Committee Report - T&P - 4-19-18 — File 205720

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 1 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 April 19, 2018 REPORT OF THE TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mark Niedergang Chair Present Ben Ewen-Campen Vice Chair Present Wilfred N. Mbah Alderman at Large Present Others present: Brad Rawson - OSPCD, Mike Tremblay - OSPCD, Adam Polinski - OSPCD, Suzanne Rinfret - T&P, Terry Smith - T&P, Sgt. John Gobiel - SPD, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman Niedergang and adjourned at 8:21 PM. Approval of the April 2, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the November 30, 2017 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 203945: That the City Solicitor appear before the Committee on Traffic and Parking to describe how the Traffic Commission agenda is prepared, and whether this Board can place items on that agenda. Ms. Rinfret explained to the committee how items get placed on the Traffic Commission agenda and how notification gets sent out and said that she is always available by telephone or email if an Alderman has an issue. Chairman Niedergang stated that it would be helpful if there was a contact person in the administration to deal with items that Aldermen want placed on the Traffic Commission agenda, and Ms. Rinfret responded that she can be the contact person for Aldermen to discuss agenda items for the Traffic Commission. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 205092: That the Traffic Commission consider creating a process for residents to comment

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 2 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 on parking changes that affect their streets. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204127: That the Traffic Commission create a requirement to notify abutters of pending agenda items which may impact their streets. Ms. Rinfret said an agenda is advertised 48 hours in advance of a meeting and that there are also public notices published in the newspaper. Chairman Niedergang would like to see someone on the city staff notify abutters of an item that impacts their neighborhood. He doesn’t feel the newspaper is a reasonable way to notify people and would rather see flyers distributed in the neighborhood. Ald. Ewen-Campen suggested developing a policy that would trigger the notification of neighbors based on the size of the project and the impact to the neighborhood. Ms. Conner will report back with possible solutions. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200994: That the Traffic Commission consider amending Article 14 to provide a separate and simplified means for requesting speed bumps where needed. Chairman Niedergang stated that there are only two speed bumps in the entire City of Somerville while many cities, ranging from Boston, to Ankorage to Austin, use speed bumps a primary tool for traffic calming. Mr. Rawson discussed data collection and told the committee that his department will start conversations about speed bumps with the appropriate departments. There are budgetary restraints and maintenance issues that have to be considered, as well as the effects to the neighborhoods. Chairman Niedergang would like to see a small pilot program to test speed bumps. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202787: That the Traffic Commission consider amending Article 14 of the City Traffic Regulations to provide a simplified means for residents and Aldermen to request, and for the Commission to approve, the placement of speed bumps on residential streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202103: That the Traffic Commission consider increasing the fine for blocking a driveway from $30 to $100. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204874: That the Director of Traffic and Parking publish de-identified parking permit data in the city’s open data portal so as to permit community analysis and discussion of issues related to the supply and demand of parking. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 3 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 202984: That the Director of Traffic and Parking report the number of guest passes and resident parking stickers issued for FY15, FY16 and FY17 to date. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 204169: That the Commissioner of Public Works re-evaluate the rush hour traffic light timing at Magoun Square, and whether the Broadway green light for Medford Street is too short, backing up traffic on Medford Street through the Square. Mr. Smith said that a good study had been done five or six years ago, but given changes in the area, he recommended that a consultant be hired to perform a comprehensive review and that the cost should be paid by a developer. Chairman Niedergang would like to get a study done quickly and said that the developer of the 55-unit complex to go in at 519 Broadway/87 Medford Street on the Somerville/Medofrd line pledged to contribute $32,500 towards traffic studies once he receives his building permit. Chairman Niedergang would like the city to front the cost and be reimbursed at a later date by the developer. The committee discussed the possible impacts of the Green Line Extension in Magoun Square. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204735: That the Director of Traffic and Parking paint the intersection of Broadway at Hinckley Street with a “Don’t block the box” symbol so motorists on Broadway don't prevent cars from exiting Hinckley Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204734: That the Chief of Police conduct traffic enforcement during the afternoon rush hour at the intersection of Hinckley Street and Broadway so motorists on Broadway don't prevent cars from exiting Hinckley Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200263: That the Director of Traffic and Parking consider the attached suggestions from Ward 5 residents to improve traffic flow during rush hours in Magoun Square and report back to this Board. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203274: That the Director of Traffic and Parking consider placing a raised crosswalk at the intersection of Summer and Lowell Streets. Alderman Ewen-Campen would like traffic calming measures in Ward 3 and asked how the process works so that an alderman can get traffic calming measures implemented. Mr. Smith discussed the history and the petition process that resulted in a raised crosswalk being installed at the corner of Elm Street and Willow Avenue. The committee discussed the lack of funding which is a challenge to getting traffic calming projects accomplished. Mr. Rawson said his department intends to bring an implementation budget request to the BOA during the budget

