ROAD SAFETY AUDIT. Main Street (Route 28) at Elm Street Main Street (Route 28) at William Street Town of Stoneham.

Transcription

1 ROAD SAFETY AUDIT Main Street (Rute 28) at Elm Street Main Street (Rute 28) at William Street Twn f Stneham January 19, 2011 Prepared Fr: MassDOT Highway Divisin Prepared By: BETA Grup, Inc.

2 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Table f Cntents Prject Data...1 Backgrund...2 Prject Descriptin...2 Audit Observatins...7 Ptential Safety Enhancements...11 Summary f Rad Safety Audit...15 List f Appendices Appendix A. Appendix B. Appendix C. Appendix D. RSA Meeting Agenda RSA Audit Team Cntact List Detailed Crash Data Speed Regulatins List f Figures Figure 1. Lcatin Map... 3 List f Tables Table 1. Table 2. Table 3. Participating Audit Team Members... 1 Estimated Time Frame and Csts Breakdwn Ptential Safety Enhancement Summary... 16

3 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Prject Data A Rad Safety Audit fr the intersectins f Main Street (Rute 28) at Elm Street and Main Street (Rute 28) at William Street in the Twn f Stneham was held n Nvember 30, 2010 at the Central Elementary Schl in Stneham, MA. As indicated in Table 1, the audit team cnsisted f representatives frm State, Reginal and Lcal agencies and included a crss-sectin f engineering, planning and emergency respnse expertise. Table 1. Participating Audit Team Members Audit Team Member Bnnie Plin Lisa Schletzbaum Carrie Lavallee Drthea Hass Kevin Dandrade David Watsn David Ragucci Jseph Rlli Richard Bngirn Bb Grver Jhn Gregg Steve Timmins Chenyuan Wang Greg Lucas Christine Keches Agency/Affiliatin MassDOT Highway Divisin Safety MassDOT Highway Divisin Safety MassDOT Highway Divisin Prject Management WalkBstn TEC MassBike Twn Administratr, Twn f Stneham Fire Chief, Twn f Stneham Plice Chief, Twn f Stneham DPW Directr, Twn f Stneham MassDOT Highway Divisin District 4 Traffic MassDOT Highway Divisin - Traffic Bstn Regin MPO BETA Grup, Inc. BETA Grup, Inc. Page 1

4 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Backgrund The Federal Highway Administratin defines a Rad Safety Audit (RSA) as the frmal safety examinatin f an existing r future rad r intersectin by an independent, multidisciplinary team. The purpse f an RSA is t identify ptential safety issues and pssible pprtunities fr safety imprvements cnsidering all radway users. A Rad Safety Audit was scheduled fr the intersectins f Main Street at Elm Street and Main Street at William Street because bth intersectins have been identified as high crash lcatins and are lcated in the vicinity f the prpsed Tri-Cmmunity Bikeway. The RSA is intended t identify ptential shrt and lng term safety imprvements that can be made at the intersectin, including hw t manage bicycle traffic acrss the Main Street crridr. Prject Descriptin Main Street (Rute 28) is functinally classified as an Urban Principal Arterial and is State-wned nrth f Elm Street and Twn-wned suth f Elm Street. Main Street is a nrth-suth crridr and is an imprtant reginal radway, running essentially parallel t I-93 and cnnecting t I-93 t the suth and I- 95/Rute 128 t the nrth. Main Street prvides access frm the highways t Stneham and t surrunding cmmunities, and serves as an alternate rute t the highways during times f heavy cngestin. The intersectins f Main Street/Elm Street and Main Street/William Street, shwn in Figure 1, are bth signalized intersectins apprximately 500 apart and are discussed in detail belw. Main Street/Elm Street Main Street and Elm Street frm a 4- way intersectin under traffic signal cntrl. Main Street prvides tw thrugh travel lanes bth nrth and suth f Elm Street, with left turn lanes in each directin at Elm Street. Elm Street prvides an exclusive left turn lane and a shared lane fr thrugh vehicles and right turning vehicles at the intersectin, and typically prvides a single travel lane in each directin alng its length. Elm Street is a Twn-wned radway functinally classified as an Urban Minr Arterial west f Main Street and as an Urban Principal Arterial Main Street at Elm Street east f Main Street. Elm Street frms a three way intersectin with William Street apprximately 700 feet west f Main Street, and cntinues east int Wakefield, where it becmes Albin Street. Central Street frms a signalized intersectin with Elm Street apprximately 200 feet east f Main Street. Page 2

5 MAIN STREET (ROUTE 28) ³ MAIN STREET (ROUTE 28) WILLIAM STREET ELM STREET CENTRAL STREET ELM STREET LINDENWOOD ROAD WILLIAM S TREET LEGEND Study Intersectins ,000 Feet 315 Nrwd Park Suth Nrwd, MA BETA@BETA-inc.cm Main Street (Rte 28) at Elm Street and William Street ROAD SAFETY AUDIT STONEHAM, MA Figure 1 Lcatin Map

