pedestrian light. The agenda item came before the TSAC because the City of Waltham
suggested they would be willing to contribute materially to an installation at Brookhaven which
is project to cost $35,000. This compares with a cost of $100,000 for a conventional pedestrian
signal. More recent conversations with Waltham indicate that they would not fund a project in
Lexington. The TSAC sees the "Wigwag" signal as a promising technology that could allow
placement of crosswalks where they are not currently feasible and would welcome a Waltham
funded "Wigwag" installation at this location. However, the TSAC is not ready to recommend
the Town fund such an installation. y '�
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Dist: Richard J. White; Town Manager, William Hadley; DPW Director; Peter Chalpin; Town
Engineer; Gail Wagner Transportation Director