Public Works Committee Meeting Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber November 20, 2017
Purpose of Meeting Why are we here? Project Recap/Updates Project Limits/Segments Road Diet Concept Lessons Learned Revisit Design Recommendation Overview of Bicycle Options Analysis of Bicycle Facilities Recommendations Next Steps Where do we go from here? Questions
Why are we here? Joint Public Works Sub committee and Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee Meeting held in June 2017 We are here today to: Provide an update related to implementing enhanced bicycle accommodations along Mt. Auburn Street Discuss thoughts and observations related to bicycle accommodations from project stakeholders Identify areas where additional analysis is needed
Who have we met with? Held a meeting with MassDOT officials to discuss findings from June 2017 presentation Continued coordination with MBTA regarding bus operations along corridor Met with Cambridge DPW to discuss operations and maintenance of bicycle facilities Reviewed concepts with Watertown Fire & Police Departments
Project Website / Outreach Project website www.mountauburnstreet.com Regina Villa Associates responsible for website Provide project updates Email list / comment section Uploaded Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ s) To date, we have responded to 44 comments 1,775 unique visitors to the website Sent mailings to project abutters about meeting
Conceptual Layout Updated cross sections based on feedback from MassDOT / initial alternatives analysis Analyzed bus stop locations for future implementation of Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Far side bus stop locations are preferable Analyzed impacts of each alternative in relation to other modes of transportation, operations, and maintenance Began preliminary layout of alternatives
Mt. Auburn Street Corridor 2 1 3 4 Watertown Square City of Cambridge Analysis separated into four segments: (1) Patten Street to Walnut Street (2) Walnut Street to Dexter Avenue (3) Dexter Avenue to Arlington Street (Coolidge Sq.) (4) Arlington Street to Cambridge city line
Patten Street to Walnut Street (1) Proposed cross section remains consistent with original layout Traffic volumes and intersection spacing preclude road diet concept Must maintain two travel lanes on each approach Bicycle lanes are not feasible if existing curb line is to be maintained Share the road treatment (sharrows) Future completion of Community Path and DCR Greenway will link Watertown Sq. with Cambridge
Walnut Street to Dexter Avenue (2) Traffic volumes allow for one travel lane in each direction Space available for left turn pockets at a majority of intersecting side streets Pedestrian activity from northside of Mt. Auburn Street to Hosmer School
Dexter Avenue to Arlington Street (3) (Coolidge Sq.) Additional parking demands Classified as a limited business district Requires 8 foot parking stalls Need for loading/delivery areas Existing sidewalk widths limited compared to pedestrian demand Concepts of Coolidge Square still being developed
Arlington Street to Cambridge city line (4) Additional right of way available Higher travel speeds High volume bus stop adjacent to the Tufts building Lower density of driveways in this stretch of the corridor
Mt. Auburn Street Corridor Recommended concept is predicated on efficient traffic flow of 17,000 vehicles and 5,000 bus passengers per day Improving capacity/operations at signalized intersections Providing turn pockets at unsignalized intersections Minimizing delays/stopping in remaining through lanes If these conditions are not met, a road diet is no longer feasible
Arsenal Street Joint Public Works and Public Safety meeting held on June 12, 2017 Importance of parking in commercial areas Parking stall width / clearance to edge of travel lane Bicycle and pedestrian conflicts at bus stops Minimize queuing behind turning vehicles Emergency response times Impacts of snow and ice Travel and parking lane widths Removal on separated paths
(from June 2017 meeting) Work within existing curb to curb width of Mount Auburn Street as it relates to vehicular and bicycle facilities
(from June 2017 meeting) Walnut Street to Dexter Avenue North side (westbound to Watertown Square) Further investigate separated facilities Alternatives 2a & 2b (from June 2017) If deemed unsuitable, provide buffered bike lane Alternatives 1a & 1b (from June 2017) South side (eastbound to Cambridge) Provide buffered bike lane On street side of parking or along curb in areas without parking Alternative 1a (from June 2017)
General Overview Buffered bike lane Parking protected bike lane
Benefits Painted buffers (roadside and door zone) Prevents bikers being struck by vehicle doors Eliminates pedal strike with curb Anticipated layout for visually impaired Curb extensions at crosswalks can be provided Favorable option related to on street parking Maintains maneuverability in relation to disabled vehicles and emergency response
Issues Lack of physical barrier between bicycles and vehicles Potential for double parking in the bike lane Conflict between bicycles and vehicles parking Abundance of pavement markings
Benefits Parked vehicles provide physical barrier between bicycles and traveling vehicles Increased perception of safety Removes conflict between bicycles and vehicles parking along Mt. Auburn Street Reduced infringement upon bike lane by delivery trucks
Operational and Safety Issues Parking stalls located adjacent to travel lane Vehicles tend to encroach into buffer Limited ability to pull over for emergency vehicles Bus/bicycle conflict Bus will block the entire bike lane Decreased maneuverability for bicyclists Pedestrian/bicycle visibility Bicyclist less visible to turning vehicles Decreased pedestrian visibility at mid block crossings
Maintenance Issues Watertown utilizes automated trash pickup Toter placement in relation to equipment limitations Arm would extend through parking lane Requires specialized equipment Street sweeping/plowing Maintenance of drainage structures Manpower Facilities require additional manpower Increased service contracts
