General Traffic Engineering Request

Case Noted. Dear Ms. Levendis, Thank you for contacting the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) regarding your request to replace concurrent pedestrian crossing with exclusive pedestrian crossings in the Back Bay neighborhood. Over the years, BTD is developing traffic signal timing and phasing that reduces delays for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Part of this strategy is to remove exclusive pedestrian phases and replace with concurrent pedestrian phases where engineering reviews show it is safe to do so. While an exclusive pedestrian phase provides pedestrians sole access to an intersection without potential conflicts with turning vehicles, exclusive pedestrian phases can also lead to the following negative issues: 1. Pedestrians will often have to wait a long time for an exclusive pedestrian phase. As a result, many pedestrians will simply choose to ignore the signal and cross if and when a gap in traffic occurs. 2. An exclusive pedestrian phase may increase the overall cycle length of the intersection, thus increasing delay for all users. Since converting many Back Bay traffic signals to concurrent pedestrian crossings, BTD has been able to reduce the cycle lengths by 10 seconds each time of day at most locations. With concurrent signals, pedestrians usually have more crossing opportunities and shorter waits. BTD's criteria to use exclusive pedestrian phases include: 1 Restricted turning sight distance 2 Intersection geometry dictates that concurrent pedestrian crossings may be confusing or dangerous 3 Intersections defined within "safety zones" near elderly housing, schools, playgrounds, health facilities, etc. 4 Vehicle/pedestrian crashes It should also be noted that BTD received requests to replace exclusive pedestrian phases with concurrent crossings in the Back Bay by the community and pedestrian advocate groups to reduce pedestrian wait times. BTD recently conducted a signal retiming study of the Back Bay. As part of the study, BTD conducted an inventory of missing Yield to Peds on Turn Signs at concurrent crossings. BTD will be installing missing signs over the summer months. Whether posted or not, it is required by Mass. General Laws for turning vehicles to yield to pedestrians legally in the crosswalk when they have a Walk/Flashing Don't Walk indication. If you are observing drivers not obeying this law, BTD suggests contacting the Boston Police Department, D4 Station, and request increased enforcement on this issue at specific locations you are encountering this infraction.