WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.850 align:middle line:90% 00:00:02.850 --> 00:00:04.850 align:middle line:90% BROOKE MCKENNA: OK. 00:00:04.850 --> 00:00:10.857 align:middle line:84% And you will only be recorded if you choose to make a comment. 00:00:10.857 --> 00:00:12.690 align:middle line:84% So if you don't want to be on the recording, 00:00:12.690 --> 00:00:14.930 align:middle line:84% you can just submit any comments or questions 00:00:14.930 --> 00:00:19.910 align:middle line:84% that you have via the Q&A panel, rather than speaking out loud. 00:00:19.910 --> 00:00:22.459 align:middle line:84% So again, thanks for joining us for the Aberdeen Ave. Safety 00:00:22.459 --> 00:00:23.293 align:middle line:90% Improvement Project. 00:00:23.293 --> 00:00:25.820 align:middle line:90% 00:00:25.820 --> 00:00:29.360 align:middle line:84% Your cameras and microphones are off right now. 00:00:29.360 --> 00:00:31.490 align:middle line:84% We'll enable you to unmute yourself only 00:00:31.490 --> 00:00:35.540 align:middle line:84% when it's your turn to speak, during the Q&A section. 00:00:35.540 --> 00:00:42.970 align:middle line:84% We will take questions and comments after the presentation. 00:00:42.970 --> 00:00:45.990 align:middle line:90% Oh, we can go to the next slide. 00:00:45.990 --> 00:00:47.248 align:middle line:90% So I'm Brooke McKenna. 00:00:47.248 --> 00:00:49.540 align:middle line:84% I'm the transportation commissioner here, in Cambridge. 00:00:49.540 --> 00:00:54.780 align:middle line:84% And I'm joined tonight by our Project Manager, Andreas Wolfe, 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:59.370 align:middle line:84% our Assistant Commissioner for Street Management, Jeff Parenti, 00:00:59.370 --> 00:01:03.030 align:middle line:84% our Supervising Engineer, Stephen Meuse, and our Traffic 00:01:03.030 --> 00:01:06.480 align:middle line:84% Engineer, Jonathan Brown, all from the Traffic and Parking 00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:07.120 align:middle line:90% department. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:10.440 align:middle line:84% We're also joined by Andy Reker, the Transit Program Manager 00:01:10.440 --> 00:01:12.760 align:middle line:84% from the Community Development Department. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:14.250 align:middle line:84% And unfortunately, Jerry Friedman 00:01:14.250 --> 00:01:17.010 align:middle line:84% couldn't be here with us tonight. 00:01:17.010 --> 00:01:18.920 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:21.890 align:middle line:84% So the purpose of our meeting tonight, 00:01:21.890 --> 00:01:24.800 align:middle line:84% we're going to be presenting upcoming changes 00:01:24.800 --> 00:01:28.310 align:middle line:84% to Aberdeen Ave. The outcomes that we're looking for 00:01:28.310 --> 00:01:32.090 align:middle line:84% is, we want everyone to learn more about the proposed project 00:01:32.090 --> 00:01:32.840 align:middle line:90% design. 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:37.160 align:middle line:84% And then we want to get as much of your feedback as possible. 00:01:37.160 --> 00:01:41.870 align:middle line:84% So the process tonight, we'll present some background slides 00:01:41.870 --> 00:01:43.820 align:middle line:90% to give you an idea of-- 00:01:43.820 --> 00:01:47.540 align:middle line:84% an overview of the project, as well as some information 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:49.040 align:middle line:90% about the design. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:51.590 align:middle line:84% You can then either submit a comment 00:01:51.590 --> 00:01:54.590 align:middle line:84% in writing, in the Q&A panel, or you 00:01:54.590 --> 00:02:01.640 align:middle line:84% can make a comment or question during the Q&A period. 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:02.700 align:middle line:90% Next step. 00:02:02.700 --> 00:02:04.870 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:02:04.870 --> 00:02:08.289 align:middle line:84% So our agenda for tonight, we'll go through the planning 00:02:08.289 --> 00:02:12.500 align:middle line:84% background, the project background, our project design, 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:14.810 align:middle line:84% some other options that we considered, 00:02:14.810 --> 00:02:17.890 align:middle line:84% and then we'll talk a little bit about next steps. 00:02:17.890 --> 00:02:20.650 align:middle line:84% I did want to mention that there is 00:02:20.650 --> 00:02:22.510 align:middle line:84% an online version of this presentation 00:02:22.510 --> 00:02:25.270 align:middle line:84% that you can take a look at if you prefer to do that, 00:02:25.270 --> 00:02:27.940 align:middle line:84% rather than following along on screen. 00:02:27.940 --> 00:02:31.690 align:middle line:84% But you should note that the order of the agenda 00:02:31.690 --> 00:02:36.610 align:middle line:84% is slightly different online than it is here, 00:02:36.610 --> 00:02:37.520 align:middle line:90% in front of you. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:40.190 align:middle line:84% But all of the content is exactly the same. 00:02:40.190 --> 00:02:43.880 align:middle line:84% It's just the order that's a little bit different. 00:02:43.880 --> 00:02:44.485 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:02:44.485 --> 00:02:47.990 align:middle line:90% 00:02:47.990 --> 00:02:52.747 align:middle line:84% And with that, I will hand things over to Jeff Parenti. 00:02:52.747 --> 00:02:54.080 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Thank you, Brooke. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:55.038 align:middle line:90% Good evening, everyone. 00:02:55.038 --> 00:02:56.450 align:middle line:84% Thank you for coming out tonight. 00:02:56.450 --> 00:02:58.540 align:middle line:84% I'm Jeff Parenti, assistant commissioner. 00:02:58.540 --> 00:03:00.623 align:middle line:84% I'm going to take you through some of the planning 00:03:00.623 --> 00:03:03.220 align:middle line:84% background of this project and why we're talking 00:03:03.220 --> 00:03:04.550 align:middle line:90% about Aberdeen Avenue tonight. 00:03:04.550 --> 00:03:07.250 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:03:07.250 --> 00:03:08.870 align:middle line:84% As a city, we're trying very hard 00:03:08.870 --> 00:03:13.850 align:middle line:84% to establish and create, build, and grow a sustainable 00:03:13.850 --> 00:03:15.650 align:middle line:90% transportation network. 00:03:15.650 --> 00:03:17.510 align:middle line:84% And so what that means is that we 00:03:17.510 --> 00:03:21.380 align:middle line:84% are trying to remove vehicle trips from all 00:03:21.380 --> 00:03:23.810 align:middle line:84% of the streets in the network, and make 00:03:23.810 --> 00:03:26.760 align:middle line:84% other forms of transportation that doesn't burn gasoline, 00:03:26.760 --> 00:03:31.700 align:middle line:84% such as walking, bicycling, public transit, and others, 00:03:31.700 --> 00:03:33.290 align:middle line:90% micromobility. 00:03:33.290 --> 00:03:39.840 align:middle line:84% And we're going to do that as we move through our plan. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:41.610 align:middle line:84% And I'll get into what that means. 00:03:41.610 --> 00:03:46.010 align:middle line:84% 34 years ago-- 32 years ago, in 1992, Cambridge City Council 00:03:46.010 --> 00:03:48.240 align:middle line:84% passed the Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:51.690 align:middle line:84% And in the time in between now and then, 00:03:51.690 --> 00:03:54.480 align:middle line:84% the City has produced several plans which are outlined here. 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:56.310 align:middle line:84% They're all available on the website 00:03:56.310 --> 00:03:58.640 align:middle line:84% if you're curious about the context 00:03:58.640 --> 00:04:00.650 align:middle line:84% and how we got to the work that we're 00:04:00.650 --> 00:04:02.485 align:middle line:90% doing, as we are here today. 00:04:02.485 --> 00:04:03.610 align:middle line:90% Let's go to the next slide. 00:04:03.610 --> 00:04:06.980 align:middle line:90% 00:04:06.980 --> 00:04:10.490 align:middle line:84% So in 2020, the Cambridge Bicycle Plan was released. 00:04:10.490 --> 00:04:13.760 align:middle line:90% And what it talks about is-- 00:04:13.760 --> 00:04:14.860 align:middle line:90% one more back, please. 00:04:14.860 --> 00:04:15.932 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:04:15.932 --> 00:04:17.390 align:middle line:84% We want to make sure that bicycling 00:04:17.390 --> 00:04:22.196 align:middle line:84% is available to everyone, all ages, abilities, all identities. 00:04:22.196 --> 00:04:24.980 align:middle line:90% 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:26.870 align:middle line:84% And in addition to that, we want to make sure 00:04:26.870 --> 00:04:30.050 align:middle line:84% that every place in Cambridge is accessible for many 00:04:30.050 --> 00:04:33.830 align:middle line:84% from every other place, wherever you are in the city. 00:04:33.830 --> 00:04:36.860 align:middle line:84% So one way to do that, and the way we're approaching that, 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:37.985 align:middle line:90% is to create a network. 00:04:37.985 --> 00:04:38.485 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:04:38.485 --> 00:04:42.280 align:middle line:90% 00:04:42.280 --> 00:04:43.670 align:middle line:90% And here is the network. 00:04:43.670 --> 00:04:46.720 align:middle line:84% So this is again, this is the network vision. 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:49.930 align:middle line:84% And this is expressed in map form. 00:04:49.930 --> 00:04:51.170 align:middle line:90% One more back, please. 00:04:51.170 --> 00:04:56.470 align:middle line:84% So this shows the network that we have created to date 00:04:56.470 --> 00:04:59.480 align:middle line:84% and what we hope to create and plan to create as we go on. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:01.070 align:middle line:84% So we already have a roadway network. 00:05:01.070 --> 00:05:03.820 align:middle line:84% What we're doing is retrofitting the existing network 00:05:03.820 --> 00:05:06.490 align:middle line:84% to fit bicycling so that it's safe and comfortable 00:05:06.490 --> 00:05:07.520 align:middle line:90% for everyone. 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:10.540 align:middle line:84% So what this shows is, the dash purple lines here, 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:12.670 align:middle line:84% are roadways where we want to create 00:05:12.670 --> 00:05:16.300 align:middle line:84% separation between bicycles and moving and parked cars. 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:19.117 align:middle line:84% So the solid lines and the dashed lines-- 00:05:19.117 --> 00:05:20.950 align:middle line:84% you can see Aberdeen Avenue is a dashed line 00:05:20.950 --> 00:05:23.430 align:middle line:84% in the lower left corner of the map there. 00:05:23.430 --> 00:05:25.180 align:middle line:84% And it's an important part of the network. 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:27.920 align:middle line:84% And it's part of the plan that we have, to build a network. 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:29.920 align:middle line:84% And as I said, every place in Cambridge 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:33.260 align:middle line:84% should be accessible to every other place by bicycle. 00:05:33.260 --> 00:05:37.370 align:middle line:84% The green lines in this map are off-street paths, 00:05:37.370 --> 00:05:39.830 align:middle line:84% like the linear path and the Paul Dudley 00:05:39.830 --> 00:05:42.570 align:middle line:90% White along the Charles River. 00:05:42.570 --> 00:05:45.860 align:middle line:84% And then the orange streets are low-volume and speeding streets, 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:49.630 align:middle line:84% that are comfortable for bicycling, naturally. 00:05:49.630 --> 00:05:50.860 align:middle line:90% Let's go to the next slide. 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:55.220 align:middle line:90% 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:59.450 align:middle line:84% Cambridge City Council has also passed the Cycling Safety 00:05:59.450 --> 00:06:00.480 align:middle line:90% Ordinance. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:02.750 align:middle line:84% And what it does is, it outlines explicitly, 00:06:02.750 --> 00:06:05.930 align:middle line:84% the work that we, the Traffic and Parking and Transportation 00:06:05.930 --> 00:06:07.860 align:middle line:84% Department have been charged to complete. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:10.430 align:middle line:84% So that includes all the Massachusetts Avenue, 00:06:10.430 --> 00:06:13.280 align:middle line:84% part of Broadway and Cambridge Street, Garden Street, 00:06:13.280 --> 00:06:17.630 align:middle line:84% and Hampshire Street, plus 11.6 more miles of separated bike 00:06:17.630 --> 00:06:21.350 align:middle line:84% lane, identified in the network vision 00:06:21.350 --> 00:06:23.615 align:middle line:84% that we saw on the screen just a minute ago. 00:06:23.615 --> 00:06:25.980 align:middle line:84% And you can see that in map form, here. 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:28.280 align:middle line:84% The orange ones are the locations 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:30.560 align:middle line:90% that are explicitly identified. 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:33.710 align:middle line:84% And the purple ones are the additional, part of the 11.6 00:06:33.710 --> 00:06:34.980 align:middle line:90% miles that I talked about. 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:36.980 align:middle line:84% And again, Aberdeen Avenue is shown 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:40.200 align:middle line:84% as a dashed line in the lower left, of course, 00:06:40.200 --> 00:06:41.540 align:middle line:90% between Huron and Mt. 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:43.190 align:middle line:90% Auburn Street. 00:06:43.190 --> 00:06:45.670 align:middle line:90% Let's go to the next one. 00:06:45.670 --> 00:06:48.770 align:middle line:84% And now Andreas will take you through the project background. 00:06:48.770 --> 00:06:52.585 align:middle line:90% 00:06:52.585 --> 00:06:54.210 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: All right, that's great. 00:06:54.210 --> 00:06:55.050 align:middle line:90% Thank you, Jeff. 00:06:55.050 --> 00:06:55.860 align:middle line:90% Thank you, Brooke. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.740 align:middle line:84% And thank you to everyone for joining us this evening. 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.050 align:middle line:90% Hello, everyone. 00:07:00.050 --> 00:07:01.560 align:middle line:90% My name's Andreas Wolfe. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:05.480 align:middle line:84% I'm the project manager for this project and project 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:10.100 align:middle line:84% manager for a few other recent projects the city has done. 00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:15.620 align:middle line:84% So I'll go into more details about what 00:07:15.620 --> 00:07:18.860 align:middle line:84% project we're talking about and just the scope 00:07:18.860 --> 00:07:22.970 align:middle line:90% of the work we're doing here. 00:07:22.970 --> 00:07:26.280 align:middle line:84% So starting with the basics, the project area, 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:28.310 align:middle line:90% this is a pretty intuitive one. 00:07:28.310 --> 00:07:31.370 align:middle line:84% We're talking about the whole length of Aberdeen Ave from Mt. 00:07:31.370 --> 00:07:39.920 align:middle line:84% Auburn street to Huron Ave. And then, project goals. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:44.560 align:middle line:84% So here, to frame the conversation 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:46.910 align:middle line:84% about what we're trying to accomplish with this, 00:07:46.910 --> 00:07:51.670 align:middle line:84% we really set out three major goals with this project. 00:07:51.670 --> 00:07:53.710 align:middle line:84% The first goal of those-- and we'll 00:07:53.710 --> 00:07:56.050 align:middle line:84% get into details on how we accomplish each 00:07:56.050 --> 00:07:57.970 align:middle line:90% of these in the coming slides. 00:07:57.970 --> 00:08:02.950 align:middle line:84% The first goal is to reduce driver speeds to improve safety. 00:08:02.950 --> 00:08:06.020 align:middle line:84% And this is regardless of how you get around the street. 00:08:06.020 --> 00:08:08.900 align:middle line:84% We know that slower speeds mean safer streets. 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:13.810 align:middle line:84% Whether you are on a bicycle, you're walking, you're driving, 00:08:13.810 --> 00:08:18.800 align:middle line:84% or rolling in an assistive-mobility device, 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:22.610 align:middle line:90% slower speeds are safer streets. 00:08:22.610 --> 00:08:25.940 align:middle line:84% The second of these main project goals 00:08:25.940 --> 00:08:29.570 align:middle line:84% is relating to the background we shared on the Cambridge Bicycle 00:08:29.570 --> 00:08:31.950 align:middle line:84% Plan and the Cycling Safety Ordinance. 00:08:31.950 --> 00:08:35.419 align:middle line:84% And that's this goal of completing the bicycle network 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:36.659 align:middle line:90% in Cambridge. 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:39.799 align:middle line:84% And that's the main charge of the Cycling Safety Ordinance, 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:42.470 align:middle line:84% to create this full network, that's 00:08:42.470 --> 00:08:45.980 align:middle line:90% connected street to street. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:51.830 align:middle line:84% And then the third goal is about improving crossing 00:08:51.830 --> 00:08:54.530 align:middle line:90% locations for people walking. 00:08:54.530 --> 00:08:56.030 align:middle line:84% And we'll be presenting some details 00:08:56.030 --> 00:08:58.670 align:middle line:84% on specific infrastructure improvements 00:08:58.670 --> 00:09:00.590 align:middle line:84% we're proposing, about how we'll actually 00:09:00.590 --> 00:09:04.160 align:middle line:84% make these crossing locations safer 00:09:04.160 --> 00:09:05.860 align:middle line:90% for people crossing the street. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:08.570 align:middle line:90% 00:09:08.570 --> 00:09:15.170 align:middle line:84% So goal one, we know that speed is the number-one factor 00:09:15.170 --> 00:09:17.160 align:middle line:90% in the severity of a crash. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:20.120 align:middle line:84% And studies nationally, and also our experiences 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:23.910 align:middle line:84% here in Cambridge, show that 20 is a safe speed. 