HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-20-TSAC-minTown 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: 2/11/2004
SUBJECT: TSAC
The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met on Novembers* 2003 to discuss the following
issues brought before us:
Request:
No Turn on Red Woburn & Lowell
Petitioner: Marjorie Madoono
285 Woburn St.
Lexington, MA 02420
5 / os woo_v C.)
Reason for Request:
Ms. Madoono is legally blind and, has difficulty crossing Lowell St. or Woburn St. at this
intersection due to cars making right on red movements. There is a pedestrian button here but it
does not prevent a cootflict between pedestrians crossing and right turning vehicles. Ms.
Madoono has written the Massachusetts Highway Department, who has jurisdiction over this
intersection, requesting an audible signal and a no right on red restriction. MHD will not install
a no right on red restriction without a request from the Town -- hence her request to the
Selecemen
Abutters on Woburn St wp te'to TSAC to urge them not to take any action that would adversely
affect the queues on Woburn St.
Recommendation:
TSAC recommends a No Turn on Red regulation be put in place on the four approaches to the
Lowell St. Woburn St. intersection.
Reason for Recommendation:
Observation of the intersection confirms that it is very difficult for pedestrians to cross against
right turning vehicles. Vehicles tuning right are typically paying attention to conflicting traffic
to their left rather than pedestrians crossing to their right and the speed and volume of traffic is
high.
TSAC does not believe that this restriction will have a significantly adverse impact on queues at
the intersection. During peak travel times, when queues are most likely to form, opposing traffic
allows very few right turn on red movements. The right turn lane is quite short which blocks
right turning vehicles and prevents right turn on red movements from significantly reducing the
queue.
Request:
Address Traffic Speed and Accidents on Hancock St. at Coolidge Ave.
Petitioners: Irwin Mesch
81 Hancock Street
Lexington, MA
Mrs. Pearl Katz
Winchester, MA
Background: Mrs Katz was invovlved in a traffic accident at this intersection while attempting
to cross Hancock Street from Revere Street to Coolidge Avenue. Mr. Mesch and his family have
difficulty crossing Hancock Street and getting in and out of their driveway because of the speed
of traffic going through this intersection.
Recommendation: Conduct speed study on Hancock Avenue and post appropriate speed
signage. Increased enforcement of speed limits.
Reason for Recommendation: A 4 way Stop sign was considered at this intersection based upon
the number of accidents but after an accident analysis it was determined that too few of the
accidents were of a type correctable by a 4 way Stop to meet regulations.
Request:
Stop Sign or Traffic Signal on Grant Street at Sherman
Petitioner: Carol DiGianni
10 Sherman Street
Lexington, MA 02420
Background: Mrs. DiGianni is concerned about the poor sight lines for vehicles pulling out on to
Grant Street from Sherman St. and believes Grant Street traffic should be stopped to allow safer
exit for traffic on Sherman St..
Recommendation: No action at this time.
Reason for Recommendation: Warrants for a signal or stop sign on Grant Street are not met at
this location.
Request:
Relocate Crosswalk on Lincoln Street Serving the Temple Isaiah.
Petitioner: Jeffrey Q. Goldberg
55 Lincoln Street
Lexington, MA 02421
Background: The requested location would line up with the sidewalk on the Temple property
and would be on a shorter distance walking path for on- street parking worshippers.
Recommendation: Relocate Crosswalk