REPORT OF MEETING

 

PROJECT:                 Centre Street                                                  CEC NO.:  982044                

                                    Boston, MA                                                     REPORT DATE:      7/1/2003

 

MEETING DATE:       6/26/2003                    MEETING LOCATION:   Centre Street                    

 

SUBJECT:                  Public Hearing                       

 

ATTENDEES:             Steve Smith – West Roxbury Neighborhood            

Para Jayasinghe – Boston Public Works Department

Jay Walsh - Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services

                                    Richard Hardy - Boston Transportation Department

Lloyd Bristol - Cullinan Engineering Co., Inc.

                                    Philip S. Hammond - Cullinan Engineering Co., Inc.

Kyle Pitz - Cullinan Engineering Co., Inc.

 

PUBLIC ATTENDEES:          See Attached Sign-In Sheet

 

REPORT BY:             Kyle Pitz/Lloyd G. Bristol, II                            REPORT TO:             Attendees,      

 

Mr. Para Jayasinghe of the City of Boston Public Works Department opened the public meeting and lead the discussion by indicating that the main intent of this meeting on Centre Street this evening was threefold; to focus on updated traffic data for the corridor based upon newly introduced land uses along Centre Street, the analyses and findings of this newly collected traffic count and vehicle movement data, as well as a discussion about the community’s suggestion to reduce Centre Street travel width from two (2) lanes to one (1) lane in each direction.

 

Due to changes in traffic volumes and travel patterns on Centre Street resulting from the new Roche Brothers market, the new CVS and to answer the question posed by residents relative to the functionality of Centre Street if it was designed as a 2‑lane road, Cullinan performed additional work for the City.  Cullinan Engineering conducted new traffic counts on May 7^th.  These counts were intended to review recent corridor land use changes and to address the roadway design question relative to constructing 2‑lanes versus 4‑lanes on Centre Street.  These two points were the main agenda items for the public meeting.

 

Mr. Lloyd Bristol PE, Vice President/Director of Transportation for Cullinan Engineering, explained Cullinan’s recent findings and summarized the current traffic conditions along Centre Street based on the firm’s traffic analyses conducted in May.  He found that there is little difference between weekday and weekend travel patterns and that current volumes along the corridor and new land uses have not dramatically added traffic to the area.  In summary, given existing conditions, land uses, traffic volumes and the steady level of weekday/weekend travel patterns, Cullinan’s updated findings indicate a strong failure of the capacity and function of Centre Street to Level of Service (LOS) "F" if 1‑lane design option is implemented.  Centre Street does not have the capacity to be reduced to one lane.  Moreover, if the road were designed as one lane in each direction, this design option would jeopardize the operation and integrity of Centre Street.  This option would create more congestion along Centre Street and would negatively impact the road’s LOS.  Lastly the one lane option increases the potential of traffic being diverted through abutting West Roxbury streets and neighborhoods as drivers seek to avoid Centre Street congestion.

 

After Mr. Bristol’s presentation, City officials referred to and provided a handout outlining the results of a local business survey conducted by the Economic Restructuring Committee of West Roxbury.  There were 52 responses to 7 questions about the future operation and design of Centre Street, which reflected the feelings of a sample of corridor businesses.  Refer to the attached summary sheet of the Centre Street business survey results.

 

In summary, the major points of discussion and main public comments relative to this Centre Street Project public meeting include the following.

 

·         West Roxbury residents asked if Cullinan’s new traffic counts and analysis could be made available to the public, either at the Library or on a web site.  City officials indicated they would be made available for public review.

·         Based upon Cullinan’s presentation, one resident was concerned about the concentration on just traffic volume and movement issues.  From Mr. Bristol’s explanation, the resident stated that he had not heard specifically how Centre Street project designs were going to address safety and protect the pedestrians. Would the project’s planning goals and design objectives address pedestrian safety?  Mr. Bristol responded by stating that throughout the Centre Street Project, Cullinan’s analysis, supported by City staff, has included pedestrian issues and all related pedestrian information and concerns.   Pedestrian safety is and will remain a priority and transportation engineering consideration in the planning and future design of Centre Street.

