ROAD SAFETY AUDIT. Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary City of Gardner. August 3, Prepared For: MassDOT

ROAD SAFETY AUDIT Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary City of Gardner August 3, 2016 Prepared For: MassDOT Prepared By: Tetra Tech 100 Nickerson Avenue Marlborough, MA 01752

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Table of Contents Contents Background... 1 Project Data... 2 Project Location and Description... 3 Audit Observations and Potential Safety Enhancements... 4 Safety Issue #1 Rear-End Crashes on Rotary Approaches... 4 Safety Issue #2 Signing... 6 Safety Issue #3 Lighting... 7 Safety Issue #4 Pedestrian Accommodations... 7 Safety Issue #5 Bicycle Accommodations... 8 Safety Issue #6 Pavement... 8 Safety Issue #7 External Influences on the Rotary... 9 Summary of Road Safety Audit... 10 List of Appendices Appendix A. Appendix B. Appendix C. Appendix D. RSA Meeting Agenda RSA Audit Team Contact List Detailed Crash Data Additional Information List of Figures Figure 1: Locus Map... 1 List of Tables Table 1: Participating Audit Team Members... 2 Table 2: Estimated Time Frame and Costs Breakdown... 10 Table 3: Potential Safety Enhancement Summary... 11

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Background A Road Safety Audit (RSA) was conducted at the Route 2/Route 68 interchange rotary in Gardner (see Figure 1). The interchange is under design by MassDOT (Project #608188). The Road Safety Audit process is a way of evaluating the safety of an intersection using a multidisciplinary team of engineers, administrators and safety personnel to identify issues that may be corrected to improve safety. The team may identify short-term, medium-term, and long-term improvements which can be implemented in the near-term through maintenance or in the medium or long-term through the design process. Figure 1: Locus Map The MassDOT Highway Division obtains crash data from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) database and uses the data for many purposes. One of the primary purposes is to identify high crash locations at intersections throughout the Commonwealth. The crashes are grouped into clusters based on a crash cluster analysis method developed by their consultant, Geonetics. The information is presented in a GIS format which merges the crashes into clusters based on their location relative to each Page 1

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech other. The software then calculates an Equivalent Property Damage Only (EPDO) rating for all the clusters and ranks them. Based on this analysis methodology, two segments within the rotary have been identified as high crash locations: i) Route 68 (Timpany Boulevard) beginning just south of Donlan Street to the Route 2 westbound on-ramp and ii) Route 68 beginning from its intersection with the southern portion of the rotary to the Route 2 eastbound on-ramp. Based on MassDOT data, the northern high crash location experienced 32 reported crashes between 2011 and 2013 resulting in an EPDO rating of 44. The southern high crash location experienced 16 reported crashes between 2011 and 2013 resulting in an EPDO rating of 36. Project Data The audit was conducted on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. The RSA agenda appears in Appendix A. Table 1 lists the audit team participants and their affiliation. The contact information for the audit team members is contained in Appendix B. Data provided to audit team members and reviewed at the RSA included area maps, speed limit regulations and detailed crash information and is contained in Appendices C and D. The crash data and collision diagrams are based on crashes reported by the Gardner Police Department from 2011 to 2013. Table 1: Participating Audit Team Members Audit Team Member Agency/Affiliation Lisa Schletzbaum Massachusetts Highway Department Safety Section David Posner Massachusetts Highway Department - Safety Section Adam Prichard Massachusetts Highway Department Safety Section Joshua Bartus Massachusetts Highway Department Highway Design Rohith Prakash Massachusetts Highway Department Highway Design Davidson Borgelorme Massachusetts Highway Department Highway Design Joseph Frawley Massachusetts Highway Department District 3 Traffic Erin Kinahan Massachusetts Highway Department - District 3 Traffic George Snow Montachusett Regional Planning Commission - Principal Transportation Planner Paul M. Capps Massachusetts State Police Lt. Jerry Molet Massachusetts State Police Richard Ares Gardner, Fire Department Chris Coughlin Gardner, Engineering Bob Hankinson Gardner, Engineering David Arnold Gardner, DPW Jeff Legros Gardner, Planning Edward Myers Kittelson & Associates Conor Semler Kittelson & Associates Nancy Doherty Tetra Tech Courtney Jones Tetra Tech Page 2

