Description
I am concerned pedestrian crossing markings at the intersection of Columbia and Lincoln are inadequate, and need to be brought in line with standard markings elsewhere in Cambridge.
This very busy junction is crossed by many children walking to and from King Open School, yet it lacks sufficient markings (found elsewhere in Cambridge) to alert motorists that this is a legitimate pedestrian crossing. Consequently, motorists often drive fast along this section of Columbia St, and rarely yield to pedestrians. Furthermore, vehicles are permitted to park right up to the junction's Western curb, making it very difficult for motorists to even see that someone, especially a child, is waiting to cross. Also, when crossing from West to East, this forces smaller people, who cannot see over parked vehicles, to lean into oncoming traffic in order to determine if a vehicle is approaching the junction.
I propose the following changes to this junction:
1: Standard white "Zebra" crossing stripes be painted across the road
2: Conspicuous yellow diamond pedestrian crossing signs be installed on both sides of Columbia st (such as I have noticed on Pearl St)
3: A one-vehicle length parking exclusion be posted on the West side of Columbia st in the immediate vicinity of this junction.
I realize it's natural to avoid unnecessary restrictions until an accident occurs that shows the restrictions are necessary, but I believe in this case the threat is sufficiently manifest that one should act in advance, to avoid what I am convinced is an accident waiting to happen.
Thank you,
Matt Crane
49 Lincoln St,
Cambridge
857 523 8364
9 Comments
City of Cambridge (Verified Official)
Matt Crane (Registered User)
Αναγνωρισμένο Traffic - JB (Engineering) (Verified Official)
Hi Matt,
Thank you for this thoughtful inquiry. In response to your suggestions:
1) We cannot paint over the patterned surface to make a zebra-style crosswalk. However, we can refresh the 4 transverse lines that border the patterned area. We repainted the chevrons last season.
2) I'll look into adding the yellow diamond signs. This would require moving the signposts which may be difficult given the number of utilities below the sidewalk here.
3) I think a parking restriction on the north side of the intersection is a good idea. We can also look at installing this once we verify utility locations.
I'll provide updates.
Best,
Jon
Matt Crane (Registered User)
Thank you for your prompt reply Jon,
Regarding #1, I notice there are two colors of patterned pavers. grey and reddish. The grey ones seem to match where pedestrians would be expected to cross. Replacing the grey ones with asphalt, while leaving the central reddish area intact, would address your inability to paint over patterned pavers. Naturally this is more involved but would, in my opinion, be more effective than merely having transverse bars, which are not an international standard for crosswalks, whereas "zebras" are. Of course this would take time, and may involve a different department than yours. Please let me know whom I should contact if that is the case.
Regarding #2, I've just today driven past a number of crosswalks in Cambridge signposted as I suggest (see photo of Pearl St) and, to my eye, the location of the signposts in these instances seems to match the location of the existing signposts at the junction of Columbia and Lincoln. From what I can tell, therefore, a good start would just involve swapping out the existing and ineffectual "yeld" signs for the more visible yellow crosswalk diamonds. You'd know best what limitations are imposed upon you, but that's just what I see.
True, at some point down the line, additional signs would need to be installed on the opposite side of Columbia from the exissting ones, but that somewhat more involved job might be done at a later date when you've had the opportunity to counduct the necessary survey work, and have the manpower available to install the signpost.
That's just my take
Best
Matt
Matt Crane (Registered User)
alex (Registered User)
This intersection is dangerous for all users - can this be turned into a 3-way stop instead?
Cars have zero visibility coming from Lincoln street.
If that is not possible, could the markings indicating its a cross walk be improved such as diamonds on the roadway before the raised crosswalk? Maybe even spelling "YIELD to PEDs" in paint on the asphalt would help
Traffic - JB (Engineering) (Verified Official)
We have a work order in progress to replace the existing yield signs with diamond signs and to restrict parking within 15' of the crosswalk on the north side of Columbia St.
DPW is the department responsible for raised intersection construction.
This intersection would not meet the warrant for an all-way stop due to the low volume of traffic on Lincoln St and the comparatively higher volume on Columbia St. All-way stops in these conditions are not recommended due to low likelihood of compliance.
alex (Registered User)
Κλειστό Traffic - JB (Engineering) (Verified Official)