The aim of the transport master plan is to promote pedestrian and cycling activities – Framingham SOURCE

From Grace Mayer

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FRAMINGHAM – The Department of Public Works for the City of Framingham hosted a second virtual webinar on the City of Transportation Master Plan, Phase II last night August 11th, to address improvements to transportation infrastructure as the City of Framingham continues to grow.

The city of Framingham has a population of around 74,500 according to the last census in 2019.

“Ultimately, the master plan report will include recommendations for these locations, visions for the corridors, and recommendations for policy updates,” said Christine Trearchis of VHB.

The department’s consultancy firm, VHB, an engineering and consulting firm, projected Framingham’s population to grow from 2016 to 2040, when the project is expected to be completed. As Framingham continues to grow, the estimated traffic patterns will have to accommodate the increasing numbers of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

For Phase II of the master plan, Trearchis said, the advisory group is narrowing its study areas to 17 intersections and 6 corridors.

In this phase, future traffic operations are predicted and improvements in these areas are proposed.

For the future, VHB recommended that these locations be investigated, policy updates and corridor visions drawn up.

For Phase II, possible improvements to pedestrian safety in these areas of Framingham would include adding, widening or improvising sidewalks, as well as updating pedestrian crossings with curb extensions that create shorter crossing distances for pedestrians and reduce the amount of time they spend in front of vehicles. VHB concluded that adding or updating intersection signals at intersections is being examined to improve pedestrian safety.

Regarding cyclist safety, Trearchis said the VHB analysis will look at traffic patterns, including the amount of vehicles and bikes on the roads. The group will also look at right of way measures, cycle lanes, shared cycle and vehicle lanes, and cycle signals to see what is available to better accommodate cyclists.

“The whole purpose of this master plan is to really encourage cycling and walking activity across the community,” Trearchis said. “And that will really be the focus of our work on the corridors.”

As for the safety and efficiency improvements for drivers, Trearchis said VHB will study the timing of traffic lights to ensure cars have enough time to pass intersections and avoid collisions. The consultants will also consider adding roundabouts or roundabouts to see if these measures will make the roads safer and more efficient.

With a view to possible improvements to corridors and long stretches of road, VHB examines the current public transport routes and the number of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. You will work on improvements to better accommodate cyclists, pedestrians and motorists on these routes.

Trearchis informed the participants about the background to phase I of the project, which was completed in 2017.

In Phase I of the 20-year project, the consultants analyzed the current traffic conditions at 68 intersections and 14 corridors in Framingham.

The group examined existing traffic flows, pedestrian and zebra crossings, cycle paths and accident statistics from the MassDOT accident data portal.

Following this analysis, the group developed 12 potential parking strategies and 28 short-term recommendations for these examined areas.

To develop plans to improve Framingham’s traffic calming and zebra crossing policies, VHB’s Phil Goff said VHB was looking for similar communities with similar demographics and population sizes in Massachusetts and the United States, including Vancouver, Washington and Burlington, Vermont. Goff said one of the goals of updating these guidelines is so that the public can easily navigate and understand the steps they need to take to request calming action on their roads.

“We’re still doing a high-level review looking into ways we think the city’s policies and policies could be streamlined,” Goff said.

Geoffrey Morrison-Logan and Laura Castelli from VHB then answered questions from residents about the next phase of the master plan. Phase II of the master plan, which will run for nine months, should be completed by autumn of this year.

Yesterday’s 6 p.m. meeting was only the second of four planned public meetings.

Members of the public who spoke did not give their first or last name, and they did not appear on the screen while they were speaking.

Trearchis said the next meeting will focus on solutions and hold workshops with breakout rooms for the public to ask questions. No date was given for this meeting.

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Grace Mayer is a summer intern for SOURCE. She is a student at Boston College.

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