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Project Location and Description In Gardner, Route 68 (Timpany Boulevard) and the Route 2 on-ramps and off-ramps form a four-legged rotary which serves as the Route 2/Route 68 interchange. The rotary is located approximately one-half mile south of downtown Gardner and is under MassDOT jurisdiction. The Pan American railroad, which runs parallel to Route 2, crosses over Route 68 approximately 60 feet north of the outer edge of the rotary. Route 2, a principal arterial providing an east-west link across Massachusetts, passes over Route 68 and the rotary. North of the rotary, Route 68 is an urban minor arterial functioning as a north-south link between the rotary and Route 101 and a northwest-southeast link between Route 101 and the City of Gardner boundary with the Town of Templeton. South of the rotary, Route 68 is an urban principal arterial traveling between the rotary and the Gardner boundary with the Town of Hubbardston. Route 68 is under local (City) jurisdiction from the boundary with the Town of Hubbardston to the rotary and between Donlan Street to Monadnock Street. Route 68 provides access to numerous commercial uses including Hannaford Supermarket, Burger King and McDonald s. The Gardner Police Station is also located along Route 68 approximately one-third of a mile north of the rotary. Route 68 generally provides a single travel lane, a marked shoulder and granite curbing in each direction. In the vicinity of the rotary, sidewalk is only located along the east side of Route 68. The speed limit on Route 68 is 30 mph. The rotary has an outer diameter of approximately 460 feet with a wide circulatory road, approximately 40 feet wide. Shoulder markings are present along the inner and outer curb lines, however they have almost entirely faded, and as such, are ineffective. Route 2 approaches from the east and west and Route 68 approaches from the north and south. The Route 2 and Route 68 approaches to the rotary provide a single, channelized right-turn lane operating under Yield control. The distances between the on and off ramps range from approximately 170 feet to 220 feet. Crosswalks are provided within the rotary across the Route eastbound on-ramp and the Route 2 westbound off-ramp. Both crosswalks have pedestrian ramps, but the ramps do not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Access Board (ADA/AAB) standards. Pedestrians wishing to cross Route 68 in a crosswalk must do so at the Route 68/Crawford Street intersection approximately 250 feet south of the rotary entrance. North of the rotary, pedestrians must cross at two crosswalks to get to/from the westerly side of Route 68: i) at the Main Street/Pine Street intersection and ii) at the Route 68/Main Street intersection adjacent to CVS Pharmacy (a walking distance of approximately 0.35 miles). Bicycle accommodations are not provided along Route 68 or through the rotary. Traffic volume count data was not available during the Road Safety Audit. However, participants indicated that the heaviest traffic flows occur in the morning from Route 68 southbound to Route 2 eastbound and in the afternoon from Route 2 westbound to Route 68 northbound. Page 3

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Audit Observations and Potential Safety Enhancements The RSA was conducted at Gardner City Hall. In attendance were representatives from MassDOT, Massachusetts State Police, the City of Gardner, Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, Kittelson & Associates and Tetra Tech. The following sections describes each of the safety issues in detail and discusses the potential enhancements and safety improvements developed by the RSA team. Following this section is a summary table outlining the issue, the potential solution, timeframe and responsible agency. Safety Issue #1 Crashes on Rotary Approaches Observations: Of the 95 crashes reported for the three year study period at or near the rotary, 66 rear-end collisions occurred on the four approaches to the rotary (25 on the Route 68 southbound approach, 24 on the Route 68 northbound approach, 12 on the Route 2 westbound off-ramp and 5 on the Route 2 eastbound off-ramp). Driver inattention and following too closely were cited as contributing factors in 83 percent of these crashes. Audit team members cited several possible reasons for these crashes. 1. Motorists, rather than paying attention to the vehicle in front of them, are looking to their left to determine if a sufficient gap in traffic is available; then, when they judge a sufficient gap is available, advance and hit the vehicle in front of them. 2. The 40-foot-width of the circulatory road is too wide for a single lane rotary. Although shoulders exist on both sides of the road, the markings have faded resulting in the wide travel way. The excessive width makes it difficult for vehicles on the rotary approaches to judge the destination of circulating vehicles, resulting in longer waits to enter the rotary and greater driver frustration. Drivers may incorrectly judge that a vehicle is departing the rotary when it is instead continuing on the rotary resulting in the lead vehicle stopping short and a rear-end collision. Image 1 Wide Circulatory Road under Route 2 3. The width of the circulatory road may contribute to high rates of speed, exacerbating the difficulty of entering vehicles to judge if a sufficient gap in traffic is available to enter the rotary. 4. Due to the large diameter of the rotary, sight lines for vehicles entering the rotary from both Route 2 off-ramps are obstructed by bridge abutments and overgrown vegetation in the center of Page 4

