Tag: Boston

Vision Zero Boston and Pedestrian Fatalities Press Conference, 2/11/16

Notes from WalkBoston Executive Director Wendy Landman’s remarks, City of Boston’s Press Conference 2/11/16, on Vision Zero Boston and Pedestrian Fatalities

Video of remarks on YouTube

The four people in Boston, and seven people in other Massachusetts communities who lost their lives in January, were doing the most natural, ordinary and necessary of things – walking in their own communities. We need to make such tragedies rare, not ordinary.

The Vision Zero approach to ending deaths from traffic crashes is based on making streets safer for everyone with a special focus on slowing down traffic speeds and improving street crossings.

WalkBoston is glad to be included in this press conference while at the same time working hard to make sure that we will not have to do this in years to come

Making Boston a safe place to walk is key to the City’s equitable access to opportunity, to long-term economic vitality, to fighting climate change and creating a resilient city, and to making Boston a great place to live, work and play.

We are pleased to be working with the City of Boston and state agencies on this very important issue.

I also want to thank and recognize our fellow advocates in the Vision Zero Coalition – we are all working together on this critical effort.

We urge the City to set aside the dollars needed to make both long and short term improvements.

Engaging with the advocacy community, the grassroots neighborhood organizations and Boston’s residents, workers and visitors is key to success in reducing pedestrian fatalities and injuries

The City’s planned 2016 Vision Zero actions to improve safety along Mass Ave and in Codman Square and to implement neighborhood slow zones in the Talbot-Norfolk Triangle and Stony Brook are great first steps – we look forward to seeing their implementation and working with the City to identify the subsequent actions.

WalkBoston has been a core member of the City’s Task Force, pushing hard to make sure that we know where crashes are happening and then figuring out how to make both immediate and longer term improvements to reduce the chances for future crashes in those places.

We are also excited to be starting a Safe Routes for Seniors project with the Elderly Commission under the City’s Age Friendly Boston initiative. Working with many city departments we will identify senior-friendly walking improvements in 3 target neighborhoods to be implemented over the next several years and also outlining policies and protocols that the City will follow to ensure that senior’s walking needs are well addressed.

The City’s launch of a new online tool to collect information to take pro-active steps to improve safety at locations where the public has noted dangerous conditions is an important step toward achieving Vision Zero – one that helps move beyond reaction and toward solutions.

Finally, we pledge to continue our advocacy for walking safety, to working with the City, and to engaging with many City residents to ensure that their voices are heard on this critical issue. Thank you.

City of Boston’s Vision Zero Task Force site: VisionZeroBoston.org

Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition site: VisionZeroCoalition.org

————————————————————————————————
Join WalkBoston’s Mailing List to keep up to date on advocacy issues.

Like our work? Support WalkBoston – Donate Now!
Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook

Comments on PNF 425 Washington Street, Brighton

February 8, 2016

Lance Campbell
Boston Redevelopment Authority
Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201

Re: Proposal for 425 Washington Street, Brighton (Parsons Crossing)

Dear Mr. Campbell,

WalkBoston appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Project Notification Form for 425 Washington Street in Brighton. We are commenting because of concern about pedestrian issues associated with this project.

This proposal is generally positive for pedestrians and for the neighborhood. The site is located in the heart of Brighton Center, the center of a walkable community where Washington Street houses local shops and major establishments and services. The retail area is well-served by public transportation and Washington Street’s bus routes draw pedestrians to access the transit service. The proposal is designed to improve the appearance of the street where significant numbers of walkers will pass daily.

Notwithstanding this transit served and walkable setting, the project is quite auto-centric. In a densely built inner neighborhood that is already beset by too much traffic, the project seems With a high ratio of vehicle parking spaces to housing units (1.7), the project seems to be designed with cars, rather than walking and transit in mind. The expectation that every housing unit requires at least one or more parking space is one of the continuing issues with rebuilding Boston’s neighborhoods. This should not be a requirement when a project is well served by both transit and walking facilities, where such a requirement may be outmoded. Moreover, it is an expectation that has been challenged successfully elsewhere in the city and should be challenged here as well, since many of Boston’s residents now forgo the decision to have a car and instead rely on public transit or private vehicle transport services such as Uber or carsharing options such as Zipcar.