·         One member of the audience asked if Cullinan had conducted an origin/destination (OD) study for this project.  Mr. Bristol noted that an OD study was not part of Cullinan’s scope of work.  These studies are labor intensive and require substantial public input.  However in the absence of a formal OD study, Mr. Bristol responded that Cullinan’s new traffic counts show a balanced traffic flow for both directions during all peak periods, and that Saturday peak travel times are basically the same traffic volumes as a weekday patterns.  Similar to the results that would come from an OD study, these traffic volume counts do not indicate that there are large numbers of pass through commuters or regional traffic using Centre Street, therefore, an OD study would not likely be helpful or yield any more insightful data.  This type of study would not be necessary for this planning effort in West Roxbury.

·         Responding to concerns about pedestrian safety, a resident complained that the speed of vehicles along Centre Street during the peak travel periods is too fast and that a reduction to 1-lane each way would help reduce the speeds.  Mr. Bristol listed newly collected speed study data for Centre Street, which indicates an average speed of approximately 24 MPH during daytime hours.

·         Residents complained that there is a lack of City of Boston Police presence along Centre Street.  However, the Boston Police Department indicated that they have been very active throughout the start of the planning process and that they have recorded an increase in traffic and moving violations issued on the street of 50% since 2000.  One resident inquired how many of the moving violations issues were with pedestrians in crosswalks.  The Police Department does not have this specific available data at that time, but would provide it at a later date.  Also, Police representatives stated that accidents along Centre Street have been reduced by 31% given their involvement with enforcement and that the City’s ongoing pedestrian safety program, "Operation Crosswalk", is a continuing and successful effort to address safety and enforcement issues throughout the City of Boston.

·         Attendees asked how the new speed data was collected along Centre Street. The method of counting and placement of Cullinan’s traffic counters was explained by Mr. Bristol.

·         A resident stressed that pedestrian safety should be a priority issue and should be an important design factor for Centre Street.  The resident stated crosswalk locations need to be reviewed and that the placement of permanent and clearly marked crosswalks should be considered in final designs because the painted crosswalks wear away creating safety issues.  She indicated that fire hydrants should be relocated closer to corridor intersections to allow for more parking in front of commercial businesses.

·         Mr. Steve Smith explained to everyone and reminded West Roxbury residents that three factors need to be directly considered and addressed together to help increase the safety of pedestrians on Centre Street; specifically engineering, enforcement and education.  These three factors must be implemented collectively, not individually, to have a measurable impact on all aspects of pedestrian safety.

·         A Mt. Vernon Street resident felt that crossing Centre Street at this intersection was dangerous.  She urged that a signal with pedestrian phase be installed at the Mt. Vernon Street/Centre Street intersection.

·         In support of the recently completed improvements along Centre Street, a resident applauded the City’s and contractor’s roadway re-construction activities.  In Phase 1 of Cullinan’s plans, the designs produced a visible improvement in the operation and flow of traffic in the LaGrange/Centre Street intersection.

·         Boston City Councilor John Tobin inquired whether the project’s design included any traffic calming measures.  If so, how would traffic calming and associated streetscape improvements benefit the overall project and project goals.  In the short term and to help pedestrian safety immediately in West Roxbury, City Councilor Tobin requested that the City of Boston have all crosswalks painted temporarily.  Concerning planned streetscape improvements, attendees talked about how the Brown Fund could be used as an alternative funding source to beautify Centre Street.

·         Given the depth of traffic analysis by Cullinan and the varied issues confronting the project’s design, a resident praised the work of the City and the design team and commented on the clarity and value of the presentation which produced new and enlightening traffic data.  He asked if the new data could be made available to the public.  The City agreed to post the traffic data at the library.

·         A resident suggested placing pedestrian warning signs, orange barrels or other safety markers along the centerline of Centre Street at mid‑block crosswalks.  Although a good suggestion, Mr. Steve Smith indicated that employing markers/poles/barrels as a pedestrian safety method was not particularly successful because they were repeatedly struck by vehicles and are a high maintenance item.  Lloyd Bristol said that the placement of markers/poles/barrels between travel lanes could be dangerous.  Still, highly visible markers/poles/barrels/cones at the curb line have been successful at certain locations and can be viewed as an effective and responsive method of drawing attention to crosswalks, thus helping pedestrian safety and reducing speed.

