Prior Trucking/Congestion Requests and Updates
Traffic conjestion is an issue throughout the Commonwealth and beyond. State numbered routes are having to convey more vehicles than ever and the numbers continue to grow. This often causes local roads to bear more traffic as drivers avoid the more conjested state routes.
Large truck traffic continues to grow as well. The increase of on-line commerce has had an appreciative affect on truck percentages as compared to other roadway users. While this issue is not unique Northborough, it is taken seriously and addressed through those means which are available, including Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusions (HCVE).
| Date of Inquiry: 01/16/2021 |
| Question: I have a few questions regarding a traffic survey and truck exclusion on Bartlett St. 1) I know a traffic survey is planned for Ridge Rd in the spring. Is one currently being planned for Bartlett St? 2) If a traffic survey on Bartlett St. were to indicate the need for a truck exclusion but Marlborough refuses to grant one, what are the next steps? Do we get the state involved? As a parent and a resident, I am sure you know how concerned we are about what's going to happen in April when the Amazon facility is fully operational and school is back in session. Obviously, a truck exclusion would be ideal but I know there are obstacles that we need to overcome first so trying to figure out potential next steps in getting one. |
| Response: We have requested that Central Mass Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) conduct traffic counts in the spring on Ridge Road and the segment of Maple Street between Ridge Road and Bartlett Street. We have not yet asked for counts to be conducted on the segment of Bartlett Street between Main Street and Lyman Street but we can certainly add that to our request. As you are aware, the alternate routes for this segment of Bartlett Street includes the use of roadways in the adjacent communities of Marlborough and Westborough. Both of these communities have denied our request for these alternate routes. Unfortunately there is no regulatory process for appeal of their decisions. We still believe the best and most effective approach to addressing the truck traffic concerns on Bartlett Street is by working directly with the facility operators, which has progressed positively thus far. |
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| Date of Inquiry: 02/02/2021 |
| Question: Please refer to this convenient online description from the Texas DOT: http://onlinemanuals.txdot.gov/txdotmanuals/rdw/minimum_designs_truck_bu... Perhaps Mr. Charpentier can comment on the existing turning radius at Bartlett and Route 20? Is it 45 feet? A semi-trailer with a wheelbase of 50 feet requires, at a minimum, a turning radius of 45 feet. Unsurprisingly these extended length tractor trailer trucks swing wide left to make the additional turning radius distance they need to make the turn. And of course, they would get another 6 or 8 feet of turning radius by simply crossing into the opposite lane on Bartlett Street as well, which we have all seen them do. This is clearly unsafe. One need only Google search "wide right turns truck" and the top ten sites that pop up are all personal injury lawyers - because this is unsafe and causes accidents! The town should fully investigate the safety issues here. There are certainly liability issues involved for the town if these are recognized and not addressed.
