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Group studying pedestrian mobility

by John Sisson

May 3, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm

During April, a group of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) students is studying pedestrian mobility in the city.

The group is focusing on improving pedestrian mobility in three village centers and in Chestnut Hill. For more details, download the complete research proposal (a PDF file).

Readers are encouraged to submit comments to the group about pedestrian needs in Newton, especially the areas being studied, as listed below.

Chestnut Hill:

  • Chestnut Hill T stop to Chestnut Hill Mall and Atrium

    • Newton Centre:

  • Crosswalk at Pleasant and Centre streets
  • Crosswalk at Pelham and Centre streets
  • Intersection of Langley Road and Beacon Street
  • Intersection of Centre and Beacon street
  • Intersection of Centre and Bowen streets

    • Newton Corner:

  • Intersection of Centre Street and Centre Avenue
  • Intersection of Centre and Park streets
  • Accessibility of the Crowne Plaza Hotel (cut through)
  • School routes for children walking to the Middle and Elementary Schools

    • West Newton:

  • Crosswalks on Washington Street at Chestnut, Highland, and Waltham streets
  • Area around the Commuter Rail stop
  • All bus stops

    • The group’s findings will be presented to the city’s Board of Alderman later this month, and a public presentation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 3, in the Drucker Auditorium of the Newton Free Library.

    The WPI study is being sponsored by the Newton League of Women Voters and the City of Newton Planning and Development Department.

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    3 comments

    1 Ira Kronitz { 04.25.10 at 12:53 am }

    Looking for assistance in understanding why a red-yellow-green pedestrian activated stop light is being considered for the general area of Parker and Daniel St. I say general area because no one from traffic council had indicated at this time exactly where it’s planned to go. The consultant indicated it would be south of the intersection. That would require elementary school children to cross again. Why is this better than a flashing yellow light? Is there criteria for the number of pedestrians and the need for a light? What is the criteria for requiring a red-yellow-green light as opposed to a flashing light? A crossing guard is presently there for school hours, although not for middle schoolers who cross to catch the bus.

    2 John Sisson { 04.26.10 at 10:26 am }

    Hi, Ira. Sorry for the delay in posting your comment. We were busy with NewtonSERVES projects. I’m also emailing your comment to the students conducting the survey. Their group email is ped-mobility@wpi.edu.

    Best,

    John Sisson

    3 Ira Kronitz { 05.04.10 at 7:58 pm }

    I thought the presentation was very well done. The time and effort you put into it showed through and I thought you all did a great job. I appreciated being able to pick your brain a bit following the presentation. Thanks again!!

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