·         A resident inquired about the removal of all mid‑block crosswalks along Centre Street.  Commenting on this suggestion, Lloyd Bristol indicated that pedestrians generally choose not walk more than a few hundred feet to use a signalized or intersection crosswalk.  In cases where there are long distances between intersections, mid‑block crosswalks give pedestrians an opportunity to cross the roadway clearly, legally and safely.  If a mid-block crosswalk option is not offered, more pedestrians may elect to jaywalk along Centre Street.

·         A resident suggested that the design team is not following City guidelines, for example not removing extra curb cuts and removing neckdowns.  The design team assured the audience that they were employing design guidelines used in other parts of the City of Boston.

·         A Police Department representative suggested the placement of overhead signs to help warn motorists about pedestrians.  City will look into that as an alternative.

·         A resident inquired about the existing speed limit on Centre Street.  The City officials indicated that the legal speed limit is 30 mph citywide in highly congested areas.  City staff explained that to reduce the speed limit even further would require approval through the State Legislature.  As an indicator of how difficult it is to lower local speed limits, staff pointed to a request to reduce all Boston streets to 25 mph, which has languished in the State Legislature for the last five (5) years.

·         Residents asked if the School Zone speed limits could be installed elsewhere along Centre Street or that the school signals flash all day at the current locations.  Mr. Para Jayasinghe stated that this traffic control method is not appropriate and oftentimes ineffective since motorists tend to ignore school zone signals if they remain active and on all the time.

·         A resident asked about permanent video cameras to help reduce speeds along Centre Street.  Para Jayasinghe indicated this technique although interesting would require State approval.

·         West Roxbury resident Matt O’Malley voiced his support for raised crosswalks clearly marked.  Attendees asked if a raised median could be placed along Centre Street to help pedestrian safety.  Lloyd Bristol noted that due to the narrowness of the existing street, designs could not realistically add islands especially at intersections.

·         Residents asked about similar traffic studies in Boston and how do these studies and suggested improvements compare to the Centre Street project.  Residents asked how other areas in Boston with 1‑lane in each direction function.

·         A resident referred to national traffic studies that indicate pedestrians are not safe in areas with traffic speeds over 20 mph.  The resident offered support for this position by referring to a West Roxbury petition to make Centre Street 1‑lane.  Could the design team compare other 1‑lane studies in the City of Boston to Centre Street?

·         A resident of Washington Street indicated how her mother was killed along Washington Street and feels that 1‑lane on Centre Street would divert traffic onto Washington Street and other neighborhood roadways that have traffic/pedestrian problems already.  She would like Centre Street to remain a 4‑lane roadway.

·         A resident said that every Centre Street meeting since 1998 has focused on the impacts to local businesses.  He was concerned that the safety of pedestrians is not a priority and should be in Phases II and III.  The resident wanted to know about signage along Centre Street and why are brick pavers not being used in crosswalks?  He mentioned other areas of Boston have them, why not Centre Street in West Roxbury.

·         Residents were urged to get together to talk about Centre Street design issues and to frame the public discussion on what they feel should be done at each individual intersection.  This information and these efforts by the public/residents will lead the discussions at the next Centre Street meeting.

·         A West Roxbury resident stated that people must be more involved in the planning process.  Could new design data and recommendations be given to residents two weeks before any future meetings?  City staff indicated that they would try to meet the request.

·         Residents were cautioned that many of the speed and safety concerns of Centre Street rest with the people of West Roxbury.  It appears from Police data that most traffic violations are from people who live in the area.

·         A resident asked that streetlights be placed at crosswalks to help improve safety at night.

·         Mr. Jay Walsh stated that the new analysis is conclusive, that Centre Street must remain as a 2‑lane (each way) roadway.  The option of reducing Centre Street from 2 to 1 lane results in a LOS of F, the diversion of traffic to other neighborhood streets and the 1 lane option compromises the project’s goal of pedestrian safety.

·         Para Jayasinghe indicated that the next meeting would be held in September because many people will be vacationing during the summer months, thus limiting participation.