Urban Intersections: Corner radii at intersections on arterial streets should satisfy the requirements of the drivers using them to the extent practical and in consideration of the amount of right-of-way available, the angle of the intersection, numbers of and space for pedestrians, width and number of lanes on the intersecting streets, and amounts of speed reductions. The following summary is offered as a guide: · Radii of 15 ft [4.5 m] to 25 ft [7.5 m] are adequate for passenger vehicles. These radii may be provided at minor cross streets where there is little occasion for trucks to turn or at major intersections where there are parking lanes. Where the street has sufficient capacity to retain the curb lane as a parking lane for the foreseeable future, parking should be restricted for appropriate distances from the crossing. · Radii of 25 ft [7.5 m] or more at minor cross streets should be provided on new construction and on reconstruction where space permits. · Radii of 30 ft [9 m] or more at major cross streets should be provided where feasible so that an occasional truck can turn without too much encroachment. · Radii of 40 ft [12 m] or more, and preferably 3-centered compound curves or simple curves with tapers to fit the paths of appropriate design vehicles, should be provided where large truck combinations and buses turn frequently. Larger radii are also desirable where speed reductions would cause problems. · Radii dimensions should be coordinated with crosswalk distances or special designs to make crosswalks safe for all pedestrians. |
| Response: This concern was previously raised on January 13th by a neighbor. I responded to that email with the following information: At the heart of the matter is tractor trailer units making wide right turns on to Bartlett St. from Rte. 20 east and having difficulty doing so. In fact you saw two such TT units make the turn by utilizing the east bound travel lane and not the dedicated right turn lane. Wide turning movements by large vehicles are allowed when making right turns. The majority of trailers have placards affixed to the right rear corner of the box stating that, “This Vehicle Makes Wide Right Turns”
The same condition, with few exceptions, exists on almost all right hand turns off of Rte. 20. It is a frequent occurrence at W. Main Street at South St. The attached link is to section 4, “Rules of the Road” from the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual. Page 104 addresses TT units and wide right turns. It cautions car drivers to use caution and not to pass on the right of a truck, particularly near intersections as they may make a wide right turn. It includes a diagram showing a TT unit making a wide right turn from the outside lane, which is allowed for trucks in Massachusetts. I Think it is safe to say that this is not the response you were hoping for but there is no prohibition on the driver from doing so from a lane other than the turn lane. Several other types of vehicles must also make wide turns onto any number of side street off of Rte. 20, including school busses, some fire apparatus and delivery vehicles etc. As for the no right turn sign on Rte. 20, the Town of Northborough has no authority to post such signs on a state highway. Mass DOT allows lane encroachment for trucks. Please feel free to call and discuss further. I’ll gladly do what I can to address your concerns and those of your neighbors that fall with in my area of responsibility and where I have lawful authority. https://www.mass.gov/doc/chapter-4-rules-of-the-road-0/download |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/08/2021 |
Question: I therefore respectfully submit these comments:
1. Zoom. Ms Hirsch's comments on the zoom format providing greater public access was "spot on". This format is an excellent way for all of us with awkward schedules to feel included. Thank you.
2. Thank you. Thank you as well to everyone in town who has worked to get signage installed at the Amazon and Fed Ex driveways. SO great! This should also happen at A. Duie Pyle - better signage helps us all to be better neighbors. Also - a big shout out to Mr. Scott Rodgers - thank you! Mr. Rodgers will be addressing Northborough Scout Troop 101 this week and we really appreciate it! Thank you Scott!
3. Accident at Bartlett and Lyman last week. Mr Coderre commented on the proposed composting legislation, noting his frustration when fundamental problems are not fixed at the root cause. I could not agree with him more. The fundamental root problem with Bartlett Street remains our failure to negotiate (yes, negotiate - in a serious fashion) with Westborough and Marlborough around a truck exclusion. Ms. Hirsch appropriately asked if we should be talking to our legislators about community impact from industrial businesses. Yes - we should! But sadly, we can't even seem to talk to our neighbors about this yet. A couple of quick emails, to be frank, is clearly not any sort of serious attempt at negotiation.
While shoveling out our mailbox, 4 separate 18 wheelers went by, travelling from Main Street on Bartlett Street toward Lyman Street. This could not have taken more than 15 minutes. Signage is great - and we appreciate it! But indeed our whole town continues to be a cutoff for trucks travelling from Rt 290, down Church Street, thru town, along Bartlett. And in reverse!
At the very least, the BOS can and should establish a 20 MPH Safety Zone around the entrance to the high school on Bartlett Street. This is indeed a safety hazard! This does not require Mass DOT approval and can be done entirely by the Northborough Board of Selectmen.
See page 20, https://www.mass.gov/doc/procedures-for-speed-zoning-on-state-and-munici...