00:09:23.910 --> 00:09:27.830 align:middle line:84% And when there is unfortunately, a collision 00:09:27.830 --> 00:09:30.320 align:middle line:84% between a driver and a pedestrian 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:33.680 align:middle line:84% or a person walking, if there is a collision, 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:38.430 align:middle line:84% if the driver of that vehicle is traveling 20 miles per hour-- 00:09:38.430 --> 00:09:40.980 align:middle line:84% and this depends on many factors, 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:43.280 align:middle line:90% such as the type of vehicle. 00:09:43.280 --> 00:09:50.330 align:middle line:84% But generally, someone who's hit at 20 miles per hour 00:09:50.330 --> 00:09:53.990 align:middle line:84% has a 9 out of 10 chance of surviving. 00:09:53.990 --> 00:09:59.980 align:middle line:84% That chance decreases significantly 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:02.980 align:middle line:90% as speeds grow higher. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:06.920 align:middle line:84% And so that's why most speeds, all speeds in Cambridge, 00:10:06.920 --> 00:10:11.260 align:middle line:84% on city streets, are set to either 20 or 25 miles per hour. 00:10:11.260 --> 00:10:13.540 align:middle line:90% And that's really what we want. 00:10:13.540 --> 00:10:18.110 align:middle line:84% And as part of this project, we collected speed data. 00:10:18.110 --> 00:10:20.840 align:middle line:90% This was done a few weeks ago. 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:26.150 align:middle line:84% We did a 72-hour rolling average between September 10 and 12. 00:10:26.150 --> 00:10:28.360 align:middle line:84% That was a Tuesday to a Thursday. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:31.370 align:middle line:84% And we found speeds that were higher than that. 00:10:31.370 --> 00:10:34.160 align:middle line:90% And it's shared on the screen. 00:10:34.160 --> 00:10:37.890 align:middle line:84% There's a full-- all the data is available on the website, 00:10:37.890 --> 00:10:38.390 align:middle line:90% as well. 00:10:38.390 --> 00:10:44.080 align:middle line:84% But generally speaking, we saw at least 50% 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:46.930 align:middle line:84% of drivers going 29 miles per hour 00:10:46.930 --> 00:10:48.850 align:middle line:84% or higher in a southbound direction 00:10:48.850 --> 00:10:53.240 align:middle line:84% or 27 miles per hour in the northbound direction, or higher. 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:55.150 align:middle line:84% And so that's more than we want to see. 00:10:55.150 --> 00:10:57.115 align:middle line:84% So we'll talk about how we do that. 00:10:57.115 --> 00:10:59.680 align:middle line:90% 00:10:59.680 --> 00:11:03.340 align:middle line:84% So the main way that we reduce speeds-- 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:06.390 align:middle line:84% John Brown who's in the Traffic Engineering Department, 00:11:06.390 --> 00:11:07.820 align:middle line:84% will get into some of the details. 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:10.750 align:middle line:84% But the main way that we reduce speeds 00:11:10.750 --> 00:11:13.270 align:middle line:90% is by creating narrow streets. 00:11:13.270 --> 00:11:19.120 align:middle line:84% And so today, what we call the effective width of Aberdeen Ave. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:20.780 align:middle line:90% Is about 16 feet. 00:11:20.780 --> 00:11:23.540 align:middle line:84% So that includes the travel lane, plus the bike lane, 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:28.360 align:middle line:84% which the markings are faded on the bike lane, basically, 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:32.560 align:middle line:84% the whole distance that the driver has between two objects. 00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:35.050 align:middle line:84% And so as part of this project, we'll 00:11:35.050 --> 00:11:39.610 align:middle line:84% see that effective width decreased by about 5 feet. 00:11:39.610 --> 00:11:42.800 align:middle line:84% And so that means that a driver going down the street, 00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:48.580 align:middle line:84% they'll have some kind of visual cue on each side that 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.820 align:middle line:90% is telling them to slow down. 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:52.040 align:middle line:84% So on the right, that'll be a parked vehicle. 00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:55.130 align:middle line:84% And on the left, that will be a vertical flex post. 00:11:55.130 --> 00:11:57.040 align:middle line:84% And by narrowing that space, you're 00:11:57.040 --> 00:12:00.560 align:middle line:84% really changing the look and the feel of driving down the street 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:03.820 align:middle line:84% so that people are not able to reach 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:09.740 align:middle line:84% those speeds because the street is just narrow. 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:13.240 align:middle line:84% And there's more obvious visual cues. 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:19.150 align:middle line:84% With other projects we've done, we've seen speed reduction. 00:12:19.150 --> 00:12:21.640 align:middle line:84% An example is our Cambridge Street Project 00:12:21.640 --> 00:12:24.020 align:middle line:90% from 2017 and 2018. 00:12:24.020 --> 00:12:26.710 align:middle line:84% That was a similar project with quick-build materials, 00:12:26.710 --> 00:12:29.110 align:middle line:84% where the street was narrowed, the bike lane 00:12:29.110 --> 00:12:31.300 align:middle line:84% was moved into a separated bike lane, 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:36.460 align:middle line:84% and we really saw really good results with that. 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:38.860 align:middle line:84% The number of drivers going over the speed limit 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:42.825 align:middle line:84% decreased from 50% to only 15% with that project. 00:12:42.825 --> 00:12:48.210 align:middle line:90% 00:12:48.210 --> 00:12:49.800 align:middle line:84% So back to our second goal, which 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:53.790 align:middle line:84% is to continue building out the bicycle network, 00:12:53.790 --> 00:12:56.160 align:middle line:84% this is a unique part of Cambridge, 00:12:56.160 --> 00:12:59.220 align:middle line:84% in the sense that we've been able to complete a lot of work 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:02.160 align:middle line:90% recently, on the bike network. 00:13:02.160 --> 00:13:05.850 align:middle line:84% Aberdeen is one of the few remaining streets, 00:13:05.850 --> 00:13:10.590 align:middle line:84% in order to create a full network of on-street, separated 00:13:10.590 --> 00:13:15.820 align:middle line:84% lanes, and off street paths in the neighborhood. 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:19.000 align:middle line:84% Also, it'll connect to recently-completed facilities 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.650 align:middle line:84% like on Brattle Street, the Cambridge-Watertown 00:13:21.650 --> 00:13:26.470 align:middle line:84% Greenway, improvements we've recently made on Huron Ave. 00:13:26.470 --> 00:13:30.550 align:middle line:84% And so this is all part of that larger vision of creating 00:13:30.550 --> 00:13:31.590 align:middle line:90% a full bike network. 00:13:31.590 --> 00:13:35.600 align:middle line:90% 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:37.970 align:middle line:90% So why separated lanes? 00:13:37.970 --> 00:13:39.920 align:middle line:84% As many of you know, there's currently 00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:42.320 align:middle line:84% bike lanes on Aberdeen Ave. They're not 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.470 align:middle line:90% separated bike lanes. 00:13:43.470 --> 00:13:46.820 align:middle line:90% They're just a painted line. 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:51.980 align:middle line:84% And we know that it's really separated lanes that 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:55.580 align:middle line:84% are facilities that feel comfortable for people 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:58.850 align:middle line:84% of all ages and abilities, and really provide the safest 00:13:58.850 --> 00:14:00.385 align:middle line:90% option for the most users. 00:14:00.385 --> 00:14:02.960 align:middle line:90% 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:05.990 align:middle line:84% It's more meaningful infrastructure 00:14:05.990 --> 00:14:12.200 align:middle line:84% that meets the goals of the bike network of getting someone in-- 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:18.360 align:middle line:84% anyone who wants to be able to bike, to be able to do so. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:21.700 align:middle line:84% So this is people biking with children, 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:26.950 align:middle line:84% for example, younger audiences, for example. 00:14:26.950 --> 00:14:30.820 align:middle line:84% Really we're not necessarily just targeting 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:33.370 align:middle line:84% existing bicyclists, but we want this 00:14:33.370 --> 00:14:37.100 align:middle line:84% to be a comfortable option for everyone. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:39.620 align:middle line:84% Also with separated bike lanes, we 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:42.780 align:middle line:90% reduce a number of crash risks. 00:14:42.780 --> 00:14:44.810 align:middle line:84% So for example, it reduces the risk 00:14:44.810 --> 00:14:48.710 align:middle line:84% of dooring, which is one of the most serious injuries 00:14:48.710 --> 00:14:51.410 align:middle line:84% a bicyclist can face, when a vehicle door 00:14:51.410 --> 00:14:55.220 align:middle line:84% is opened into their path of travel, 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:57.770 align:middle line:84% and also just provides more predictability. 00:14:57.770 --> 00:15:00.140 align:middle line:84% Because there's a physical barrier, 00:15:00.140 --> 00:15:02.810 align:middle line:84% you don't see the illegal parking 00:15:02.810 --> 00:15:05.570 align:middle line:84% in the bike lane, which means that bicyclists have a more 00:15:05.570 --> 00:15:07.430 align:middle line:90% predictable path of travel. 00:15:07.430 --> 00:15:09.590 align:middle line:84% And they're not necessarily meandering in and out 00:15:09.590 --> 00:15:10.750 align:middle line:90% of the bike lane. 00:15:10.750 --> 00:15:16.240 align:middle line:90% 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:18.640 align:middle line:84% And then our third goal for this project 00:15:18.640 --> 00:15:23.740 align:middle line:84% is to improve crossing the street for people walking. 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:28.420 align:middle line:84% Shown on the screen is a photo rendering 00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:31.960 align:middle line:84% of what we'll get into in the design, which 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:35.620 align:middle line:84% is going to be a crossing island at the bottom of Aberdeen 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.750 align:middle line:90% Ave., the intersection of Mt. 00:15:37.750 --> 00:15:39.280 align:middle line:84% Auburn Street, where we're actually 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:44.380 align:middle line:84% creating a pedestrian refuge within the median, which 00:15:44.380 --> 00:15:46.610 align:middle line:84% will greatly improve the crossing experience there. 00:15:46.610 --> 00:15:48.990 align:middle line:84% And John will get into some of the details on that. 00:15:48.990 --> 00:15:52.440 align:middle line:90% 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:55.800 align:middle line:84% So this project, we have many ways 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:59.257 align:middle line:84% to deliver projects in Cambridge. 00:15:59.257 --> 00:16:00.840 align:middle line:84% This project we're talking about today 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:03.600 align:middle line:90% is really a quick-build project. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:09.650 align:middle line:84% With quick-build projects, we're able to deliver projects 00:16:09.650 --> 00:16:11.060 align:middle line:90% much faster. 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:14.000 align:middle line:84% So on the bottom of the screen is a photo 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:17.700 align:middle line:84% from Western Avenue, which is an example of capital construction. 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:20.680 align:middle line:84% Those are often a two to five year process. 00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:25.040 align:middle line:84% They involve modifications to draining-- 00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:29.330 align:middle line:84% drainage, excuse me, really redoing the whole street 00:16:29.330 --> 00:16:31.640 align:middle line:90% from bottom to top. 00:16:31.640 --> 00:16:33.590 align:middle line:84% With a quick-build project, we're 00:16:33.590 --> 00:16:36.950 align:middle line:84% able to implement changes much faster, 00:16:36.950 --> 00:16:40.730 align:middle line:84% typically within a matter of weeks or months. 00:16:40.730 --> 00:16:45.000 align:middle line:84% And we do, however, have a more limited toolbox. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:49.310 align:middle line:84% So we'll primarily implement these changes 00:16:49.310 --> 00:16:55.490 align:middle line:84% with new signage, vertical flex posts, pavement markings. 00:16:55.490 --> 00:17:02.320 align:middle line:84% And this really allows us to deliver these results faster 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:07.569 align:middle line:84% and be able to install a project in a place that 00:17:07.569 --> 00:17:12.363 align:middle line:84% hasn't necessarily gone through the whole capital construction 00:17:12.363 --> 00:17:12.863 align:middle line:90% process. 00:17:12.863 --> 00:17:18.660 align:middle line:90% 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:21.960 align:middle line:84% Also, we do know that there has been a lot of construction 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:25.950 align:middle line:84% on Aberdeen Ave. And this is related to the gas 00:17:25.950 --> 00:17:28.050 align:middle line:90% work that's been ongoing. 00:17:28.050 --> 00:17:30.690 align:middle line:84% And so we really do appreciate everyone's patience 00:17:30.690 --> 00:17:31.750 align:middle line:90% with that work. 00:17:31.750 --> 00:17:34.260 align:middle line:84% This has been really important work 00:17:34.260 --> 00:17:38.010 align:middle line:84% because it's upgrading a gas main that 00:17:38.010 --> 00:17:40.720 align:middle line:90% is made from cast iron. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:43.650 align:middle line:84% And there is a federal mandate for all cities and towns 00:17:43.650 --> 00:17:46.260 align:middle line:84% to be replacing this type of gas main 00:17:46.260 --> 00:17:48.220 align:middle line:90% because it has corrosion issues. 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:50.890 align:middle line:84% And so this is a real safety improvement. 00:17:50.890 --> 00:17:56.070 align:middle line:84% So we know it's resulted in traffic impacts and disruptions. 00:17:56.070 --> 00:17:59.340 align:middle line:84% And we appreciate everyone's patience with that. 00:17:59.340 --> 00:18:01.410 align:middle line:84% We are working with Eversource, who 00:18:01.410 --> 00:18:06.420 align:middle line:84% is doing these upgrades, to make sure that the street is put back 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.530 align:middle line:90% the way it should be. 00:18:07.530 --> 00:18:11.220 align:middle line:84% So that's repairing and replacing any sidewalk. 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:16.680 align:middle line:84% And that's also going to include a full repaving of the roadway 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:19.440 align:middle line:90% next spring. 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:22.810 align:middle line:84% And together with that repaving and these other improvements, 00:18:22.810 --> 00:18:24.820 align:middle line:84% we're able to actually deliver this project. 00:18:24.820 --> 00:18:26.850 align:middle line:84% So once Eversource is done, we can 00:18:26.850 --> 00:18:28.820 align:middle line:90% come in and make these changes. 00:18:28.820 --> 00:18:32.450 align:middle line:90% 00:18:32.450 --> 00:18:37.700 align:middle line:84% So give an overview of the project schedule, this fall-- 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:39.330 align:middle line:90% and some of this has started-- 00:18:39.330 --> 00:18:46.670 align:middle line:84% you've likely seen some work being done to repair curb ramps. 00:18:46.670 --> 00:18:49.820 align:middle line:84% This is part of our requirement with the Americans 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:54.260 align:middle line:84% with Disability Act, to make sure that all our sidewalks are 00:18:54.260 --> 00:18:55.460 align:middle line:90% accessible. 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:59.250 align:middle line:84% So this work has been ongoing, starting recently. 00:18:59.250 --> 00:19:03.050 align:middle line:84% And this is also part of the charge with Eversource, 00:19:03.050 --> 00:19:05.630 align:middle line:84% to make sure that the sidewalks are all put back 00:19:05.630 --> 00:19:08.540 align:middle line:90% the way they should be. 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:13.190 align:middle line:84% Later this fall, too, we also expect to begin construction 00:19:13.190 --> 00:19:17.450 align:middle line:84% on the crossing island, that we will get into more 00:19:17.450 --> 00:19:20.490 align:middle line:90% of the details on the design. 00:19:20.490 --> 00:19:23.430 align:middle line:84% And then starting next spring, the roadway 00:19:23.430 --> 00:19:25.890 align:middle line:84% will first be fully repaved, and that'll 00:19:25.890 --> 00:19:27.550 align:middle line:84% include the full width of the street, 00:19:27.550 --> 00:19:31.950 align:middle line:84% including the parking, because we will be actually shifting 00:19:31.950 --> 00:19:34.960 align:middle line:84% over, where the travel surface is. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:38.040 align:middle line:84% So we have to repave the full width of the street. 