ROAD SAFETY AUDIT
Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/
Old Union Turnpike
Town of Lancaster
August 2010
Prepared for:
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Prepared by:
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
38 Chauncy Street
Boston, MA 02111
Road Safety Audit—Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table of Contents
Background .................................................................................................................................1
Project Data.................................................................................................................................1
Project Location Description .....................................................................................................2
Road Safety Audit Observations ...............................................................................................4
Safety Issue #1.
Safety Issue #2.
Safety Issue #3.
Safety Issue #4.
Safety Issue #4.
Safety Issue #5.
Intersection Geometry......................................................................................... 5
Signage ............................................................................................................... 8
Speed................................................................................................................. 10
Pedestrian Accommodations............................................................................. 12
Pedestrian Accommodations............................................................................. 12
Bicycle Accommodations ................................................................................. 13
Potential Safety Enhancements ...............................................................................................14
List of Appendices
Appendix A.
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
Appendix D.
RSA Meeting Agenda
RSA Audit Team Contact List
Detailed Crash Data
Additional Information
List of Figures
Figure 1.
Locus Map.............................................................................................................................. 3
List of Tables
Table 1.
Table 2.
Participating Audit Team Members ....................................................................................... 1
Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements ....................................................................... 15
Page i
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Background
The intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike in the Town of Lancaster,
Massachusetts, is within the Top 5% of High Crash Locations within the Montachusett Regional Planning
Commission (MRPC) area. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has
determined that the Town would be eligible to receive Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
funding for reconstruction of the intersection if a Road Safety Audit (RSA) were conducted and the
proposed design incorporated safety improvements identified in the RSA.
The RSA is intended to identify potential safety improvements that can be evaluated and included as part
of the design process for the reconstruction. The short-term low-cost potential improvements should be
considered by the responsible agency for implementation prior to reconstruction.
The intersection is currently at the 25% design stage, funded by the Massachusetts Youth Soccer
Association. During the RSA, the team discussed installation of either a roundabout or a traffic signal to
mitigate safety issues at the intersection. However, during the preliminary design process the safety
benefits for each of these alternatives were evaluated and considered and the single-lane roundabout was
selected as the preferred alternative based on the safety benefits.
Project Data
The audit team conducted an RSA for the intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union
Turnpike in Lancaster on Monday, August 30, 2010. The RSA agenda appears in Appendix A. Table 1
lists the audit team members and their affiliations. Appendix B provides contact information for all team
members.
Table 1. Participating Audit Team Members
Audit Team Member
John Sonia
Noreen Piazza
John Foster
George Snow
Scott MacDonald
John Fleck
Kevin Lamb
Edwin Burgwinkel
Tim White
Mickey Splaine
Joe Frawley
Lisa Schletzbaum
Keri Pyke
Joseph SanClemente
Agency/Affiliation
Town of Lancaster Selectmen
Lancaster Planning
Lancaster DPW
Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC)
Lancaster Highway Foreman
Lancaster Fire Chief
Lancaster Police Chief
Sergeant, Lancaster Police Department
Federal Highway Administration
MassDOT – District 3
MassDOT – District 3
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
Page 1
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Project Location Description
The intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike is located in the Town of Lancaster,
as shown in the aerial image in Figure 1; the intersection is currently unsignalized and is approximately
400 feet south of Route 2 (George W. Stanton Highway) where Route 70 crosses over Route 2. A Toyota
car dealership and the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association soccer fields (16 soccer fields) are located
on the southwest corner of the intersection. Vehicular access to each of these uses is provided on
Lunenburg Road and Old Union Turnpike. Several stone and gravel plants are also located to the
southwest, north, and east of the intersection and generate a fairly substantial level of heavy vehicle
activity through the area.
Prior to the RSA, in order to begin assessing possible safety issues, the team reviewed collision diagrams
and a crash detail summary based on crash records supplied by the Lancaster Police Department. Of
27 crashes related to the intersection from January 1, 2006–December 31, 2009, 20 were angle type
(approximately 74%), 2 were rear-end (approximately 7%), 2 were sideswipe same direction
(approximately 7%), 1 was a sideswipe opposite direction, and 1 involved a single vehicle. Crashes
generally occurred on dry pavement (24, or 89%) and during daylight hours (23, or 85%). Crashes were
most commonly the result of driver failure to yield to right of way or driver inattention or distraction. Of
the 27 crashes reported, 12 resulted in personal injury (approximately 45%). No fatalities were reported
between 2006 and 2009; however, RSA team members noted that fatalities have occurred at the
intersection in the past. Appendix C provides the detailed intersection crash data from 2006–2009.