Last week, there was another accident at the intersection of Bartlett and Lyman. While I don't know if trucks were involved, I can say from seeing this myself that during this time, one 18 wheeler was stopped and backed up on Lyman, and simultaneously another was stopped and backed up on Bartlett, while our officers sorted the accident out. Good thing it wasn't snowy, or the next 18 wheeler coming down Bartlett might have got a nasty surprise. This is a resdiential neighrborhood! The Stone family and the Kim family live right there there - I feel for them! Two trucks, idling on the roads outside their homes at night, while our officers were sorting out a traffic accident in the dark. This just speaks to the volume of trucks here - it's not hyperbole. It's awful.
A Safety Zone at the High School entranceway would signal our commitment to the most fundamental of municipal government responsibilities - the safety of the community we all live in, together. It would slow down the trucks, and be one more reason for them to go around. And if we are honest - it's a small ask.
4. Amazon violations. I have raised this issue previously, and hope that I can get a better answer. Amazon has constructed their own control station, with halogen lighting and a portable generator, that overlooks Bartlett Street. I was told previously this was temporary. How temporary? Its been there for six months! The generator runs all night - I pass it when going in I'm on call - and the very bright spotlights lights are on all night. This was decidedly not in the approved construction plan! It was not in the lighting plan! The light do not face down - they face directly out along Bartlett, and can be seen for a half mile, literally. Please - drive by and see what I mean!
-Who is responsible for enforcing the original construction plan? -was a building permit submitted for this change? It's a pretty stout structure! -who will tell them to take down this "temporary" lighting - that has been up since last summer? -who do we turn to in town with these types of "bad neighbor" issues? |
Response: The Town has been in communication with Amazon for the past several weeks discussing traffic mitigation measures specifically along Bartlett Street. One of these elements is installation of solar power school zone speed alert signs and adoption of a reduced speed school zone for Algonquin Regional High School. This work can be implemented along with adjacent crosswalk enhancements as soon as a funding source is identified.
Amazon is allowed to install a generator with permanent and/or temporary lighting, as they have the right to ensure they can operate 24/7. There are no operating hour restrictions in any of the permits. They have been granted building and electrical permits for the installation of the guard stations, fencing, and the generator/lights. The only enforceable item is that the light spill stay within the property limits. We will reach out to Amazon to ensure that the point source is baffled from the street. Typically a temporary installation is for 6 months, but the permit issued for the generator has no timeline, and is deemed as a permanent installation as per the electrical permit.
The Building Inspector is responsible for enforcing all the construction plans. Amazon is in substantial compliance with all permit issuances. Building permits were submitted, approved, and issued for all work. The temporary lighting is properly permitted and the light shed will be reviewed for compliance upon receipt by the Town. Residents with permit or code compliance concerns should report them to the Building Department using their complaint form found at https://www.town.northborough.ma.us/building-department/pages/applicatio... under “Zoning Forms - Zoning Complaint Form.” |
| Date of Inquiry: 03/18/2021 |
| Question: As I read on the Mass Dot website, school zones must include at least one grade 1-8. https://www.mass.gov/doc/procedures-for-speed-zoning-on-state-and-munici...
Therefore, a school zone would not be appropriate for the high school.
Fortunately, the mass DOT regulation does allow for establishment of a “safety zone” around vulnerable drivers, and actually suggests the use of a “safety zone” around high schools.
Also fortunately, a school zone is only enforceable during school hours. A “safety zone” does not have this restriction.