6 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. The traffic signal at Elm Street prvides prtected/permissive phasing fr the Main Street suthbund left turn t Elm Street eastbund, and fr the Elm Street westbund left turn t Main Street suthbund. These prtected/permissive mvements cincide with the Main Street suthbund and Elm Street westbund thrugh phases. The Main Street nrthbund and Elm Street eastbund left turns are permissive mvements nly. The Main Street suthbund prtected left turn phase precedes the Main Street nrthbund and suthbund thrugh phase, fllwed by the Elm Street westbund prtected left turn phase preceding the Elm Street eastbund and westbund thrugh phase. An audit participant stated that he had bserved the signal serving the Main Street suthbund prtected left bth befre and after the Main Street thrugh mvements, resulting in an unusual prtected-permissive-prtected pattern within the Main Street phase time. It was als nted that the exclusive pedestrian phase is served after the Elm Street (side street) phase, while MassDOT typically prefers fr the pedestrian phase t be serviced between the main street and side street phases. Crsswalks are prvided acrss all fur legs f the intersectin, with apex-type handicap accessible ramps n all fur crners. Cntinuus sidewalks are prvided n bth sides f bth Main Street and Elm Street in the vicinity f the study intersectin. Land use f the surrunding area is primarily cmmercial alng Main Street and a mix f cmmercial and residential alng Elm Street. There is a Walgreens pharmacy n the suthwest crner f the intersectin. There is a vacant prperty n the nrthwest crner f the intersectin with a small newly paved parking area adjacent t Main Street. It appears based n the size f the parking area that vehicles wuld typically back ut int Main Street t exit this parking area. Twn persnnel present at the audit stated that this prperty was frmerly a Blckbuster Vide stre, and that patrns typically utilized the larger parking area behind the building, which has access frm Main Street nrth f the building and frm Elm Street west f the building. Crash data were prvided by the Stneham Plice Department. There were a ttal f twelve crashes at the intersectin within the perid frm January 2008 t Octber Angle-type crashes were the mst prevalent and cmprised 58% f the ttal crashes. Angle crashes were reprted in all fur directins, and three f the angle crashes were reprted as red light running. There were tw rear-end crashes at the intersectin, ne in the nrthbund directin and ne in the suthbund directin. A fatal crash ccurred at the intersectin in Nvember 2008, when a vehicle turning left nt Elm Street frm Main Street suthbund struck a pedestrian in the crsswalk. Crash data summaries and a cllisin diagram are included in the Appendix. In additin t the crash data prvided by the Stneham Plice Department, MassDOT Safety persnnel reprted that their database includes 22 crashes at the intersectin frm 2006 t 2008, which results in an Equivalent Prperty Damage Only (EPDO) rating f 63. The EPDO rating is calculated using a weighted system in which fatal crashes are weighted 10 times and injury crashes are weighted 5 times. The difference in the number f crashes des nt necessarily indicate a drp in crashes, but can result frm using different surces and a different definitin f the intersectin limits when cmpiling crash data. The intersectin is identified as a high crash lcatin because it is in the tp 5% f crashes fr the Metrplitan Area Planning Cuncil (MAPC) regin. Speed regulatins maintained by MassDOT Highway Divisin establish a 35 MPH speed limit fr Main Street nrth f Elm Street. Cmplete speed regulatins fr Rute 28 in Stneham are included in the Appendix. Page 4

7 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Main Street/William Street Main Street and William Street frm a 4-way intersectin under traffic signal cntrl. William Street intersects Main Street at a skewed angle, with the nrthwest and sutheast crners frming an acute angle. Main Street prvides tw thrugh travel lanes bth nrth and suth f William Street, with a separate left turn lane fr suthbund traffic. William Street prvides tw lanes n each apprach; the eastbund apprach has tw general purpse lanes, while the westbund apprach has an exclusive right turn lane and a shared lane fr left turns and thrugh traffic. There are Main Street at William Street (facing Nrthbund) delta islands n the nrthwest and sutheast crners with a shrt channelized right turn lane. The nrthbund right turn is cntrlled via the traffic signal, while the suthbund right turn perates under yield cntrl. William Street is a Twn-wned radway classified as an Urban Minr Arterial, and prvides a cnnectin via the lcal street netwrk frm Wburn t the west t Wakefield and Melrse t the east. Central Street frms a signalized intersectin with William Street apprximately 100 feet east f Main Street. The traffic signal at Elm Street prvides prtected phasing fr the Main Street suthbund left turn t William Street eastbund. The Main Street suthbund prtected left turn phase cincides with the Main Street suthbund thrugh mvement which cntinues, perating cncurrently with the Main Street nrthbund thrugh mvement, nce the prtected left turn phase is terminated. William Street appraches perate cncurrently fllwing the Main Street phase. Pedestrians perate cncurrently with vehicle phases, which creates ptential cnflicts between turning vehicles and pedestrians. Crsswalks are prvided acrss all fur legs f the intersectin. The small delta islands n the nrthwest and sutheast crners f the intersectin prvide a refuge area fr pedestrians, but a pedestrian crssing frm ne side f William Street t the ther must crss the channelized right turn lane, which has n pedestrian signal cntrl. Land use f the surrunding area is primarily cmmercial alng Main Street and a mix f cmmercial and residential alng William Street. A Mbil gas statin n the sutheast crner f the intersectin fills the parcel between Main Street and Central Street and has access t bth streets. There is a Stp & Shp supermarket n the suthwest crner f the intersectin which has access t bth Main Street and William Street, with a Stp & Shp gas statin n the crner f the prperty clsest t the intersectin. This gas statin has n cnnectin t the Stp & Shp parking lt, but has direct access t bth Main Street and William Street. Crash data were prvided by the Stneham Plice Department. There were a ttal f 17 crashes at the intersectin within the perid frm January 2008 t Octber Angle-type crashes were the mst Page 5

8 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. prevalent and cmprised 71% f the ttal crashes. Angle crashes were reprted in all fur directins, with three invlving a suthbund thrugh vehicle and a nrthbund left turning vehicle. There were tw rearend crashes at the intersectin, ne in the eastbund directin and ne suthbund departing the intersectin. Three f the seventeen reprted crashes invlved vehicles entering and exiting Stp & Shp n William Street. Crash data summaries and a cllisin diagram are included in the Appendix. In additin t the crash data prvided by the Stneham Plice Department, MassDOT Safety persnnel reprted that their database includes 34 crashes at the intersectin frm 2006 t 2008, which results in an Equivalent Prperty Damage Only (EPDO) rating f 66. The EPDO rating is calculated using a weighted system in which fatal crashes are weighted 10 times and injury crashes are weighted 5 times. The difference in the number f crashes des nt necessarily indicate a drp in crashes, but can result frm using different surces and a different definitin f the intersectin limits when cmpiling crash data. The intersectin is identified as a high crash lcatin because it is in the tp 5% f crashes fr the MAPC regin. The Stneham Plice Department als prvided crash data fr the segment f Main Street between Elm Street and William Street. Six crashes were reprted in this segment f radway between January 2008 and Octber Fur f the six crashes invlved vehicles entering r exiting businesses alng the crridr. The remaining tw crashes were nted t have invlved a driver perating under the influence and a driver perating a vehicle in a reckless manner. Page 6