Speed regulations and traffic volume data are presented in Appendix D.
The intersection is the junction of the following roadways, which are categorized according to MassDOT
Office of Transportation Planning functional classifications:
Lunenburg Road (Route 70) is a rural major collector owned by the Town, with the exception of the
bridge over Route 2 which falls under MassDOT jurisdiction. Lunenburg Road runs north–south between
Main Street (Route 117) in Lancaster and Fort Pond Road in Lunenburg and provides access to Route 2
(George W. Stanton Highway) at Exit 35 via Old Union Turnpike. Lunenburg Road is also dedicated as
Route 70 between Route 2 and Main Street. Lunenburg Road consists of one travel lane in each direction.
Per speed regulations, the speed limit on Route 70 is 30 miles per hour (mph) in the vicinity of the
intersection and is 50 mph approximately 600 feet south of the intersection. Motorists can access Route 2
westbound (Exit 35) from Lunenburg Road via Fort Pond Road approximately 900 feet north of the
intersection.
Old Union Turnpike is a local roadway owned by the Town. Old Union Turnpike runs east–west,
parallel to Route 2, between Shirley Road and Mechanic Street in Leominster. Old Union Turnpike
generally consists of 1 travel lane in each direction. Old Union Turnpike provides access to Route 2
eastbound at Exit 35 approximately 500 feet east of the intersection and at Exit 34 approximately 4,000
feet west of the intersection. The Old Union Turnpike eastbound and westbound approaches both operate
under stop control at the intersection with Lunenburg Road.
Page 2
Road Safety Audit–Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Figure 1.
Locus Map
Fo
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Route
2
Route
2
Ol
dU
nio
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urn
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Toyota
Dealership
Lunenburg Rd. (Route 70)
ike
Fire R
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10
Massachusetts
Youth Soccer
Not to scale.
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Road Safety Audit Observations
Based on field observations on Monday, August 30, 2010, and subsequent discussions, the RSA team
determined that the intersection has the following issues that affect safety:





Intersection geometry;
Signage clutter and clarity;
Vehicle speed;
Limited pedestrian accommodations; and
Limited bicycle accommodations.
The following sections describe in more detail the safety issues and enhancements determined during
the RSA. Several of these issues require further study and engineering judgment to determine the
feasibility of implementing enhancements to address them.
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Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #1. Intersection Geometry
Observations:
The intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike is located approximately
400 feet south of Route 2 (George W. Stanton Highway). The Old Union Turnpike eastbound
and westbound approaches operate under stop sign control; the Lunenburg northbound and
southbound approaches are uncontrolled movements. The RSA team noted several deficiencies
in intersection geometry that may contribute to crash experience at this intersection including the
following:
Sight Distance Limitations - Field
observations made by the RSA team
indicate that sight lines to the north
of the intersection along Lunenburg
Road are significantly limited due to
the presence of a vertical curve in
the roadway created by the bridge
on Lunenburg Road that passes over
Route 2. The limited sight line
makes it difficult for motorists
exiting the Old Union Turnpike
eastbound and westbound
approaches to perceive and react to
vehicles traveling southbound.
Sight distance to the north of the intersection along
Similarly, vehicles traveling
Lunenburg Road is limited by a vertical curve.
southbound have difficult seeing
vehicles pulling out of the Old Union Turnpike eastbound and westbound approaches onto
Lunenburg Road.
These observations are substantiated by crash records that indicate that 16 (or nearly 60%) of
crashes involved vehicles traveling southbound along Lunenburg Road where the visibility is
limited. Of these, 8 crashes were angle collisions involving southbound and eastbound traffic; 7
were angle collisions involving southbound and westbound traffic; and 1 crash was a sideswipe
(opposite direction) involving southbound and northbound traffic. These crashes were typically
the result of motorist failure to yield to right of way or driver inattention.
