ROAD SAFETY AUDIT
East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/
Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road
Town of Dennis
July 2010
Prepared for:
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Prepared by:
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
38 Chauncy Street
Boston, MA 02111
Road Safety Audit— East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
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 #5.
Intersection Geometry......................................................................................... 5
Intersection Operations ....................................................................................... 8
Signage ............................................................................................................... 9
Pedestrian Accommodations............................................................................. 11
Bicycle Accommodations ................................................................................. 13
Potential Safety Enhancements ...............................................................................................15
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 ....................................................................... 16
Page i
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Background
The intersection of East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road in the
Town of Dennis, Massachusetts, is within the Top 5% of High Crash Locations on Cape Cod. The
intersection is currently in preliminary design—with 25% design funded by the Town of Dennis. 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.
Project Data
The audit team conducted an RSA for the intersection of Route 134/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road
in Dennis on Monday, June 28, 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
Rich Troy
Henry Bowen
Joe Rodricks
David Johansen
Lev Malakhoff
Doug Prentiss
Angus Strachan
Justin Curewitz
Chris Chaffee
Robert Gregory
Tim White
Lisa Schletzbaum
Bonnie Polin
Keri Pyke
Joseph SanClemente
Agency/Affiliation
Dennis Police Department
Dennis Road Safety Audit Task Force
Dennis Town Engineer
Dennis Superintendent of Public Works
Cape Cod Commission
FST
MassDOT Traffic Safety
MassDOT
MassDOT
MassDOT District 5
Federal Highway Administration
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
Page 1
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Project Location Description
The intersection of East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road is located in the Town of
Dennis, as shown in the aerial image in Figure 1; the intersection is currently signalized.
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 Dennis Police Department. Of
33 crashes related to the intersection from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009, 19 were rear-end
(approximately 58%), 10 were angle type (approximately 30%), 2 involved a single vehicle, and 2 were
sideswipe crashes. Crashes generally occurred on dry pavement (25, or 76%) and during daylight hours
(28, or 85%). Crashes were most commonly the result of driver inattention; disregard of traffic signs,
signals, or road markings; failure to yield; or other improper action. Appendix C provides the detailed
intersection crash data from 2007 through 2009. Speed regulations 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:
East-West Dennis Road (Route 134) is an urban principal arterial owned by the Town. Route 134 runs
north–south between Route 6A and Route 28 in Dennis. Route 134 also provides connection to Route 6
(Exit 9A and 9B). To the north of Upper County Road, Route 134 generally consists of 2 travel lanes in
each direction, separated by a median. To the south of Upper County Road, Route 134 generally consists
of 1 travel lane in each direction, but widens to a 4 to 5 lane cross-section, separated by a median,
approximately 500 feet south of the intersection to accommodate turning lanes and an additional receiving
lane,. Per speed regulations, the speed limit on Route 134 is 35 miles per hour (mph) in the vicinity of the
intersection.
Upper County Road is an urban minor arterial owned by the Town. Upper County Road generally
consists of 1 travel lane in each direction. Per speed regulations, the speed limit on Upper County Road
is 30 mph in the vicinity of the intersection.
Duck Pond Road is a local road owned by the Town. Duck Pond Road is 1-way southwest-bound away
from the intersection, with 1 travel lane.
The intersection of Route 134/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road lies within the South Dennis Historic
District.
Page 2
Road Safety Audit—East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Figure 1.
Locus Map
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Gr
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Not to scale.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
EFFECTIVE PARTNERING
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Road Safety Audit Observations
Based on field observations on Monday, June 28, 2010, and subsequent discussions, the RSA team
determined that the intersection has the following issues that affect safety:




Complexity of the intersection geometry;
Unclear and insufficient signage;
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.