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 4 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 process in June. There are many ways to accomplish the traffic calming goals, e.g., roadway painting, signs, raised crosswalks and sidewalk bumpouts. Alderman Ewen-Campen asked if the city knows which locations are getting fixed first and if there is a process to determine the order in which the work is done. Mr. Rawson discussed the ways in which the city looks at return on investment when it comes to the projects and locations and the order in which the work is started. The committee also discussed analyzing crash data to assist in prioritizing problem areas. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205448: That the Director of SPCD provide recommendations on making the intersection of Summer and Central Streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205449: That the Director of SPCD provide traffic calming recommendations for School Street, from Highland Avenue to Summer Street. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205450: That the Director of SPCD provide traffic calming recommendations for Vinal Avenue. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201006: That the Director of Engineering, the Director of Capital Projects and the Director of SPCD report to this Board by 5/12/16 on adding a crosswalk on Cedar Street at Albion Street and Lexington Avenue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204883: That the Director of Traffic and Parking add a second crosswalk on Summer Street at Hancock Street and on Lexington Avenue at Hancock Street. Mr. Smith explained that the locations are not ADA compliant and therefore cannot have crosswalks installed. Mr. Rawson discussed the possible costs involved in creating an ADA ramp including engineering and construction, but said it depends upon how much grading work needs to be done. Chairman Niedergang stated this item is not high priority and does not want to take funds away from another location that may need it more. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202104: That the Director of Traffic and Parking and the Director of Engineering report to this Board on the timeframe for re-striping crosswalks that are erased due to repaving or construction.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 5 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202105: That the Administration develop a process for interim crosswalk painting and/or other measures to protect pedestrians when road work or other conditions prevent the immediate re-striping of road markings. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200266: That the Commissioner of Public Works repaint the faded NO CYCLING markers on sidewalks and install NO BIKE RIDING – PLEASE WALK YOUR BIKE signs in central business districts. Ms. Rinfret said the signs are repainted every year. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202099: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install signage at all traffic light intersections for enforcement of bicycling regulations. Mr. Rawson explained that bicycle riders are expected to follow the rules of the road and the city works to educate people on that. The committee acknowledged that there are other states where different rules may apply to bicycles at STOP signs and YIELD signs and discussed exploring new techniques that are being used in other municipalities. Chairman Niedergang feels that this requires serious further discussion. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202110: That the Director of Traffic and Parking repaint the NO SIDEWALK CYCLING decals on the sidewalks in the business districts and post larger signage in both English and Spanish. Ms. Rinfret explained that there is already quite a bit of signage on the streets so there could be an issue of sign pollution if signs were put up on poles in business districts. She said that the City repaints all the decals on sidewalks and on ADA ramps in every business district every spring. Among the suggestions made during the discussion of this item were, having a police officer present at certain times in lieu of signs, refreshing the signs with paint more regularly than once a year, stenciling signs on the pavement in multiple languages and sending a flyer to all homes with the rules where people can ride bicycles. Mr. Rawson said that riding on sidewalks is a sign that the streets are not bicycle friendly and more protected bike lanes are needed as they encourage more people to ride bicycles. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204252: That the Chief of Police assign officers to conduct traffic enforcement of bicyclists during the morning rush hour at the Cedar Street Community Path crossing, and include the Bicycle Advisory Committee in any discussions.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 6 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 Sgt. Gobiel discussed the ways that community police officers are dealing with this issue and said that more officers would be needed for more enforcement to be done. He said that the Traffic Dept. in SPD is down three people, and that there is also a shortage of other officers with 10 new officers in training in the Police Academy for the next five months. There are simply not enough officers to do additional enforcement on bicyclists. This particular intersection is busy and there are some challenges that will be discussed with the Police Chief. The committee discussed data that has been collected by the city at that location and what it might indicate in terms of changes to that intersection. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204253: That the Director of SPCD consider adding some sort of signal or barrier to cause bicyclists to slow or stop at the Community Path intersections with Cedar Street and Willow Avenue, and include the Bicycle Advisory Committee in any discussions. The committee discussed various ways to accomplish the goal of this item including paint strips that are raised so bicyclists will feel it on the road. The committee agreed that this would be a good first step and perhaps a good solution to the problem at these locations and urged Mr. Rawson to implement this as soon as possible. The speed of bicycles will be monitored to determine what is working. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204254: That the Chief of Police increase traffic enforcement of bicyclists in the fall and mid- to late-spring, when bicycle traffic is at its peak. See discussion in 204252 above. The committee discussed how the city is analyzing data so that it can be used as part of a strategy and also discussed a new system of electronic citations and crash reporting that the city will start using soon. The committee discussed how the city collects crash data and uses that to update hot spots and heat maps on a monthly basis. Sgt. Gobiel explained to the committee how the city determines where police officers will be assigned to do traffic enforcement using this data. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200017: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 8/27/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200088: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 9/24/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200354: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 10/22/15.