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech the rotary. Vehicles that are circulating along the inner curb line are particularly difficult to see for motorists on the Route 2 approaches. 5. Vehicle queues back up to the mainline during the afternoon peak commuting period. 6. The entry angle of the approach lanes encourages motorists to enter the rotary without slowing down. The entry angle also requires drivers on the ramps to look to the far left to judge gaps in on-coming on the rotary. This may be especially difficult for older drivers. Image 2 Route 2 westbound off-ramp approach 7. Vegetation along the south side of the Route 2 westbound offramp blocks sight lines to the south for drivers entering the rotary. 8. Vegetation along the north side of the Route 2 eastbound off-ramp blocks sight lines to the north for drivers entering the rotary. 9. Yield signs are present only on the right side of all approaches and there are no Yield pavement markings to emphasize the signs. 10. There are no gore markings at the splitter islands. 11. Driver inattention was cited as a contributing factor in 71 percent of ramp rear-end collisions. Potential Safety Enhancements: 1. Consider adding fencing or vegetation along the edge of the splitter islands to block the sight lines for motorists not at the front of the vehicle queue waiting to enter the rotary. This may have the effect of keeping the driver s attention on the vehicle in front of them and not on rotary traffic. 2. On all approaches, reinforce yield control with a second Yield sign on the left side of the approach lane and Yield lines. 3. Install an Advance Traffic Control sign Yield Ahead (W3-2) on all approaches in accordance with MUTCD. 4. Consider realignment of the Route 68 and Route 2 approaches to the rotary to improve the angle at which the approaches intersect the rotary. 5. Consider widening and repainting the shoulders on both sides of the circulating roadway to better define a single travel lane. A wider inner shoulder would have the benefit of pushing circulating vehicles away from the inner curb line and improve the visibility of these vehicles from the Route 2 approaches. 6. Install gore markings at all splitter islands. Page 5

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech 7. Clear vegetation along the south side of the Route 2 westbound off-ramp, the north side of the Route 2 eastbound off-ramp and along the inner curb line of the rotary. 8. If warranted by traffic volumes, consider providing two lanes on the Route 2 westbound off-ramp with the outer lane channelized into a right-turn bypass lane to Route 68 northbound. 9. Some audit participants suggested that right-turn bypass lanes should be provided for all approaches. 10. Consider a larger turn radius for the departure lane to Route 68 northbound. 11. Increase police visibility and enforcement at the rotary to increase driver attention. Safety Issue #2 Signing Observations: 1. Ineffective warning signs on the Route 2 off-ramps may be encouraging speeding. RSA participants indicated that speeds along the Route 2 eastbound off-ramp are particularly high. 2. The existing Rotary Ahead text signs on the Route 2 off-ramps should be replaced. 3. The existing Circular Intersection sign on the Route 68 northbound approach is in poor condition. 4. Drivers unfamiliar with the rotary may be contributing to rear-end collisions on approaches. 5. The Low Clearance signs, mounted in advance of the Route 2 bridges, are placed in locations where the intent is unclear. 6. Some signs appear old and are not reflective. 7. There appears to be unnecessary signs in the northerly area of the rotary. 8. The directional signing in the center island facing the approaches to the rotary are inconsistent. Potential Safety Enhancements: 1. Replace the existing Rotary Ahead text signs on the Route 2 off-ramps with Circular Intersection signs (W2-6). Image 3 Signs in north area of the rotary 2. Consider augmenting the Circular Intersection signs with flashing warning beacons to reduce travel speeds on the Route 2 off-ramps. 3. Consider adding advance destination guide signs on all approaches to supplement the existing exit guide signs at the departure lanes. 4. Remove the existing Low Clearance signs and replace them with new Low Clearance signs (W12-2) mounted on the bridges. 5. Inventory and replace, as necessary, all traffic signs which are in poor condition or do not have adequate reflective coating. Page 6