00:19:38.040 --> 00:19:40.150 align:middle line:84% And then once the paving is complete, 00:19:40.150 --> 00:19:43.350 align:middle line:84% we'll install the remainder of the project, which 00:19:43.350 --> 00:19:46.920 align:middle line:84% includes the pavement markings, which includes the bike 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.730 align:middle line:90% lane and then the flex posts. 00:19:48.730 --> 00:19:51.670 align:middle line:84% And compared to the work that's been going on with Eversource, 00:19:51.670 --> 00:19:53.400 align:middle line:84% that's taken very long time, this 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:56.820 align:middle line:84% will be a much quicker implementation. 00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:59.670 align:middle line:84% Pavement markings happen during the overnight hours 00:19:59.670 --> 00:20:03.323 align:middle line:84% and typically only take a couple of days, depending on weather. 00:20:03.323 --> 00:20:05.490 align:middle line:84% And then the flex, so it's happening during the day. 00:20:05.490 --> 00:20:08.860 align:middle line:84% And that's also a couple days of work. 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:11.780 align:middle line:84% And of course, we want to commit to following up with everyone. 00:20:11.780 --> 00:20:14.860 align:middle line:90% So we'll continue to make-- 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:17.810 align:middle line:84% we want to hear your feedback after the project's installed, 00:20:17.810 --> 00:20:21.970 align:middle line:84% make adjustments where needed to two minor things like signage 00:20:21.970 --> 00:20:23.720 align:middle line:90% and pavement markings. 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:27.130 align:middle line:84% And also, we're committed to making sure 00:20:27.130 --> 00:20:30.920 align:middle line:84% that everything meets our standards for maintenance. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:33.580 align:middle line:84% And so that means plowing the bike lanes during the winter 00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:37.330 align:middle line:84% and making sure that it works for our plowing 00:20:37.330 --> 00:20:42.110 align:middle line:84% operations for the whole street, and also street cleaning, 00:20:42.110 --> 00:20:45.140 align:middle line:84% so clearing street debris from the bike lane 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.335 align:middle line:90% and rest of the roadway. 00:20:46.335 --> 00:20:50.300 align:middle line:90% 00:20:50.300 --> 00:20:53.130 align:middle line:84% So with that, I'll turn it over to John, 00:20:53.130 --> 00:20:56.680 align:middle line:90% who will cover the design. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:59.130 align:middle line:90% JONATHAN BROWN: Thanks, Andreas. 00:20:59.130 --> 00:21:00.010 align:middle line:90% Hi, everyone. 00:21:00.010 --> 00:21:01.440 align:middle line:90% My name is Jon Brown. 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:04.470 align:middle line:84% I'm a traffic engineer, here at the Traffic, Parking, 00:21:04.470 --> 00:21:06.840 align:middle line:90% and Transportation Department. 00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:09.150 align:middle line:84% I was involved in the design of this project. 00:21:09.150 --> 00:21:11.520 align:middle line:84% And I'm going to go through that now. 00:21:11.520 --> 00:21:15.000 align:middle line:84% We're going to talk about a few key changes that 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:18.510 align:middle line:84% are coming with the project, look at some specific design 00:21:18.510 --> 00:21:21.960 align:middle line:84% elements, and also discuss why we chose this design 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:23.300 align:middle line:90% option over others. 00:21:23.300 --> 00:21:26.520 align:middle line:90% 00:21:26.520 --> 00:21:28.860 align:middle line:84% So the most prominent change that you'll 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:31.320 align:middle line:84% see with this project is the introduction 00:21:31.320 --> 00:21:34.460 align:middle line:90% of separated bike lanes. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:36.000 align:middle line:90% So we have two images here. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.510 align:middle line:84% This top one shows the existing configuration 00:21:38.510 --> 00:21:41.990 align:middle line:84% of Aberdeen Ave., where going from the sidewalk 00:21:41.990 --> 00:21:46.130 align:middle line:84% towards the median, we have our parking lane, our bike 00:21:46.130 --> 00:21:49.350 align:middle line:90% lane and then our travel lane. 00:21:49.350 --> 00:21:51.670 align:middle line:84% Now, because this is a quick-build project, 00:21:51.670 --> 00:21:54.460 align:middle line:84% we're not going to be adjusting these curves much. 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:58.050 align:middle line:84% Rather, we're going to be adjusting lane widths 00:21:58.050 --> 00:22:01.560 align:middle line:84% within the existing road surface in order 00:22:01.560 --> 00:22:03.930 align:middle line:84% to implement that separated bike lane. 00:22:03.930 --> 00:22:06.120 align:middle line:84% So by adjusting some track, some lane 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:08.370 align:middle line:84% widths, what we're going to end up having, you can see 00:22:08.370 --> 00:22:11.260 align:middle line:84% on the bottom image, is starting from the sidewalk, 00:22:11.260 --> 00:22:13.060 align:middle line:84% we'll still have our parking lane. 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:15.030 align:middle line:90% Then we'll have our drive lane. 00:22:15.030 --> 00:22:16.860 align:middle line:84% And then against the median, we will have 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:21.340 align:middle line:90% a buffer with our bike lane. 00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:22.930 align:middle line:84% So you'll notice that the bike lane 00:22:22.930 --> 00:22:27.475 align:middle line:84% is shifting from the outside of the road towards the median. 00:22:27.475 --> 00:22:29.350 align:middle line:84% We think this is a good choice for the design 00:22:29.350 --> 00:22:32.110 align:middle line:84% because it doesn't require us to affect any of the existing 00:22:32.110 --> 00:22:33.610 align:middle line:90% on-street parking. 00:22:33.610 --> 00:22:36.640 align:middle line:84% And it also eliminates any conflicts vehicles 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:38.710 align:middle line:84% may have with bicycles as they're turning 00:22:38.710 --> 00:22:41.710 align:middle line:90% into and out of driveways. 00:22:41.710 --> 00:22:45.590 align:middle line:84% In order to separate the bicycles from the vehicles, 00:22:45.590 --> 00:22:48.340 align:middle line:84% we're going to use flex posts, which you've likely 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:51.490 align:middle line:84% seen throughout the city, those white posts, sometimes 00:22:51.490 --> 00:22:53.530 align:middle line:90% yellow, that we use. 00:22:53.530 --> 00:22:55.510 align:middle line:84% These provide a visual indication 00:22:55.510 --> 00:22:58.420 align:middle line:84% that vehicles are not meant to drive in this area. 00:22:58.420 --> 00:23:01.960 align:middle line:84% We also space them appropriately so vehicles 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:03.910 align:middle line:90% can't pull into that area. 00:23:03.910 --> 00:23:06.070 align:middle line:84% And they're also easy for our city forces 00:23:06.070 --> 00:23:11.600 align:middle line:84% to maintain, compared to other options, like concrete curbing. 00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:13.790 align:middle line:84% I would like to note, even though we 00:23:13.790 --> 00:23:16.280 align:middle line:84% are adding a buffer here, this travel lane 00:23:16.280 --> 00:23:19.910 align:middle line:84% will still be sufficiently wide for the trucks and buses 00:23:19.910 --> 00:23:21.805 align:middle line:84% that we often see along this route. 00:23:21.805 --> 00:23:24.890 align:middle line:90% 00:23:24.890 --> 00:23:27.670 align:middle line:90% You go to the next slide. 00:23:27.670 --> 00:23:30.280 align:middle line:84% One of the other key changes we're going to be introducing 00:23:30.280 --> 00:23:33.430 align:middle line:84% is a crossing island at Aberdeen Ave. and Mt. 00:23:33.430 --> 00:23:34.690 align:middle line:90% Auburn Street. 00:23:34.690 --> 00:23:39.100 align:middle line:84% So on the left side here, you can see the existing crosswalk 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.120 align:middle line:90% at Aberdeen and Mt. 00:23:40.120 --> 00:23:41.020 align:middle line:90% Auburn. 00:23:41.020 --> 00:23:43.510 align:middle line:84% You'll notice there's a concrete area that 00:23:43.510 --> 00:23:48.640 align:middle line:84% extends beyond the planted median in Aberdeen. 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:50.440 align:middle line:84% This was originally constructed so 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:53.140 align:middle line:84% that larger vehicles, like trucks and buses, 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:57.360 align:middle line:84% could use this area to perform turning maneuvers. 00:23:57.360 --> 00:24:00.990 align:middle line:84% But we've realized that this is no longer necessary. 00:24:00.990 --> 00:24:03.900 align:middle line:84% It also means that if anyone is waiting 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:06.550 align:middle line:84% in between both sides of Aberdeen in that medium, 00:24:06.550 --> 00:24:08.880 align:middle line:84% they're exposed to vehicle traffic. 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:12.660 align:middle line:84% So what we're planning to do is, remove this concrete 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:15.060 align:middle line:84% and raise up this section of the median, 00:24:15.060 --> 00:24:17.370 align:middle line:84% to look like the rest of Aberdeen Ave. 00:24:17.370 --> 00:24:22.050 align:middle line:84% So this will provide a vertical separation between vehicles 00:24:22.050 --> 00:24:26.280 align:middle line:84% and people trying to cross Aberdeen Ave. It will serve 00:24:26.280 --> 00:24:27.840 align:middle line:84% as a refuge island if they are not 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:31.980 align:middle line:84% able to get across the road in one complete cycle. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:34.830 align:middle line:84% And we're also going to be adding new curb 00:24:34.830 --> 00:24:37.470 align:middle line:84% ramps to both sides of Aberdeen Ave 00:24:37.470 --> 00:24:40.990 align:middle line:84% to help people with mobility or visual impairments 00:24:40.990 --> 00:24:43.930 align:middle line:84% and making this rather long crossing. 00:24:43.930 --> 00:24:45.990 align:middle line:84% This is also going to complement some upgrades 00:24:45.990 --> 00:24:49.140 align:middle line:84% we made to the pedestrian signals in this area, on Mt. 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.735 align:middle line:90% Auburn Ave., earlier this year. 00:24:50.735 --> 00:24:55.890 align:middle line:90% 00:24:55.890 --> 00:24:59.650 align:middle line:84% In the same area, at the refuge island, 00:24:59.650 --> 00:25:03.060 align:middle line:84% we're also going to be adding a bicycle-turn box. 00:25:03.060 --> 00:25:06.390 align:middle line:84% So currently, for bicyclists approaching Mt. 00:25:06.390 --> 00:25:08.380 align:middle line:84% Auburn street from Aberdeen Ave., 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:11.460 align:middle line:84% they have to squeeze between those two lanes of traffic 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:14.340 align:middle line:90% in order to make their turns. 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:16.050 align:middle line:84% This is an uncomfortable situation, 00:25:16.050 --> 00:25:18.790 align:middle line:84% both for the bicyclists and the drivers. 00:25:18.790 --> 00:25:20.460 align:middle line:84% It may be hard to see one another. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:24.720 align:middle line:84% It may be hard to tell where someone is attempting to turn. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:28.120 align:middle line:84% So by allowing bicyclists to also use this refuge island, 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:30.090 align:middle line:84% they're going to be well ahead of vehicles 00:25:30.090 --> 00:25:31.350 align:middle line:90% that are approaching Mt. 00:25:31.350 --> 00:25:32.580 align:middle line:90% Auburn street. 00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:35.670 align:middle line:84% Also, they'll clearly be able to see one another. 00:25:35.670 --> 00:25:37.470 align:middle line:84% And this will also allow them to move 00:25:37.470 --> 00:25:40.050 align:middle line:84% at different times in the signal cycle, 00:25:40.050 --> 00:25:42.390 align:middle line:90% to minimize those conflicts. 00:25:42.390 --> 00:25:45.000 align:middle line:84% Intersections are often hot spots 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:48.090 align:middle line:84% for conflict between bicyclists and vehicles. 00:25:48.090 --> 00:25:50.670 align:middle line:84% So we're hoping that by maintaining separation 00:25:50.670 --> 00:25:53.410 align:middle line:84% between the two, all the way up through the intersection, 00:25:53.410 --> 00:25:55.920 align:middle line:84% we can make it a more comfortable experience 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:59.340 align:middle line:84% for the bicyclists and help them connect more easily to some 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:01.050 align:middle line:84% of the other facilities we've recently 00:26:01.050 --> 00:26:02.285 align:middle line:90% constructed in this area. 00:26:02.285 --> 00:26:07.590 align:middle line:90% 00:26:07.590 --> 00:26:09.690 align:middle line:84% On the other end of Aberdeen Ave., 00:26:09.690 --> 00:26:12.480 align:middle line:84% we're going to be making some changes to the signal 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:16.360 align:middle line:84% timing at Huron Ave. So currently, 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:20.210 align:middle line:84% when bicyclists and vehicles are exiting Aberdeen onto Huron, 00:26:20.210 --> 00:26:22.010 align:middle line:90% they go at the same time. 00:26:22.010 --> 00:26:24.280 align:middle line:84% And this can also invite conflict 00:26:24.280 --> 00:26:26.470 align:middle line:84% because they may have different paths of travel 00:26:26.470 --> 00:26:28.900 align:middle line:90% through the intersection. 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:32.710 align:middle line:84% With the recently constructed two-way facility on Huron Ave., 00:26:32.710 --> 00:26:35.740 align:middle line:84% we want a way for bicyclists to easily interact 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.720 align:middle line:90% between these two facilities. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:39.220 align:middle line:84% And the way we're going to do that 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:44.050 align:middle line:84% is by adding a new phase or a new turn in the signal cycle, 00:26:44.050 --> 00:26:46.660 align:middle line:84% specifically for bicyclists to cross 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:49.810 align:middle line:90% between Huron and Aberdeen. 00:26:49.810 --> 00:26:51.670 align:middle line:84% So not only will bicyclists be separated 00:26:51.670 --> 00:26:54.680 align:middle line:84% from vehicles physically, by being in their own lane, 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:58.530 align:middle line:84% but we're also going to separate them in time. 00:26:58.530 --> 00:27:00.520 align:middle line:84% If you're driving through this intersection, 00:27:00.520 --> 00:27:03.840 align:middle line:84% you'll notice some pretty minimal changes. 00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:06.150 align:middle line:84% You'll still have the same amount of green time 00:27:06.150 --> 00:27:09.870 align:middle line:84% that you normally do, from all approaches of this intersection. 00:27:09.870 --> 00:27:12.270 align:middle line:84% However, the cycle length will slightly 00:27:12.270 --> 00:27:14.880 align:middle line:84% increase, from 90 to 100 seconds, 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:18.795 align:middle line:84% to accommodate this new turn in the signal cycle. 00:27:18.795 --> 00:27:24.870 align:middle line:90% 00:27:24.870 --> 00:27:28.430 align:middle line:84% To look at a few more specific design elements, 00:27:28.430 --> 00:27:30.620 align:middle line:84% I'm going to talk about the mid-block crosswalk 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:35.780 align:middle line:84% at Aberdeen Ave. And Aberdeen Way, where the library is. 00:27:35.780 --> 00:27:38.360 align:middle line:84% So as Andreas mentioned earlier, we're 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:41.850 align:middle line:84% going to be narrowing the lanes throughout the whole corridor. 00:27:41.850 --> 00:27:45.680 align:middle line:84% And the same holds true for this mid-block crosswalk. 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:49.940 align:middle line:84% A benefit of narrowing our lanes is, of course, slower speeds. 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:51.950 align:middle line:84% And slower speeds mean that drivers 00:27:51.950 --> 00:27:54.710 align:middle line:84% are more likely to yield to pedestrians either, in 00:27:54.710 --> 00:27:57.520 align:middle line:90% or approaching the crosswalk. 00:27:57.520 --> 00:27:59.320 align:middle line:84% Something else we're going to do here 00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:02.110 align:middle line:84% is use the flex post to reiterate 00:28:02.110 --> 00:28:04.870 align:middle line:84% the potential for other users to be in the road. 00:28:04.870 --> 00:28:08.410 align:middle line:84% So normally, we space our flex posts at about 15 00:28:08.410 --> 00:28:11.763 align:middle line:84% apart to prevent vehicles from entering that area. 00:28:11.763 --> 00:28:13.180 align:middle line:84% However, near the crosswalk, we're 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:15.160 align:middle line:84% looking at tightening that spacing up 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:19.150 align:middle line:84% to make the drivers more aware of the potential for pedestrians 00:28:19.150 --> 00:28:20.590 align:middle line:90% to be in the road. 00:28:20.590 --> 00:28:22.510 align:middle line:84% This is similar to a strategy that's 00:28:22.510 --> 00:28:26.560 align:middle line:84% used with pavement markings when approaching certain crosswalks. 00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:29.320 align:middle line:84% Narrowing the spacing between those successive objects 00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:32.540 align:middle line:84% can give drivers the impression that they're traveling faster. 00:28:32.540 --> 00:28:34.510 align:middle line:84% And it makes them more likely to slow down 00:28:34.510 --> 00:28:35.850 align:middle line:90% as they approach these areas. 