Tag: curb ramps

Downtown Fitchburg Walk Audit

As part of its efforts to improve traffic safety and revitalize its economy, the Gateway City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts (population 40,000) is pursuing Complete Streets as a framework to address the needs of all road users (people walking, biking, driving and taking transit). Through this initiative as well as others, the City aims to generate more activity in its post – industrial downtown and surrounding areas. Fitchburg started implementing Complete Streets in September 2016 by replacing one of the two travel lanes along Main Street downtown with a bike lane and wooden and concrete planter boxes. These changes, which will be piloted for a year, have reduced traffic speeds on Main Street and beautified the neighborhood , creating a safer, more attractive and more comfortable environment for residents and visitors alike.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-DowtonWalkAssessment-Fitchburg

Walk/Bike Assessment Main Street Northampton

Northampton is one of 18 communities participating in the MassDOT multi -disciplined program to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety in Massachusetts. One of the components of the MassDOT program is to conduct walk and bike assessments that identify infrastructure challenges to biking and walking, and recommend short- and long-term improvements. These assessments are also a means of building local knowledge of the importance of well-designed bicycle and pedestrian facilities. WalkBoston and MassBike conducted an assessment of Main Street in downtown Northampton.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-BicycleandPedestrianInfrastructureAssessment-Northhampton

School Street Walk Audit Manchester By the Sea

School Street connects Route 128 to Route 127, Manchester’s “Main Street,” and because it is one of the town’s connecting streets it carries fairly heavy traffic traveling at speeds that make walking uncomfortable. Pedestrians crossing the street feel unsafe, and many of the people who attended the walk audit had stories of cars failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross. Because School Street provides walking access to the community’s elementary, middle and high schools there is great interest in increasing pedestrian safety along the street.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-School Street Safety Recommendations-ManchesterByTheSea

Salem State University Walk Audit

On May 6, 2015, WalkBoston participated in a walk audit on the Salem State University (SSU) campus around the O’Keefe Center and the edges of North Campus. John Pelletier, Mass in Motion Coordinator for the City of Salem, led the audit and the participants included SSU staff, neighborhood advocates, city staff and city council members. The goal of the audit was to discuss the safety and quality of the pedestrian environment along the walk route and recommend improvements that would enhance the pedestrian experience.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-SalemStateUniversityWalkAudit-Salem

Walk and Bike Assessment Pittsfield

WalkBoston and the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) working with Toole Design Group (TDG) led a walk and bike assessment in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on Thursday , December 4 , 2014. The assessment is part of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Awareness and Enforcement Program, funded by the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), in association with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The MassDOT program is a collaboration among Federal, State, regional, and local agencies, along with advocacy groups, WalkBoston and MassBike, to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in identified high – crash areas.

Read the full report here:
WalkBoston-WalkandBikeAssessment-Pittsfield