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech 6. Remove all superfluous signs. 7. Evaluate and update existing directional signing in the center island opposite the approaches to the rotary. Safety Issue #3 Lighting Observations: 1. Approximately 20 percent of crashes occurred after dark. 2. Overhead street lighting is provided along the outer curb line. RSA participants from the City of Gardner indicated that the light fixtures are maintained by the city and operational. 3. Transitioning from lighting conditions under the bridges to daylight may be problematic. Potential Safety Enhancements: 1. Consider providing overhead lighting along the inner curb line of the rotary. 2. Evaluate lighting conditions and fixtures in the vicinity of the Route 2 bridges. Safety Issue #4 Pedestrian Accommodations Observations: 1. Pedestrians travel through the rotary between the residential areas north of the rotary to the commercial areas south of the rotary. Walmart, a Super Stop & Shop, McDonald s and Burger King are all located along Route 68 south of the rotary. Sidewalk is provided along the east side of the rotary. 2. Crosswalks are located at the Route 2 eastbound on-ramp and Route 2 westbound off-ramp, both located on the east side of the rotary. RSA participants indicted that these ramps serve higher levels of traffic than the Image 4 Faded crosswalk at the Route 2 EB On- Ramp Route 2 westbound on-ramp and Route 2 eastbound off-ramp located on the west side of the rotary. 3. The crosswalk markings located at the Route 2 eastbound on-ramp and Route 2 westbound offramp have faded and are not visible in some areas. 4. Pedestrian ramps at the crosswalk do not meet current ADA/AAB standards. 5. A single Pedestrian Crossing (W11-2) with an arrow sign (W16-7P) is provided at both crosswalks. 6. There is a concern that motorists may not be aware of the crosswalks as they depart the rotary onto Route 2 eastbound or enter the rotary from Route 2 westbound. Page 7

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech 7. Pedestrian connectivity north of the rotary is poor. During the Road Safety Audit, pedestrians were observed crossing the Donlan Street turn roads at the Donlan Street/Route 68 intersection (near Meineke Car Care Center) to access sidewalk along the east side of Route 68 (north of the rotary). Potential Safety Enhancements: 1. At the Route 2 westbound off-ramp, reposition the crosswalk markings and signs to be perpendicular to the ramp and to allow storage of one vehicle between the crosswalk and circulating lane. 2. On the Route 2 westbound off-ramp, install a second Pedestrian Crossing sign at the crosswalk (on the left side of the ramp facing advancing traffic) and an Advance Pedestrian Crossing (W11-2) sign with an AHEAD plaque on the off-ramp in accordance with MUTCD. 3. At the Route 2 eastbound on-ramp, reposition the crosswalk markings and signs to be perpendicular to the ramp. 4. Repaint both crosswalks with a continental ladder pattern. 5. Reconstruct pedestrian ramps at the crosswalks to meet current ADA/AAB standards. 6. Consider installing Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons at both crosswalks to draw attention to the crosswalks, especially during periods of solar glare. 7. Consider providing sidewalks along the west side of the rotary. The sidewalks on east side would remain. 8. As an alternative to #7 and to reduce potential pedestrian/vehicle conflicts at the highly traveled Route 2 eastbound on-ramp and Route 2 westbound off-ramp, consider removing the sidewalk along the east side of the rotary and providing sidewalk only along the west side of the rotary. Safety Issue #5 Bicycle Accommodations Observations: 1. There are no bicycle accommodations in the vicinity of the rotary. However, the City of Gardner is proposing bicycle lanes along Route 68 and would like to see bicycle accommodations provided as any future improvement to the rotary. Potential Safety Enhancements: 1. Consider providing shared use paths with ramps or wide shoulders in the rotary to allow bicycles to travel along Route 68 through the rotary. Safety Issue #6 Pavement Observations: 1. Eighteen percent of crashes occurred on wet, icy, snow covered or slush covered pavement. Page 8

