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Vision Zero Boston and Pedestrian Fatalities Press Conference, 2/11/16

By WalkMassachusetts | February 11, 2016

Notes from WalkBoston Executive Director Wendy Landman’s remarks, City of Boston’s Press Conference 2/11/16, on Vision Zero Boston and Pedestrian Fatalities

Video of remarks on YouTube

The four people in Boston, and seven people in other Massachusetts communities who lost their lives in January, were doing the most natural, ordinary and necessary of things – walking in their own communities. We need to make such tragedies rare, not ordinary.

The Vision Zero approach to ending deaths from traffic crashes is based on making streets safer for everyone with a special focus on slowing down traffic speeds and improving street crossings.

WalkBoston is glad to be included in this press conference while at the same time working hard to make sure that we will not have to do this in years to come

Making Boston a safe place to walk is key to the City’s equitable access to opportunity, to long-term economic vitality, to fighting climate change and creating a resilient city, and to making Boston a great place to live, work and play.

We are pleased to be working with the City of Boston and state agencies on this very important issue.

I also want to thank and recognize our fellow advocates in the Vision Zero Coalition – we are all working together on this critical effort.

We urge the City to set aside the dollars needed to make both long and short term improvements.

Engaging with the advocacy community, the grassroots neighborhood organizations and Boston’s residents, workers and visitors is key to success in reducing pedestrian fatalities and injuries

The City’s planned 2016 Vision Zero actions to improve safety along Mass Ave and in Codman Square and to implement neighborhood slow zones in the Talbot-Norfolk Triangle and Stony Brook are great first steps – we look forward to seeing their implementation and working with the City to identify the subsequent actions.

WalkBoston has been a core member of the City’s Task Force, pushing hard to make sure that we know where crashes are happening and then figuring out how to make both immediate and longer term improvements to reduce the chances for future crashes in those places.

We are also excited to be starting a Safe Routes for Seniors project with the Elderly Commission under the City’s Age Friendly Boston initiative. Working with many city departments we will identify senior-friendly walking improvements in 3 target neighborhoods to be implemented over the next several years and also outlining policies and protocols that the City will follow to ensure that senior’s walking needs are well addressed.

The City’s launch of a new online tool to collect information to take pro-active steps to improve safety at locations where the public has noted dangerous conditions is an important step toward achieving Vision Zero – one that helps move beyond reaction and toward solutions.

Finally, we pledge to continue our advocacy for walking safety, to working with the City, and to engaging with many City residents to ensure that their voices are heard on this critical issue. Thank you.

City of Boston’s Vision Zero Task Force site: VisionZeroBoston.org

Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition site: VisionZeroCoalition.org

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ALARMING RISE IN MASSACHUSETTS PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN 1ST MONTH OF 2016

By WalkMassachusetts | February 2, 2016

Contact: Wendy Landman, wlandman@walkboston.org
Brendan Kearney, bkearney@walkboston.org
Office: 617-367-9255

ALARMING RISE IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN 1ST MONTH OF 2016
Horrific crash early Monday morning in Boston underscores issue of pedestrian safety; at least 11 pedestrians have been struck and killed in Massachusetts in 2016

February 2, 2016 – Eleven people walking in Massachusetts were killed by people driving vehicles in the first month of 2016. Four of these deaths occurred in Boston. Early Monday morning a couple was struck by a person driving an SUV, who then proceeded to drag the middle-aged woman underneath her vehicle for almost three miles from Chinatown to Dorchester.

The underlying cause of each crash is not yet known. If this crash rate continues, Massachusetts would see a doubling of pedestrian fatalities by comparison with each of the last ten years. 79 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic crashes in 2013 and 70 in 2014, and preliminary data point to 72 pedestrian fatalities in 2015.

Traffic deaths are unacceptable and WalkBoston believes that they are also preventable. While national data show a trend toward lower total traffic deaths, there has been a disturbing trend toward an increase in pedestrian deaths. We need to focus on protecting pedestrians who are suffering disproportionately from speeding traffic and distracted drivers.