9 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Audit Observatins Fllwing a brief intrductin t the RSA prcess and a summary f crash and speed regulatin infrmatin, the audit participants were asked t discuss issues that affect safety at the intersectins f Main Street at Elm Street and Main Street at William Street. Audit participants then cnducted a site visit as a grup, at which time they ffered bservatins n safety cncerns and deficiencies. A summary f thse majr safety cnsideratins is as fllws, summarized by lcatin: Main Street/Elm Street Pedestrian Accmmdatins A number f safety issues discussed during the audit relate t pedestrian accmmdatin at the intersectin. Narrw shulders prvide n buffer between vehicles traveling the crridr and pedestrians walking alng the sidewalk. Apex type wheelchair ramps direct a wheelchair-bund pedestrian int the center f the intersectin, rather than in the directin they are intending t crss. This may als be a cncern fr visually impaired pedestrians. The crss slpe f the sidewalk appears t exceed MassDOT and ADA standards. Lack f detectable warning panels precludes feedback that infrms a visually impaired pedestrian that they are abut t leave the sidewalk. Wide curb radii allws turning vehicles t navigate their turn at a higher speed. There is essentially n buffer between the sidewalk and the adjacent parking area n the nrthwest crner. The parking area lies directly adjacent t the sidewalk surface with n curbing r grass strip. Pedestrian pushbuttns are nt unifrmly lcated adjacent t the level landing fr the crssing they serve. In additin, there is a nn-functining pushbuttn lcated in the nse f the median n the east leg f Elm Street, where there is n pedestrian refuge area. Pedestrian timing may be inadequate t allw pedestrians t crss Main Street. One f the pedestrian signal indicatins was nt prperly displaying the hand symbl fr the Dn t Walk indicatin. The exclusive pedestrian phase fllws the side street green phase, which is atypical f standard practice in Massachusetts, which prvides the exclusive pedestrian phase between the main street and side street phases. Signal Equipment A number f safety issues relating t signal equipment were discussed at the audit. Page 7

10 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. The signal is nt crdinated with ther signals alng Main Street r with the adjacent signal at Elm Street and Central Street. Crdinatin wuld create vehicle platns and mre effectively manage queues. All green signal indicatins appear t be LED, but many yellw and red signal indicatins appear t be the lder incandescent style, which is less visible and far less efficient when cmpared t LEDs. Pedestrian pushbuttns and signs are a mix f different styles and sign legends. There are n backplates fr vehicle signal heads. Installatin f backplates wuld increase visibility f the signal indicatins fr appraching vehicles. There are n verhead signal indicatins fr Elm Street. It was suggested that sme f the lp detectrs at the intersectin are nt wrking prperly. As a result, the appraches r lanes with malfunctining lps are set t Min Recall, which will serve a minimum green time n that apprach in all cycles even if n vehicles are present. This peratin was bserved during the audit. There was cncern amngst audit participants that the all red clearance time is nt sufficient, specifically fllwing the pedestrian phase. The existing R10-12 Left Turn Yield n Green (ball) sign munted n the mast arm fr the nrthbund apprach is ptentially cnfusing, as this sign is typically used nly fr prtected/permissive mvements, and may imply t a driver that they can expect a prtected left turn phase at this lcatin. The nrthbund left turn is permissive nly. Left turn lanes It was suggested that left turn lanes are narrw at the intersectin, especially the nrthbund left turn lane. It appeared that a median n the nrthbund apprach was remved t create the nrthbund left turn lane, likely as mitigatin when Walgreens was built at the intersectin. It was als nted that lane cntrl signage is inadequate. Signage It was nted that signs at the intersectin stating Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians are flurescent yellwgreen in clr, but shuld be white because they are regulatry signs. Only warning signs, which are typically diamnd-shaped, shuld be flurescent yellw-green in clr. It was als nted that placement f these nn-standard signs is less than ptimal, and that drivers may miss r frget the sign message. Page 8

11 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Main Street/William Street Pedestrian Accmmdatins A number f safety issues discussed during the audit relate t pedestrian accmmdatin at the intersectin. Lack f detectable warning panels precludes feedback that infrms a visually impaired pedestrian that they are abut t leave the sidewalk. Cncurrent pedestrian phase peratin creates ptential cnflicts between turning vehicles and pedestrians, and als may be cnfusing t pedestrians wh expect exclusive phasing given the presence f exclusive phasing at ther signalized crssings in the area, such as Elm Street. There is essentially n buffer between the sidewalk area and the adjacent parking areas n the suthwest crner. The fueling aisle fr the Stp&Shp gas statins lies directly adjacent t the sidewalk surface with n curbing r grass strip. Bicycle accmmdatin The Tri-Cmmunity Bikeway will serve Wburn, Winchester and Stneham and uses an abandned rail right-f-way t pass thrugh Stneham. The right-f-way intersects William Street apprximately 250 west f the Main Street/William Street intersectin and cntinues in an arc path acrss William Street, Main Street, and Central Street; hwever, current land use and the need t crss Main Street at a signalized crssing discurage the use f the existing rail right-f-way between William Street and Central Street. Instead, bikeway designers are cnsidering a path which requires bicyclists t dismunt and travel thrugh the Main Street/William Street intersectin t reach Central Street. Ptential imprvements at the intersectin must cnsider bicycles. Signal Equipment A number f safety issues relating t signal equipment were discussed at the audit. The signal is nt crdinated with ther signals alng Main Street. Crdinatin wuld create vehicle platns and mre effectively manage queues. The signal des perate in cnjunctin with the traffic signal at William Street and Central Street. There are n backplates fr vehicle signal heads. Installatin f backplates wuld increase visibility f the signal indicatins fr appraching vehicles. Signal indicatins are munted verhead fr three f fur appraches at the intersectin, but are grund munted fr the eastbund apprach. It was suggested that sme f the lp detectrs at the intersectin are nt wrking prperly. As a result, the appraches r lanes with malfunctining lps are set t Min Recall, which will serve a minimum green time n that apprach in all cycles even if n vehicles are present. There is n R10-12 Left Turn Yield n Green (ball) sign fr the Main Street suthbund left turn, which perates under prtected/permissive phasing. Page 9