We are concerned that the city is exploring guidelines that would affect the changing tastes and needs of its newer residents in regard to use of vehicles, requiring fewer parking spaces. The developers of the project should explore less on-site parking and take advantage of the site to attract walkers within this very vibrant commercial area at the heart of the community. The underground parking portion of the project may become unneeded. Brighton has become a highly desirable inner neighborhood for residents including groups that are likely to be less reliant on cars – workers who choose not to own one, older folks moving back into the city for its advantages, and students who want to live along convenient bus routes that can reliably and efficiently take them to one of our many universities. As we are all well aware, individuals who do not own a vehicle are much more reliant on walking, a great convenience for many and one which definitively awards better health to those moving about on foot in the ordinary activities of everyday living.

Thank you for your consideration of our comments.

Sincerely,

Robert Sloane
Senior Planner

ALARMING RISE IN MASSACHUSETTS PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN 1ST MONTH OF 2016

Contact: Wendy Landman, wlandman@dev.walkboston.org
Brendan Kearney, bkearney@dev.walkboston.org
Office: 617-367-9255

ALARMING RISE IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN 1ST MONTH OF 2016
Horrific crash early Monday morning in Boston underscores issue of pedestrian safety; at least 11 pedestrians have been struck and killed in Massachusetts in 2016

February 2, 2016 – Eleven people walking in Massachusetts were killed by people driving vehicles in the first month of 2016. Four of these deaths occurred in Boston. Early Monday morning a couple was struck by a person driving an SUV, who then proceeded to drag the middle-aged woman underneath her vehicle for almost three miles from Chinatown to Dorchester.

The underlying cause of each crash is not yet known. If this crash rate continues, Massachusetts would see a doubling of pedestrian fatalities by comparison with each of the last ten years. 79 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic crashes in 2013 and 70 in 2014, and preliminary data point to 72 pedestrian fatalities in 2015.

Traffic deaths are unacceptable and WalkBoston believes that they are also preventable. While national data show a trend toward lower total traffic deaths, there has been a disturbing trend toward an increase in pedestrian deaths. We need to focus on protecting pedestrians who are suffering disproportionately from speeding traffic and distracted drivers.

Pedestrian fatalities in Massachusetts
Jan 4, 2016 – South Hadley – James “Jimmy” Collins, age 68
Jan 4, 2016 – Malden – Piere Simon, age 60
Jan 6, 2016 – South Yarmouth – Wyatt Maskell, age 19
Jan 9, 2016 – Worcester – Frank Jeffrey Call, age 56
Jan 12, 2016 – Roslindale – Silvia Acosta, age 78
Jan 13, 2016 – Dorchester – Queshon Ivy, age 43
Jan 18, 2016 – Reading – Jacob Goldberg, age 89
Jan 20, 2016 – Framingham – Patrick Stratton, age 25
Jan 20, 2016 – Quincy – Thomas Chen, age 84
Jan 24, 2016 – Dorchester – Nicholas Tammaro, age 66
Jan 26, 2016 – South Boston – name not released, age 66

At a glance:
● Failure to yield: at least 4 people were killed in a crosswalk while walking with the right of way.
● 7 of the people hit & killed were in their 60s or older (68, 60, 78, 89, 84, 60s, 66).
● 8 of the crashes occurred after dark, with 6 crashes between 4:45 & 8:00pm. (Sunset for MA in month of January: Jan1st – 4:22pm, Jan31st – 4:56pm).
● At least 1 of the drivers involved has been charged with OUI.
● 3 of the fatal crashes have been reported in the media as hit & runs.

In Boston:
Mayor Walsh’s Vision Zero Task Force has identified the most dangerous, high crash locations and corridors based on crash data from previous years; on January 22nd, a Safety Issues map tool was launched, which allows users to add locations of concern for people walking, biking, or driving in Boston.

The next step: this information needs to be used to make the operational, enforcement, behavioral, and built environment changes necessary to stop injuries and deaths on our roads. Safe streets for all modes of travel are critical for Massachusetts’ quality of life and economic vitality.

The Vision Zero Task Force’s rapid response team visits serious crash locations and recommends short term and long-term solutions to make the area safer for everyone after crashes. WalkBoston implores the city to sufficiently fund the rapid response program with capital budget dollars and give support so that longer-term street changes can be made.

Statewide:
Vehicle speed
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle going 40 mph has a 77% likelihood of a fatality or severe injury – while a walker hit by a vehicle going 20mph has only 18% chance of severe injury.

Adapting our communities for an aging population
There is a widespread desire by people to age in their own homes and to live in neighborhoods where they can maintain independence as they age. We must ensure that our cities and towns are safe to walk with well-marked crosswalks, slow moving traffic, adequate WALK time at intersections and good night lighting.