Pedestrian fatalities in Massachusetts
Jan 4, 2016 – South Hadley – James “Jimmy” Collins, age 68
Jan 4, 2016 – Malden – Piere Simon, age 60
Jan 6, 2016 – South Yarmouth – Wyatt Maskell, age 19
Jan 9, 2016 – Worcester – Frank Jeffrey Call, age 56
Jan 12, 2016 – Roslindale – Silvia Acosta, age 78
Jan 13, 2016 – Dorchester – Queshon Ivy, age 43
Jan 18, 2016 – Reading – Jacob Goldberg, age 89
Jan 20, 2016 – Framingham – Patrick Stratton, age 25
Jan 20, 2016 – Quincy – Thomas Chen, age 84
Jan 24, 2016 – Dorchester – Nicholas Tammaro, age 66
Jan 26, 2016 – South Boston – name not released, age 66

At a glance:
● Failure to yield: at least 4 people were killed in a crosswalk while walking with the right of way.
● 7 of the people hit & killed were in their 60s or older (68, 60, 78, 89, 84, 60s, 66).
● 8 of the crashes occurred after dark, with 6 crashes between 4:45 & 8:00pm. (Sunset for MA in month of January: Jan1st – 4:22pm, Jan31st – 4:56pm).
● At least 1 of the drivers involved has been charged with OUI.
● 3 of the fatal crashes have been reported in the media as hit & runs.

In Boston:
Mayor Walsh’s Vision Zero Task Force has identified the most dangerous, high crash locations and corridors based on crash data from previous years; on January 22nd, a Safety Issues map tool was launched, which allows users to add locations of concern for people walking, biking, or driving in Boston.

The next step: this information needs to be used to make the operational, enforcement, behavioral, and built environment changes necessary to stop injuries and deaths on our roads. Safe streets for all modes of travel are critical for Massachusetts’ quality of life and economic vitality.

The Vision Zero Task Force’s rapid response team visits serious crash locations and recommends short term and long-term solutions to make the area safer for everyone after crashes. WalkBoston implores the city to sufficiently fund the rapid response program with capital budget dollars and give support so that longer-term street changes can be made.

Statewide:
Vehicle speed
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle going 40 mph has a 77% likelihood of a fatality or severe injury – while a walker hit by a vehicle going 20mph has only 18% chance of severe injury.

Adapting our communities for an aging population
There is a widespread desire by people to age in their own homes and to live in neighborhoods where they can maintain independence as they age. We must ensure that our cities and towns are safe to walk with well-marked crosswalks, slow moving traffic, adequate WALK time at intersections and good night lighting.

Nationwide:
Distraction
In 2013, 3,154 people were killed and approximately 424,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

About WalkBoston
WalkBoston is a pedestrian advocacy organization working to make Massachusetts more walkable. All of WalkBoston’s work is focused on making walking safer and easier in Massachusetts. Some of our current initiatives that are most closely focused on safety are the following;

● WalkBoston is a member of the Task Force for Vision Zero Boston (visionzeroboston.org), working toward eliminating traffic fatalities in Boston. The rapid response task force visits serious crash locations and recommends short term and long-term solutions to make the area safer for everyone after crashes.

● WalkBoston is one of founding members of the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition (visionzerocoalition.org), which advocates for the implementation of Vision Zero in Boston and for the adoption of Vision Zero throughout Massachusetts. The new and growing coalition includes community-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, civic groups and individuals representing communities across the state. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.

● WalkBoston is working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 18 Massachusetts communities with high pedestrian crash clusters to develop recommendations for safety improvements. In each community police, public works, transportation and other staff are engaged to help evaluate and remedy safety problems.

● WalkBoston is just launching a Safe Routes for Seniors program with the City of Boston’s Elderly Commission (and many others). The program will include pilot projects in three Boston neighborhoods to improve the built environment and develop policies and protocols for Boston under its Age Friendly City initiative. Walking safety is a key component of the project.

● WalkBoston’s annual meeting on March 22nd will focus on Vision Zero; our speaker is Leah Shahum, the executive director of the national Vision Zero Network (visionzeronetwork.org), which just last week announced Boston would be a Focus City. Learn more at walkboston.org

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Actions You Can Take:
1. Report unsafe conditions on the Vision Zero Boston Safety Issues Map

2. Learn how you can speak up for safer walking conditions in your community at a free Ped101 training session

3. Share this release: on Twitter or on Facebook

4. We’ve been offered a $10,000 matching grant toward our work to help move Vision Zero forward: Help us meet this goal.

Walk/Bike Assessment Main Street Northampton

By WalkMassachusetts | January 18, 2016

Northampton is one of 18 communities participating in the MassDOT multi -disciplined program to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety in Massachusetts. One of the components of the MassDOT program is to conduct walk and bike assessments that identify infrastructure challenges to biking and walking, and recommend short- and long-term improvements. These assessments are also a means of building local knowledge of the importance of well-designed bicycle and pedestrian facilities. WalkBoston and MassBike conducted an assessment of Main Street in downtown Northampton.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-BicycleandPedestrianInfrastructureAssessment-Northhampton