12 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Gemetry/Lane Assignments A number f safety issues related t the gemetry f the intersectin and/r the lane assignments n each apprach. The delta islands n the nrthwest and sutheast crners create an unsignalized pedestrian crssing frm the delta island t the sidewalk. The tight gemetry f these crners creates a shrt reactin time fr drivers, wh may nt be aware f pedestrians as they navigate the turn. This is especially a cncern n the nrthwest crner, where a stne wall, hedges and a utility ple may restrict visibility f a pedestrian. Delta island n nrthwest crner f Main Street/William Street Traffic peratins at the intersectin are affected by the clse intersectin spacing with the William Street and Central Street intersectin, which is apprximately 100 feet west f Main Street. Nrthbund right-turning traffic has limited time t react t a red indicatin n William Street eastbund at Central Street. Similarly, there are queuing impacts between intersectins that may affect blcking and sight distance fr turning vehicles. The effectiveness f the median n the east leg f William Street was questined, and it was suggested that the median culd be eliminated and the increased width culd be used t prvide bicycle accmmdatin between Main Street and Central Street. Signage It was nted that signs at the intersectin stating Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians are flurescent yellw-green in clr, but shuld be white because they are regulatry signs. Only warning signs, which are typically diamnd-shaped, shuld be flurescent yellw-green in clr. It was als nted that placement f these nn-standard signs is less than ptimal, and that drivers may miss r frget the sign message. Additinally, there is a State Law STOP Fr Pedestrians sign n the William Street westbund apprach which shuld be remved. Massachusetts state law requires vehicles t yield t pedestrians where traffic cntrl signals are nt present. Page 10

13 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Ptential Safety Enhancements After the site visit, audit participants returned t the meeting lcatin t discuss the safety issues and cnsider imprvements. Audit participants were encuraged t cnsider bth shrt and lng term imprvements fr each issue. Each imprvement cnsidered has been categrized as shrt-term, midterm, r lng-term based n the definitins shwn in Table 2. Additinally, a cst categry has been assigned t each imprvement based n the parameters set frth in Table 2. In additin t the specific imprvements listed belw, it shuld be nted that the intersectins f Central Street/Elm Street and Central Street/William Street shuld be included in any future study f the Main Street/Elm Street and Main Street/William Street intersectins, due t their clse prximity. Table 2. Estimated Time Frame and Csts Breakdwn Time Frame Csts Shrt-term <1 year Lw <$10,000 Mid-term 1 3 years Medium $10,000 $50,000 Lng-term >3 years High >$50,000 Main Street/Elm Street The fllwing imprvements were suggested by audit participants t imprve safety issues assciated with the intersectin f Main Street and Elm Street. Update pedestrian signals, pushbuttns and signs. Pedestrian buttns and signs shuld be updated s that they are unifrm fr all crssings at the intersectin, and peratin and prper illuminatin f all pedestrian signal heads shuld be verified. Pedestrian pushbuttn placement shuld be studied t determine if lcatins meet current ADA requirements. The existing pushbuttn in the median n the eastern leg f Elm Street shuld be remved, since pedestrian phase time is sufficient fr a pedestrian t crss the entire width f this apprach, and there is n refuge area adjacent t the existing pushbuttn. This is a shrt term, medium cst imprvement. Install detectable warning panels fr all wheelchair ramp lcatins. Detectable warning panels will prvide tactile cues fr visually impaired pedestrians that they are abut t depart the sidewalk. This can be dne at existing wheelchair ramp lcatins, r in cnjunctin with cnstructin f paired ramps in place f apex ramps. This is a shrt term, lw cst imprvement. Verify sidewalk crss slpes and recnstruct sidewalk t meet MassDOT and ADA standards. It was nted that the sidewalk crss slpe may exceed MassDOT and ADA standards. The crss slpe f all sidewalk adjacent t the intersectin shuld be verified, and areas that exceed the accepted standards shuld be recnstructed t current standards. Study and verificatin f crss slpes is a shrt term, lw cst imprvement, while recnstructin f the sidewalk is a high cst, lng term imprvement. Study feasibility f replacing apex handicap ramps with paired ramps. It was nted during the audit that paired ramps are safer than apex ramps fr physically and visually disabled pedestrians, because Page 11

