To the editor:
Traffic seems to be on all of our minds lately, after a difficult winter and a busy spring. We note renewed interest among some for review of traffic control signs and measures currently in place at the Five Corners intersection. This is a complex intersection, and what may feel like “obvious” design changes to the non-traffic engineer could in fact be very difficult to execute. Several generations of Town Traffic Committees have taken up the challenge.
The current configuration is the result not of bureaucratic inertia, but instead of careful study and consideration of traffic control regulations and best practices. The geometry, signage and striping of the intersection has been fine-tuned periodically. Further refinements to enhance driver and pedestrian safety may be available and appropriate, and we will take a hard look. Understand, however, that we go into this analysis informed by the work of those who preceded us, and that the issues, challenges, and constraints are often times more complex than might appear.
We’ve learned that managing the safe and efficient flow of traffic at Five Corners or elsewhere in town is tricky business. For example, by state law, speed limits can be adjusted only after a speed study, and must be set, with few exceptions (e.g., school zones), at the 85th percentile of the speed of cars currently using the road. (Read this last sentence carefully: what it means is that by state law, speed limits may actually increase!) And when considering whether to install stop signs, crosswalks, or striping, the town must consult the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the accepted industry standard (you can find the Massachusetts version easily via Google). Local knowledge is an important practical consideration, but regulations sometimes limit our options.
All of that said, one immediate tool at our disposal is enforcement of existing regulations and signage. To that end, we have already asked our police to redouble their efforts in enforcement and visibility at the five-way stop. As always, our Roadway and Traffic Committee meetings are open to the public and we welcome your participation. We also hold an open forum at every selectman’s meeting. Please come join us and let us know what is on your mind. It is through an engaged dialogue and not only letters to the editor that we can all work together to tackle these challenges.
Sincerely,
Ken Bassett (chair, Roadway and Traffic Committee)
Noah Eckhouse (chair, Board of Selectmen)
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My Dears Ken and Noah,
While I agree that rerouting Weston Road or installing traffic lights may be farfetched fixes for Five Corners, there have been some constructive suggestions posted in the Lincoln Squirrel. And while signage and traffic management may be surprisingly complex, we could certainly move a stop sign ten feet without having to commission a speed study.
I have read here a few fixes from knowledgable townspeople that would likely improve the safety and efficiency of Five Corners. They are inexpensive and can be implemented quickly, unless my understanding of such matters is totally naive (always a possibility). I’ll try to paraphrase to spare anyone having to search past posts. In order of urgency:
1. Move the STOP sign on Trapelo all the way up to the crosswalk, so that cars pulling up may easily see the intersecting roads. Currently cars coming up Trapelo must stop awkwardly short of the intersection. Drivers may even be forgiven for believing that after stopping, they can blindly proceed without having to yield. In fact, I see Peter Braun do this all the time. (No not really. Peter is by all accounts an impeccable driver.)
Note that such a change would necessitate installing an additional STOP (or YIELD) sign for cars turning right onto Bedford Road.
2. For traffic approaching Five Corners from Sandy Pond Road, reinforce the need for drivers to keep right before the island. I have seen otherwise competent drivers keep left because of the currently ineffectual signage. My vote is for 2-way reflective yellow round ceramic pavement markers to be placed atop the single yellow lane divider.
3. For some drivers coming down Bedford Road wanting to turn left onto Trapelo, there is confusion about whether they must turn before or after the flower pot/urn/horse trough(??). This could be solved with the same ceramic pavement markers mentioned above, or else with flexible traffic delineator posts. (A quick Google search will quickly identify these common road markers.)
4. For the eleven drivers approaching the intersection from Weston Road, I can only counsel an abundance of hesitation and forbearance. This intersection will forever treat us unfairly.
Additional police presence would be welcome too. But if you implement these few needed tweaks, the police would be left mostly (one hopes) to enforce civility. Too many drivers plow through the intersection without waiting their turn. If the police do want to put resources into Five Corners, they might consider directing traffic during rush hour. They could relieve bottlenecks by waving through many cars at once.
Thank you for inviting input at public meetings. But please also be receptive to solutions and ideas that reach you through other venues. Lincolnites trust you to make and implement sound decisions.
All best,
Jonathan Rapaport
(Winter Street)
Thank you Ken and Noah, this is very interesting. And a good reminder to be careful what you ask for!!
-ska