According to RSA team members, the intersection elevation was raised by approximately 1 foot
several years ago in an effort to improve sight lines by reducing the vertical grade difference;
however, the ability to raise the intersection was limited by the ability to also raise the grades of
the adjacent intersection approaches; e.g., Fire Road 10, Toyota driveway, etc.
Lack of Designated Turning Lanes – Designated turning lanes are generally not provided at the
approaches of the intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, with the
exception of channelized right-turn lanes on the Lunenburg Road southbound approach and the
Page 5
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Old Union Turnpike westbound approach. For example, RSA team members noted that the
vehicles turning left from Lunenburg Road southbound block the view of second vehicle
traveling southbound through the intersection. Police crash records indicate one sideswipe
(opposite direction) crash, that resulted in personal injury, involving a vehicle traveling on
Lunenburg Road northbound and second vehicle traveling on Lunenburg southbound that was a
result of driver failure to yield right of way. Confusion over the number of lanes, and sight
distance limitations, may have contributed to this crash. Multiple lanes combined with the sight
distance limitations add to driver confusion at the intersection. An RSA team member
commented that there are just too many places for motorists to look which makes it difficult for
them to decide when it is safe to enter the intersection.
Wide Approaches – Field observations
indicate that all of the intersection
approaches are wide and have large radii,
which facilitate truck right turns, but also
contribute to higher vehicle turning speeds
and allow vehicles to form more than one
lane at the intersection approaches.
RSA team observations indicate that most
motorists making right turns from Old
Union Turnpike eastbound and westbound
generally do not come to a complete stop
before turning onto Lunenburg Road. RSA
team members also noted that the wide
intersection approaches add to driver
confusion at the intersection.
Wide intersection approaches allow vehicles to form
more than one lane.
RSA team members noted that the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection would not
improve sight distance limitation and could potentially introduce additional crashes at the
intersection (e.g., rear-end, angle). RSA team members also noted that the currently proposed
roundabout would reduce sight distance issues at the intersection by physically slowing vehicles
and would also provide clarity in lane use. According to the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) “…well-designed roundabouts will result in fewer crashes and less delay than stop and
signal-controlled intersections:” 1 Additionally, according to the Highway Safety Manual,
conversion of a suburban intersection with stop control on the minor approaches, such as the
intersection of Lunenburg Road/Old Union Turnpike, to a roundabout will reduce crash
1
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), “Priority, Market-Ready Technologies and Innovations List”,
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/crt/lifecycle/roundabouts.cfm (accessed September 22, 2010).
Page 6
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
experience by an average of 71%, while installation of a traffic signal will reduce crashes by only
44% and may increase rear-end crashes by as much as 58%. 2
Enhancements:
1. Change intersection control by installing a roundabout at the intersection to clarify the
right of way, simplify intersection operations, and to improve safety. Install durable
apron to accommodate truck turns and emergency vehicles.
2. Evaluate feasibility/appropriateness of adding a Lunenburg Road southbound left-turn
pocket with striping to improve clarity in lane use along Lunenburg Road (short-term).
2
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Highway Safety Manual, 1st
Edition, Volume 3, 2010, page 14-11 and 14-13.
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Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #2. Signage
Observations:
RSA team members noted that a
number of local business signs add to
sign clutter on the southeast and
southwest corners of the intersection,
which may result in driver confusion at
the intersection. Such signage also
partially inhibits the view of regulatory
signage along Lunenburg Road
southbound and signs in the southwest
corner of the intersection obstruct
views of Old Union Turnpike
eastbound drivers looking to the south.
RSA team members noted that the
“Enter Here” and Route 2 guide
Sign clutter on southwest corner of intersection.
signage on the northwest corner of the
intersection blocks views of Lunenburg Road southbound traffic for motorists leaving the Old
Union Turnpike eastbound approach.
The 30 mph Speed Limit sign along the Lunenburg Road northbound approach, approximately
900 feet south of the intersection, is partially hidden behind a “Road Narrows” sign (WB-1).
Overgrown vegetation partially blocks view of the advanced intersection warning signage (cross
road symbol – W2-1) and “Hill Blocks View” sign (W7-6) located along the east side of
Lunenburg Road southbound.
RSA team members noted that wayfinding signage for Massachusetts Youth Soccer parking lots
may not be adequate and that traffic management likely could be improved. During large soccer
events, some of the parking lots occasionally fill and can result in added traffic volume on
Lunenburg Road and Old Union Turnpike as motorist search for parking. It was also noted that
the exits on Route 2serving the soccer fields (Exit 34 and Exit 35) may be able to be used more
efficiently with improved wayfinding signage.