I think it’s a fantastic idea to establish a limited speed zone around the high school. This would certainly help encourage truck traffic to move elsewhere. It also gives our local law enforcement another tool to help them out. I have been noticing the increased police presence in our neighborhood, and it is really very much appreciated. |
| Response: We have received your emails regarding the suggestion for a safety zone speed limit in the segment of Bartlett Street near the high school driveway. While on the surface the request may seem reasonable, speed limits are established to provide a means to promote safe and efficient traffic flow and not intended to serve as a consequential deterrent to any specific user group. Safety zone speed limit zones are the only regulatory speed limits that municipalities can adopt on town owned ways without approval of MassDOT. However, as professional engineers, both the DPW Director and I are not prepared to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that they adopt safety zone speed limits without first obtaining an engineering study. Although MassDOT does not specifically require an engineering study for the adoption of a safety zone, they do require one for speed limits under their jurisdiction as well as many other traffic regulations municipalities can adopt. It’s prudent engineering practice to perform the appropriate professional study upon which a decision may be made. We have reached out to a traffic engineering consultant for assistance in the preparation of the engineering study. We also believe a properly prepared engineering study will give the Police Department adequate means of support for any traffic violations which may be challenged in court. I am sure this whole process is frustrating for many residents but the adoption of proper regulations takes time and research. We hope you can understand that Town staff are doing our best to make the Bartlett Street area as safe as possible for all travelers.
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| Date of Inquiry: 03/30/2021 |
| Question: when will the Bartlett Street traffic study start? |
| Response: Amazon has committed to funding a post-occupancy traffic study of their vehicles and facility, but this will not occur until they are fully operational which is still a few months away. The Town will select and oversee payment to the organization that conducts the post-occupancy study. |
| Date of Inquiry: 04/06/2021 |
| Question: Davis street between Southwest Cutoff & Rt 135 is a thickly settle neighborhood and in the last year I am noticing an increase in large delivery trucks such as 18 wheelers for food deliveries to local stores, 18 wheel oil tankers to 12 wheel construction vehicles fully laden from the local sand pits and mulch delivery services. |
| Response: Thank you for contacting the town through the transportation safety reporting portal on our webpage. The bridge you are referring over the Assabet River was designed for 18 wheeled trucks with a total weight of 36 tons and it is not posted as such because that process is generally reserved for bridges with a restricted weight limit and this bridge does not require any such restriction. As for your question about trucks on Davis Street, traffic counts are required to determine if the volume of trucks reaches the minimum of 5 to 8 % of the total volume of traffic on the segment of a street requesting a truck exclusion in accordance with the Massachusetts Amendments to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Traffic counts were previously conducted on both of the segments along Davis Street you have referenced (east and west of Route 20) and although the results were sufficient to warrant a truck exclusion on the portion of Davis Street west of Route 20 heading towards Shrewsbury the traffic counts at that time were not sufficient to warrant a truck exclusion on the portion of Davis Street between Route 20 and Route 135. A complete listing of the requirements for obtaining a truck exclusion are listed on the portal under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). |
| Date of Inquiry: 03/18/2021 |
| Question: I have listened carefully to your presentations at the Select Board, and understand some of the complexities around this issue. However, I did want to ask you a question. As the Mass DOT regulation is written: one or more of the following may be sufficient justification for truck exclusion: 1. Warrants Bartlett Street is primarily residential. Having a Night time exclusion per C. above would be great - it's the time when most of us are at home, and notice the problem the most. And Marlborough might be more sympathetic to this, as it would only affect Hayes Memorial at night as well. Appreciate any thought you might have on this? |
| Response: The determination you make that Bartlett Street is primarily residential is not completely accurate since less than half of the length of Bartlett Street between Route 20 and the Marlborough City line is residential. The warrants for requesting an evening heavy commercial vehicle exclusion (HCVE) are the same as the 24-hour exclusion with the exception being the volume of trucks are only required to meet the five (5) to eight (8) percent threshold during the time of the proposed restriction, which seems likely due to the reduced passenger vehicle traffic at that time. The requirement for the alternate route are the same for a limited time HCVE as they are for the 24-hour HCVE. The alternate route may lie partially within an adjacent community but shall have the adjacent community’s written approval. Unfortunately, Marlborough City officials have again denied our written request. None the less, we are committed to making the Bartlett Street area as safe as possible for all travelers, it will just have to be accomplished without any help from our neighboring communities as they are also dealing with many of the same issues as we are. |