14 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. the paired ramp better pints the pedestrian in the directin f the crssing, while the apex ramp directs the pedestrian twards the center f the intersectin. Feasibility shuld be studied first t ensure that expansin f sidewalks will fit within the available right-f-way. If cnstructed, this is a lng-term, medium cst imprvement. Place bllards at the back f sidewalk n the nrthwest crner f the intersectin. This ptential imprvement was suggested t prvide prtectin between the pedestrian waiting area at the crner f the intersectin and the paved parking area fr the frmer vide stre prperty n the nrthwest crner. This is a shrt-term, medium cst imprvement. Study clearance times. The existing yellw and all red clearance times shuld be determined frm the existing traffic signal cntrller and cmpared t minimum requirements calculated based n the Institute f Transprtatin Engineers (ITE) methdlgy. If existing clearance times are insufficient, clearance times shuld be increased accrdingly. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Study feasibility f widening Main Street. Ideally, lane and shulder widths thrugh the intersectin wuld meet minimum MassDOT requirements fr vehicle and bicycle accmmdatin, which prvide 11-ft lanes and a 4-ft shulder. It is nt knwn if sufficient right-f-way exists, and impacts t abutting prperties must als be cnsidered. An engineering study shuld be initiated t investigate the feasibility f widening as a lng-term slutin. This is a shrt term, lw cst imprvement, while widening wuld be a lng-term, high cst imprvement. Narrw curb radii. Althugh this was suggested as a ptential slutin by an audit participant, it shuld nt be cnsidered withut cnsidering the impact n turning vehicles. Main Street and Elm Street are arterial radways which must prvide accmmdatin fr a WB-50 design vehicle. Install backplates. Backplates shuld be installed n all signal heads. This imprvement will enhance visibility f signal heads against the existing visual backgrund. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Install mast arms and prvide verhead signal heads fr Elm Street appraches. Overhead signal heads prvide greater visibility fr appraching vehicles and reduce the ptential fr a signal head t be blcked by queued vehicles. This is a mid-term, medium cst imprvement. Replace incandescent signal lenses with LED lenses. All red, yellw, and green signal heads at the intersectin shuld have LED lenses meeting MassDOT standard, which prvide greater illuminatin and greater efficiency than the incandescent lenses. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Remve R10-12 Left Turn Yield n Green (ball) sign frm the nrthbund signal mast arm. The nrthbund left turn perates under permissive phasing nly, while this sign is typically used fr prtected/permissive left turns. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Reprgram pedestrian phase and verify phase time. The existing traffic signal cntrller shuld be reprgrammed s that the pedestrian phase is served between the Main Street and Elm Street phases. Existing WALK and flashing DON T WALK times shuld be studied t ensure that they are suitable Page 12

15 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. fr the intersectin gemetry and that they meet state and federal guidelines. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Repair/replace lp detectrs. Lp detectrs at the intersectin are ld and are knwn t be either malfunctining r nn-peratinal. Operatin f existing lps shuld be verified and malfunctining r nn-peratinal lps shuld be replaced. A fully functinal fully-actuated traffic signal will prvide mre efficient peratin at the intersectin. This is a mid-term, medium cst imprvement. Prvide additinal advanced lane cntrl signage. It was suggested that additinal lane cntrl signage is needed fr all fur appraches fr the exclusive left turn lanes. It is recmmended that R3-7L Left Turn Must Turn Left signs be added fr the Main Street appraches, and that R3-8a graphical signs as shwn at right be prvided fr the Elm Street appraches. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Add thrugh and right pavement markings fr the Elm Street appraches. There are existing arrw and ONLY markings fr the exclusive left turn lanes n Elm Street. This imprvement wuld add thrugh and right markings t the right lane n each apprach. In cnjunctin with this imprvement, left turn arrw and ONLY markings shuld be reapplied n all fur appraches. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Replace Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians signs. The existing Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians signs are flurescent-yellw in clr, which vilates the Manual n Unifrm Traffic Cntrl Devices (MUTCD), which states that all regulatry signs shuld be black r red legend n a white backgrund. It is recmmended that the existing signs be replaced by the graphical sign shwn at right, which is included in the 2009 MUTCD. The Turning Vehicles banner shuld be flurescent yellw-green in clr. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Where pssible, the signs shuld be placed n the far crner f the intersectin, similar t the standard placement fr R10-11b N Turn n Red signs. Main Street/William Street The fllwing imprvements were suggested by audit participants t imprve safety issues assciated with the intersectin f Main Street and William Street. Install detectable warning panels fr all wheelchair ramp lcatins. Detectable warning panels will prvide tactile cues fr visually impaired pedestrians that they are abut t depart the sidewalk. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Study intersectin phasing and timing t determine feasibility f an exclusive pedestrian phase. Prviding an exclusive pedestrian phase wuld eliminate cnflicts between turning vehicles and pedestrians that exist tday due t cncurrent pedestrian peratin. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Page 13

16 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Review ptential fr a diagnal crsswalk between the suthwest and nrtheast crners f the intersectin. The skewed gemetry f the intersectin allws the pprtunity t effectively prvide a diagnal crsswalk at the intersectin. This will prvide mre direct pedestrian mvements between the prpsed Tri-Cmmunity Path and the schls alng Central Street. It shuld be nted that a diagnal crsswalk can nly be prvided if the pedestrian phase is exclusive. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement; assciated mdificatin f pavement markings, sidewalks, wheelchair ramps and pedestrian signals wuld be a lng-term, high cst imprvement. Cnsider eliminatin f the existing median n eastern leg f intersectin. There is an existing median dividing William Street between Main Street and Central Street. Eliminatin f this median may allw additinal width t be allcated t bicyclists in cnjunctin with the Tri-Cmmunity Bikeway prject. Pssible accmmdatin techniques discussed include a marked bicycle lane, r a widened sidewalk which serves as a shared path serving bth pedestrians and bicycles. An engineering study shuld cnsider these ptential ptins, either independently f r in cnjunctin with the nging Bikeway prject. This is a mid-term, lw cst imprvement. Restrict the westbund left turn frm William Street. This ptential imprvement was discussed at the audit, with the intent f reducing the cnflict between turning vehicles and pedestrians. Twn persnnel present at the audit were nt in favr f this imprvement, and it was therized that restricting the turn wuld lead t drivers ignring the restrictin r using the Stp & Shp parking lt as a cut-thrugh. As a result, this imprvement is nt recmmended. Repair/replace lp detectrs. Lp detectrs at the intersectin are ld and are knwn t be either malfunctining r nn-peratinal. Operatin f existing lps shuld be verified and malfunctining r nn-peratinal lps shuld be replaced. A fully functinal fully-actuated traffic signal will prvide mre efficient peratin at the intersectin. This is a mid-term, medium cst imprvement. Install backplates. Backplates shuld be installed n all signal heads. This imprvement will enhance visibility f signal heads against the existing visual backgrund. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Install a mast arm and prvide verhead signal heads fr the eastbund William Street apprach. Overhead signal heads prvide greater visibility fr appraching vehicles and reduce the ptential fr a signal head t be blcked by queued vehicles. This is a mid-term, medium cst imprvement. Install an R10-10 Left Turn Signal sign fr the Main Street suthbund left turn. The Main Street suthbund exclusive left turn lane is a prtected mvement nly and has its wn signal husing. A Left Turn Signal sign shuld be added t the mast arm adjacent t this signal husing fr emphasis. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Revise signal timing t incrprate a William Street westbund t Main Street nrthbund right turn verlap phase. This imprvement wuld reduce delay and imprve traffic flw fr right-turning traffic frm William Street westbund t Main Street nrthbund. The right turn verlap phase wuld run cncurrently with the Main Street suthbund t William Street eastbund prtected left turn phase. This imprvement wuld require replacement f the existing right side verhead signal Page 14