00:28:35.850 --> 00:28:41.170 align:middle line:90% 00:28:41.170 --> 00:28:43.720 align:middle line:84% Some other notes I'd like to discuss-- 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:46.970 align:middle line:84% as you may have noticed at Aberdeen and Huron, 00:28:46.970 --> 00:28:51.550 align:middle line:84% we do lose the buffer between bicyclists and vehicles. 00:28:51.550 --> 00:28:53.920 align:middle line:84% Unfortunately, the existing width of the road 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:56.080 align:middle line:84% is just not sufficient to provide 00:28:56.080 --> 00:28:59.260 align:middle line:84% that a flex-post buffer between the two as they 00:28:59.260 --> 00:29:00.830 align:middle line:90% approach the intersection. 00:29:00.830 --> 00:29:04.840 align:middle line:84% However, we will be painting that whole approach area green, 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:07.570 align:middle line:84% once the buffer drops off, to really make 00:29:07.570 --> 00:29:10.000 align:middle line:84% drivers aware of the potential for bicyclists 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:12.190 align:middle line:90% to be in this area. 00:29:12.190 --> 00:29:15.850 align:middle line:84% We'll be doing something similar as well, at Aberdeen Way, where 00:29:15.850 --> 00:29:18.700 align:middle line:84% the U-turn exists for both directions of Aberdeen 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:22.240 align:middle line:84% Ave., using that green paint to emphasize 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:25.780 align:middle line:84% to drivers the potential to see cyclists in the road, 00:29:25.780 --> 00:29:28.750 align:middle line:84% and try to afford some extra awareness to bicyclists, where 00:29:28.750 --> 00:29:31.540 align:middle line:84% we're not able to maintain that physical separation 00:29:31.540 --> 00:29:33.318 align:middle line:90% between the two. 00:29:33.318 --> 00:29:35.110 align:middle line:84% And I'd just like to mention that if you're 00:29:35.110 --> 00:29:37.750 align:middle line:84% more interested in seeing the pavement-marking plans 00:29:37.750 --> 00:29:39.340 align:middle line:84% or the signal plans, you can find 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:40.696 align:middle line:90% those on the project website. 00:29:40.696 --> 00:29:45.290 align:middle line:90% 00:29:45.290 --> 00:29:46.880 align:middle line:84% Lastly, I'd like to just touch on 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:49.580 align:middle line:84% some other options we considered for this project, 00:29:49.580 --> 00:29:51.620 align:middle line:90% but did not implement. 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:55.580 align:middle line:84% One of those is bike lanes on the right side of the road, 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:58.240 align:middle line:90% usually against the sidewalk. 00:29:58.240 --> 00:30:00.460 align:middle line:84% As I said earlier, we chose not to implement this 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:03.580 align:middle line:84% because it minimizes the number of conflicts 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:05.830 align:middle line:84% we have between bicyclists and vehicles 00:30:05.830 --> 00:30:08.247 align:middle line:84% turning into and out of driveways. 00:30:08.247 --> 00:30:09.830 align:middle line:84% So rather than having those conflicts, 00:30:09.830 --> 00:30:11.860 align:middle line:84% we're just eliminating them by putting bikes 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:14.250 align:middle line:90% on the left side of the road. 00:30:14.250 --> 00:30:15.783 align:middle line:84% The other benefit to this is also 00:30:15.783 --> 00:30:17.700 align:middle line:84% that it doesn't require us to make any changes 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.940 align:middle line:90% to on-street parking. 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:23.100 align:middle line:84% No parking spaces will be removed due to this project. 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:27.600 align:middle line:84% And also, fire trucks require a certain amount of width 00:30:27.600 --> 00:30:30.820 align:middle line:84% to deploy their outriggers when responding to an incident. 00:30:30.820 --> 00:30:34.140 align:middle line:84% And if we squeezed the travel lane and the parking lane 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:36.372 align:middle line:84% alongside each other, against the median, 00:30:36.372 --> 00:30:37.830 align:middle line:84% they wouldn't have sufficient width 00:30:37.830 --> 00:30:41.550 align:middle line:84% to deploy those outriggers when responding to an emergency. 00:30:41.550 --> 00:30:44.610 align:middle line:84% So the configuration we decided upon 00:30:44.610 --> 00:30:48.120 align:middle line:84% allows them to use that bike lane in emergencies, 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:50.960 align:middle line:90% to be able to deploy them. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:55.280 align:middle line:84% We also looked at installing bike lanes on the median. 00:30:55.280 --> 00:30:57.620 align:middle line:84% However, this would require us to replace 00:30:57.620 --> 00:31:00.140 align:middle line:84% some currently-planted areas with an impervious 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:05.750 align:middle line:84% surface, which was not very appetizing to us. 00:31:05.750 --> 00:31:08.450 align:middle line:84% Also, as Andreas said earlier, about effective width 00:31:08.450 --> 00:31:10.970 align:middle line:84% of the road, removing bicyclists from the road 00:31:10.970 --> 00:31:14.810 align:middle line:84% completely would definitely encourage higher speeds, 00:31:14.810 --> 00:31:19.970 align:middle line:84% with drivers not really having any obstacles between them 00:31:19.970 --> 00:31:25.760 align:middle line:84% and the parked cars, and having a full 16 feet of travel area. 00:31:25.760 --> 00:31:28.670 align:middle line:84% And we also had looked at using different types of separation 00:31:28.670 --> 00:31:31.400 align:middle line:84% on this project, specifically, precast 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:34.730 align:middle line:84% curbing as you may have seen on Brattle Street and Mt. 00:31:34.730 --> 00:31:36.920 align:middle line:90% Auburn Street. 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:39.890 align:middle line:84% However, we don't believe this would work well 00:31:39.890 --> 00:31:42.440 align:middle line:84% with our existing maintenance equipment. 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:46.730 align:middle line:84% Currently, we need 7 feet of clear space between the curb 00:31:46.730 --> 00:31:51.230 align:middle line:84% and the vertical separation in order for our plows and street 00:31:51.230 --> 00:31:53.660 align:middle line:84% sweepers to access the bike lane. 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:56.160 align:middle line:84% Unfortunately, given the existing width of this road, 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:59.480 align:middle line:84% we don't have a sufficient space to place something 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:02.210 align:middle line:84% like a precast curb in the buffer 00:32:02.210 --> 00:32:04.970 align:middle line:84% and still maintain 7 feet of width. 00:32:04.970 --> 00:32:07.797 align:middle line:84% We also believe flex posts are great for visibility purposes. 00:32:07.797 --> 00:32:09.380 align:middle line:84% I know as I mentioned earlier, they're 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:13.490 align:middle line:84% easier for our city forces to maintain. 00:32:13.490 --> 00:32:16.350 align:middle line:84% So that's all I have to say about the project design. 00:32:16.350 --> 00:32:18.785 align:middle line:84% Be happy to answer any questions later. 00:32:18.785 --> 00:32:20.660 align:middle line:84% But now I'm going to pass things back to Jeff 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.955 align:middle line:90% to discuss next steps. 00:32:21.955 --> 00:32:25.970 align:middle line:90% 00:32:25.970 --> 00:32:27.220 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Thank you, John. 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:31.450 align:middle line:84% All right, so ways that you can get involved with this project-- 00:32:31.450 --> 00:32:34.090 align:middle line:84% there's a link here, so you can sign up for the project mailing 00:32:34.090 --> 00:32:35.860 align:middle line:90% list. 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:37.750 align:middle line:84% And of course, at the of this meeting, 00:32:37.750 --> 00:32:40.910 align:middle line:84% we'll have a question-and-answer session if you stick around. 00:32:40.910 --> 00:32:43.430 align:middle line:84% You can also send the project manager-- 00:32:43.430 --> 00:32:47.250 align:middle line:84% that's Andreas's information is in the bottom right, there. 00:32:47.250 --> 00:32:51.510 align:middle line:84% You can send him a message and give him direct feedback. 00:32:51.510 --> 00:32:55.280 align:middle line:84% And then the project has a website of its own, 00:32:55.280 --> 00:32:58.090 align:middle line:84% that's at the bottom left of the screen. 00:32:58.090 --> 00:33:01.390 align:middle line:90% Next slide, please. 00:33:01.390 --> 00:33:02.900 align:middle line:90% Here's the project schedule. 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:06.030 align:middle line:90% So we're in the fall of 2024. 00:33:06.030 --> 00:33:09.963 align:middle line:84% Soon after this meeting, we'll begin curb construction. 00:33:09.963 --> 00:33:12.130 align:middle line:84% Then fast forward through the winter and the spring, 00:33:12.130 --> 00:33:14.200 align:middle line:90% we'll do the paving. 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:17.890 align:middle line:84% And then in spring of '25, we'll finish up 00:33:17.890 --> 00:33:21.490 align:middle line:84% with pavement markings, so the lines on the road, the posts, 00:33:21.490 --> 00:33:23.110 align:middle line:90% and then signs will post then. 00:33:23.110 --> 00:33:26.920 align:middle line:84% That'll be the end of the installation. 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.930 align:middle line:84% And then the project isn't over then. 00:33:28.930 --> 00:33:32.770 align:middle line:84% We'll continue to follow up and make any adjustments that we 00:33:32.770 --> 00:33:35.910 align:middle line:84% see that we need to do, and make sure that everything's going OK. 00:33:35.910 --> 00:33:37.160 align:middle line:90% So we'll continue to watch it. 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.660 align:middle line:90% Next slide. 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:40.530 align:middle line:90% 00:33:40.530 --> 00:33:42.670 align:middle line:84% All right, so now it is your turn. 00:33:42.670 --> 00:33:45.990 align:middle line:84% In a minute, we'll open it up to questions and answers. 00:33:45.990 --> 00:33:49.700 align:middle line:84% You can raise your hand through Zoom. 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:52.440 align:middle line:84% And then we'll take those in order. 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:54.237 align:middle line:84% And then any additional questions you have, 00:33:54.237 --> 00:33:55.820 align:middle line:84% you can use the Q&A function, which is 00:33:55.820 --> 00:33:57.680 align:middle line:90% at the bottom of your screen. 00:33:57.680 --> 00:34:01.460 align:middle line:84% What we'll do is, we'll take questions in groups. 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:04.070 align:middle line:84% And then we'll answer them in groups. 00:34:04.070 --> 00:34:07.950 align:middle line:84% So what we're going to do, as we go through our questions, 00:34:07.950 --> 00:34:11.030 align:middle line:84% we're going to ask you to keep your comments, questions 00:34:11.030 --> 00:34:13.699 align:middle line:84% to under two minutes so that the people that speak behind you 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:16.400 align:middle line:90% have time for theirs. 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:20.480 align:middle line:84% We ask that you direct questions to staff and not each other. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:22.205 align:middle line:84% And shouldn't have to say it, but it 00:34:22.205 --> 00:34:24.330 align:middle line:84% has happened in other meetings that we've attended. 00:34:24.330 --> 00:34:26.699 align:middle line:84% Please don't use vulgar language. 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:28.690 align:middle line:90% And keep from personal attacks. 00:34:28.690 --> 00:34:30.842 align:middle line:84% And this is a meeting about Aberdeen Avenue. 00:34:30.842 --> 00:34:32.550 align:middle line:84% If you're curious about other things that 00:34:32.550 --> 00:34:34.852 align:middle line:84% are not on the agenda tonight, if we have time, 00:34:34.852 --> 00:34:35.560 align:middle line:90% we can get to it. 00:34:35.560 --> 00:34:38.040 align:middle line:84% Otherwise, you can send us a message, 00:34:38.040 --> 00:34:42.260 align:middle line:84% and we can answer your questions a little bit later. 00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:47.310 align:middle line:84% So with all that said, let's begin. 00:34:47.310 --> 00:34:51.020 align:middle line:90% Let's first start with-- 00:34:51.020 --> 00:34:53.199 align:middle line:84% I believe we have some written questions. 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:55.840 align:middle line:90% We-- open that up. 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.955 align:middle line:90% And we'll start there. 00:34:56.955 --> 00:35:00.460 align:middle line:90% 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:04.190 align:middle line:84% And so the first question that came in was, 00:35:04.190 --> 00:35:07.510 align:middle line:84% "can you give assurances that when problems with 00:35:07.510 --> 00:35:10.743 align:middle line:84% the installment arise, that you will fix them quickly?" 00:35:10.743 --> 00:35:11.910 align:middle line:90% I'll direct that to Andreas. 00:35:11.910 --> 00:35:17.018 align:middle line:90% 00:35:17.018 --> 00:35:18.560 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: Yeah, thank you, Jeff. 00:35:18.560 --> 00:35:22.260 align:middle line:84% Yeah, so one of the benefits of quick 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:25.930 align:middle line:84% build is that the upfront costs are much lower. 00:35:25.930 --> 00:35:28.830 align:middle line:84% And so we do have more flexibility with the design, 00:35:28.830 --> 00:35:31.710 align:middle line:90% to continue to make changes. 00:35:31.710 --> 00:35:34.390 align:middle line:90% There is an evaluation period. 00:35:34.390 --> 00:35:38.850 align:middle line:84% So we want to see a product installed 00:35:38.850 --> 00:35:40.840 align:middle line:90% for a good amount of time. 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:43.550 align:middle line:84% And this can vary, depending on what the intervention is. 00:35:43.550 --> 00:35:45.300 align:middle line:84% But it could be anywhere from three months 00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:49.540 align:middle line:84% to a year, or a couple of years, with a large-scale change. 00:35:49.540 --> 00:35:52.200 align:middle line:84% But during that period, we definitely 00:35:52.200 --> 00:35:55.110 align:middle line:84% want to continue to make adjustments and get 00:35:55.110 --> 00:35:57.300 align:middle line:84% your feedback on any adjustments we can make, 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:59.136 align:middle line:90% and look at potential solutions. 00:35:59.136 --> 00:36:03.590 align:middle line:90% 00:36:03.590 --> 00:36:07.942 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: There are 33 total attendees, if you're curious. 00:36:07.942 --> 00:36:09.900 align:middle line:84% We're going to go to the next written question. 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:11.980 align:middle line:84% And then once we finish a batch of these, 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:14.770 align:middle line:84% we'll go to the hands raised from Zoom. 00:36:14.770 --> 00:36:18.070 align:middle line:84% Second question is, "Are flex posts the most we can do here? 00:36:18.070 --> 00:36:20.768 align:middle line:84% Can we add concrete curves, like on Brattle?" 00:36:20.768 --> 00:36:21.935 align:middle line:90% I'll direct that to Andreas. 00:36:21.935 --> 00:36:25.297 align:middle line:90% 00:36:25.297 --> 00:36:26.130 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: Sure. 00:36:26.130 --> 00:36:32.700 align:middle line:84% So as John spoke about towards the end of the presentation, 00:36:32.700 --> 00:36:35.380 align:middle line:84% we did look specifically at precast curbing, 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:38.210 align:middle line:90% like what's on Brattle Street. 00:36:38.210 --> 00:36:41.100 align:middle line:84% And on Aberdeen Ave., specifically, 00:36:41.100 --> 00:36:44.930 align:middle line:84% if we were to install the precast curbs, 00:36:44.930 --> 00:36:51.560 align:middle line:84% the width between that object, the precast curb 00:36:51.560 --> 00:36:55.010 align:middle line:84% and the actual curb, would be too small for our maintenance 00:36:55.010 --> 00:36:57.290 align:middle line:90% vehicles to enter the bike lane. 00:36:57.290 --> 00:37:00.470 align:middle line:84% And we're really right on the edge in terms 00:37:00.470 --> 00:37:03.740 align:middle line:84% of total width on Aberdeen Ave. So we didn't have more room 00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:05.540 align:middle line:84% to take out of the travel lane, to make 00:37:05.540 --> 00:37:08.660 align:middle line:90% the bike lane a bit wider. 00:37:08.660 --> 00:37:11.270 align:middle line:84% We are continuing to evaluate ways 00:37:11.270 --> 00:37:16.010 align:middle line:84% to improve our vertical separation in Cambridge 00:37:16.010 --> 00:37:18.830 align:middle line:84% and our protection of bicyclists. 00:37:18.830 --> 00:37:21.270 align:middle line:84% And the precast curving has proved valuable. 00:37:21.270 --> 00:37:24.186 align:middle line:84% But on Aberdeen specifically, it's not feasible. 00:37:24.186 --> 00:37:27.262 align:middle line:90% 00:37:27.262 --> 00:37:28.720 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: The next question is, 00:37:28.720 --> 00:37:33.420 align:middle line:84% "can near-side bike signals be added in the turn boxes?" 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:35.360 align:middle line:90% Andreas. 00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:36.230 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: Sure. 00:37:36.230 --> 00:37:42.500 align:middle line:84% So we are intending for the people using the turn 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:44.450 align:middle line:90% box to use the-- 00:37:44.450 --> 00:37:46.010 align:middle line:84% it will line them up in a way where 00:37:46.010 --> 00:37:52.070 align:middle line:84% they can use the existing bike signals, which we just 00:37:52.070 --> 00:37:52.970 align:middle line:90% installed for Mt. 00:37:52.970 --> 00:37:54.890 align:middle line:90% Auburn Street. 