An RSA team member also noted that the traffic count data collected in 2005/2006 may not
reflect traffic conditions associated with peak event conditions at the Massachusetts Youth Soccer
fields or traffic increases associated with recent development projects, changes in traffic patterns,
and/or general background growth.
Page 8
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Enhancements:
1. Remove and/or relocate local businesses signs to improve/eliminate sign clutter and
improve visibility of regulatory signage (short-term).
2. Review all existing signage for relevance and conformance to current Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards as part of redesign of intersection
and relocate/place signage such that sight distance from intersection approaches is not
compromised.
3. Relocate the “Road Narrows” sign (WB-1), which is currently blocked by the 30 mph
Speed Limit sign, along the Lunenburg Road northbound approach to improve visibility.
4. Trim overgrown vegetation to ensure that all signage is visible.
5. Conduct coordination meeting with Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, MassDOT,
and Town staff to identity/discuss soccer event traffic management strategies and
potential improvements to wayfinding signage.
6. Update traffic count data at intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union
Turnpike. New data should capture heavy vehicles, pedestrian, and bicycle activity and
also consider soccer event traffic.
Page 9
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #3. Speed
Observations:
The speed limit along Lunenburg Road is
posted at 30 miles per hour (mph) in the
vicinity of the intersection and is 50 mph
approximately 600 feet south of the
intersection. According to RSA team
members, speed along Lunenburg Road has
been a concern, and Lancaster Police often
enforce travel speeds in the vicinity of the
intersection. Since sight distance is
currently limited at the intersection, even for
vehicles traveling at the speed limit, vehicles
traveling at higher rates of speed will have
less time to perceive and react to vehicles
entering the intersection. Higher travel
speeds likely contribute to the incidence of
angle crashes at the intersection.
Lancaster Police often need to enforce travel speeds
along Lunenburg Road.
An RSA team member noted that the change
in speed limits along Lunenburg Road from 50 mph (south of the intersection) to 30 mph (at the
intersection and to the north of the intersection) may contribute to higher speeds through the
intersection as motorists may not expect such a large drop (i.e., 20 mph) in travel speed in such a
short distance.
RSA team members noted that a roundabout would physically slow vehicles through the
intersection, while a traffic signal would not be effective at reducing vehicular speeds.
The intersection is also located near
several stone and gravel plants that
generate a high number of construction
vehicles hauling material through the
intersection; these vehicles generally
have much slower
acceleration/deceleration rates than
passenger vehicles and thus will react
slower to other vehicles traveling at
higher rates of speed.
Significant heavy vehicle activity at intersection.
Page 10
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Enhancements:
1. Continue to enforce speed limits along Lunenburg Road. Consider using a speed trailer
that has the capabilities of recording the speed data relative to time of day for effective
enforcement.
2. Consider changes to the control at the intersection which may regulate speed such as a
roundabout. Should the traffic control change, consider reevaluating the speed limit to
the south of the intersection to introduce a less drastic drop in speed along Lunenburg
Road.
Page 11
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #4. Pedestrian Accommodations
Observations:
Pedestrian sidewalks and crosswalks are not provided at the intersection; however, a wide
shoulder along the east and west sides of Route 70, to the south of the intersection, which is often
utilized by pedestrians and cyclists. At
the time of the audit, the RSA team
noted several pedestrians
walking/jogging along Lunenburg
Road. RSA team members noted
people often park at the flea market,
located along Lunenburg Road to the
south of the intersection, and then
walk/jog to a fitness club located on
Old Union Turnpike to the west of the
intersection. Pedestrian
accommodations are not provided
along Old Union Turnpike within the
vicinity of the intersection.
Pedestrian using wide shoulder along Lunenburg
RSA team members noted that the
Road to jog.
current 25% redesign efforts are
exploring the feasibility of installing sidewalks along one side of Lunenburg Road and crosswalks
across some of the approaches of the intersection.
Enhancements:
1. Evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness of adding pedestrian sidewalk, or off-road
pedestrian path, along Lunenburg Road and Old Union Turnpike as part of the redesign
of the intersection.