17 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. indicatin facing William Street westbund with either a right arrw signal husing r a 5-sectin dghuse signal husing. This is a mid-term, lw cst imprvement. Replace Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians signs. The existing Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians signs are flurescent-yellw in clr, which vilates the Manual n Unifrm Traffic Cntrl Devices (MUTCD), which states that all regulatry signs shuld be black r red legend n a white backgrund. It is recmmended that the existing signs be replaced by the graphical sign shwn at right, which is included in the 2009 MUTCD. The Turning Vehicles banner shuld be flurescent yellwgreen in clr. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Where pssible, the signs shuld be placed n the far crner f the intersectin, similar t the standard placement fr R10-11b N Turn n Red signs. The existing State Law STOP Fr Pedestrians sign n the westbund William Street apprach shuld be remved in cnjunctin with this imprvement. Install a YIELD sign fr the Main Street suthbund t William Street westbund mvement. This right turn is nt cntrlled by the traffic signal, implying yield cntrl althugh there is n existing YIELD sign. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Replace existing R3-7R Right Turn Must Turn Right signs n the William Street westbund apprach with R3-8b graphical signs. It was suggested that a graphical sign as shwn at right wuld be mre effective in cnveying the lane cnfiguratin fr the William Street westbund apprach. This is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement. Place bllards at the back f sidewalk n the suthwest crner f the intersectin. This ptential imprvement was suggested t prvide prtectin between the pedestrian waiting area at the crner f the intersectin and the fueling aisle fr the Stp & Shp gas statin n the suthwest crner. This is a shrt-term, medium cst imprvement. Cnsider remval f delta islands n the nrthwest and sutheast crners. It was nted during the audit that remval f the delta islands wuld eliminate the unprtected crsswalk acrss the channelized right turn lane created by the delta island, and suggested that the reduced verall radius f the turn wuld still be sufficient t accmmdate turning vehicles. This ptential imprvement shuld be studied first t determine if turning mvements can still be accmmdated fr large trucks. Study f the feasibility f this imprvement is a shrt-term, lw cst imprvement, while cnstructin wuld be a mid-term, medium cst imprvement. Summary f Rad Safety Audit Table 3 summarizes ptential recmmendatins discussed by the audit team. The recmmendatins are categrized based n the ptential safety payff, as well as by time frame and cst. The safety payff is a qualitative judgment f the effectiveness f the ptential safety imprvements. Page 15

18 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Table 3. Ptential Safety Enhancement Summary Safety Issue Safety Enhancement Safety Payff Time Frame Cst Signal Equipment Pedestrian Accmmdatin, Signal Equipment Pedestrian Accmmdatin Pedestrian Accmmdatin Pedestrian Accmmdatin Pedestrian Accmmdatin Pedestrian Accmmdatin Main Street/Elm Street Study existing clearance times and make changes, if apprpriate. Update pedestrian signals, pushbuttns and signs. Install detectable warning panels fr all wheelchair ramp lcatins. Verify sidewalk crss slpes and recnstruct sidewalk t meet MassDOT and ADA standards. Study feasibility f replacing apex handicap ramps with paired ramps. Place bllards at the back f sidewalk n the nrthwest crner f the intersectin. Study feasibility f widening Main Street t prvide 11-ft lanes and 4-ft shulders. High Shrt-term $2,000 Medium Shrt-term $8,000 Medium Shrt-term $5,000 N/A (Study) Medium (Cnst.) N/A (Study) Medium (Cnst.) Shrt-term (Study) Lng-term (Cnst.) Shrt-term (Study) Lng-term (Cnst.) $2,000 (Study) $100,000 (Cnst.) $5,000 (Study) $50,000 (Cnst.) Medium Shrt-term $15,000 N/A (Study) High (Cnst.) Shrt-term (Study) Lng-term (Cnst.) $5,000 (Study) TBD (Cnst.) Signal Equipment Install backplates n all signal heads. Medium Shrt-term $5,000 Signal Equipment Signal Equipment Signal Equipment Pedestrian Accmmdatin, Signal Equipment Install mast arms and prvide verhead signal heads fr Elm Street appraches. Replace incandescent signal lenses with LED lenses. Remve R10-12 Left Turn Yield n Green (ball) sign frm the nrthbund signal mast arm. Reprgram pedestrian phase and verify that phase time is adequate fr pedestrians t crss the widest leg f the intersectin. Medium Mid-term $40,000 Medium Shrt-term $5,000 Medium Shrt-term $1,000 Medium Shrt-term $2,000 Page 16