Page 4
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #1. Intersection Geometry
Observations:
The intersection of Route 134/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road is a 5-leg signalized intersection. The Route 134 northbound and southbound approaches each consist of a designated leftturn lane, 2 through lanes, and a channelized right-turn island. The channelized right-turn islands
have large radii to accommodate truck turns; however, the large radii also allow vehicles to turn
onto Upper County Road without slowing down. Since no acceleration lane is provided on Upper
County Road, vehicles making the right turn need to yield to through traffic traveling along
Upper County Road. The RSA team noted the potential for rear-end collisions for right-turning
vehicles that yield suddenly.
Upper County Road intersects Route 134 from the northwest and the southeast at a fairly sharp
angle, resulting in a skewed intersection alignment. The Upper County Road northwest-bound
approach intersects Route 134 at a slight downgrade and consists of a shared left-turn/through
lane and an exclusive right-turn lane. The Upper County Road southeast-bound approach
consists of an exclusive left-turn lane and a shared through/right-turn lane. Duck Pond Road is 1way southwest-bound leaving the intersection. The awkward intersection geometry may
contribute to driver confusion at the intersection. Of the 33 crashes at this intersection, 10 (30%)
were the result of motorist disregard of traffic signs, signals, or road markings; failure to yield
right of way; failure to keep in the proper lane; operating on the wrong side of the road; or other
improper action or distraction.
RSA team members noted that the
Upper County Road northwest-bound
stop lines appear to be located too far
back from Route 134, and that motorists generally move closer to the
intersection, past the stop lines, while
waiting at the signal. RSA team
members also noted that it is necessary
for motorists making the right turn
onto Route 134 northbound to move
past the stop line to achieve adequate
sight distance. The stop lines have
been staggered to improve sight
distance to the south of the intersection Upper County Road northwest-bound stop lines are
for motorists in the right-turn lane (i.e., located upstream of the intersection approach.
so vehicles in the through lane do not
block sight lines); however, overgrown vegetation at the southeast corner of the intersection still
inhibits sight lines even for vehicles that pull past the stop line. The team speculated that the stop
lines may have been set back from the intersection to facilitate left turns for trucks from Route
134 southbound; however, field observations indicate that trucks have adequate room to make the
left turns even when vehicles are in front of the stop lines.
Page 5
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
RSA team members also noted that motorists often do not stop completely when turning right
from the Upper County Road northwest-bound approach during a red signal indication; they
typically roll through the intersection and do not slow down. The large radius of the northeast
corner of the intersection of Route 134/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, combined with the
slight downgrade of the Upper County Road northwest-bound approach, contributes to higher
speeds for vehicles turning right onto Route 134 northbound.
RSA team members noted the potential for queue interactions between the intersection of Route
134/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road and the
intersection of Upper County Road/Great Western
Road which is located only approximately 300
feet to the east. In an effort to reduce the
potential for vehicles queuing into the upstream
intersection at Upper County Road/Great Western
Road, right turns on red from the Upper County
Road northwest-bound approach at Route 134 are
not prohibited. Similarly, vehicles turning left
into Great Western Road block through traffic
along Upper County Road southeast-bound east
of the intersection—potentially resulting in
vehicles queuing into the intersection with
Route 134.
Vehicle queues on Upper County Road between
Route 145 and Great Western Road.
RSA team members observed that vehicles
turning right from Upper County Road northwestbound onto Route 134 northbound often enter the inside receiving lane along Route 134
northbound, while vehicles turning left from Upper County Road southeast-bound onto Route
134 northbound often enter the outside receiving lane along Route 134 northbound. Since these
movements occur during the same signal phase, the resulting crisscross to the wrong receiving
lane may contribute to the side-swipe and rear-end collision history at this intersection.
RSA team members also noted that vehicles turning left from Upper County Road southeastbound come close to hitting the median along Route 134, which may partially explain why they
choose to enter the outside receiving lane on Route 134 northbound.
The Upper County Road northwest-bound, shared left-turn/through lane aligns with the southeastbound left-turn lane, resulting in an awkward movement for northwest-bound through-traffic.
