Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
BRTC Meeting Minutes 7-21-16
Saved text from 2 of 2 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original.
Source page 1
BLUE RIBBON TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 7/21/16 ~-;~ , ,,,,, ~ ~ ,_.F ~;;1'` Attending: Armin Azar Kevin Feeney ~Cl j z ~ v Marl< Porter Kathy McCormack ~ ~ ~~ Laura Smead ~~~~~~~"~ fVe~ct Meeting: Thursday, l~ug~ist 18tH Citizen Concerns: David Clancy spoke about the dangers of the Angela/Sherman/Pleasant St. intersection and the need for a four way stop....gave us a dztaiied report, attached. We asl~ed him to fill out a traffic concern form and to get together a group of concerned neighbors. Bob Panico spoke about the need for a traffic engineer and funding mechanism for one. I all<ed about the town possibly getting a hardware, software package to track traffic. I<evin Feeney talked about the growing frustration with traffic. Laura Smead, the town planner, can help with getting us prepared with a proposal for this to the Traffic Study Committee. M rs. McAdams handed in an updated petition with 102 signatures for the new flyover road connecting to Neponset Street. According to the last traffic study 16,000 vehicles use Neponset Street a day with up to another 2,000 from Revere Street. The intersection at Norfolk Street already has a failing grade because it is beyond capacity and they are worried about what will happen with the new road. There are also concerns about the Walpole Street intersection. They are hoping that the plans can be redesigned. Jackie from Neponset Street also spoke about how hazardous it was to try and cross the street, there are only sidewalks on one side of the road. They.are worried the increased traffic from the Revere Street project and Amtrak expanding will only male things worse. It's a challenge living there. Trucks still get stuck under the viaduct, would like to Know if more signs could be added to warn the trucks about the bridge and also signs to warn traffic in general about the pedestrians. David and Heather Cahill spoke about seeing how the Chapman Street lights worked before making any more changzs. Tney peel the traffic changed when the town started charging for the school buses as more students are being driven. A possible idea was to waive fees for one year to see if it males a huge difference. Laura Smead, the town planner, said the Revere Street project was under legal agreement now, will look into the traffic impact. She also thinks the town in general needs a better community outreach program. Accepted the meeting minutes from June.
Source page 2
I am requesting that the Commission consider the addition of a fova way stop at the intersection of Pleasant Street: and Sherman/Angela Streets. Soine of the problems that currently exist at this intersecfiioii are as follows: o The layout of the intersection is currently a flashing yellow light on Pleasa.il~ Street and a flashing red light, and stop sign on Sherman Street, on one side and Angela Street on the other side. The flashing yellow light, which is in~endec~ ~~ be a wanting, is largely ignored. Tlie Massachusetts Drivers Manual states: "A flashing yellow light is a war~~g. Proceed with caution, and stay alert. Loolc both ways when crossing an intersection,"I There are few drivers that follow this rule when entering this intersection on Pleasant ~freet. o The posted speed limit on Pleasant Street, within 100 feet of the inte~•section, is ~~ I~k3[ ~~ ~~ tnm~a~~, plus it is in a school zone (~,uce Elementary). It a~peaxs that most of the traffic on Pleasant.Street, either ignoxes this speed limit, or assumes it only applies when school children are present. o There is heavy pedesfriaii traffic in this area as well as school children when school is in session. There is only a sidewall~ on one side of the street which `~~ makes crossing the street necessary (and difficult) for pedestrians on the Angela ~, Street side. A driver entering the intersection fiom Sherman or Angela Street has poor sight lines and if is very difficult to get a clear view of oncoming traffic without having the front portion of the car extended far into the intersection, Tt is especially difficult in winter when snow is on the side of the xoad. o The restriction on a left turn at the end of Pleasant Street during moi-~ing and late afternoon increases the amount of traffic turning left onto Sherman Street during those hours. Many cars making this left tiun barely slow down and do not acknowledge, or even look for, cars coming out of Angela Street. In the rare occasion that a turning vehicle allows a driver on Angela or uherman Stzeet to proceed, I have observed drivers passing the iu~.ning vehicle on the right which is not only rude, but probably illegal. o It's very likely that this intersection handles as much, or more, traffic as two nearby intersections. One has a rotary (Pleasant/Lincolnshire/Bolivar), the other a three way stop (Bolivar/Pine). Given the above, I request that the Commission consider the installation of a four way stop at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Sherman/Angela Sheets. Respectfully submitted, David Clancy 9 Partridge Way Massachusetts Drivers Manual, Page 82. z In 'der fo pass on the right, most cars have to drive on the shoulder of the road, which makes it illegal. ~ ~~ L ~~ . ,