2. Consider adding crosswalks and handicap-accessible ramps as part of the redesign of the
intersection.
Page 12
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #5. Bicycle Accommodations
Observation:
No bicycle accommodations are currently provided at the intersection, with the exception of the
wide shoulder along Lunenburg Road to the south of the intersection. RSA team members noted
a moderate level of bicycle activity along Lunenburg Road during the audit.
Enhancements:
Evaluate the appropriateness/feasibility of installing bicycle accommodations along Lunenburg
Road and Old Union Turnpike (e.g., bike lanes, wide shoulder, share the road signage, etc.).
Page 13
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Potential Safety Enhancements
Based on its observations and discussions, the RSA team identified the issues and possible enhancements
that could improve safety at the intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike in
Lancaster, Massachusetts. Further study and design work need to be conducted to determine the
feasibility of making such improvements to the intersection.
Short-term enhancements include:
• Continue speed enforcement and consider using speed trailer;
• Reduce sign clutter;
• Trim overgrown vegetation;
• Restripe Lunenburg Road southbound approach with dedicated left-turn lane; and
• Identify event management strategies for soccer events. To enhance the safety of the intersection, the long-term enhancements are to: • Improve sight distance; • Improve intersection control through installation of a roundabout; • Improve signage; • Improve pedestrian accommodations; and • Improve bicycle accommodations. Table 2 summarizes these safety issues, possible enhancements, estimated safety payoff, time frame, cost,
and responsibility. Safety payoff estimates are based on engineering judgment and are categorized as
low, medium, and high. The time frame is categorized as short-term (<1 year), mid-term (1 to 3 years), or
long-term (typically >3 years). Long-term improvements are typically considered to be substantial
improvements with an expected time frame for implementation greater than 3 years; however, if
improvements to the intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike are selected as an
HSIP project, then redesign of the intersection would be advertised for construction sooner. The costs are
categorized as low (<$10,000), medium ($10,001 to $50,000), or high (>$50,000).
It is the responsibility of the Town of Lancaster to ensure that the designer incorporates the relevant
safety enhancements identified as part of this RSA. The RSA is intended to identify potential safety
improvements that can be evaluated and included as part of the design process for the reconstruction. The
short-term low-cost potential improvements should be considered by the responsible agency for
implementation prior to reconstruction.
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Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements
Safety Issue
Safety Enhancement
Change intersection control by installing a roundabout at the
intersection to clarify the right of way, simplify intersection
operations, and to improve safety. Install durable apron to
Intersection Geometry accommodate truck turns and emergency vehicles.
Signage
Evaluate feasibility/appropriateness of adding a Lunenburg Road
southbound left-turn pocket with striping to improve clarity in lane
use along Lunenburg Road
Remove and/or relocate local businesses signs to
improve/eliminate sign clutter and improve visibility of regulatory
signage.
Review all existing signage for relevance and conformance to
current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
standards as part of redesign of intersection and relocate/place
signage such that sight distance at intersection approaches is not
compromised.
Relocate the “Road Narrows” sign (WB-1), which is currently
blocked by the 30 mph Speed Limit sign, along the Lunenburg
northbound approach to improve visibility.
Trim overgrown vegetation to ensure that all signage is visible.
Conduct coordination meeting with Massachusetts Youth Soccer
Association, MassDOT, and Town staff to identity/discuss soccer
event traffic management strategies and potential improvements to
wayfinding signage.
Update traffic count data at intersection of Lunenburg Road (Route
70)/Old Union Turnpike. New data should capture heavy vehicles,
pedestrian, and bicycle activity and also consider soccer event
traffic.
Safety
Payoff
Time
Frame
High
Current
Design
Roundabout
has been
chosen for
design.
Apron needs
to be
evaluated
Cost
Responsibility
Longterm
High
Town of
Lancaster
Low
Shortterm
Low
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Shortterm
Low
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Medium
Longterm
Medium
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Shortterm
Low
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Shortterm
Low
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Shortterm
Low
Town of
Lancaster
Town of
Lancaster/Mass.
Youth Soccer
Assoc./MassDOT
Low
Shortterm
Low
Designer/MRPC/
MassDOT
Needs to be
evaluated
Needs to be
evaluated
Page 15
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue
Safety Enhancement
Continue to enforce speed limits along Lunenburg Road. Consider
using speed trailer.