RSA team members noted that limited right-of-way at the intersection may constrain future
reconfiguration and/or changes to the intersection alignment. They also noted that the intersection lies within a historic district, and that the residential home on the northeast corner is also
designated as historic.
Page 6
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Enhancements:
1. Evaluate the appropriateness of removing the channelized right-turn islands at the
northwest and southeast corners of the intersection and replacing them with smaller radii.
Consider using raised and/or textured material (e.g., stamped concrete, cobblestones, etc.)
to accommodate truck turns.
2. Move the Upper County Road northwest-bound stop line closer to Route 134. The stop
line should not preclude the future addition of a crosswalk at this location. Maintain
stagger in stop bar placement to assist with sight distance and to facilitate truck turns.
3. Tighten the curb radius at the northeast corner of the intersection to slow vehicles.
Consider the impact on trucks.
4. Add dotted lane line extensions for the Upper Country Road northwest-bound right-turn
and the Upper County Road southeast-bound left-turn approaches, to clearly delineate
vehicle turning paths onto Route 134 northbound.
5. Reduce the length of the median and/or modify curb geometry of median on Route 134 to
facilitate Upper County Road southeast-bound left turns onto Route 134 northbound if
dotted lane line extensions are unsuccessful.
6. Add an Upper County Road southeast-bound left-turn pocket at the intersection of Upper
County Road/Great Western Road to reduce conflicts with Upper County Road
southeastbound through-traffic.
7. Realign Upper County Road approaches so that the Upper Country Road northwestbound through lane lines up with the receiving lane. Geometric modifications may
require a sliver taking. Consider the resulting impacts on the historic district and queue
interactions along Upper County Road between Route 134 and Great Western Road.
8. Consider appropriateness of installing traffic signal at the intersection of Upper County
Road/Great Western Road and interconnect with Route 134/Upper County Road/Duck
Pond Road to facilitate progression along Upper County Road and to prevent queue
build-up between intersections.
Page 7
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #2. Intersection Operations
Observations:
The RSA team noted that vehicles turning left from Route 134 southbound during the protected
left-turn phase occasionally conflict with Route 134 northbound traffic. This may be the result of
an inadequate yellow and/or all red clearance intervals and/or motorists running the red light
and/or not being able to see the
traffic light indication if behind a
large truck.
Of 33 crashes related to the
intersection from 2007, through
2009, 19 were rear-end
(approximately 58%). Rear-end
crashes at the intersection most
commonly occurred at the Route
134 southbound through approach
(10 crashes), the Upper County
Road northwest-bound right-turn
approach (4 crashes), and the Upper
County Road northwest-bound thru
approach (3 crashes). One rear-end
crash was also reported at the Route
Route 134 southbound left turn traffic occasionally
134 northbound through approach
conflicts with northbound through traffic.
and one at the Route 134
southbound left-turn approach. The
high incidence of rear-end crashes at the intersection may be attributed to inadequate yellow
clearance intervals. An RSA team member also noted that the rear-end crashes may be the result
of congestion at the intersection.
Enhancements:
1. Evaluate all of the yellow and all-red clearance intervals at the intersection—in
particular, the Route 134 southbound left-turn approach.
2. Evaluate the visibility of traffic signal indications behind large vehicles.
Page 8
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #3. Signage
Observations:
Advance wayfinding and overhead lane
use signage is not provided at the intersection, which may lead to driver confusion. The RSA team noted signage in
private driveways south of the intersection on Route 134 and northwest of the
intersection along Upper County Road
asking motorists to not turn around in
these driveways; such signs could be the
result of motorists missing a turn at the
intersection and seeking an appropriate
place to turn around, since U-turns are
prohibited along Route 134.
Wayfinding signage is not provided in advance
On the Route 134 northbound approach, a
of the intersection.
guide sign for “Upper County Road South
Dennis” with an arrow pointing to the left
is provided along the right side. However, due to the placement of the sign and the relatively
small text, it is difficult for motorists to perceive and react to the sign. Similarly, a guide sign for
“Upper County Road Dennisport” is provided for Route 134 southbound traffic; however, placement of the sign at the southeast corner of the
intersection makes it difficult for motorists to
see it.