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Potential Safety Enhancements: 1. Evaluate, and modify as necessary, the cross-section of the rotary and on and off ramps to provide superelevation appropriate for the roadway s horizontal alignment. 2. Conduct pavement friction testing to determine if the pavement is too worn to provide adequate traction. 3. Based on the results of the friction testing, resurface areas as needed to provide adequate friction. 4. Evaluate snow removal and icing control procedures during winter months. Safety Issue #7 External Influences on the Rotary Observations: 1. RSA participants indicated that on Route 2 eastbound, the short distance (1,400 feet) between the on-ramp from Route 68 and the off-ramp to Pearson Boulevard causes weaving issues. There is approximately 650 feet between the end of the Route 68 on-ramp acceleration lane and the beginning of the Pearson Boulevard deceleration lane. 2. The traffic detour associated with the closure of the Pleasant Street Bridge over the Pan American Railroad has significantly increased traffic through the rotary. The Gardner Fire Chief indicated that traveling southbound on Route 68 through the rotary can be difficult for emergency vehicles. This may be due to the increase in traffic levels associated with the Pleasant Street detour. 3. Historically, queues on the Donlan Street approach to the Donlan Street/Main Street/Mechanic Street intersection have extended into the rotary and occasionally onto Route 2 westbound. However, recently the City shifted the yield control at the intersection from the Donlan Street approach to the Main Street approach which now provides for free flow conditions for northbound traffic from the rotary, onto Donlan Street and then onto Main Street. There was some discussion on whether or not the weaving maneuver which occurs along Donlan Street between Timpany Boulevard and Main Street/Mechanic Street still causes queues to extend into the rotary. Potential Safety Enhancements: 1. Consider conducting a Road Safety Audit for Route 2 between Route 68 and Pearson Boulevard as this segment of Route 2 was outside of the study area evaluated as part of this Road Safety Audit. 2. The Pleasant Street Bridge will be advertised for construction by MassDOT in 2018. Consider alternative detours to distribute some Pleasant Street traffic onto other roadways besides Route 68. 3. Monitor queues along Donlan Street. 4. If Donlan Street queues are still problematic, consider narrowing Donlan Street to one lane in the vicinity of the Timpany Boulevard southbound turn road. Page 9

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Summary of Road Safety Audit The safety improvements considered for the intersection were categorized by time frame and cost based on the criteria listed in Table 2. The time frame is categorized as short-term (<1 year), mid-term (1 to 3 years), or long-term (>3 years). The costs are categorized as low (<$10,000), medium ($10,001 to $50,000), or high (>$50,001). Safety payoff estimates are subjective and are based on the relative percent of crashes that may be reduced by the enhancement based on known and documented crash reduction factors, if available, or estimated crash reduction based on a stated source [for example, low (<30%), medium (31% to 70%), and high (>71%)]. Table 2: Estimated Time Frame and Costs Breakdown Time Frame Costs Short-Term <1 Year Low <$10,000 Mid-Term 1-3 Years Medium $10,001-$50,000 Long-Term >3 Years High >$50,000 Table 3 below summarizes the issues identified in the previous section and includes the potential safety payoff, approximate cost, a time frame for completion and the responsible agency. Page 10