Snow and Ice Issues May require more frequent parking bans Potential parking bans specific to Mt. Auburn Street Improper parking will impede snow clearing Creates a double windrow of snow Impacts parking and sidewalk access Anticipate snow removal when accumulation exceeds six inches Flooding/icing issues in bike lane and at drain structures
Mt. Auburn Street Corridor Mt. Auburn Street (West of Coolidge Square) North side (westbound to Watertown Square) Separated bicycle lane (Alternatives 2a & 2b) Buffered bicycle lane (Alternatives 1a & 1b) South side (eastbound to Cambridge) Buffered bicycle lane on travel lane side of parking (Alternative 1a) Recommendation from June 2017 meeting
North side of Mt. Auburn St. (West of Coolidge Sq.) Updated cross section with 2 foot shoulders and 2 to 3 foot buffer Cannot provide consistent grade at driveway crossings Bicycles would transition down to driveway openings North Side South Side (to Watertown Sq.) (to Cambridge) 57 Proposed Roadway Width 11 3 (varies) 5 Travel Walk & Bike Buffer 2 Grass Shoulder Strip 10 Turn 11 Travel 5 8 2 Bike Buffer Parking (varies) Walk & Grass Strip
North side of Mt. Auburn St. (West of Coolidge Sq.) Bus would stop in the travel lane Headways are short (5 7 minutes) during peak hours Eleven bus stops in each direction along Mt. Auburn Street Floating bus stops not feasible Bicycle/pedestrian conflicts at bus stops Reduced driver anticipation/recognition of bicyclists (side streets/driveways)
North side of Mt. Auburn St. (West of Coolidge Sq.) Limited space to pull over for emergency vehicles or during lane interruptions/accidents Based on the analysis presented: A bike lane on the north side of Mt. Auburn Street, west of Coolidge Square is not feasible Violates our Road Diet policy: Recommended concept is predicated on efficient traffic flow of 17,000 vehicles and 5,000 bus passengers per day
North side of Mt. Auburn St. (West of Coolidge Sq.) Provides horizontal separation only Vehicles can encroach on buffer/bike lane Difficult to enforce separation Flexible posts could be considered in the future Vehicles can pull over for emergency responders Encroach in buffer/bike lane North Side South Side (to Watertown Sq.) (to Cambridge) 57 Proposed Roadway Width 5 11 3 Bike Buffer Travel 10 Turn 11 2 5 2 8 Travel Buffer Bike Buffer Parking
North side of Mt. Auburn St. (West of Coolidge Sq.) Snow removal No impacts to snow operations Shoulder widening at bus stops Allows bus to pull out of travel lane Creates a conflict point with bike lane Bicycle can use travel lane to pass Removes bicycle/pedestrian conflict
South side of Mt. Auburn St. (West of Coolidge Sq.) With our analysis we were able to include an additional buffer to increase offset from travel lane Width of bicycle facility is considered the sum of the buffers and the bike lane This addresses concerns that bicyclists will be right next to traveling vehicles, but no physical barrier is provided North Side South Side (to Watertown Sq.) (to Cambridge) 57 Proposed Roadway Width 5 11 3 Bike Buffer Travel 10 Turn 11 2 5 2 8 Travel Buffer Bike Buffer Parking
Arlington Street to Cambridge city line Analysis predicated around separated bicycle facilities on each approach One travel lane in each direction Maintain on street parking on both sides of Mt. Auburn Street Bike lane would be at sidewalk level at driveway crossings Bump outs required at driveways for grade transitions Inclusion of a floating bus stop at Tufts building
Arlington Street to Cambridge city line Traversable width Concerns regarding maneuverability from emergency response officials based on: One travel lane in each direction with parking on both sides Curb bump outs at driveways would create pinch points along the corridor Based on our initial analysis, a separated bike lane on each approach is not feasible North Side South Side (to Watertown Sq.) (to Cambridge) 56 Proposed Roadway Width (varies) Walk & Grass Strip 5 8 4 Bike Buffer Parking 11 Travel 11 Travel 8 5 4 Parking Buffer Bike (varies) Walk & Grass Strip
Mt. Auburn Street Corridor Signalized intersections Bike boxes Additional signage Striping to increase visibility of bicyclists Cannot provide separated bicycle phase at signalized intersections Introduces additional delays Reduction in Level of Service (LOS) Unsignalized intersections Pavement markings to increase visibility of bicyclists
Mt. Auburn Street from Walnut Street to Dexter Avenue: Northside buffered bike lane alongside curb Southside buffered bike lane on the traffic side of parking Scenario will include: buffer between bike lane and travel lane door zone buffer adjacent to parking stalls Arlington Street to Cambridge City line Eliminated option of a separated bicycle lane on each side Investigating a combination of separated/buffered options
Conceptual Renderings of Buffered Bike s Before After (facing east) (facing east)
Where do we go from here? Develop concepts for: Coolidge Square Finalize cross section from Arlington Street to Cambridge City line Anticipate mid January meeting Continue coordination with DCR Fresh Pond improvements at Cambridge line Perform additional analysis of Parker Street area to evaluate impacts to Common St. intersection
Where do we go from here? Develop corridor wide roll plan Draft plan will be posted on website in February for public comment/review Layout will be based on recommendations and outcome of Coolidge Square Meeting Present draft roll plan at open house style meeting Foster discussion from abutters and stakeholders Tentative date of late February/March 2018 Advance to MassDOT 25% Design stage Project currently programmed for FY 2022
How to Comment Email the project team: Team@MountAuburnStreet.com Complete a written comment form Visit the project website and sign up for email updates: www.mountauburnstreet.com