00:37:54.890 --> 00:38:01.130 align:middle line:84% And so they will have their own bike signal. 00:38:01.130 --> 00:38:04.610 align:middle line:84% We are adding an additional bike signal in the area, an addition, 00:38:04.610 --> 00:38:06.980 align:middle line:84% a secondary signal, one of the near-side signals, 00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:09.710 align:middle line:84% I think in the eastbound direction. 00:38:09.710 --> 00:38:10.760 align:middle line:90% That'll be for Mt. 00:38:10.760 --> 00:38:15.350 align:middle line:84% Auburn Street bicyclists, although not for the people 00:38:15.350 --> 00:38:16.405 align:middle line:90% using the turn box. 00:38:16.405 --> 00:38:19.140 align:middle line:90% 00:38:19.140 --> 00:38:22.020 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: "Will a No U-turn sign 00:38:22.020 --> 00:38:23.490 align:middle line:90% be added at Aberdeen and Mt. 00:38:23.490 --> 00:38:24.197 align:middle line:90% Auburn? 00:38:24.197 --> 00:38:25.405 align:middle line:90% Another one for you, Andreas. 00:38:25.405 --> 00:38:29.002 align:middle line:90% 00:38:29.002 --> 00:38:34.860 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: So to clarify a bit on the U-turns, 00:38:34.860 --> 00:38:38.590 align:middle line:84% the existing flush apron that is there today, 00:38:38.590 --> 00:38:46.260 align:middle line:84% that was installed to allow large vehicles, like buses and-- 00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:48.420 align:middle line:84% well, specifically buses because the MTA 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:51.210 align:middle line:84% used to run a route that actually U-turned at-- one 00:38:51.210 --> 00:38:52.650 align:middle line:84% of the electric trolley buses that 00:38:52.650 --> 00:38:55.290 align:middle line:84% U-turned at the end of Aberdeen Ave. 00:38:55.290 --> 00:38:59.730 align:middle line:84% So the new design with the crossing island 00:38:59.730 --> 00:39:02.550 align:middle line:84% will not preclude a small, normal-size vehicle 00:39:02.550 --> 00:39:05.310 align:middle line:90% from making that U-turn. 00:39:05.310 --> 00:39:11.550 align:middle line:84% So only a large vehicle, like a bus or a truck, 00:39:11.550 --> 00:39:16.317 align:middle line:84% would have difficulty navigating around that island. 00:39:16.317 --> 00:39:18.150 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: One more for Andreas, and then 00:39:18.150 --> 00:39:22.850 align:middle line:84% I'll move to Zoom, and we'll answer questions 00:39:22.850 --> 00:39:25.320 align:middle line:84% from those who have raised their hands. 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:27.740 align:middle line:84% "Can you touch on plans for improving connections 00:39:27.740 --> 00:39:32.060 align:middle line:84% to the other facilities you mentioned, Watertown Greenway, 00:39:32.060 --> 00:39:36.650 align:middle line:84% and Brattle to Harvard, and safe transit access to the Haggerty 00:39:36.650 --> 00:39:37.825 align:middle line:90% School nearby?" 00:39:37.825 --> 00:39:41.265 align:middle line:90% 00:39:41.265 --> 00:39:42.640 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: Unfortunately, I'm 00:39:42.640 --> 00:39:45.820 align:middle line:84% not sure which one is the Haggerty School. 00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:48.400 align:middle line:84% Perhaps one of the other staff on the call 00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:54.700 align:middle line:84% knows and can respond to that, specifically. 00:39:54.700 --> 00:39:57.250 align:middle line:84% But we are looking to integrate this project 00:39:57.250 --> 00:39:59.860 align:middle line:84% with our other projects in the area. 00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:06.910 align:middle line:84% So earlier this year, we recently finished the new lanes 00:40:06.910 --> 00:40:08.950 align:middle line:90% on Huron Ave. 00:40:08.950 --> 00:40:11.770 align:middle line:84% And then we also recently installed new lanes 00:40:11.770 --> 00:40:13.000 align:middle line:90% on Belmont Street and Mt. 00:40:13.000 --> 00:40:14.680 align:middle line:90% Auburn Street. 00:40:14.680 --> 00:40:20.200 align:middle line:84% In terms of additional plans in the area, in the short term, 00:40:20.200 --> 00:40:24.290 align:middle line:84% not in the immediate area are there additional plans. 00:40:24.290 --> 00:40:26.753 align:middle line:84% But we are looking at ways to continue 00:40:26.753 --> 00:40:27.795 align:middle line:90% to build out the network. 00:40:27.795 --> 00:40:29.640 align:middle line:90% 00:40:29.640 --> 00:40:31.640 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: The Action for the Haggerty School 00:40:31.640 --> 00:40:34.400 align:middle line:84% on Cushing Street, as Andreas mentioned, the Huron Avenue 00:40:34.400 --> 00:40:39.050 align:middle line:84% facility is a good connection there. 00:40:39.050 --> 00:40:42.300 align:middle line:84% So what I'll do now is move to Zoom. 00:40:42.300 --> 00:40:45.150 align:middle line:84% There are three attendees who have raised hands. 00:40:45.150 --> 00:40:47.060 align:middle line:84% I'll start with Jeff Howell in a second, 00:40:47.060 --> 00:40:50.000 align:middle line:84% and then Carol Lee Ron will be second. 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:53.630 align:middle line:90% And Jim Roosevelt will be third. 00:40:53.630 --> 00:40:58.370 align:middle line:84% So what we'll do is, we will take-- 00:40:58.370 --> 00:41:01.170 align:middle line:84% there are three questions, so I'll take them one at a time. 00:41:01.170 --> 00:41:02.610 align:middle line:84% And we'll start with Jeff Howell. 00:41:02.610 --> 00:41:04.100 align:middle line:90% Go ahead. 00:41:04.100 --> 00:41:05.720 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yeah, hi. 00:41:05.720 --> 00:41:07.580 align:middle line:84% Just so you know, I was appointed 00:41:07.580 --> 00:41:09.540 align:middle line:84% by the other residents on Aberdeen, 00:41:09.540 --> 00:41:12.380 align:middle line:84% or at least our Aberdeen listserv, unofficially, 00:41:12.380 --> 00:41:15.032 align:middle line:84% to represent the people, the residents of the block, 00:41:15.032 --> 00:41:15.990 align:middle line:90% who couldn't come here. 00:41:15.990 --> 00:41:17.840 align:middle line:90% So you might hear from me a bit. 00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:20.483 align:middle line:84% We have five major concerns listed. 00:41:20.483 --> 00:41:22.400 align:middle line:84% First, I think we'd all like to say, thank you 00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:26.460 align:middle line:84% for your work on this, and that as a general matter, 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:30.380 align:middle line:84% we're excited about the steps that the City is taking. 00:41:30.380 --> 00:41:34.320 align:middle line:84% I think there's fairly unanimous complaint, however, 00:41:34.320 --> 00:41:36.590 align:middle line:84% that traffic congestion southbound 00:41:36.590 --> 00:41:37.805 align:middle line:90% on Aberdeen at the Mt. 00:41:37.805 --> 00:41:41.010 align:middle line:84% Auburn light has been pretty miserable. 00:41:41.010 --> 00:41:43.250 align:middle line:84% We have standing traffic stretching 00:41:43.250 --> 00:41:47.480 align:middle line:84% most of the way up the block during both morning and evening 00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:48.980 align:middle line:90% rush hours. 00:41:48.980 --> 00:41:52.400 align:middle line:84% I realize that there have been some tweaking 00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:55.940 align:middle line:84% to the signals which have alleviated that a little bit. 00:41:55.940 --> 00:42:00.260 align:middle line:84% It's a longer green, turning left, eastbound onto Mt. 00:42:00.260 --> 00:42:04.800 align:middle line:84% Auburn, southbound Aberdeen onto eastbound Mt. 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.380 align:middle line:90% Auburn. 00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:07.830 align:middle line:84% And that's helped, that longer green. 00:42:07.830 --> 00:42:10.320 align:middle line:84% But the light at Homer Avenue, which 00:42:10.320 --> 00:42:13.080 align:middle line:90% is just one block west on Mt. 00:42:13.080 --> 00:42:17.300 align:middle line:84% Auburn, has caused a lot of gridlocking, both morning 00:42:17.300 --> 00:42:17.800 align:middle line:90% and night. 00:42:17.800 --> 00:42:21.850 align:middle line:84% And that has really backed the traffic up on the grid blocking. 00:42:21.850 --> 00:42:24.300 align:middle line:84% And I'd say, I've yet to see an officer there, 00:42:24.300 --> 00:42:28.170 align:middle line:84% doing any kind of traffic correction or just enforcement. 00:42:28.170 --> 00:42:30.510 align:middle line:84% And yeah, as one of our residents 00:42:30.510 --> 00:42:33.490 align:middle line:84% put it, the more our traffic looks like New York City, 00:42:33.490 --> 00:42:36.370 align:middle line:84% the more enforcement is going to look like New York City. 00:42:36.370 --> 00:42:38.610 align:middle line:84% So I guess the question is, do we 00:42:38.610 --> 00:42:41.760 align:middle line:84% have some assurance that you guys are 00:42:41.760 --> 00:42:44.050 align:middle line:84% mindful of the congestion issues, 00:42:44.050 --> 00:42:45.930 align:middle line:84% especially if the cycle length is going 00:42:45.930 --> 00:42:49.440 align:middle line:84% to be extended to accommodate bike signals, 00:42:49.440 --> 00:42:54.000 align:middle line:84% that this has on standing traffic and environmental health 00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:57.835 align:middle line:84% concerns that we have with all the idling traffic? 00:42:57.835 --> 00:42:59.710 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: I'll take this one, Mr. Howell. 00:42:59.710 --> 00:43:01.810 align:middle line:84% So I was there yesterday, watching 00:43:01.810 --> 00:43:03.530 align:middle line:90% exactly what you described. 00:43:03.530 --> 00:43:06.410 align:middle line:84% This is an engineering problem with an engineering solution. 00:43:06.410 --> 00:43:06.910 align:middle line:90% Mt. 00:43:06.910 --> 00:43:10.000 align:middle line:84% Auburn now, of course, outbound has one travel lane. 00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:14.080 align:middle line:84% And so you mentioned the signal at Homer Avenue 00:43:14.080 --> 00:43:16.180 align:middle line:84% is very closely connected to the one 00:43:16.180 --> 00:43:19.150 align:middle line:84% at Aberdeen, which is the one we're talking about tonight. 00:43:19.150 --> 00:43:22.660 align:middle line:84% And so, yes, we're not done with Mt. 00:43:22.660 --> 00:43:24.200 align:middle line:90% Auburn Street. 00:43:24.200 --> 00:43:26.530 align:middle line:84% We'll continue to make adjustments to it, improvements 00:43:26.530 --> 00:43:27.880 align:middle line:90% to it. 00:43:27.880 --> 00:43:33.400 align:middle line:84% One unintended consequence of building separated bike lanes 00:43:33.400 --> 00:43:36.310 align:middle line:84% when we have to remove vehicle lanes 00:43:36.310 --> 00:43:38.660 align:middle line:84% is that it makes the margins a little thinner, 00:43:38.660 --> 00:43:41.780 align:middle line:84% in some cases, a lot thinner for operating traffic signals, 00:43:41.780 --> 00:43:43.930 align:middle line:84% especially at rush hours, as you've seen. 00:43:43.930 --> 00:43:45.733 align:middle line:84% So what that means is that we need 00:43:45.733 --> 00:43:50.470 align:middle line:84% to-- we, being the engineering group of the Traffic Department, 00:43:50.470 --> 00:43:53.200 align:middle line:84% need to continue to make adjustments to make sure 00:43:53.200 --> 00:43:57.470 align:middle line:84% that we can process all the volume that we're seeing. 00:43:57.470 --> 00:43:59.430 align:middle line:90% It is a rough time of year. 00:43:59.430 --> 00:44:00.570 align:middle line:90% It's bad timing. 00:44:00.570 --> 00:44:03.800 align:middle line:84% And September, traditionally, is the highest volume 00:44:03.800 --> 00:44:08.150 align:middle line:84% month, with everyone coming back to school, colleges opening, 00:44:08.150 --> 00:44:12.470 align:middle line:84% and the elementaries opening in almost every neighborhood, 00:44:12.470 --> 00:44:13.520 align:middle line:90% it tends to-- 00:44:13.520 --> 00:44:17.060 align:middle line:84% And so we traditionally get a rash of complaints 00:44:17.060 --> 00:44:19.260 align:middle line:90% about congestion citywide. 00:44:19.260 --> 00:44:22.500 align:middle line:84% Now, obviously, this part of Cambridge has been-- 00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:24.750 align:middle line:84% and you mentioned the improvements we've already made, 00:44:24.750 --> 00:44:25.950 align:middle line:90% which is true. 00:44:25.950 --> 00:44:28.460 align:middle line:84% But we need to continue to adjust. 00:44:28.460 --> 00:44:32.780 align:middle line:84% And so we, like I say, will continue 00:44:32.780 --> 00:44:36.860 align:middle line:84% to make adjustments at Homer and try to get those margins as 00:44:36.860 --> 00:44:39.290 align:middle line:90% close as we can to tolerable. 00:44:39.290 --> 00:44:40.920 align:middle line:84% And the same thing with Aberdeen. 00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:44.450 align:middle line:84% So the upshot is that the queuing on Mt. 00:44:44.450 --> 00:44:48.020 align:middle line:84% Auburn outbound in the afternoon and on Aberdeen southbound 00:44:48.020 --> 00:44:53.510 align:middle line:84% in both peaks will alleviate in what 00:44:53.510 --> 00:44:58.230 align:middle line:84% I expect to be a tolerable level by the time we're completed. 00:44:58.230 --> 00:45:02.030 align:middle line:84% But again, we're never really finished with the adjustments 00:45:02.030 --> 00:45:03.000 align:middle line:90% to any traffic signal. 00:45:03.000 --> 00:45:07.280 align:middle line:84% We have 130-plus locations all over Cambridge. 00:45:07.280 --> 00:45:09.980 align:middle line:84% And that's a big part of our responsibility 00:45:09.980 --> 00:45:12.140 align:middle line:84% here, to make sure that they are operating 00:45:12.140 --> 00:45:13.765 align:middle line:90% efficiently as they can. 00:45:13.765 --> 00:45:20.110 align:middle line:90% 00:45:20.110 --> 00:45:22.760 align:middle line:90% Let's go to the next speaker. 00:45:22.760 --> 00:45:24.460 align:middle line:90% And that's Carol Lee. 00:45:24.460 --> 00:45:26.677 align:middle line:90% Ron. 00:45:26.677 --> 00:45:27.510 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Thank you. 00:45:27.510 --> 00:45:32.160 align:middle line:84% I just want to express my strong support for this project. 00:45:32.160 --> 00:45:34.520 align:middle line:84% I live right around the corner, on Larchwood Drive. 00:45:34.520 --> 00:45:37.730 align:middle line:84% And we really appreciate the new bike lanes 00:45:37.730 --> 00:45:40.260 align:middle line:90% on Brattle and on Huron. 00:45:40.260 --> 00:45:42.960 align:middle line:84% And this will serve as a really important conduit. 00:45:42.960 --> 00:45:45.955 align:middle line:84% And so thank you very much for all your work on this. 00:45:45.955 --> 00:45:53.040 align:middle line:90% 00:45:53.040 --> 00:45:57.350 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: And then we'll go to Jim Roosevelt. Go ahead. 00:45:57.350 --> 00:46:00.680 align:middle line:90% 00:46:00.680 --> 00:46:05.373 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It's actually Anne Roosevelt. Can you hear me? 00:46:05.373 --> 00:46:06.540 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Yes, go ahead. 00:46:06.540 --> 00:46:11.970 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: OK, I'm wondering about the turn from the library. 00:46:11.970 --> 00:46:15.060 align:middle line:84% You go directly across and you can make a left-hand turn. 00:46:15.060 --> 00:46:18.383 align:middle line:84% Is that still going to be viable? 00:46:18.383 --> 00:46:20.333 align:middle line:90% 00:46:20.333 --> 00:46:21.250 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Andreas? 00:46:21.250 --> 00:46:25.975 align:middle line:90% 00:46:25.975 --> 00:46:26.850 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: Sorry. 00:46:26.850 --> 00:46:29.060 align:middle line:84% Can we clarify for a second, which turn? 00:46:29.060 --> 00:46:31.612 align:middle line:84% The left coming out of Aberdeen Way? 00:46:31.612 --> 00:46:33.320 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Coming out of the library, yes. 00:46:33.320 --> 00:46:36.200 align:middle line:84% Can you still make that left turn, get into the other lane 00:46:36.200 --> 00:46:38.195 align:middle line:90% and make the left turn? 00:46:38.195 --> 00:46:40.537 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: So to go north towards Huron? 00:46:40.537 --> 00:46:41.120 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yes. 00:46:41.120 --> 00:46:43.578 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: Yes, you'll still be able to make that turn. 00:46:43.578 --> 00:46:44.322 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK. 00:46:44.322 --> 00:46:47.000 align:middle line:84% I just wanted to mention it because there's 00:46:47.000 --> 00:46:49.190 align:middle line:84% a very large development in there. 00:46:49.190 --> 00:46:53.760 align:middle line:84% And there's a very large office building for medical offices. 00:46:53.760 --> 00:46:56.480 align:middle line:90% And there's only two ways out. 00:46:56.480 --> 00:47:03.690 align:middle line:84% And so that turn is used quite a bit, not so much at rush hour, 00:47:03.690 --> 00:47:07.250 align:middle line:84% but during the day when people are 00:47:07.250 --> 00:47:09.980 align:middle line:84% going to go to medical appointments 00:47:09.980 --> 00:47:14.100 align:middle line:84% or getting out of that development. 00:47:14.100 --> 00:47:21.670 align:middle line:90% 00:47:21.670 --> 00:47:25.120 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: I'm going to go to another set of questions that 00:47:25.120 --> 00:47:29.740 align:middle line:84% came in through the Q&A. And the next three will 00:47:29.740 --> 00:47:31.360 align:middle line:90% be directed at John. 00:47:31.360 --> 00:47:34.240 align:middle line:84% John, what is the distance that cyclists will travel 00:47:34.240 --> 00:47:36.150 align:middle line:90% without flex posts on Aberdeen? 00:47:36.150 --> 00:47:39.270 align:middle line:90% 00:47:39.270 --> 00:47:41.700 align:middle line:84% JON BROWN: Yeah, so I think this question is referring 00:47:41.700 --> 00:47:48.540 align:middle line:84% to where we drop the flex posts, approaching Huron Ave. 00:47:48.540 --> 00:47:50.230 align:middle line:90% So hopefully, that's correct. 00:47:50.230 --> 00:47:52.560 align:middle line:84% And if so, the answer to that is, 00:47:52.560 --> 00:47:56.100 align:middle line:84% it's about 60 feet, so right around where 00:47:56.100 --> 00:48:01.170 align:middle line:84% that little pork-chop island, as we like to call them, 00:48:01.170 --> 00:48:06.150 align:middle line:84% splits the Aberdeen left onto Huron from the Aberdeen right 00:48:06.150 --> 00:48:07.560 align:middle line:90% onto Huron. 