| Date of Inquiry: 02/23/2021 |
| Question: My concern is the large trucks that take Lincoln St as a cut through to get to 290. They are full of stone and heavy loads. Some have trouble slowing down. There are two schools on this street and when the schools are open the children walk home that live close by. Their weight and speed are also doing a job on the road itself. Someone is going to get hurt!! |
| Response: Thank you for contacting the town through the transportation safety reporting portal on our webpage. I understand that Lincoln Street is a busy street with two schools and many drivers do use Lincoln Street and Pleasant Street to avoid the traffic in the center of town when travelling to and from West Main Street and Church Street. I do not believe Lincoln Street would meet the warrants as outlined in the Massachusetts Amendments to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for a Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusion (HCVE) which states the volume of heavy trucks must be a minimum of 5 to 8 % of the total volume of traffic in both directions. An outline of the criteria for adopting a heavy commercial vehicle exclusion has been listed on our transportation safety reporting portal under frequently asked questions as this is a very common concern for residents https://www.town.northborough.ma.us/transportation-safety/pages/traffic-... I have however, spoken with the Police Chief Lyver and he has agreed to have some patrols spend some additional time on Lincoln Street to assess the situation. I have also reached out to the owner of the local sand and gravel company to request their drivers avoid Lincoln Street. |
| Date of Inquiry: 03/30/2021 |
| Question: Is the town taking any of the recommendations from the CMRPC and implementing them? |
| Response: Northborough has and is going to implement several of the suggestions made by CMRPC at the February 16, 2021 Planning Board meeting. These include installation of bicycle lanes on Bartlett Street from ARHS to the Town line where they will confluence with those of Marlborough on Forest Street. Wayfinding signs have been installed at the 301 and 330/350 driveway exists and additional signs are proposed for the near future. A post-occupancy traffic study will be funded by Amazon and conducted by the Town through the use of a consultant after the facility reaches full operational capacity. CMRPC will help the Town with conducting the post occupancy traffic monitoring study (data collection and analysis ) in addition to stakeholder communication and research for the neighborhood walk audit. |
| Date of Inquiry: 04/13/2021 |
| Question: What is the goal of the traffic engineering study on Bartlett other than to protect the police when they issue citations (which is a valid reason)? What is needed from the study to determine whether a speed safety zone is necessary? If the high school is in a vulnerable area even before the proximity to the truck traffic and we've already had multiple accidents, what else is the study looking to provide? |
| Response: The Town is following industry and engineering standards by conducting this study. MassDOT standards for speed zoning on municipal roads specifically states “Posted speed limits in Massachusetts shall only be established after an engineering study has been conducted in compliance with standard traffic engineering practices.” In addition, these standards state “Regulatory speed limit signs, including Safety Zone speed limit signs, are required to conform to the MUTCD, per MGL c. 85 § 2. Therefore, an engineering study must be performed to validate the posting of signage. The engineering study “shall include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles.” This study will document the traffic conditions that justify any proposed speed limit changes or safety zone implementations. It is important to keep in mind that speed limits are established to provide a means to promote safe and efficient traffic flow and not intended to serve as a consequential deterrent to any specific user group. |
| Date of Inquiry: 05/02/2021 |
Question: I have two questions dealing with Bartlete St/ |
Response: Thank you for contacting our department with your inquiries. Your first item regarding the intersection of Route 20 and Bartlett Street and its ability to adequately convey traffic is addressed on our Transportation Safety Webpage, specifically through this link under the response to the February 2, 2021 question, https://www.town.northborough.ma.us/transportation-safety/pages/prior-tr...
Please be aware that the marked lane widths at the intersection of Bartlett Street with Maple Street and the high school entrance comply with what is required for an urban collector (Bartlett Street roadway classification). The required lane width is between 10 and 12 feet. The sidewalk you heard about at this location is actually only a wheelchair accessible level landing with tactile warning strip which is to be located on the Maple Street side of the crosswalk. It will not impede on the existing lane widths. |