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Safety Issue Rear-End Crashes on Rotary Approaches Signing Potential Safety Enhancement Table 3: Potential Safety Enhancement Summary Consider adding fencing or vegetation along the edge of the splitter islands to block the sight lines for motorists not at the front of the vehicle queue waiting to enter the rotary. On all approaches, reinforce yield control with a second Yield sign on the left side of the approach lane and Yield lines. On all approaches install an Advance Traffic Control sign Yield Ahead (W3-2) in accordance with MUTCD. Consider realignment of the Route 68 and Route 2 approaches to the rotary to improve the angle at which the approaches intersect the rotary. Consider widening and repainting the shoulders on both sides of the circulating roadway to better define a single travel lane. Safety Payoff Time Frame Cost Responsible Agency High Long-Term Medium MassDOT High Short-Term Low MassDOT High Short-Term Low MassDOT High Long-Term High MassDOT High Short-Term Low MassDOT Install gore markings at all splitter islands. Low Short-Term Low MassDOT Clear vegetation along the south side of the Route 2 westbound off-ramp, the north side of the Route 2 eastbound off-ramp and along the inner curb line of the rotary. If warranted by traffic volumes, consider providing two lanes on the Route 2 westbound off-ramp with the outer lane channelized into a right-turn bypass lane to Route 68 northbound. High Short-Term Low MassDOT Medium Long-Term High MassDOT Consider right-turn bypass lanes for all approaches. Medium Long-Term High MassDOT Consider a larger turn radius for the departure lane to Route 68 northbound. Increase police visibility and enforcement at the rotary to increase driver attention. High Long-Term High MassDOT Medium Short-Term Low City of Gardner Replace the existing Rotary Ahead text signs on the Route 2 off-ramps with Circular Intersection signs (W2-6). High Short-Term Low MassDOT Page 11

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Safety Issue Signing, continued Lighting Pedestrian Accommodations Potential Safety Enhancement Consider augmenting the Circular Intersection signs with flashing warning beacons. Consider adding advance destination guide signs on all approaches to supplement the existing exit guide signs at the departure lanes. Remove the existing Low Clearance signs and replace them with new Low Clearance signs (W12-2) mounted on the bridges. Inventory and replace, as necessary, all traffic signs which are in poor condition or do not have adequate reflective coating. Safety Payoff Time Frame Cost Responsible Agency High Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Medium Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Low Short-Term Low MassDOT High Short-Term Low MassDOT Remove all superfluous signs. Medium Short-Term Low MassDOT Evaluate and update existing directional signing in the center island opposite the approaches to the rotary. Medium Short-Term Low MassDOT Consider providing overhead lighting along the inner curb line of the rotary. Medium Long-Term High Evaluate lighting conditions and fixtures in the vicinity of the Route 2 bridges. At the Route 2 westbound off-ramp, reposition the crosswalk markings and signs to be perpendicular to the ramp and to allow storage of one vehicle between the crosswalk and circulating lane. On the Route 2 westbound off-ramp, install a second Pedestrian Crossing sign at the crosswalk (on the left side of the ramp facing advancing traffic) and an Advance Pedestrian Crossing (W11-2) sign with an AHEAD plaque on the off-ramp in accordance with MUTCD. At the Route 2 eastbound on-ramp, reposition the crosswalk markings and signs to be perpendicular to the ramp. MassDOT/ City of Gardner High Short-Term Low MassDOT High Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Medium Short-Term Low MassDOT High Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Repaint both crosswalks with a ladder pattern. High Short-Term Low MassDOT Reconstruct pedestrian ramps at the crosswalks to meet current ADA/AAB standards. Medium Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Page 12