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 7 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202825: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to items approved at the 1/26/17 meeting. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202961: Traffic and Parking Director responding to items approved 2/23/17. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202962: Traffic and Parking Director responding to items approved 2/14/17. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203106: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to Board Orders approved at the 3/23/17 meeting. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203107: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to Board Orders approved at the 3/9/17 meeting. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203628: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to items approved at the 04/27/17 meeting. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203629: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to items approved at the 05/11/17 meeting. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204333: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to Board Orders approved at the 7/13/17 meeting. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204334: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to Board Orders approved at the 8/24/17 meeting. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 8 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 199958: That the Director of Traffic and Parking place a DEAD END sign at the intersection of Roberts and Hinckley Streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200250: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a crosswalk at Central and Forster Streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200262: That the Director of Traffic and Parking report to this Board on whether the use of mirrors to provide improved sight lines for exiting driveways or narrow streets has been considered here. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201148: That the Director of Traffic and Parking replace the unreadable PRIVATE WAY and TOW ZONE signs at Olive Avenue and Linden Avenue, and repair the NOT A THROUGH STREET sign at 10 Olive Avenue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200524: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install “Slow–Children Crossing” or “Caution–Children at Play” signage to slow traffic at the intersection of Central and Forster Streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204733: That the Director of Traffic and Parking post a NO U-TURN sign on Porter Street at Highland Avenue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200525: That the Commissioner of Public Works direct MA DOT to repair the sidewalks on the Central Street bridge near Hoyt-Sullivan Park, and report to this Board on progress. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200774: That the Director of Traffic and Parking consider installing designated metered motorcyle/moped parking spots near Davis Square. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201798: That the Director of Traffic and Parking install a SLOW – CHILDREN CROSSING or CAUTION – CHILDREN AT PLAY sign on Central Street south of

Traffic and Parking Committee Page 9 of 9 Printed 4/25/2018 Forster Street, on the east side of the street. (2nd request) RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204336: That the Traffic Commission discuss, at its October meeting, revising the rules for the renewal of residential parking permits and consider fee proration for periods less than a full year. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204450: Ben Morelli submitting comments re: #204336, prorating residential parking permits. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202926: That the Director of Traffic and Parking erect signs at the city borders encouraging motorists to drive safely and informing them of the 25 mph speed limit and 20 mph safety zones. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203073: That the Director of Traffic and Parking discuss with the Ward 5 Alderman, the request for four no parking spots at the intersection of Murdock and Cedar Streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203511: That the Director of Traffic and Parking report to the Ward 5 Alderman on the Murdock Street neighbors’ request for four no parking spots on Murdock Street at Cedar Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203509: That the Director of Traffic and Parking replace the missing Pedestrian Impact Recovery System in the crosswalk at Morrison Avenue and Highland Road. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED