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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-20-TSAC-min1775 r 7� m k_ G n W a p W Z V � a APRIL 19'" Town of Lexington Traffic Safety Advisory Committee MEMORANDUM TO: Hank Manz, Chairman Board of Selectmen FROM: Traffic Safety Advisory Committee DATE: 10/21/10 SUBJECT: TSAC Minutes from October 20, 2010 TSAC members present: Sudhir Murthy, Chair, David Cannon, Asst. Town Engineering, Police Captain Manuel Ferro, Steve Frymer, Jonathan Wettsone, Asst. Principal Diamond Middle School, and Gail Wagner, Transportation Services. Save Mass Ave Members present: Rev. Lucinda Duncan, Chair, BarBara Bools, Frank Fuery, Steve Kropper, Bruce Lamar and Paul Menz. The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met on October 20, 2010 to discuss the following issue brought before us: Safe Mass Ave Committee's Pedestrian Crossing Flags Program Safe Mass Ave Committee is a citizens' safety initiative resulting form two serious pedestrian accidents in East Lexington, one resulting in death and the other resulting in permanent impairment. Based on a committee member's personal experience in California, a pedestrian flag crossing program was organized. TSAC was consulted and endorsement as a pilot program given for three East Lexington crosswalks in October 2009. Public education was identified as a main component of the program. Lieutenant John Mazerall has served as Police liaison to the Safe Mass Ave Committee. Bruce Lamar tracked pre and post motorist response at the Mass Ave and Charles St crosswalk. He reported that prior to use of flags by pedestrians, roughly 50% of the motorists complied with the state law to yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk. With the use of flags by pedestrians, the compliance rate went up to 66 -75% of motorists depending upon the time of day. The study was conducted under controlled conditions with a majority of sampled pedestrians being committee members. The study reported that when the flag program began with 60 flags. Within a few weeks, about 90% of the flags were stolen. Since then, new flags have been placed and the attrition rate of the flags has dropped significantly. TSAC commended the Mass Safe Ave Committee for their diligent efforts to improve Town pedestrian safety. However, concerns were voiced. The Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) views crossing flags as apparel not a safety practice per se. And, Police accident data did not reflect a reduction in East Lexington pedestrian accidents since initiation of the flag crossing program. Town promotion of the program raises liability issues. Although towns and cities around the country have established flag crosswalk programs, they are run by a variety of sources. Sudhir Murthy, a transportation planner by profession, has followed the topic nationally and expressed the lack of consensus as to its impact. Pedestrian safety in East Lexington has been a focus of Captain Ferro and David Cannon which includes periodic site visits. Ideas generated for enhanced crosswalk recognition include: ped X signs posted on both the front and back of posts, reflective strips on x walk posts, shifting location of some crosswalks. TSAC endorses the Mass Safe Ave Committee's public education message. The Sidewalk Committee and Safe Routes to School maybe enlisted as a stronger voice in this effort. Education of both drivers and pedestrians and the need for pedestrians to establish visual contact with motorists prior to crossing a street was noted. David Cannon reported that a traffic study was conducted of East Lexington (Mass Ave from Marrett Rd to Pleasant St). Signalization at Marrett, Maple and Pleasant are indicated. Design phase is underway. Construction is anticipated in approximately five years dependent on TIP funding. Mass Safe Ave Committee would like to expand the crossing flag initiative from three crosswalks to six. TSAC input will be considered in determining their future efforts. Mass Safe Ave Committee will inform TSAC of its next steps. Dist: Carl Valente, Town Manager; Mark Corr, Police Chief William Hadley; DPW Director; John Livsey; Town Engineer.