Nationwide:
Distraction
In 2013, 3,154 people were killed and approximately 424,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

About WalkBoston
WalkBoston is a pedestrian advocacy organization working to make Massachusetts more walkable. All of WalkBoston’s work is focused on making walking safer and easier in Massachusetts. Some of our current initiatives that are most closely focused on safety are the following;

● WalkBoston is a member of the Task Force for Vision Zero Boston (visionzeroboston.org), working toward eliminating traffic fatalities in Boston. The rapid response task force visits serious crash locations and recommends short term and long-term solutions to make the area safer for everyone after crashes.

● WalkBoston is one of founding members of the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition (visionzerocoalition.org), which advocates for the implementation of Vision Zero in Boston and for the adoption of Vision Zero throughout Massachusetts. The new and growing coalition includes community-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, civic groups and individuals representing communities across the state. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.

● WalkBoston is working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 18 Massachusetts communities with high pedestrian crash clusters to develop recommendations for safety improvements. In each community police, public works, transportation and other staff are engaged to help evaluate and remedy safety problems.

● WalkBoston is just launching a Safe Routes for Seniors program with the City of Boston’s Elderly Commission (and many others). The program will include pilot projects in three Boston neighborhoods to improve the built environment and develop policies and protocols for Boston under its Age Friendly City initiative. Walking safety is a key component of the project.

● WalkBoston’s annual meeting on March 22nd will focus on Vision Zero; our speaker is Leah Shahum, the executive director of the national Vision Zero Network (visionzeronetwork.org), which just last week announced Boston would be a Focus City. Learn more at walkboston.org

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Actions You Can Take:
1. Report unsafe conditions on the Vision Zero Boston Safety Issues Map

2. Learn how you can speak up for safer walking conditions in your community at a free Ped101 training session

3. Share this release: on Twitter or on Facebook

4. We’ve been offered a $10,000 matching grant toward our work to help move Vision Zero forward: Help us meet this goal.

The Prudential Tower will be lit ORANGE tonight

Tonight, the Prudential Tower will be lit up ORANGE to celebrate WalkBoston’s 25th birthday! We’ll flip the light switch at 5pm in Center Court, sing happy birthday, and then swing by PF Chang’s for a celebratory drink.

RSVP for free: http://walkbostonlightsthepru.eventbrite.com/

About WalkBoston
WalkBoston, a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1990, makes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment and vibrant communities.

Your support has enabled WalkBoston to work in cities and towns across the state, providing individuals, families, communities, and our most vulnerable populations—children, people with disabilities, and seniors—opportunities to safely walk in their neighborhoods. Make a gift today! www.walkboston.org/donate

Comments on Improvements to the Walter St and Bussey St Intersection

November 13, 2015

Chris Osgood, Chief of Streets
Boston City Hall
Boston, MA 02201

Re: Improvements to the Walter Street and Bussey Street Intersection

Dear Mr. Osgood,

We have just been made aware of plan by the Boston Public Works Department for improvements to the intersection of Walter and Bussey Streets in Roslindale. We have been told that the plans appear to be finalized and ready for bidding.

The intersection has a high crash rate and its improvement is a high priority for many residents of Roslindale and West Roxbury who drive, walk, or bike to the Arnold Arboretum and other local institutions. Neighboring residents have a deep knowledge of problems with the intersection and want to have a design that reflects neighborhood concerns. An open and public process for designing the intersection is essential.

The design shows that turning radii will be altered to help calm turning traffic. However, through traffic and the high speeds of vehicles on Walter Street remains a potential hazard for people on foot. Traffic signals may be needed immediately for adequate protection for pedestrians. For the intersection, concurrent walk signal phasing and leading pedestrian intervals would improve safety for people crossing the street. This signal may also encourage walking to the Arnold Arboretum from residences on this side of the green areas.

Sidewalks should be added on the west side of Walter Street within the project limits. A second crosswalk south of Bussey would improve convenience and safety for people on foot and would increase the visibility of the intersection for people in cars.

Signs that mandate “yield to pedestrians on turns” should be installed at all crosswalks. Right turns on red should be prohibited for further safety for pedestrians.

Thank your for your consideration of these factors that would protect pedestrians at this intersection. We look forward to your reaction to community input and to the preparation of alternative designs.

Sincerely,

Wendy Landman
Executive Director

Cc Stefanie Seskin, Active Transportation Director