Road Safety Audit Route 2/Route 68 Interchange Rotary Tetra Tech Safety Issue Pedestrian Accommodations, continued Potential Safety Enhancement Consider installing Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons at both crosswalks to draw attention to the crosswalks, especially during periods of solar glare. Safety Payoff Time Frame Cost Responsible Agency High Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Consider providing sidewalks along the west side of the rotary. High Long-Term High MassDOT Bicycle Accommodations Pavement To reduce potential pedestrian/vehicle conflicts at the highly traveled Route 2 eastbound on-ramp and Route 2 westbound off-ramp, consider removing the sidewalk along the east side of the rotary and providing sidewalk along the west side of the rotary. Consider providing shared use paths with ramps or wide shoulders in the rotary. Evaluate and modify, as necessary, the cross-section of the rotary and on and off ramps to provide superelevation appropriate for the roadways horizontal alignment. Conduct pavement friction testing to determine if the pavement is too worn to provide adequate traction. Based on the results of the friction testing, resurface areas as needed to provide adequate friction. High Long-Term High MassDOT Medium Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Low Long-Term High MassDOT Low Medium-Term Low MassDOT Low Medium-Term Medium MassDOT Evaluate snow removal and icing control procedures during winter months. Medium Short-Term Medium MassDOT External Influences on the Rotary Consider conducting a Road Safety Audit for Route 2 between Route 68 and Pearson Boulevard as this segment of Route 2 was outside of the study area evaluated as part of this Road Safety Audit. Medium Short-Term Low MassDOT Consider alternative detours to distribute some Pleasant Street traffic onto other roadways besides Route 68. High Short-Term Low Monitor queues along Donlan Street. Medium Short-Term Low If Donlan Street queues are still problematic, consider narrowing Donlan Street to one lane in the vicinity of the Timpany Boulevard southbound turn road. Medium Medium-Term Medium MassDOT/ City of Gardner City of Gardner City of Gardner Page 13

Appendix A. RSA Meeting Agenda

Appendix B. RSA Audit Team Contact List

Participating Audit Team Members Date: August 2, 2016 Location: Gardner City Hall Audit Team Members Agency/Affiliation Email Address Phone Number Lisa Schletzbaum David Posner Adam Prichard Joshua Bartus Rohith Prakash Davidson Borgelorme Joseph Frawley Erin Kinahan George Snow Massachusetts Highway Department Safety Section Massachusetts Highway Department - Safety Section Massachusetts Highway Department Safety Section Massachusetts Highway Department Highway Design Massachusetts Highway Department Highway Design Massachusetts Highway Department Highway Design Massachusetts Highway Department District 3 Traffic Massachusetts Highway Department - District 3 Traffic Montachusett Regional Planning Commission - Principal Transportation Planner lisa.schletzbaum@state.ma.us 857-368-9634 david.posner@state.ma.us 857-368-9627 adam.prichard@dot.state.ma.us 857-368-9634 joshua.bartus@dot.state.ma.us 857 368 9438 rohith.prakash@dot.state.ma.us 413-276-8829 Davidson.Borgelorme@dot.state.ma. us joseph.frawley@state.ma.us 508-929-3916 erin.kinahan@state.ma.us 508-929-3906 gsnow@mrpc.org 978-345-7376 Paul M. Capps Massachusetts State Police paul.capps@pol.state.ma.us 508-829-8328 Lt. Jerry Molet Massachusetts State Police jerry.molet@pol.state.ma.us 978-249-4341 Richard Ares Gardner, Fire Department rares@gardner-ma.gov 978-630-4051 Chris Coughlin Gardner, Engineering ccoughlin@gardner-ma.gov 978-630-4010 Bob Hankinson Gardner, Engineering rhankinson@gardner-ma.gov 978-630-4010 David Arnold Gardner, DPW darnold@gardner-ma.gov 978-632-7661 Jeff Legros Gardner, Planning jlegros@gardner-ma.gov 978-630-4014 Edward Myers Kittelson & Associates emyers@kittelson.com 410-347-9610 Conor Semler Kittelson & Associates csemler@kittelson.com 857-265-2153 Nancy Doherty Tetra Tech nancy.doherty@tetratech.com 508-786-2208 Courtney Jones Tetra Tech courtney.jones@tetratech.com 508-786-2267

Appendix C. Detailed Crash Data

Appendix D. Speed Regulations

Appendix E. Road Safety Audit References

Road Safety Audit References Massachusetts Traffic Safety Toolbox, Massachusetts Highway Department, www.mhd.state.ma.us/safetytoolbox. Road Safety Audits, A Synthesis of Highway Practice. NCHRP Synthesis 336. Transportation Research Board, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, 2004. Road Safety Audits. Institute of Transportation Engineers and U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, www.roadwaysafetyaudits.org. FHWA Road Safety Audit Guidelines. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 2006. Road Safety Audit, 2 nd edition. Austroads, 2000. Road Safety Audits. ITE Technical Council Committee 4S-7. Institute of Transportation Engineers, February 1995.