19 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Table 3. Ptential Safety Enhancement Summary Safety Issue Safety Enhancement Safety Payff Time Frame Cst Left Turn Lanes Left Turn Lanes Pedestrian Accmmdatin, Signage Install R3-8a graphical lane cntrl signage fr the Elm Street appraches, and R3-7L Left Lane Must Turn Left signs fr the Main Street appraches. Add thrugh and right pavement markings fr the Elm Street appraches, and reapply arrw and ONLY markings n all fur appraches. Replace Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians signs with MUTCD-cmpliant signs. Place new signs n the far crner, where feasible. Medium Shrt-term $2,000 Medium Shrt-term $5,000 Medium Shrt-term $2,000 Signal Equipment Repair and/r replace lp detectrs. Lw Mid-term $25,000 Pedestrian Accmmdatin, Signal Equipment Pedestrian Accmmdatin Pedestrian Accmmdatin Pedestrian Accmmdatin Bicycle Accmmdatin/Gemetry/Lane Assignments Recnstruct traffic signal at the intersectin, replacing all existing equipment and incrprating all signal imprvements listed abve. Main Street/William Street Study intersectin phasing and timing t determine feasibility f an exclusive pedestrian phase. (Safety Payff assumes implementatin) Install detectable warning panels fr all wheelchair ramp lcatins. Review ptential fr a diagnal crsswalk between the suthwest and nrtheast crners f the intersectin. Cnsider eliminatin f existing median n eastern leg f William Street and study ptential re-use f available radway width. High Lng-term $200,000 High Shrt-term $5,000 Medium Shrt-term $5,000 Medium Medium Shrt-term (Study) Lng-term (Cnst.) Mid-term $5,000 (Study) $150,000 (Cnst.) $5,000 (Study) $100,000 (Cnst.) Signal Equipment Install backplates n all signal heads. Medium Shrt-term $5,000 Page 17

20 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Table 3. Ptential Safety Enhancement Summary Safety Issue Safety Enhancement Safety Payff Time Frame Cst Signal Equipment Signal Equipment, Signage Pedestrian Accmmdatin, Signage Signal Equipment, Signage Gemetry/Lane Assignments Pedestrian Accmmdatin Pedestrian Accmmdatin/Gemetry/Lane Assignments Signal Equipment Install mast arms and prvide verhead signal heads fr the eastbund William Street apprach. Install an R10-10 Left Turn Signal fr the Main Street suthbund left turn. Replace Turning Traffic Must Yield t Pedestrians signs with MUTCD-cmpliant signs. Place new signs n the far crner, where feasible. Install a YIELD sign fr the Main Street suthbund t William Street westbund mvement. Replace existing Right Lane Must Turn Right signs n the William Street westbund apprach with R3-8b graphical lane cntrl signage fr the William Street Place bllards at the back f sidewalk n the suthwest crner f the intersectin. Study feasibility f remving delta islands n the nrthwest and sutheast crner f the intersectin. Revise signal timing t incrprate a William Street westbund t Main Street nrthbund right turn verlap phase. (This imprvement wuld require replacement f the existing right side verhead signal indicatin with a right arrw r dghuse signal husing.) Medium Mid-term $20,000 Medium Shrt-term $500 Medium Shrt-term $1,500 Medium Shrt-term $250 Medium Shrt-term $250 Medium Shrt-term $15,000 N/A (Study) Medium (Cnst.) Shrt-term (Study) Lng-term (Cnst.) $3,000 (Study) $50,000 (Cnst.) Lw Mid-term $10,000 Signal Equipment Repair and/r replace lp detectrs. Lw Mid-term $25,000 Pedestrian Accmmdatin, Signal Equipment Recnstruct traffic signal at the intersectin, replacing all existing equipment and incrprating all signal imprvements listed abve. High Lng-term $200,000 Page 18

21 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Appendix A. RSA Meeting Agenda

22 Rad Safety Audit Stneham Main Street at Elm/William Streets Meeting Lcatin: Central Elementary Schl, 36 Pmewrth Street Tuesday, Nvember 30, :30 AM 12:30 PM Type f meeting: Attendees: Please bring: High Crash Lcatin Rad Safety Audit Invited Participants t Cmprise a Multidisciplinary Team Thughts and Enthusiasm!! 10:30 AM Welcme and Intrductins 10:45 AM Review f Site Specific Material Crash Summary and Speed Regulatins Existing Gemetries and Cnditins 11:15 AM Visit the Site Walk the Main Street crridr, view bth intersectins As a grup, identify areas fr imprvement 12:00 PM Cmpletin f RSA Finalize discussin n all areas fr imprvement Discuss ptential safety imprvements with prs and cns and recrd pssible cuntermeasures 12:30 PM Adjurn fr the Day but the RSA has nt ended Instructins fr Participants: Befre attending the RSA n Nvember 30th, participants are encuraged t drive thrugh the crridr and cmplete/cnsider elements n the RSA Prmpt List with a fcus n safety. All participants will be actively invlved in the prcess thrughut. Participants are encuraged t cme with thughts and ideas, but are reminded that the synergy that develps and respect fr thers pinins are key elements t the success f the verall RSA prcess. After the RSA meeting, participants will be asked t cmment and respnd t the dcument materials t assure it is reflective f the RSA cmpleted by the multidisciplinary team.