00:48:07.560 --> 00:48:10.620 align:middle line:84% Right about there is where the width is constrained 00:48:10.620 --> 00:48:12.280 align:middle line:84% and we can't have any flex posts. 00:48:12.280 --> 00:48:16.020 align:middle line:84% So it would be about 60 feet, approaching Huron. 00:48:16.020 --> 00:48:19.115 align:middle line:84% And that whole length, as I said earlier, we would paint green. 00:48:19.115 --> 00:48:23.220 align:middle line:90% 00:48:23.220 --> 00:48:25.800 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: Somewhat related to that, the question is, 00:48:25.800 --> 00:48:29.255 align:middle line:84% "how does the city maintain flex posts?" 00:48:29.255 --> 00:48:32.240 align:middle line:90% 00:48:32.240 --> 00:48:35.270 align:middle line:84% JON BROWN: Yeah, so we have two vehicles for that. 00:48:35.270 --> 00:48:40.790 align:middle line:84% One is, we have a contractor that does installs, always 00:48:40.790 --> 00:48:44.690 align:middle line:84% for big projects, sometimes for maintenance work. 00:48:44.690 --> 00:48:47.030 align:middle line:84% And then we also have our City forces, 00:48:47.030 --> 00:48:50.780 align:middle line:90% that are able to replace posts. 00:48:50.780 --> 00:48:53.390 align:middle line:84% These posts require some specialized equipment 00:48:53.390 --> 00:48:55.530 align:middle line:84% because they're drilled into the ground. 00:48:55.530 --> 00:48:58.670 align:middle line:84% They're not Mt.ed on the surface like you may have seen 00:48:58.670 --> 00:49:01.970 align:middle line:90% in Boston or in Somerville. 00:49:01.970 --> 00:49:05.280 align:middle line:84% They are more sturdy than those other materials, 00:49:05.280 --> 00:49:08.960 align:middle line:84% but they also are a little harder to install. 00:49:08.960 --> 00:49:10.610 align:middle line:84% So during the past few months, we've 00:49:10.610 --> 00:49:14.540 align:middle line:84% like purchased the right equipment to be able to drill. 00:49:14.540 --> 00:49:17.210 align:middle line:84% And it's almost like a glue, glue 00:49:17.210 --> 00:49:20.358 align:middle line:84% those posts into the road surface. 00:49:20.358 --> 00:49:22.400 align:middle line:84% And then we also have an asset management system, 00:49:22.400 --> 00:49:24.830 align:middle line:84% where we're able to keep track of how many posts are down 00:49:24.830 --> 00:49:26.130 align:middle line:90% and need replacement. 00:49:26.130 --> 00:49:29.038 align:middle line:90% 00:49:29.038 --> 00:49:30.830 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: And you can always-- any flex 00:49:30.830 --> 00:49:34.940 align:middle line:84% post that's missing, broken, damaged, fall, flopped over, 00:49:34.940 --> 00:49:38.610 align:middle line:84% you can report that to us directly at TPT@Cambridgema.gov. 00:49:38.610 --> 00:49:42.570 align:middle line:84% Or you can use the website or the app, SeeClickFix. 00:49:42.570 --> 00:49:45.110 align:middle line:84% We get a lot of complaints that way. 00:49:45.110 --> 00:49:49.190 align:middle line:84% And those are all great ways to report maintenance issues 00:49:49.190 --> 00:49:52.520 align:middle line:84% of any type to us, including flex posts, which we encourage 00:49:52.520 --> 00:49:55.070 align:middle line:90% everyone to take advantage of. 00:49:55.070 --> 00:49:56.810 align:middle line:84% Our next question, I'll direct to Brooke. 00:49:56.810 --> 00:49:59.640 align:middle line:84% "How are you going to handle electric scooters, 00:49:59.640 --> 00:50:04.115 align:middle line:84% which sometimes go faster than bicycles?" 00:50:04.115 --> 00:50:05.900 align:middle line:90% BROOKE MCKENNA: Sure. 00:50:05.900 --> 00:50:08.930 align:middle line:84% We are seeing more and more privately owned 00:50:08.930 --> 00:50:10.980 align:middle line:90% electric scooters on the road. 00:50:10.980 --> 00:50:16.190 align:middle line:84% And I think that just like with all users of our roads-- so 00:50:16.190 --> 00:50:18.980 align:middle line:84% first of all, I'll say that electric scooters are allowed 00:50:18.980 --> 00:50:20.810 align:middle line:90% to be in the bike lanes. 00:50:20.810 --> 00:50:24.140 align:middle line:84% And it always-- it is more complex to navigate the bike 00:50:24.140 --> 00:50:27.240 align:middle line:84% lanes when there are vehicles of different speeds. 00:50:27.240 --> 00:50:29.690 align:middle line:90% But we see that across just-- 00:50:29.690 --> 00:50:31.560 align:middle line:90% bicycles, as well. 00:50:31.560 --> 00:50:35.540 align:middle line:90% So there is an element of-- 00:50:35.540 --> 00:50:37.520 align:middle line:84% folks using any given facility have 00:50:37.520 --> 00:50:40.310 align:middle line:84% to really care for each other and make sure 00:50:40.310 --> 00:50:43.610 align:middle line:84% that they're operating in a safe way, around each other. 00:50:43.610 --> 00:50:45.200 align:middle line:90% And I think from the City's-- 00:50:45.200 --> 00:50:48.260 align:middle line:84% so I think there's a responsibility that the road 00:50:48.260 --> 00:50:52.760 align:middle line:84% users have, whether they're in vehicles, on bikes, 00:50:52.760 --> 00:50:54.120 align:middle line:90% or on a scooter. 00:50:54.120 --> 00:50:56.550 align:middle line:84% And then from the City perspective, 00:50:56.550 --> 00:51:00.080 align:middle line:84% we're doing a lot of education around the rules of the road 00:51:00.080 --> 00:51:02.630 align:middle line:84% and the responsibilities of being a road user. 00:51:02.630 --> 00:51:06.180 align:middle line:84% And that will include used electric scooters, as well. 00:51:06.180 --> 00:51:08.568 align:middle line:90% 00:51:08.568 --> 00:51:11.110 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: We have one more question that came in writing. 00:51:11.110 --> 00:51:12.960 align:middle line:84% And then I'll go back to the hands. 00:51:12.960 --> 00:51:15.240 align:middle line:90% And we have two hands. 00:51:15.240 --> 00:51:20.250 align:middle line:84% So the question in writing is, "can you add flashing yellow 00:51:20.250 --> 00:51:23.980 align:middle line:84% lights at the pedestrian crossing on the Huron end 00:51:23.980 --> 00:51:27.160 align:middle line:84% of Aberdeen, similar to the lights by the playground?" 00:51:27.160 --> 00:51:30.260 align:middle line:84% So as we discussed during the presentation, 00:51:30.260 --> 00:51:34.730 align:middle line:84% this intersection is already controlled by a traffic signal. 00:51:34.730 --> 00:51:38.680 align:middle line:84% And so all three crosswalks have a walk sign. 00:51:38.680 --> 00:51:44.920 align:middle line:84% And so when the walk sign is on, then pedestrians can cross. 00:51:44.920 --> 00:51:51.190 align:middle line:84% And so we can't add additional flashing lights 00:51:51.190 --> 00:51:54.100 align:middle line:84% to a signal that's already controlled by a traffic signal. 00:51:54.100 --> 00:51:55.960 align:middle line:84% The flashing lights are for crosswalks 00:51:55.960 --> 00:51:59.290 align:middle line:84% that don't have a traffic signal at them. 00:51:59.290 --> 00:52:02.650 align:middle line:84% Let's cross back over to the raised hands, 00:52:02.650 --> 00:52:04.540 align:middle line:84% starting with Karen Falb, and then we'll 00:52:04.540 --> 00:52:07.970 align:middle line:90% go back to Jeff Howell. 00:52:07.970 --> 00:52:09.430 align:middle line:90% So, Karen, go ahead. 00:52:09.430 --> 00:52:11.950 align:middle line:90% 00:52:11.950 --> 00:52:13.130 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Can you hear me? 00:52:13.130 --> 00:52:14.170 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Yes, go ahead. 00:52:14.170 --> 00:52:14.837 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Great. 00:52:14.837 --> 00:52:15.985 align:middle line:90% I had to find the unmute. 00:52:15.985 --> 00:52:18.050 align:middle line:90% I have a couple of things. 00:52:18.050 --> 00:52:25.570 align:middle line:84% One is, just as the Homer Avenue light is involved 00:52:25.570 --> 00:52:31.570 align:middle line:84% with the chain of backed-up gridlock cars 00:52:31.570 --> 00:52:38.080 align:middle line:84% down at Aberdeen Avenue, so is the difficult merge 00:52:38.080 --> 00:52:42.700 align:middle line:90% from Brattle Street to Mt. 00:52:42.700 --> 00:52:43.820 align:middle line:90% Auburn Street. 00:52:43.820 --> 00:52:47.420 align:middle line:84% So what I'm hoping is, sooner rather than later, 00:52:47.420 --> 00:52:48.860 align:middle line:90% that can be looked at. 00:52:48.860 --> 00:52:54.620 align:middle line:84% I think it can be improved with signage that is less ambiguous. 00:52:54.620 --> 00:52:57.220 align:middle line:84% But it would certainly help Aberdeen. 00:52:57.220 --> 00:52:59.680 align:middle line:84% Then another thing that I have noticed 00:52:59.680 --> 00:53:07.090 align:middle line:84% is, would somebody explain how a bicyclist, coming down 00:53:07.090 --> 00:53:10.300 align:middle line:84% from Star Market, on the bike lanes, 00:53:10.300 --> 00:53:16.480 align:middle line:84% then goes around the island and up the bike lane, 00:53:16.480 --> 00:53:20.960 align:middle line:84% toward Huron Avenue safely for everybody? 00:53:20.960 --> 00:53:24.603 align:middle line:84% That looks like a problem, just looking at the images. 00:53:24.603 --> 00:53:30.350 align:middle line:90% 00:53:30.350 --> 00:53:33.690 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: Andreas did you follow that question? 00:53:33.690 --> 00:53:37.570 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: Yeah, I think it was a two-part question, 00:53:37.570 --> 00:53:42.240 align:middle line:84% if I'm not mistaken, so the first, about the Brattle and Mt. 00:53:42.240 --> 00:53:45.240 align:middle line:84% Auburn intersection, and then a second part 00:53:45.240 --> 00:53:47.790 align:middle line:90% about traveling eastbound on Mt. 00:53:47.790 --> 00:53:54.730 align:middle line:84% Auburn by bicycle and turning left onto Aberdeen Ave. 00:53:54.730 --> 00:53:58.870 align:middle line:84% I guess I can take both questions. 00:53:58.870 --> 00:54:02.860 align:middle line:84% So starting with the Brattle and Mt. 00:54:02.860 --> 00:54:07.190 align:middle line:84% Auburn intersection, we do know that, of course, 00:54:07.190 --> 00:54:09.790 align:middle line:84% as Jeff explained when we talked about, 00:54:09.790 --> 00:54:14.210 align:middle line:84% there are spillover impacts that do create congestion. 00:54:14.210 --> 00:54:16.240 align:middle line:84% So as we continue to make improvements 00:54:16.240 --> 00:54:19.720 align:middle line:84% to Homer Ave., which are still ongoing, 00:54:19.720 --> 00:54:25.510 align:middle line:84% we do expect to see a downstream effect to improve the operations 00:54:25.510 --> 00:54:27.670 align:middle line:90% of that intersection. 00:54:27.670 --> 00:54:30.370 align:middle line:84% We have also made other recent improvements. 00:54:30.370 --> 00:54:35.350 align:middle line:84% We added "do not block the box" markings both at the gas station 00:54:35.350 --> 00:54:38.440 align:middle line:84% at Aberdeen Ave., and then more recently, 00:54:38.440 --> 00:54:40.210 align:middle line:84% specifically at Brattle Street and Mt. 00:54:40.210 --> 00:54:45.160 align:middle line:84% Auburn Street, to indicate to drivers going down Mt. 00:54:45.160 --> 00:54:51.820 align:middle line:84% Auburn Street to allow Brattle Street traffic to exit. 00:54:51.820 --> 00:54:58.600 align:middle line:84% We want to continue to work on improving the operations 00:54:58.600 --> 00:55:00.080 align:middle line:90% of that intersection. 00:55:00.080 --> 00:55:05.925 align:middle line:84% And so once we feel Homer Ave. is in a good place, 00:55:05.925 --> 00:55:07.300 align:middle line:84% there are additional improvements 00:55:07.300 --> 00:55:09.280 align:middle line:90% we want to consider. 00:55:09.280 --> 00:55:11.470 align:middle line:84% And it's tricky because you really have 00:55:11.470 --> 00:55:12.950 align:middle line:90% to look at them all together. 00:55:12.950 --> 00:55:17.680 align:middle line:90% But with Aberdeen Ave. and Mt. 00:55:17.680 --> 00:55:20.590 align:middle line:84% Auburn, we can make potential improvements 00:55:20.590 --> 00:55:24.190 align:middle line:84% that would also benefit how traffic on Brattle Street 00:55:24.190 --> 00:55:26.620 align:middle line:90% enters Mt. 00:55:26.620 --> 00:55:27.750 align:middle line:90% Auburn street. 00:55:27.750 --> 00:55:30.440 align:middle line:84% So we'll definitely keep an eye on it 00:55:30.440 --> 00:55:34.350 align:middle line:84% and continue to discuss options with the community. 00:55:34.350 --> 00:55:36.672 align:middle line:90% 00:55:36.672 --> 00:55:37.505 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Right. 00:55:37.505 --> 00:55:39.920 align:middle line:84% Just Andreas said, that merge at Brattle 00:55:39.920 --> 00:55:43.280 align:middle line:84% is all connected to the queuing on Mt. 00:55:43.280 --> 00:55:45.560 align:middle line:84% Auburn, which you talked about in a previous answer. 00:55:45.560 --> 00:55:49.070 align:middle line:84% So what I anticipate is that once we're 00:55:49.070 --> 00:55:51.680 align:middle line:84% able to process more cars through Homer, the Homer 00:55:51.680 --> 00:55:54.980 align:middle line:84% intersection, we can take care of the Aberdeen issue 00:55:54.980 --> 00:55:59.920 align:middle line:84% and the merge issue at Brattle all at once. 00:55:59.920 --> 00:56:05.490 align:middle line:90% Let's go back to Jeff Howell. 00:56:05.490 --> 00:56:07.290 align:middle line:90% Let me turn you on. 00:56:07.290 --> 00:56:08.910 align:middle line:90% Yep, go ahead. 00:56:08.910 --> 00:56:11.790 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: First, a quick comment on the Mt. 00:56:11.790 --> 00:56:13.530 align:middle line:90% Auburn intersection. 00:56:13.530 --> 00:56:17.160 align:middle line:84% I appreciate what you're saying about the work on Homer 00:56:17.160 --> 00:56:18.010 align:middle line:90% and signals. 00:56:18.010 --> 00:56:20.610 align:middle line:84% But I want to emphasize that part 00:56:20.610 --> 00:56:22.980 align:middle line:84% of the problem we're seeing now is people not following 00:56:22.980 --> 00:56:23.680 align:middle line:90% the signals. 00:56:23.680 --> 00:56:28.030 align:middle line:84% That's people either blocking the grid, one, two, 00:56:28.030 --> 00:56:30.870 align:middle line:84% turning right onto Aberdeen from Mt. 00:56:30.870 --> 00:56:33.780 align:middle line:90% Auburn against the light cycle. 00:56:33.780 --> 00:56:36.030 align:middle line:84% I think part of it is just resentment that now there's 00:56:36.030 --> 00:56:36.960 align:middle line:90% a light-- 00:56:36.960 --> 00:56:38.340 align:middle line:90% I'm sorry, a bike signal. 00:56:38.340 --> 00:56:41.640 align:middle line:84% That new bike signal, they're just like, meh, shrug, 00:56:41.640 --> 00:56:43.300 align:middle line:84% and they just turn on it anyways, 00:56:43.300 --> 00:56:47.310 align:middle line:84% which winds up being dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians, 00:56:47.310 --> 00:56:50.080 align:middle line:84% and then cyclists also ignoring the signal. 00:56:50.080 --> 00:56:54.180 align:middle line:90% And I think without a clear-- 00:56:54.180 --> 00:56:58.500 align:middle line:84% well, not to overuse signal-- but a clear message from 00:56:58.500 --> 00:57:02.400 align:middle line:84% the City that these are going to be enforced-- 00:57:02.400 --> 00:57:03.850 align:middle line:90% I've been there 15 years. 00:57:03.850 --> 00:57:07.870 align:middle line:84% I almost never see anyone pulled over on Aberdeen. 00:57:07.870 --> 00:57:09.560 align:middle line:84% So I'm just not seeing enforcement. 00:57:09.560 --> 00:57:11.450 align:middle line:84% I think people will just ignore it. 00:57:11.450 --> 00:57:15.440 align:middle line:84% You guys can make these signals, but unless drivers obey them, 00:57:15.440 --> 00:57:17.920 align:middle line:90% it's all for naught. 00:57:17.920 --> 00:57:20.930 align:middle line:84% That's just my followup from my previous question. 00:57:20.930 --> 00:57:24.310 align:middle line:84% New question-- sorry, but I'm representing a lot 00:57:24.310 --> 00:57:25.640 align:middle line:90% of people who couldn't be here. 00:57:25.640 --> 00:57:30.760 align:middle line:84% The second-most common concern on the listserv, 00:57:30.760 --> 00:57:32.830 align:middle line:84% on the Aberdeen block listserv, was, 00:57:32.830 --> 00:57:35.960 align:middle line:84% it's the mid-block crosswalk that does not have a signal. 00:57:35.960 --> 00:57:38.530 align:middle line:84% Could that become a raised crosswalk? 00:57:38.530 --> 00:57:40.340 align:middle line:90% Or could lights be added? 00:57:40.340 --> 00:57:48.190 align:middle line:84% I recognize that with the frequency of the-- 00:57:48.190 --> 00:57:49.810 align:middle line:84% whatever the posts are called, sorry, 00:57:49.810 --> 00:57:54.490 align:middle line:84% flex posts-- that we've just had real problems. 00:57:54.490 --> 00:57:55.550 align:middle line:90% That's been unsafe. 00:57:55.550 --> 00:57:58.810 align:middle line:84% It's used by a lot of kids because of the library, 00:57:58.810 --> 00:58:01.720 align:middle line:90% elderly people, families. 00:58:01.720 --> 00:58:03.590 align:middle line:90% And it's long been a problem. 00:58:03.590 --> 00:58:07.780 align:middle line:84% And as soon as I opened up, we knew this project was happening, 00:58:07.780 --> 00:58:10.200 align:middle line:84% there was a flood of comments, please do something 00:58:10.200 --> 00:58:11.310 align:middle line:90% about that crosswalk. 00:58:11.310 --> 00:58:13.860 align:middle line:84% So we're wondering, raised crosswalk? 00:58:13.860 --> 00:58:15.760 align:middle line:84% Or could lights be added to that? 00:58:15.760 --> 00:58:20.230 align:middle line:84% Again, that's the mid-block crosswalk at Aberdeen Way. 00:58:20.230 --> 00:58:22.510 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: So not part of this project. 00:58:22.510 --> 00:58:24.952 align:middle line:84% So there are two different ideas here. 00:58:24.952 --> 00:58:26.410 align:middle line:84% Raised device would be something we 00:58:26.410 --> 00:58:28.702 align:middle line:84% have to coordinate with the Department of Public Works, 00:58:28.702 --> 00:58:30.770 align:middle line:84% through their program and Community Development, 00:58:30.770 --> 00:58:34.150 align:middle line:84% through the Traffic Calming program. 00:58:34.150 --> 00:58:36.663 align:middle line:84% So that's something we couldn't commit to, 00:58:36.663 --> 00:58:38.080 align:middle line:84% just us tonight, because there are 00:58:38.080 --> 00:58:39.650 align:middle line:90% two other departments involved. 00:58:39.650 --> 00:58:42.440 align:middle line:84% And then the other idea was for lights. 00:58:42.440 --> 00:58:46.060 align:middle line:84% I assume you're asking about the flashing yellow beacon 00:58:46.060 --> 00:58:47.963 align:middle line:90% lights that are at the-- 00:58:47.963 --> 00:58:50.380 align:middle line:84% we talked about that a little bit earlier-- the playground 00:58:50.380 --> 00:58:52.930 align:middle line:90% on Huron, which we have there. 