Westford Center Traffic and Parking Study

1. Westford Center Traffic and Parking Study Northern Middlesex Council of Governments 12/4/13

2. Purpose and Goals • Evaluate parking and transportation conditions within the Town Center • Traffic Operations • Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations • Parking Demand and Supply • Study Goals: • Assess existing conditions • Identify deficiencies and needs • Develop improvement recommendations

3. Study Methodology • Evaluate Existing Traffic Operations • ATR Counts • Turning Movements • Crash Data • Level of Service and Delay Analysis • Inventory • Sidewalks • Crosswalks • Parking • Bicycle Facilities • Formulate Improvement Recommendations

4. Public Outreach • NMCOG and Town Staff conducted numerous meetings for the public and project stakeholders: • General stakeholder meeting with Town staff and Town Manager – 11/15/12 • Public meeting at the Fletcher Library – 3/11/13 • Board of Selectmen Meeting – 3/26/13 • Historical Commission – 4/4/13 • Planning Board Meeting – 4/29/13 • Library Trustees – 8/5/13 • Board of Selectmen Meeting – 10/29/13

5. Study Area • Key Roadways • Main Street • Boston Road • Lincoln Street • Depot Street • Graniteville Road • Key Intersections • Boston Road at Main Street • Main Street at Graniteville Road • Main Street at Lincoln Street • Main Street at Depot Street • Boston Road/Lincoln Street/Hildreth Street

6. Traffic Volumes (2012)

7. Crash Data (2008-2010)

8. Parking Inventory

9. Pedestrian Facility Inventory

10. Traffic Operations

11. Traffic Operations with Improvement Alternatives

12. Traffic Improvement Recommendations • Consider Installing a Fully Actuated Traffic Signal at Boston Road and Main Street • Delineate/channelize Main Street at Graniteville Road intersection with pavement markings and/or median islands • Install curb extension on Lincoln Street at Boston Road • Reconfigure intersection at Depot/Main Street (realign Main Street westbound approach)

13. Parking Recommendations-Expansion of Library Parking Lot

14. Parking Recommendations – Create Overflow Parking Area on Fisher Way Potential Town Center Overflow Parking Area

15. Other Parking Issues to Consider • Do the public safety departments need 63 reserved spaces during every shift? • Can backup and unused public safety vehicles be stored at another location? • Should the Farmer’s Market be held on the weekend?

16. Pedestrian Recommendations • Add curb extension to slow vehicles making a right turn on to Lincoln Street • Address ADA compliance issues along sidewalk network and at crosswalks • Realign the crosswalk on Depot St. at Abbot School; add walkway on school grounds • Complete sidewalk network on Depot Street

17. Pedestrian Recommendations • Participate in the Safe Routes to School Program • Address sidewalk snow removal • Promote the Tom Paul Trail • Install pedestrian-scale ornamental lighting • Repair sidewalk damage created by tree roots and address sidewalk and crosswalk deficiencies (insufficient sidewalk width and poor pavement condition in some locations)

18. Bicycle Facility Recommendations • Candidate roadways for bicycle lanes include Lincoln Street, and Main Street within the Center (would eliminate on-street parking in front of Fletcher Library) • Candidates for Sharrows and signage • Main Street (Graniteville Road to Depot Street) • Depot Street (Abbot School to Main Street) • Boston Road (Crown Road to Main Street) • Install bike racks: Town Hall, Library, Roudenbush Community Center, Abbot School, Parish Center for the Arts

19. Bicycle Recommendations

20. Thank You. • Questions? • Contact information: • NMCOG: 978-454-8021 • Beverly Woods: bwoods@nmcog.org • Justin Howard: jhoward@nmcog.org • Town of Westford: 978-692-5520 • Paul Starratt: pstarratt@westfordma.gov