Springfield Schools Walk Audits

By WalkMassachusetts | January 1, 2016

Between April, 2013 – June, 2016 WalkBoston conducted 6 walk audits of elementary and community schools in Springfield, Massachusetts to assess the safety and walkability of the areas surrounding the schools. Read those walk audits here:

WalkBoston-BolandElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-DormanElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-EliasBrookingsElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-GermanGerenaCommunitySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-LincolnElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

WalkBoston-MiltonBradleyElementarySchoolWalkAudit-Springfield

Main Street Comment Letter Worcester

By WalkMassachusetts | December 18, 2015

December 18, 2015

Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E.
Chief Highway Engineer
MassDOT
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116

Attention: Roadway Project Management Project
File No.606434

Dear Ms. Leavenworth:

WalkBoston is pleased to offer comments on the proposed improvements to Main Street in downtown Worcester. In our work throughout the state, we offer comments on projects to assure that pedestrians will be well served by the proposed changes.

We applaud both the city and the state for the Worcester Main Street project, which, as currently envisioned, supports an improved, sustainable downtown. The traffic calming measures that are included will work toward and help upgrade in the use of downtown to make it a more attractive place for business, for educational opportunities and for cultural activities.

Curb radii and bulb-outs
It is encouraging to see that the street corners are being designed with tight curb radii. This permits greater flexibility in constructing facilities for walkers, such as curb ramps and, in particular, bulb-‐outs. The extension of the sidewalks into the street at bulb-‐outs is a proven method of enhancing pedestrian safety. Especially noteworthy are the bulb-outs shown on both sides of the major street crossing in front of Mechanics Hall. This is an effective method of providing safe crossing for crowds going to or from the hall for cultural events. We encourage the city and the state to look for further opportunities to add more bulb-outs to the project.

Street trees
A relatively small number of street trees are shown on the plans. We recommend that the plan include a sufficiently large number of trees to give Main Street more shade and a friendlier appearance. In some cases, this is impossible because of underground utilities, electric lines or other impediments. However, the city should look for additional installations of trees in an area where the goal is to make the street more attractive to shoppers and people doing business downtown.

Pedestrian crossings at traffic signals
We understand that the city and the state are looking at additional methods of assuring pedestrian crossing safety at intersections. We encourage the use of concurrent signals at intersections where they are feasible because of relatively low turning volumes, along with leading pedestrian indicators (LPIs) as part of the signalization. LPIs have been proven to aid in safe crossings by pedestrians due to the fact that pedestrians are more visible to drivers and because they provide extra time they provide walkers to cross the street.

Bi-level sidewalks
A major project element is the bi-level sidewalks on the west side of Main Street. These sidewalks are designed to solve gradient problems on the existing slope of the sidewalks that arise in applying ADA design standards as part of the street upgrade. We understand that the bi‐level sidewalks are designed to avoid constructing a sidewalk with a high curb that could be dangerous for walkers.

The result is the design of two sidewalks ‐ an upper sidewalk, nearest the buildings, which varies from some 12’ to more constrained widths that are 6’ or narrower. These variations appear to be required because the right-of-way boundary is not straight and many of those variations have long existed along the west side of Main Street.

The lower sidewalks, nearest the street, appear in typical cross‐sections to be a continuous 4’ in width throughout the project. The plans suggest that this 4’ width of the lower sidewalk will always be a hard surface –paved with stamped colored cement. The hard surface, along with proposed parking meters, implies that pedestrians will be encouraged to use the lower sidewalk. The lower sidewalk also includes several bus stops. In order to meet accessibility requirements, a 3’ wide path without obstacles is required to provide handicapped accessibility on sidewalks. However, the lower sidewalk includes street light poles and pits for street trees. Light poles and trees are shown in central locations along the lower sidewalk – i.e., 2’ from both the bollards and the curb. This results in segments of the lower sidewalk that are less than 3’ wide and thus do not meet ADA standards for walkability. The lower sidewalks need to be widened to safely and accessibly accommodate walkers. Widening to a 6’ width is recommended because that width would allow for tree planting and accommodation of street lights, etc. and still be able to provide a 3’ clear width as required by ADA. The extra width of the sidewalk might be obtained by reducing the widths of the two 6’ bicycle lanes to 5’ each. This gains 2’ of width that can be added to the lower sidewalks, making them 6’ wide. Within this space a 3’ clear walkway could be provided to meet ADA standards. A 3’ wide strip would then be available for installation of street trees, parking meters, street lights and signs.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important project. Please feel free to contact us if there are any questions.

Sincerely,

Robert Sloane
Senior Planner

Brendan Kearney
Communications Manager