00:58:52.930 --> 00:58:55.190 align:middle line:84% That, we can do, as the Traffic Department, 00:58:55.190 --> 00:58:57.860 align:middle line:84% but again, outside of the scope of this project. 00:58:57.860 --> 00:59:01.820 align:middle line:84% And these, as you can probably guess, are very popular. 00:59:01.820 --> 00:59:04.610 align:middle line:84% We have many, many requests for them, for new ones, 00:59:04.610 --> 00:59:06.110 align:middle line:90% for new installations. 00:59:06.110 --> 00:59:08.900 align:middle line:84% And we have a running list of those requests. 00:59:08.900 --> 00:59:13.450 align:middle line:84% And so we evaluate them as they come and make 00:59:13.450 --> 00:59:15.680 align:middle line:84% a selection on where we'll be installing new ones. 00:59:15.680 --> 00:59:18.400 align:middle line:84% We have about 40 of these devices Citywide right now, 00:59:18.400 --> 00:59:21.110 align:middle line:84% and requests for a few dozen more. 00:59:21.110 --> 00:59:24.650 align:middle line:84% So this is a perfectly valid request. 00:59:24.650 --> 00:59:27.383 align:middle line:84% And we'll consider that along with the other requests 00:59:27.383 --> 00:59:28.675 align:middle line:90% that we've previously received. 00:59:28.675 --> 00:59:33.800 align:middle line:90% 00:59:33.800 --> 00:59:35.930 align:middle line:90% All right, so we have-- 00:59:35.930 --> 00:59:36.480 align:middle line:90% let's see. 00:59:36.480 --> 00:59:37.897 align:middle line:84% Let's go back to the written list. 00:59:37.897 --> 00:59:40.940 align:middle line:84% All right. we've run out of written questions, but we have-- 00:59:40.940 --> 00:59:44.520 align:middle line:84% let's see if-- Karen Falb has her hand up again. 00:59:44.520 --> 00:59:47.730 align:middle line:84% Let's see if she has a second question for us. 00:59:47.730 --> 00:59:49.820 align:middle line:90% Go ahead, Karen. 00:59:49.820 --> 00:59:53.060 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I'm just returning to my second question, 00:59:53.060 --> 00:59:59.870 align:middle line:84% and that is, I'm not alone with looking at the bikers problem 00:59:59.870 --> 01:00:05.120 align:middle line:84% coming down from Star Market and on the bike lanes, 01:00:05.120 --> 01:00:10.460 align:middle line:84% and going across a lot of crosswalks and traffic, 01:00:10.460 --> 01:00:15.320 align:middle line:84% onto the westbound bike lane on Aberdeen 01:00:15.320 --> 01:00:20.870 align:middle line:84% Avenue, the way the diagram is, it really 01:00:20.870 --> 01:00:26.455 align:middle line:84% looks like that is not an easy turn for a bicyclist to be safe. 01:00:26.455 --> 01:00:29.373 align:middle line:90% 01:00:29.373 --> 01:00:31.040 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: Andreas is going to show-- 01:00:31.040 --> 01:00:33.210 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: My apologies for not getting to it. 01:00:33.210 --> 01:00:37.340 align:middle line:90% I went over-- yeah, of course. 01:00:37.340 --> 01:00:41.370 align:middle line:84% So it sounds-- and correct me if I'm wrong, Karen. 01:00:41.370 --> 01:00:42.980 align:middle line:84% So you're talking about a bicyclist 01:00:42.980 --> 01:00:47.080 align:middle line:84% going east and then heading north on Aberdeen? 01:00:47.080 --> 01:00:47.780 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yes. 01:00:47.780 --> 01:00:48.680 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Yes. 01:00:48.680 --> 01:00:49.590 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: So-- 01:00:49.590 --> 01:00:52.040 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So if you can hear me, I 01:00:52.040 --> 01:00:54.860 align:middle line:84% see the image right in front of me, right now. 01:00:54.860 --> 01:00:59.240 align:middle line:84% And it's very easy to see the other direction 01:00:59.240 --> 01:01:01.820 align:middle line:90% with the red arrow. 01:01:01.820 --> 01:01:05.240 align:middle line:84% But if you really wondered, is somebody 01:01:05.240 --> 01:01:09.980 align:middle line:84% to go from the bike lane, then up the same ramp, 01:01:09.980 --> 01:01:19.320 align:middle line:84% across on the island, and then across the crosswalk, and up? 01:01:19.320 --> 01:01:24.670 align:middle line:84% That's how the arrow would go, I think for a bike, a biker. 01:01:24.670 --> 01:01:27.840 align:middle line:84% It's easier for them to come down from Huron Avenue 01:01:27.840 --> 01:01:29.170 align:middle line:90% and just turn right. 01:01:29.170 --> 01:01:35.120 align:middle line:84% But it's hard to cross it all to go left, up Huron Avenue. 01:01:35.120 --> 01:01:38.190 align:middle line:84% And I just wondered if you see a problem. 01:01:38.190 --> 01:01:41.130 align:middle line:90% 01:01:41.130 --> 01:01:42.900 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: So I'll go over, I think, 01:01:42.900 --> 01:01:45.300 align:middle line:90% what we hope folks will do. 01:01:45.300 --> 01:01:49.260 align:middle line:84% So the intent of the design is that someone 01:01:49.260 --> 01:01:54.550 align:middle line:84% going eastbound on Auburn Street will go around the island. 01:01:54.550 --> 01:01:57.340 align:middle line:84% And so this is very similar to what you do today. 01:01:57.340 --> 01:02:00.750 align:middle line:84% If you're traveling North on Aberdeen, 01:02:00.750 --> 01:02:03.175 align:middle line:90% you simply continue straight. 01:02:03.175 --> 01:02:04.925 align:middle line:84% And I can show it on the rendering to you. 01:02:04.925 --> 01:02:06.870 align:middle line:84% You continue straight in the bike lane, 01:02:06.870 --> 01:02:09.220 align:middle line:84% and then just turn left into Aberdeen. 01:02:09.220 --> 01:02:12.120 align:middle line:90% You go around the island. 01:02:12.120 --> 01:02:13.710 align:middle line:84% The only difference is that instead 01:02:13.710 --> 01:02:15.550 align:middle line:84% of going to the right side of the street, 01:02:15.550 --> 01:02:17.508 align:middle line:84% you'll be going to the left side of the street. 01:02:17.508 --> 01:02:19.920 align:middle line:90% 01:02:19.920 --> 01:02:23.280 align:middle line:90% We can look at changes to-- 01:02:23.280 --> 01:02:25.750 align:middle line:90% adjustments to signs. 01:02:25.750 --> 01:02:28.530 align:middle line:84% We do a lot of directional signs which 01:02:28.530 --> 01:02:32.160 align:middle line:84% have a bike symbol and an arrow, which are often green, 01:02:32.160 --> 01:02:34.980 align:middle line:84% to provide people with way finding. 01:02:34.980 --> 01:02:37.990 align:middle line:84% Also, we can look at the markings again. 01:02:37.990 --> 01:02:42.300 align:middle line:84% We've added some dashed white lines for the folks coming out 01:02:42.300 --> 01:02:46.183 align:middle line:84% of the island, coming from Aberdeen Ave. 01:02:46.183 --> 01:02:48.600 align:middle line:84% And so maybe there are some lines we add for that movement 01:02:48.600 --> 01:02:49.840 align:middle line:90% too, just to make it clear. 01:02:49.840 --> 01:02:51.215 align:middle line:84% But that's certainly something we 01:02:51.215 --> 01:02:53.810 align:middle line:84% can look at to make sure it's as clear as possible. 01:02:53.810 --> 01:02:57.838 align:middle line:90% 01:02:57.838 --> 01:03:00.380 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: Looks like Jeff has come back for a third time. 01:03:00.380 --> 01:03:02.966 align:middle line:90% What do you have for us, Jeff? 01:03:02.966 --> 01:03:03.930 align:middle line:90% [LAUGHTER] 01:03:03.930 --> 01:03:05.770 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Again, apologies. 01:03:05.770 --> 01:03:09.360 align:middle line:84% I'm representing a gaggle, a crew. 01:03:09.360 --> 01:03:13.310 align:middle line:84% A lot of requests on the same listserv response 01:03:13.310 --> 01:03:16.830 align:middle line:84% to same question, when I posted the plan. 01:03:16.830 --> 01:03:20.880 align:middle line:84% Could painted parking spaces be added 01:03:20.880 --> 01:03:23.880 align:middle line:84% so that they're demarcated as individual spaces, 01:03:23.880 --> 01:03:26.797 align:middle line:90% as part of this project? 01:03:26.797 --> 01:03:29.130 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: I think Brooke would like to answer that. 01:03:29.130 --> 01:03:30.770 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: I think Brooke wants to take that one. 01:03:30.770 --> 01:03:32.600 align:middle line:84% BROOKE MCKENNA: Sure, I'll take this one. 01:03:32.600 --> 01:03:36.950 align:middle line:84% We get this request fairly regularly. 01:03:36.950 --> 01:03:40.650 align:middle line:84% But we've actually found that demarcating spaces, 01:03:40.650 --> 01:03:43.820 align:middle line:84% which we do for meters because it's very important for people 01:03:43.820 --> 01:03:46.520 align:middle line:84% to park in the appropriate location at a meter. 01:03:46.520 --> 01:03:49.100 align:middle line:84% When you're talking about residential parking 01:03:49.100 --> 01:03:51.800 align:middle line:84% or unrestricted parking, you actually 01:03:51.800 --> 01:03:55.220 align:middle line:84% end up losing parking spaces because when we mark out 01:03:55.220 --> 01:03:57.020 align:middle line:84% those spaces, we have to mark them out 01:03:57.020 --> 01:03:59.360 align:middle line:84% for the really oversized vehicles that we 01:03:59.360 --> 01:04:02.070 align:middle line:84% see on the roadways, the really big SUVs. 01:04:02.070 --> 01:04:06.000 align:middle line:84% So when you do that, and we mark out a 20-foot space, 01:04:06.000 --> 01:04:10.820 align:middle line:84% you actually end up losing parking spaces because when 01:04:10.820 --> 01:04:14.490 align:middle line:84% people are parking naturally or without the lines, 01:04:14.490 --> 01:04:17.300 align:middle line:84% they park an appropriate distance from the closest car, 01:04:17.300 --> 01:04:20.690 align:middle line:84% and you end up really maximizing the number of cars that you can 01:04:20.690 --> 01:04:21.270 align:middle line:90% park. 01:04:21.270 --> 01:04:25.220 align:middle line:84% So we generally believe that it is much better, 01:04:25.220 --> 01:04:27.755 align:middle line:84% and we do not mark out residential spaces. 01:04:27.755 --> 01:04:31.718 align:middle line:90% 01:04:31.718 --> 01:04:34.010 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: All right, our last question of the night 01:04:34.010 --> 01:04:37.585 align:middle line:84% comes from Ms. Roosevelt I'll turn you back on. 01:04:37.585 --> 01:04:38.085 align:middle line:90% Go ahead. 01:04:38.085 --> 01:04:45.550 align:middle line:90% 01:04:45.550 --> 01:04:47.060 align:middle line:90% I think you're still on mute. 01:04:47.060 --> 01:04:50.328 align:middle line:90% Try opening that. 01:04:50.328 --> 01:04:50.870 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK. 01:04:50.870 --> 01:04:51.540 align:middle line:90% No. 01:04:51.540 --> 01:04:53.430 align:middle line:90% OK. 01:04:53.430 --> 01:05:01.340 align:middle line:84% I do agree with Jeffrey Howell about the mid crossing 01:05:01.340 --> 01:05:03.000 align:middle line:90% on Aberdeen. 01:05:03.000 --> 01:05:04.850 align:middle line:84% Could you put it up for a minute? 01:05:04.850 --> 01:05:07.340 align:middle line:84% Because I'd like to ask a question about it 01:05:07.340 --> 01:05:10.630 align:middle line:90% that I don't really understand. 01:05:10.630 --> 01:05:13.030 align:middle line:90% OK, so why do we have-- 01:05:13.030 --> 01:05:17.730 align:middle line:90% 01:05:17.730 --> 01:05:21.130 align:middle line:84% a crosswalk on one end and a crosswalk on the other end? 01:05:21.130 --> 01:05:22.775 align:middle line:84% Why wouldn't it be straight across? 01:05:22.775 --> 01:05:26.232 align:middle line:90% 01:05:26.232 --> 01:05:27.065 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: Yeah. 01:05:27.065 --> 01:05:29.750 align:middle line:90% 01:05:29.750 --> 01:05:30.760 align:middle line:90% I'll chime in. 01:05:30.760 --> 01:05:32.480 align:middle line:90% Sorry, but anyone can add. 01:05:32.480 --> 01:05:35.150 align:middle line:84% So the crosswalks that are shown on the screen 01:05:35.150 --> 01:05:39.270 align:middle line:84% are exactly the same location that they are today. 01:05:39.270 --> 01:05:42.580 align:middle line:84% So the location of the crosswalk isn't changing. 01:05:42.580 --> 01:05:45.590 align:middle line:84% What will change is the lane width 01:05:45.590 --> 01:05:48.350 align:middle line:84% for the vehicle crossing that crosswalk and also 01:05:48.350 --> 01:05:51.590 align:middle line:84% the sequence of who you're interacting with. 01:05:51.590 --> 01:05:54.570 align:middle line:84% So crossing from house to median, 01:05:54.570 --> 01:05:57.230 align:middle line:84% you'll go vehicle, then bike, versus today 01:05:57.230 --> 01:06:00.050 align:middle line:90% where it's bike, then vehicle. 01:06:00.050 --> 01:06:01.672 align:middle line:90% The offset-- 01:06:01.672 --> 01:06:02.880 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: I don't understand. 01:06:02.880 --> 01:06:04.910 align:middle line:90% What do you mean by that? 01:06:04.910 --> 01:06:09.830 align:middle line:84% So if you're crossing, if you're making a left turn, 01:06:09.830 --> 01:06:11.990 align:middle line:84% going towards Huron Avenue, you're 01:06:11.990 --> 01:06:14.360 align:middle line:84% making a left turn, what is going 01:06:14.360 --> 01:06:19.760 align:middle line:84% to say that you go in front of the bike 01:06:19.760 --> 01:06:21.590 align:middle line:84% or the bike goes in front of you? 01:06:21.590 --> 01:06:24.410 align:middle line:84% Is there going to be some kind of a light? 01:06:24.410 --> 01:06:26.105 align:middle line:90% Or-- No. 01:06:26.105 --> 01:06:26.980 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: Sorry. 01:06:26.980 --> 01:06:28.770 align:middle line:84% I was referring to pedestrian crossings. 01:06:28.770 --> 01:06:29.340 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: I'm sorry. 01:06:29.340 --> 01:06:30.520 align:middle line:90% Yeah, that's what I mean. 01:06:30.520 --> 01:06:31.140 align:middle line:90% Yeah. 01:06:31.140 --> 01:06:33.370 align:middle line:84% OK, well, yeah, the pedestrian, I guess. 01:06:33.370 --> 01:06:34.210 align:middle line:90% That's right. 01:06:34.210 --> 01:06:37.800 align:middle line:84% I'm thinking of the other, the cars too. 01:06:37.800 --> 01:06:41.490 align:middle line:84% OK, so you're saying that the pedestrian crossing is exactly 01:06:41.490 --> 01:06:44.588 align:middle line:90% the same way it is now? 01:06:44.588 --> 01:06:45.380 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: Yes. 01:06:45.380 --> 01:06:50.350 align:middle line:84% The only difference is that as you're crossing the street, 01:06:50.350 --> 01:06:52.510 align:middle line:84% you'll first cross the drive lane 01:06:52.510 --> 01:06:54.790 align:middle line:84% and then you'll cross the bike lane, assuming 01:06:54.790 --> 01:06:58.450 align:middle line:84% you're crossing from the houses on the side of the street 01:06:58.450 --> 01:06:59.890 align:middle line:90% towards the median. 01:06:59.890 --> 01:07:01.690 align:middle line:84% So today when you're crossing, you 01:07:01.690 --> 01:07:03.350 align:middle line:84% have the bike lane next to the parking. 01:07:03.350 --> 01:07:06.600 align:middle line:84% So that's just-- nothing else is changing 01:07:06.600 --> 01:07:08.970 align:middle line:84% in terms of where the crosswalk is on the street 01:07:08.970 --> 01:07:13.230 align:middle line:90% or in terms of the control. 01:07:13.230 --> 01:07:13.920 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK. 01:07:13.920 --> 01:07:16.378 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: If I understand your question, Ms. Roosevelt, 01:07:16.378 --> 01:07:19.060 align:middle line:84% I think you might be asking why it's staggered like that. 01:07:19.060 --> 01:07:21.537 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yeah, I would think-- 01:07:21.537 --> 01:07:22.870 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: I have the answer. 01:07:22.870 --> 01:07:23.662 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK, good. 01:07:23.662 --> 01:07:24.220 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 01:07:24.220 --> 01:07:25.887 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: If you look on the library 01:07:25.887 --> 01:07:29.520 align:middle line:84% side, that green rectangle there, there's a tree. 01:07:29.520 --> 01:07:32.238 align:middle line:84% You can't slide the crosswalk to the north 01:07:32.238 --> 01:07:33.530 align:middle line:90% because the tree is in the way. 01:07:33.530 --> 01:07:34.072 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Oh. 01:07:34.072 --> 01:07:36.405 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: And on the other side, there's a driveway. 01:07:36.405 --> 01:07:38.400 align:middle line:84% It's hidden by the shadow of the building. 01:07:38.400 --> 01:07:40.770 align:middle line:84% But you can't slide that crosswalk to the south 01:07:40.770 --> 01:07:43.300 align:middle line:84% because you can't land a crosswalk in a driveway. 01:07:43.300 --> 01:07:44.460 align:middle line:90% [LAUGHTER] 01:07:44.460 --> 01:07:46.890 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK, that explains it. 01:07:46.890 --> 01:07:48.310 align:middle line:90% OK. 01:07:48.310 --> 01:07:53.680 align:middle line:84% And does that impact the width that a car will have? 01:07:53.680 --> 01:07:57.420 align:middle line:84% Will a car still have enough width to go through there 01:07:57.420 --> 01:07:59.250 align:middle line:90% and make a left turn? 01:07:59.250 --> 01:08:00.390 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Yes. 01:08:00.390 --> 01:08:01.120 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK. 01:08:01.120 --> 01:08:05.940 align:middle line:84% And I would like to say that Jeffrey Howe's idea-- 01:08:05.940 --> 01:08:10.590 align:middle line:84% I have grandsons who go to that library a lot. 01:08:10.590 --> 01:08:13.060 align:middle line:90% And they live very close. 01:08:13.060 --> 01:08:14.070 align:middle line:90% They walk there. 01:08:14.070 --> 01:08:17.760 align:middle line:90% And I think that the idea-- 01:08:17.760 --> 01:08:20.830 align:middle line:84% just so that you don't screw up the traffic-- 01:08:20.830 --> 01:08:25.830 align:middle line:84% but the idea of a traffic light that is only for pedestrians, so 01:08:25.830 --> 01:08:31.420 align:middle line:84% that you it doesn't go on for cars, 01:08:31.420 --> 01:08:35.560 align:middle line:84% it only goes on when it's called for, by pushing the button, 01:08:35.560 --> 01:08:36.399 align:middle line:90% can you do that? 01:08:36.399 --> 01:08:39.012 align:middle line:90% That would help kids a lot. 01:08:39.012 --> 01:08:40.970 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: We can build something like that. 01:08:40.970 --> 01:08:43.149 align:middle line:84% But those are very, very expensive. 