HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-23-TMG-minTraffic Mitistation Group Meeting
September 23, 2008
Present: Richard Canale, David Cannon, Elaine Dratch, Jeanne Krieger, Chris McVay, Arthur
Smith, Jerry Van Hook, Gail Wagner, Susan Yanofsky. Guests: Terry Gleason, Hank Manz
Hartwell Avenue Striping Review
➢ Police and Engineering view striping experiment as successful.
➢ Drivers' complaints to the Town have diminished.
➢ Hansom's concerns continue on backups at the gate during peak commute hours.
➢ Terry Gleason, Lincoln Labs employee and bike advocate, reported that Lincoln Labs has
not received a complaint since March. Unusual backups on Hartwell were related to
problems on Route 128 when local streets are used as alternatives. Lincoln Lab's 2007
employee commuter stats, list bicyclists at 3 %. When combined with all SOV alternative
travel modes, it is a significant percentage.
➢ Planning Board has had a recent site visit to Hartwell and supports road striping as
reported by Richard. A pedestrian path north of the bikeway to Bedford St is desired.
➢ Improvements: more police presence and signage to alert drivers of lane merge prior to
bikeway.
➢ TMG voted to support permanent striping of Hartwell Ave pending Police accidents data
pre and post striping.
Traffic Calming Policy
➢ Planning Board has endorsed policy. It will be presented to the Selectmen in October.
Jeanne suggested more photos of traffic calming options.
➢ Middleby Road, near Bridge School, has the only speed bump in Town. It was approved
in 2002 as an experiment. Design is not standardized. No negative feedback was given
when inquires were made in 2003. Input was sought from Bridge principal, PTA, Police
DPW, and C & W. school bus contractor. Gail assessed neighborhood as satisfied.
➢ Size of projects may determine if TSAC or TMG reviews.
➢ Funding may come under a combination of capital projects, road reconstruction and
TDM infrastructure funding.
➢ Jerry reported safety complaints by drivers and neighbors at the Hancock St bikeway
crossing. There are 13 bikeway crossings in Lexington. Dave reported bollards should be
standardized and will be addressed when the bikeway is repaved. Shared use of roads
must be emphasized among drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
➢ TMG voted to support Traffic Calming Policy.
Mass Avenue Corridor Study
➢ Dave distributed a draft of design requirements for a traffic study of Mass Ave from
Pleasant St to Marrett Rd. It includes public review meetings. Maple St CTPS study will
be considered. Cost to hire a consultant estimated at $20,000 with funds established by
Town Meeting vote. Goal is to have a report for spring Town Meeting.
➢ Scope of study may extend to Fletcher Ave.
➢ Battle Road Scenic Corridor funds may help finance improvements.
Regional TDM/ 128 Central Coalition
➢ Lexington hosted a meeting on Sept. 19 that was well received.
➢ Tony Fields, Burlington Planning Dept, addressed TDM policies and management.
➢ Susan Rasmussen, Cambridge Traffic Planning, explained Cambridge's comprehensive
program that includes mandatory mitigation plans triggered by 5 parking spaces or more.
➢ TDM plans and penalties are determined by number of commercial parking spaces.
➢ Plans include annual reporting by businesses and follow up by staff.
➢ Cambridge does not support expansion of the Alewife MBTA garage due to gridlock
conditions around facility on Routes 2 and 16. It does support designated transit and
HOV lanes into Alewife serviced by buses from outlying park and ride lots.
➢ 128 Business Council shuttle will accept any rider to and from Alewife at full fare of $5.
Primary issue is access to designated commercial stops. Hayden Ave businesses with
low occupancy, such as Hayden Woods, may be approached to explore parking for
residents.
➢ Mass Highway District 4 in Arlington has announced park and ride spaces with MBTA
connections to Alewife, but initial inquiry by Gail indicated few spaces.
Ben] TDM
➢ Beal's traffic study and TDM proposal is on the Planning Board's website.
➢ Beal asked to be on the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) agenda on Oct 7.
➢ The entire Ledgemont complex should be held to a TDM plan rather than isolating only
new development.
➢ General components: payment to Town, financial support of Lexpress, trip reduction.
➢ Beal is likely to request a meeting in Oct with TMG.
Planning Board's Article 12
➢ Inquiry as to zoning revisions in relation to traffic, parking and TDM slated to go to
Town Meeting.
➢ 20/20 Task Force is holding an economic development meeting on Oct. 4 to discuss
commercial development on Hartwell, Hayden and Forbes Road.
Town Traffic Improvement
➢ Susan suggested that December TMG focus on formulating a town wide traffic
improvement list.
➢ 128 Business Council representation.
➢ Street master plan and Transportation Element from Vision 20/20 Report would provide
good background.
Next scheduled TMG meeting, October 28, Room 111, 9 : 3 Dam.
Minutes submitted by Gail Wagner, Transportation Services, September 26, 2008