23 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Appendix B. RSA Audit Team Cntact List

24

25 Rad Safety Audit Main Street at Elm/William Streets Stneham, MA Prepared by BETA Grup, Inc. Appendix C. Detailed Crash Data

26

27 Crash Data Summary Table Intersectin f Main St (Rute Elm St; Stneham, MA # Crash Date Crash Day Time f Day Manner f Cllisin Light Cnditin Weather Cnditin Rad Surface Driver Cntributing Cde Ages Cmments d/m/y Type Type Type Type Type D2 Disregarded traffic signs, 1 12/12/09 Saturday 5:15 PM Angle Dark - lighted radway Clear Dry signals, rad markings Vehicle went thrugh red light Injury Cde 2 2/11/09 Wednesday 6:16 PM Angle Dark - lighted radway Clear Dry Failed t yield t right f way Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way 3 10/11/08 Saturday 12:34 PM Angle Daylight Clear Dry Failed t yield t right f way Vehicle went thrugh red light 4 4 7/10/08 Thursday 5:08 PM Angle Daylight Clear Dry Unknwn Bth vehicle making a left turn 5 4/11/08 Friday 5:19 PM Rear-end Daylight Cludy Wet Unknwn Disregarded traffic signs, 6 1/6/08 Sunday 3:12 PM Angle Daylight Clear Dry signals, rad markings Vehicle went thrugh red light /10/08 Friday 3:52 PM Angle Daylight Clear Dry Failed t yield t right f way Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way 8 5/6/08 Tuesday 8:18 AM Rear-end Daylight Clear Wet Cellular telephne /10/08 Mnday 6:03 AM Head n Dawn Clear Dry Failed t yield t right f way 73 Left turning vehicle hit a pedestrian crssing Elm St (Fatal Injury) /11/09 Wednesday 6:16 PM Angle Dark - lighted radway Clear Dry Failed t yield t right f way Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way 11 11/12/09 Thursday 3:45 PM Sideswipe, same directin Daylight Clear Dry Unknwn /7/10 Mnday 8:03 AM Sideswipe, ppsite directin Daylight Clear Dry Unknwn Summary based n Crash Reprts btained frm the Stneham Plice Department and Operatr Reprts Vehicle was traveling suth n Main st and turning left n Elm st, anther vehicle was traveling west n Elm st and turning right n Main St. Bth vehicle's side mirrr struck.

28 M T W Th F Sa Su Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nv Dec 6-10AM 10-2PM 2-6PM 6-10PM 10-2AM 2-6PM <=20 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s >=80 J F M A M J J A S O N D Crash Data Summary Tables and Charts Intersectin f Main St (Rute Elm St; Stneham, MA Mnth Day f the week Mnday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Time f Day 6 AM t 10 AM 10 AM t 2 PM 2 PM t 6 PM 6 PM t 10 PM 10 PM t 2 AM 2 AM t 6 PM Manner f Cllisin Single Vehicle Crash Rear-end Angle Sideswipe, same direc Sideswipe, ppsite d Head n Rear t Rear Unknwn Weather Cnditin Clear Cludy Rain Snw Sleet, Hail, Freezing R Fg, Smg, Smke Severe Crsswinds Blwing sand, snw Other Unknwn Rad Surface Dry Wet Snw Ice Sand, mud, dirt, il, gr Water (standing, mv Slush Other Unknwn 8% 17% 8% 8% 8% 8% 17% 17% 8% 17% 8% 17% 17% 17% 17% 8% 25% 8% 5 17% 17% 58% 8% 8% 8% 92% 8% 83% 17% Ages D1 D % % 36% % % 27% % % % 80+ Tw D3 (In 60s) 2 15% 1 5% J F M A M J J A S O N D M T W Th F Sa Su 6-10AM 10-2PM 2-6PM 6-10PM 10-2AM 2-6PM

29 Crash Data Summary Table Intersectin f Main St (Rute William St; Stneham, MA # Crash Date Crash Day Time f Day Manner f Cllisin Light Cnditin Weather Cnditin Rad Surface Driver Cntributing Cde Ages Cmments d/m/y Type Type Type Type Type D2 Injury Cde 1 5/23/10 Sunday 1:57 PM Angle Daylight Cludy Dry Failed t yield t right f way Exiting Stp&Shp parking lt 2 1/11/10 Mnday 7:57 AM Rear-end Daylight Clear Dry Fllwed t clsely /20/08 Thursday 8:27 AM Angle Daylight Cludy Wet Failed t yield t right f way Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way 4 Disregarded traffic signs, 4 2/8/08 Friday 4:14 PM Angle Daylight Snw Wet signals, rad markings Vehicle went thrugh red light Disregarded traffic signs, 5 4/5/08 Saturday 10:24 PM Angle Dark - lighted radway Clear Dry signals, rad markings Vehicle went thrugh red light /6/08 Thursday 9:42 PM Angle Dark - lighted radway Rain Wet Made an imprper turn Left turning vehicle struck a vehicle waiting fr the light t g SB 7 10/20/08 Mnday 2:40 PM Angle Daylight Clear Dry Made an imprper turn /10/08 Thursday 7:25 PM Angle Daylight Clear Dry Unknwn /19/08 Friday 10:42 AM Sideswipe, same directin Daylight Cludy Wet N Imprper Driving /5/09 Thursday 6:57 PM Sideswipe, same directin Dark - lighted radway Clear Wet Other imprper actin /19/09 Thursday 6:52 PM Angle Dark - lighted radway Rain Wet Inattentin Witness state ne f the vehicle was travel at a high rate f speed (Arund 40-45mph) Exiting Stp&Shp parking lt (vehicle fled the scene after the accident) Vehicle was stpped fr a red light, anther vehicle behind him want t mve t the left lane and strike his rear left bumper The peratr was lking at his GPS while making a right turn n t William St 12 4/3/09 Friday 11:43 AM Angle Daylight Rain Wet Failed t yield t right f way Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way (vehicle fled the 13 2/21/10 Sunday 3:40 PM Sideswipe, ppsite directin Daylight Clear Dry N Imprper Driving 52 scene after the accident) 14 3/31/10 Wednesday 8:03 AM Angle Daylight Rain Wet Failed t yield t right f way Exiting Stp&Shp parking lt /25/10 Wednesday 4:17 PM Angle Daylight Rain Wet Disregarded traffic signs, signals, rad markings Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way (The vehicle went thrugh red light accrding t ne f the witness) /21/10 Tuesday 8:16 AM Angle Daylight Clear Dry Failed t yield t right f way Left turning vehicle did nt yield the right f way 17 10/4/10 Mnday 8:20 AM Rear-end Daylight Rain Wet Distracted Summary based n Crash Reprts btained frm the Stneham Plice Department and Operatr Reprts