01:08:43.149 --> 01:08:47.800 align:middle line:84% So the minimum-- your investment is probably something like 01:08:47.800 --> 01:08:50.330 align:middle line:90% $500,000 for a device like that. 01:08:50.330 --> 01:08:54.069 align:middle line:84% That's why the flashing yellow device, which we mentioned 01:08:54.069 --> 01:08:56.359 align:middle line:84% is by the playground on Huron Avenue, 01:08:56.359 --> 01:09:00.250 align:middle line:84% has been so popular, because we can build those for much less. 01:09:00.250 --> 01:09:02.050 align:middle line:84% And they can be solar powered if you 01:09:02.050 --> 01:09:03.470 align:middle line:90% have a clear shot at the sun. 01:09:03.470 --> 01:09:06.250 align:middle line:84% So you don't need to do a lot of electrical work. 01:09:06.250 --> 01:09:11.020 align:middle line:84% And people tend to trust them nearly as much 01:09:11.020 --> 01:09:14.899 align:middle line:84% as a red light, pedestrians, that is. 01:09:14.899 --> 01:09:17.290 align:middle line:84% So that's why we've been installing so many of them 01:09:17.290 --> 01:09:18.439 align:middle line:90% in recent years. 01:09:18.439 --> 01:09:25.810 align:middle line:84% And so for this location, I would suggest a similar approach 01:09:25.810 --> 01:09:27.310 align:middle line:84% to doing that rather than waiting 01:09:27.310 --> 01:09:32.810 align:middle line:84% for the funding for a full red-light traffic signal. 01:09:32.810 --> 01:09:35.210 align:middle line:84% ANDREAS WOLFE: And I'll just add, too, 01:09:35.210 --> 01:09:39.140 align:middle line:84% is that, we want to see how this new environment does 01:09:39.140 --> 01:09:40.890 align:middle line:90% change the feel of the street. 01:09:40.890 --> 01:09:43.700 align:middle line:84% We do expect that with the narrowing 01:09:43.700 --> 01:09:46.800 align:middle line:84% of the road and these other changes that we're making, 01:09:46.800 --> 01:09:51.290 align:middle line:84% while we're not necessarily implementing the flashing lights 01:09:51.290 --> 01:09:54.500 align:middle line:84% or the raised crosswalk, you will 01:09:54.500 --> 01:09:56.980 align:middle line:90% experience safer conditions. 01:09:56.980 --> 01:10:00.140 align:middle line:84% We do expect vehicles will be approaching 01:10:00.140 --> 01:10:02.180 align:middle line:90% the crosswalk much slower. 01:10:02.180 --> 01:10:05.220 align:middle line:84% That gives people much more time to react, 01:10:05.220 --> 01:10:07.310 align:middle line:84% to stop for a pedestrian, and just leads 01:10:07.310 --> 01:10:10.100 align:middle line:90% to overall better behavior. 01:10:10.100 --> 01:10:12.510 align:middle line:84% And that's because of the narrowing of the lanes. 01:10:12.510 --> 01:10:17.010 align:middle line:84% So we want to hear, of course, if people really 01:10:17.010 --> 01:10:19.560 align:middle line:84% feel it continues to be an issue, 01:10:19.560 --> 01:10:22.440 align:middle line:84% but also want to see these improvements installed, 01:10:22.440 --> 01:10:25.630 align:middle line:84% and have people experience a new condition. 01:10:25.630 --> 01:10:29.740 align:middle line:90% 01:10:29.740 --> 01:10:32.050 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: Let's go to Patricia Glen. 01:10:32.050 --> 01:10:33.355 align:middle line:90% I'll turn on your microphone. 01:10:33.355 --> 01:10:33.855 align:middle line:90% Go ahead. 01:10:33.855 --> 01:10:40.350 align:middle line:90% 01:10:40.350 --> 01:10:40.850 align:middle line:90% Unmute. 01:10:40.850 --> 01:10:43.730 align:middle line:90% 01:10:43.730 --> 01:10:45.110 align:middle line:90% Patricia Glen. 01:10:45.110 --> 01:10:50.610 align:middle line:90% 01:10:50.610 --> 01:10:52.475 align:middle line:84% Patricia, I think your microphone is open. 01:10:52.475 --> 01:10:58.620 align:middle line:90% 01:10:58.620 --> 01:11:03.040 align:middle line:84% All right, we'll try Patricia back in a few minutes. 01:11:03.040 --> 01:11:04.360 align:middle line:90% Let's go back to Jeff Howe. 01:11:04.360 --> 01:11:07.100 align:middle line:90% 01:11:07.100 --> 01:11:08.300 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Hi. 01:11:08.300 --> 01:11:12.450 align:middle line:84% I'll just address the mid-block crosswalk there. 01:11:12.450 --> 01:11:14.810 align:middle line:84% I just want to get clarification. 01:11:14.810 --> 01:11:18.290 align:middle line:84% It cannot be done within the current scope of this project, 01:11:18.290 --> 01:11:19.080 align:middle line:90% adding lights. 01:11:19.080 --> 01:11:22.520 align:middle line:84% And I want to specify, the suggestion was 01:11:22.520 --> 01:11:26.250 align:middle line:84% the yellow flashing lights, that residents-- were raised. 01:11:26.250 --> 01:11:28.335 align:middle line:84% They also suggested raised crosswalk, 01:11:28.335 --> 01:11:30.710 align:middle line:84% but our understanding is that because this is technically 01:11:30.710 --> 01:11:33.440 align:middle line:90% Route 16, that can't be done. 01:11:33.440 --> 01:11:36.680 align:middle line:84% So I was expecting that would be a nonstarter. 01:11:36.680 --> 01:11:39.630 align:middle line:84% But the lights cannot be done in this scope. 01:11:39.630 --> 01:11:43.550 align:middle line:84% It would have to be a separate line item, essentially, 01:11:43.550 --> 01:11:44.517 align:middle line:90% in the budget? 01:11:44.517 --> 01:11:45.350 align:middle line:90% JEFF PARENTI: Right. 01:11:45.350 --> 01:11:46.860 align:middle line:90% It's a different funding source. 01:11:46.860 --> 01:11:49.920 align:middle line:84% So we have a program for the rectangular, rapid-flashing 01:11:49.920 --> 01:11:50.420 align:middle line:90% beacons. 01:11:50.420 --> 01:11:52.462 align:middle line:84% I mentioned we have 40 of them already, Citywide. 01:11:52.462 --> 01:11:58.550 align:middle line:84% And those are built with a funding source that we have, 01:11:58.550 --> 01:12:00.468 align:middle line:84% or several funding sources, actually, which 01:12:00.468 --> 01:12:01.760 align:middle line:90% is different from this project. 01:12:01.760 --> 01:12:04.218 align:middle line:84% And then they're maintained through our regular maintenance 01:12:04.218 --> 01:12:05.030 align:middle line:90% budget. 01:12:05.030 --> 01:12:06.630 align:middle line:90% But we can do them in parallel. 01:12:06.630 --> 01:12:07.790 align:middle line:84% We don't have to wait for this project 01:12:07.790 --> 01:12:09.360 align:middle line:84% to be over to start thinking about it. 01:12:09.360 --> 01:12:10.777 align:middle line:84% But I agree with what Andreas said 01:12:10.777 --> 01:12:15.890 align:middle line:84% earlier, is that once we change the landscape of the roadway-- 01:12:15.890 --> 01:12:18.210 align:middle line:84% and you can see it in the photo on the right here-- 01:12:18.210 --> 01:12:20.310 align:middle line:84% the roadway will be physically narrower. 01:12:20.310 --> 01:12:23.030 align:middle line:84% And as Andreas explained, that will reduce speeds 01:12:23.030 --> 01:12:25.860 align:middle line:84% and increase the compliance with that crosswalk, naturally. 01:12:25.860 --> 01:12:28.610 align:middle line:84% And so the flashing yellow lights 01:12:28.610 --> 01:12:32.450 align:middle line:84% are nice, especially in cases where the sight lines are not 01:12:32.450 --> 01:12:33.570 align:middle line:90% quite so good. 01:12:33.570 --> 01:12:35.480 align:middle line:90% But here, the road is very flat. 01:12:35.480 --> 01:12:36.590 align:middle line:90% And it's straight. 01:12:36.590 --> 01:12:38.010 align:middle line:84% And the sight lines are excellent. 01:12:38.010 --> 01:12:41.300 align:middle line:84% So the pedestrian will be in view of the motorists. 01:12:41.300 --> 01:12:43.325 align:middle line:84% And because speeds will be lower, 01:12:43.325 --> 01:12:44.700 align:middle line:84% I think we're going to experience 01:12:44.700 --> 01:12:45.790 align:middle line:90% much better compliance. 01:12:45.790 --> 01:12:47.490 align:middle line:84% So I'm not saying we have to wait 01:12:47.490 --> 01:12:52.500 align:middle line:84% to see what happens until we decide until we start 01:12:52.500 --> 01:12:54.400 align:middle line:90% thinking about some device. 01:12:54.400 --> 01:12:58.740 align:middle line:84% But I think that the result that we're 01:12:58.740 --> 01:13:02.310 align:middle line:84% needing or wanting, looking for, for the compliance 01:13:02.310 --> 01:13:05.250 align:middle line:84% with this crosswalk, 70% of it, we're 01:13:05.250 --> 01:13:07.512 align:middle line:84% going to get with a narrower street. 01:13:07.512 --> 01:13:08.970 align:middle line:84% And if we can get a little bit more 01:13:08.970 --> 01:13:13.680 align:middle line:84% with the yellow flashing device, we can talk about that, too. 01:13:13.680 --> 01:13:19.560 align:middle line:84% But we can't insert the device into the scope of this project. 01:13:19.560 --> 01:13:21.780 align:middle line:84% BROOKE MCKENNA: The other element that's important-- 01:13:21.780 --> 01:13:23.680 align:middle line:84% it's an important benefit for pedestrians 01:13:23.680 --> 01:13:28.320 align:middle line:84% when we add separation to the bike lanes, is that it allows-- 01:13:28.320 --> 01:13:31.320 align:middle line:84% because we have a buffer between the travel lane and the bike 01:13:31.320 --> 01:13:35.760 align:middle line:84% lane, that actually acts as an unofficial small refuge 01:13:35.760 --> 01:13:36.610 align:middle line:90% for pedestrians. 01:13:36.610 --> 01:13:40.780 align:middle line:84% So if a pedestrian is crossing, they're able to cross-- 01:13:40.780 --> 01:13:45.190 align:middle line:84% let's say they're crossing from the median to the library side-- 01:13:45.190 --> 01:13:49.480 align:middle line:84% they're able to look for bikes, cross the bike lane, pause, 01:13:49.480 --> 01:13:52.170 align:middle line:84% and then look and make sure that everyone 01:13:52.170 --> 01:13:55.200 align:middle line:84% is yielding for them in the crosswalk, 01:13:55.200 --> 01:13:56.710 align:middle line:90% that the vehicles are yielding. 01:13:56.710 --> 01:14:02.160 align:middle line:84% So that buffer zone does act as a small refuge for pedestrians, 01:14:02.160 --> 01:14:07.782 align:middle line:84% as well, which improves the overall crossing experience. 01:14:07.782 --> 01:14:12.920 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: Well, let's try Patricia Glenn one more time. 01:14:12.920 --> 01:14:18.220 align:middle line:84% Patricia, you are able to unmute your microphone. 01:14:18.220 --> 01:14:19.335 align:middle line:90% We can hear you. 01:14:19.335 --> 01:14:19.835 align:middle line:90% Go ahead. 01:14:19.835 --> 01:14:25.290 align:middle line:90% 01:14:25.290 --> 01:14:29.570 align:middle line:84% I can see that your microphone is on, but we cannot hear you. 01:14:29.570 --> 01:14:34.460 align:middle line:84% Patricia, if you type your question into the Q&A-- 01:14:34.460 --> 01:14:37.170 align:middle line:84% for some reason, your microphone isn't coming through to us. 01:14:37.170 --> 01:14:39.860 align:middle line:84% But if you send your question either to the Q&A, 01:14:39.860 --> 01:14:41.810 align:middle line:84% or you can send it to us after this meeting 01:14:41.810 --> 01:14:43.672 align:middle line:84% and we can answer in kind, we can 01:14:43.672 --> 01:14:45.505 align:middle line:84% make sure to get an answer to your question. 01:14:45.505 --> 01:14:52.670 align:middle line:90% 01:14:52.670 --> 01:14:56.500 align:middle line:84% Let's go back to the written questions. 01:14:56.500 --> 01:14:57.283 align:middle line:90% Let's see. 01:14:57.283 --> 01:15:03.100 align:middle line:90% 01:15:03.100 --> 01:15:03.920 align:middle line:90% Let's see. 01:15:03.920 --> 01:15:04.760 align:middle line:90% Let's see. 01:15:04.760 --> 01:15:07.860 align:middle line:84% Let's do-- all right, let me try to get through this written 01:15:07.860 --> 01:15:08.360 align:middle line:90% question. 01:15:08.360 --> 01:15:09.340 align:middle line:90% It's a long one. 01:15:09.340 --> 01:15:13.090 align:middle line:84% And then we'll try Patricia one last time. 01:15:13.090 --> 01:15:15.130 align:middle line:90% And then we'll adjourn. 01:15:15.130 --> 01:15:19.120 align:middle line:84% The question is, "Jeff raised a very important concern 01:15:19.120 --> 01:15:21.310 align:middle line:84% about illegal right turns from westbound Mt. 01:15:21.310 --> 01:15:24.852 align:middle line:84% Auburn onto Aberdeen when the right arrow is red. 01:15:24.852 --> 01:15:26.560 align:middle line:84% I see it happen almost every light cycle. 01:15:26.560 --> 01:15:28.518 align:middle line:84% And it's only a matter of time before a cyclist 01:15:28.518 --> 01:15:32.680 align:middle line:84% gets red hooked due to a driver making an illegal right. 01:15:32.680 --> 01:15:35.980 align:middle line:84% This is a very similar signaling situation 01:15:35.980 --> 01:15:38.695 align:middle line:84% to Dewolfe Street, where a cyclist was killed in July. 01:15:38.695 --> 01:15:41.320 align:middle line:84% What kind of additional signage or signals have been considered 01:15:41.320 --> 01:15:44.750 align:middle line:84% to make this situation safer for cyclists and pedestrians?" 01:15:44.750 --> 01:15:47.750 align:middle line:90% So I'll take that one. 01:15:47.750 --> 01:15:52.060 align:middle line:84% I think-- we talked about this when questions about Mt.Auburn 01:15:52.060 --> 01:15:54.580 align:middle line:84% have been coming up tonight, about the queuing. 01:15:54.580 --> 01:15:59.110 align:middle line:84% It is definitely connected to the frustration, I believe, 01:15:59.110 --> 01:16:01.660 align:middle line:90% that drivers are feeling. 01:16:01.660 --> 01:16:07.310 align:middle line:84% Compliance does tend to be worse when people are feeling 01:16:07.310 --> 01:16:09.770 align:middle line:84% frustrated about sitting in a queue 01:16:09.770 --> 01:16:14.130 align:middle line:84% or when they have delay from waiting for a light to change. 01:16:14.130 --> 01:16:19.115 align:middle line:84% So I do want to watch this after we clean up the Mt. 01:16:19.115 --> 01:16:20.570 align:middle line:90% Auburn and Homer intersection. 01:16:20.570 --> 01:16:25.130 align:middle line:84% And as I was describing before our process, the vehicles 01:16:25.130 --> 01:16:27.630 align:middle line:84% that we need to, westbound in the afternoon, 01:16:27.630 --> 01:16:31.280 align:middle line:84% I think when we accomplish that, the compliance with all signals 01:16:31.280 --> 01:16:36.110 align:middle line:90% will improve substantially. 01:16:36.110 --> 01:16:40.880 align:middle line:84% And if it does not, then we will have to go look at other things 01:16:40.880 --> 01:16:44.460 align:middle line:84% to improve the situation because you're right, 01:16:44.460 --> 01:16:46.790 align:middle line:84% we can't leave the condition where 01:16:46.790 --> 01:16:49.460 align:middle line:84% vehicles are turning right on red or right 01:16:49.460 --> 01:16:51.030 align:middle line:90% against a red right arrow. 01:16:51.030 --> 01:16:53.640 align:middle line:90% That is dangerous, obviously. 01:16:53.640 --> 01:16:56.150 align:middle line:84% And we don't want that to continue for all the reasons 01:16:56.150 --> 01:16:57.745 align:middle line:90% that you mentioned. 01:16:57.745 --> 01:17:03.250 align:middle line:84% OK, so we have Ms. Glenn's question, which is, 01:17:03.250 --> 01:17:05.590 align:middle line:84% "I'm concerned about the bus on Aberdeen. 01:17:05.590 --> 01:17:09.190 align:middle line:84% Will the bikers be aware that they must stop for people 01:17:09.190 --> 01:17:13.070 align:middle line:84% getting off the bus, and cross at mid crosswalk?" 01:17:13.070 --> 01:17:15.383 align:middle line:90% I'll direct that one to Stephen. 01:17:15.383 --> 01:17:18.812 align:middle line:90% 01:17:18.812 --> 01:17:20.220 align:middle line:90% STEPHEN MEUSE: Oh, to me? 01:17:20.220 --> 01:17:21.420 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: That's what it says in the chat. 01:17:21.420 --> 01:17:22.628 align:middle line:90% It says you wanted to answer. 01:17:22.628 --> 01:17:25.250 align:middle line:84% STEPHEN MEUSE: Oh, OK, well, I can answer it. 01:17:25.250 --> 01:17:26.540 align:middle line:90% Hello, everyone. 01:17:26.540 --> 01:17:31.110 align:middle line:84% Yeah, so it shouldn't be any different than today. 01:17:31.110 --> 01:17:32.760 align:middle line:90% So there's a crosswalk there. 01:17:32.760 --> 01:17:37.350 align:middle line:84% And if there's people in it, then folks on bikes 01:17:37.350 --> 01:17:40.370 align:middle line:84% should be stopping for those people to cross the street. 01:17:40.370 --> 01:17:43.760 align:middle line:84% So it should be very similar to what you're seeing today. 01:17:43.760 --> 01:17:48.500 align:middle line:84% And yeah, the visibility will be good too. 01:17:48.500 --> 01:17:50.250 align:middle line:84% JEFF PARENTI: All right, so that concludes 01:17:50.250 --> 01:17:54.292 align:middle line:84% the question-and-answer portion of our presentation. 01:17:54.292 --> 01:17:56.000 align:middle line:84% So we'll adjourn the meeting in a minute. 01:17:56.000 --> 01:17:58.417 align:middle line:84% But I just want to thank all of you for attending tonight. 01:17:58.417 --> 01:18:01.353 align:middle line:90% We peaked at about 35 attendees. 01:18:01.353 --> 01:18:02.770 align:middle line:84% I want to thank all the City staff 01:18:02.770 --> 01:18:04.187 align:middle line:84% for taking time out of their night 01:18:04.187 --> 01:18:05.660 align:middle line:90% to be with you this evening. 01:18:05.660 --> 01:18:07.630 align:middle line:84% And if you have anything else for us 01:18:07.630 --> 01:18:10.570 align:middle line:84% that we didn't cover tonight, or if you want some clarification 01:18:10.570 --> 01:18:13.810 align:middle line:84% or you just want to extend your comments, 01:18:13.810 --> 01:18:16.450 align:middle line:84% there are multiple ways to get in touch with us. 01:18:16.450 --> 01:18:20.350 align:middle line:84% The website address is a good place to start. 01:18:20.350 --> 01:18:22.720 align:middle line:84% Or you can contact Andreas directly 01:18:22.720 --> 01:18:26.850 align:middle line:90% at his email or telephone there. 01:18:26.850 --> 01:18:28.660 align:middle line:84% Or if you have other questions that 01:18:28.660 --> 01:18:32.260 align:middle line:84% are not related to this project, please write to us at TPT-- 01:18:32.260 --> 01:18:35.210 align:middle line:84% that's for Traffic, Parking and Transportation-- 01:18:35.210 --> 01:18:36.475 align:middle line:90% tpt@cambridgema.gov. 01:18:36.475 --> 01:18:39.130 align:middle line:90% 01:18:39.130 --> 01:18:41.560 align:middle line:84% I read those messages when they come in. 01:18:41.560 --> 01:18:42.700 align:middle line:90% So they'll get to me. 01:18:42.700 --> 01:18:45.550 align:middle line:84% And I'll make sure that your question gets answered, whatever 01:18:45.550 --> 01:18:46.660 align:middle line:90% it may be. 01:18:46.660 --> 01:18:49.630 align:middle line:84% And once again, I'll put in a plug for any maintenance issues 01:18:49.630 --> 01:18:54.370 align:middle line:84% that you have, to use SeeClickFix or the address 01:18:54.370 --> 01:18:54.890 align:middle line:90% to us. 01:18:54.890 --> 01:18:58.960 align:middle line:84% And we will respond in kind, usually within a day. 01:18:58.960 --> 01:19:01.053 align:middle line:84% So once again, thank you, everybody, for coming. 01:19:01.053 --> 01:19:02.220 align:middle line:90% And have a pleasant evening. 01:19:02.220 --> 01:19:04.840 align:middle line:90% 01:19:04.840 --> 01:19:06.630 align:middle line:90% ANDREAS WOLFE: Thank you. 01:19:06.630 --> 01:19:11.000 align:middle line:90%