Speed
Pedestrian
Accommodations
Bicycle
Accommodations
Safety
Payoff
Low
Consider changes to the control at the intersection which may
regulate speed such as a roundabout. Should the traffic control
Low
change, consider reevaluating the speed limit to the south of the
intersection to introduce a less drastic drop along Lunenburg Road.
Evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness of adding pedestrian
sidewalks, or an off-road pedestrian path, along Lunenburg Road
Medium
and Old Union Turnpike as part of the redesign of the intersection.
Consider adding crosswalks and handicap-accessible ramps as
Medium
part of the redesign of the intersection.
Evaluate the appropriateness/feasibility of installing bicycle
accommodations along Lunenburg Road and Old Union
Medium
Turnpike (e.g., bike lanes, wide shoulder, share the road signage,
etc.).
Time
Frame
Short
/long
term
Cost
Responsibility
Current
Design
Low
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Longterm
High
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Longterm
Medium
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Longterm
Medium
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Longterm
Medium
Town of
Lancaster
Needs to be
evaluated
Page 16
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix A. RSA Meeting Agenda
Road Safety Audit
Lancaster – Route 70 at Old Union Turnpike
Meeting Location: Lancaster Town Hall Auditorium,
695 Main Street
Monday, August 30, 2010
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Type of meeting:
High Crash Location – Road Safety Audit
Attendees:
Invited Participants to Comprise a Multidisciplinary Team
Please bring:
Thoughts and Enthusiasm!!
10:00 AM
Welcome and Introductions
10:15 AM
Review of Site Specific Material
• Crash, Speed, and Volume Summaries
• Existing Geometries and Conditions
10:45 AM
Visit the Site
• Drive to the intersection, view the area
• As a group, identify areas for improvement
11:30 AM
Completion of RSA
• Finalize discussion on all areas for improvement
• Discuss potential improvements with pros and cons and record possible
countermeasures
12:00 PM
Adjourn for the Day – but the RSA has not ended
Instructions for Participants:
• Before attending the RSA on August 30th, participants are encouraged to drive
through the intersection and complete/consider elements on the RSA Prompt List
with a focus on safety.
• All participants will be actively involved in the process throughout. Participants
are encouraged to come with thoughts and ideas, but are reminded that the
synergy that develops and respect for others’ opinions are key elements to the
success of the overall RSA process.
• After the RSA meeting, participants will be asked to comment and respond to the
document materials to assure it is reflective of the RSA completed by the
multidisciplinary team.
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix B. RSA Audit Team Contact List Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Participating Audit Team Members
Date:
Monday, August 30, 2010
Location: Lancaster Town Hall Auditorium, 695 Main Street, Lancaster, MA
Audit Team Members Agency/Affiliation
E-mail Address
Phone Number
John Sonia
Town of Lancaster Selectmen
jsonia1843@aol.com
(978) 365-5614
Noreen Piazza
Lancaster Planning
npiazza@lancasterma.net
(978) 368-4007
John Foster
Lancaster DPW
jfoster@lancasterma.net
(978) 365-2412
George Snow
Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) gsnow@mrpc.org
(978) 345-7376
Scott MacDonald
Highway Foreman
lancasterdpw@aol.com
(978) 365-2272
John Fleck
Lancaster Fire Chief
jfleck@lancasterma.net
(978) 365-3502
Kevin Lamb
Lancaster Police Chief
kdlamb@lancasterma.net
(978) 365-6308
Edward Burgwinkel
Sergeant, Lancaster Police Department
eburgeinkel@lancasterma.net
(978) 365-6308
Tim White
Federal Highway Administration
timothy.a.white@fhwa.dot.gov
(617) 494-3280
Mickey Splaine
MassDOT – District 3
michael.splaine@state.ma.us
(508) 929-3808
Joe Frawley
MassDOT – District 3
joseph.frawley@state.ma.us
(508) 929-3916
Lisa Schletzbaum
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
lisa.schletzbaum@state.ma.us
(617) 973-7685
Keri Pyke
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
kpyke@hshassoc.com
(617) 482-7080
Joseph SanClemente
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
jsanclemente@hshassoc.com
(617) 482-7080
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix C. Detailed Crash Data
Road Safety Audit— Lunenburg Road (Route 70)/Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix D. Additional Information