Author: WalkMassachusetts

Energy News Network – “Massachusetts bill aims to reduce traffic congestion, but will it help climate?”

Energy News Network – “Massachusetts bill aims to reduce traffic congestion, but will it help climate?”

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Energy News Network: “Massachusetts bill aims to reduce traffic congestion, but will it help climate?”

The money dedicated to pedestrian and bicycle networks is welcome, said Wendy Landman, executive director of WalkBoston, a nonprofit that promotes efforts to make Boston a more walkable city. Safe, robust pedestrian options are necessary not just for those who travel primarily by walking, she said, but also to support public transportation, as most transit riders start and end their trips on foot. Still, more could be done, Landman said.

“We see it as steps in the right direction, but not as being transformational,” she said…

The bill is now under consideration by the joint committee on transportation, and activists are hoping it signals progress despite its imperfections.

“Will this do everything we need to do to get us to our climate goals? No,” Landman said. “Is it trending in the right direction? Yes.”

Posted August 16, 2019

SAMPAN News: “Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition and City of Cambridge release first Cambridge Vision Zero progress report”

SAMPAN News: “Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition and City of Cambridge release first Cambridge Vision Zero progress report”

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SAMPAN News: “Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition and City of Cambridge release first Cambridge Vision Zero progress report”

“It’s important that the City of Cambridge is clearly communicating what data is available to them,” said Wendy Landman, executive director of WalkBoston. “We’re confident that the City will work with local partners in the healthcare field, as well as continue to work closely with the Cambridge Police Department, to tackle these issues around crash reports and reliable data.”

Posted August 12, 2019

Downtown Boston “signals walk” with Boston Transportation Department

Downtown Boston “signals walk” with Boston Transportation Department

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WalkBoston took a downtown Boston “signals walk” with Boston Chief of Streets Chris Osgood, Acting Transportation Commissioner Greg Rooney and Boston Transportation Department Chief Planner Vineet Gupta on August 1st. We looked at several pedestrian-filled downtown Boston intersections and discussed the many ways in which Boston’s traffic signals are not yet fulfilling the policies outlined in GoBoston 2030 such as: making “walk-signals intuitive and giving people walking a head start,” or “shortening wait times at crossings and make signals adapt in real time to pedestrian behavior and flows.” (Check out page 140 for Pedestrian-First Traffic Signals.)

At 9 AM, during heavy commuting hours for walkers and T riders, the crosswalk across Cambridge Street in front of the Government Center T Station required pedestrians to wait 90 seconds to get a WALK signal. We also looked at several intersections where STOP signs would provide better service for both walkers and drivers – such as at Milk Street/Washington Street in front of the Old South Meeting House.

As we have for many years, WalkBoston will continue urging the Boston Transportation Department to fulfill the City’s motto of being “America’s Walking City” by making traffic signals in Boston work better for walkers.

We’re hiring an intern for the fall semester!

We’re hiring an intern for the fall semester!

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WalkBoston interns gain experience in transportation-related planning and design, community engagement, advocacy, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. If you have an interest in learning firsthand how walkability affects community health, civic participation and overall quality of life, then an internship at WalkBoston could be a career-enhancing experience for you.

Tasks include:

  • Assisting with walkability assessments and advocacy training
  • Researching and preparing white papers on transportation-related topics that affect the
    communities WalkBoston serves
  • Representing WalkBoston at community events and public meetings

Interns provide valuable substantive contributions to our work, and have the opportunity to
choose among a variety of projects. This is a paid internship; work study preferred.

Expectations

Interns are expected to work during their scheduled hours – we are flexible and will find a time that works around class schedules. If an intern cannot come to work, then they should notify the office as soon as possible.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to jobs@walkboston.org

Comments on proposed MassDCR amendments 302 CMR 11 + 12

Comments on proposed MassDCR amendments 302 CMR 11 + 12

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July 24, 2019

Laura Dietz
Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Dear Ms. Dietz,

WalkBoston has reviewed the amendments to “302 CMR 11.00: Parkways, Traffic, and Pedestrian Rules” and “302 CMR 12.00: Parks and Recreation Rules,” and attended the public hearing on July 2, 2019 in Brighton.

This process should be put on hold until laws on micro-mobility and e-bikes are established by the legislature so there is cohesion between the law and regulations.

We also have some questions and comments based on our review:

  • What data are these proposed changes based on?
  • Are there any successes or failures in other states that MA is trying to emulate or avoid?
  • We have concerns about setting a limit of 20mph for shared use pathways. How was that speed limit established, and what is it based on? We need context sensitive speed limits, not one limit for all places. A 20mph limit is a speed limit that is recommended on residential streets, which include sidewalks for separation.
  • There are long section of definitions including BOULEVARD, PARKWAY, ROADWAY, STREET, but there is no definition of the different types of trails. Some of the suggested regulations describe ‘improved or natural surface trail’ vs. other types of trails; with no easy definition, this could lead to confusion.
  • Section 12.12(4) states they are ‘not permitted on improved trails less than 8 feet,’ would this mean certain sections of contiguous trails would allow/prohibit use?
    • Additionally, while we recognize the intent to create safe areas where there could be conflict, we fear that setting a regulation by width could have unintended consequences for future trail development.
  • The section on Violations/Fines/Penalties only includes info about parking.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments.

Brendan Kearney
Communications Director