The visibility of guide signage on the Upper
County Road northwest-bound approach is
partially blocked by the presence of a utility
pole.
The yield sign (R1-2) for the Route 134
northbound channelized right-turn movement
is missing.
An RSA team member noted that 1-way
signage at Duck Pond Road is somewhat
Some existing wayfinding signage is difficult to read.
unclear; however, only 1 crash on Duck Pond
Road at the intersection was reported between
2007 and 2009, involving a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Duck Pond Road that collided
with a second vehicle traveling southeast-bound on Upper County Road.
The overhead left-turn signal sign (R10-10) at the Route 134 northbound approach is mounted
such that it is also visible from the Upper County Road northwest-bound approach.
Page 9
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Enhancements:
1. Review all existing signage for relevance and conformance to current Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards. Consider historic district signage
guidelines where appropriate.
2. Consider installing advance guide signage on Route 134 northbound and southbound.
3. Consider the appropriateness of adding Route 28 guide signage on the Upper County
Road northwest-bound and southeast-bound approaches.
4. Consider the appropriateness of installing overhead lane use signage for the intersection
approaches.
5. Consider installing more visible street name signs, per current MUTCD standards.
6. Consider installing advance wayfinding signage for Upper County Road at the Route 6
off-ramps on Route 134.
7. Adjust the overhead left-turn signal sign (R10-10) at the Route 134 northbound approach
so that it is not visible from the Upper County Road northwest-bound approach.
Page 10
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #4. Pedestrian Accommodations
Observation:
Sidewalks are provided only along the northeast corner of the intersection; however, the effective
width is dramatically reduced by the presence of a utility pole and overgrown vegetation. Crosswalks and pedestrian indications are not
provided at the intersection.
Overgrown vegetation reduces the effective width
of the sidewalk along the northeast corner of the
intersection.
The RSA team noted that the Town
has future plans to add sidewalks
along the east side of Route 134 and
the south side of Upper County
Road, and to add
a crosswalk across the eastern leg of
the intersection.
A utility pole is located in the center of the sidewalk.
Page 11
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Enhancements:
1. Where possible, install sidewalks along the east side of Route 134 and the south side of
Upper County Road.
2. Evaluate the feasibility of installing crosswalks and handicapped-accessible ramps across
the eastern leg of the intersection and incorporate into signal phasing.
3. Consider the feasibility and appropriateness of adding a pedestrian crossing across
Route 134 to provide a safe connection to the Cape Cod Rail Trail and shopping areas
that are located to the north of the intersection.
4. Trim the overgrown vegetation along the sidewalk on the northeast corner.
5. Relocate the utility pole that is currently situated in the middle of the sidewalk on the
northeast corner of the intersection.
Page 12
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue #5. Bicycle Accommodations
Observation:
No bicycle accommodations are currently provided at the intersection. However, probably due
to the proximity to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, the RSA team noted a moderate level of bicycle
activity along Route 134 and Upper
County Road.
The RSA team noted that the Town
has future plans to add a bicycle
lane on each side of Route 134
south of the intersection and to
provide a connection to the Cape
Cod Rail Trail to the north of the
intersection.
Bicycle warning signage along Route 134 northbound.
Cyclist in mixed traffic.
Page 13
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Enhancements:
1. Evaluate the feasibility of installing bicycle lanes along Route 134 south of the
intersection and providing a connection between Upper County Road and the
Cape Cod Rail Trail.
2. Evaluate the appropriateness of installing bicycle accommodations (e.g., bike lane, wide
shoulder, share the road signage, etc.) along Upper County Road.
Page 14
Road Safety Audit—East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
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 East-West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County
Road/Duck Pond Road in Dennis, 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:

Relocate Upper County Road northwest-bound stop line closer to Route 134 (but maintain stagger);

Add dotted lane line extensions, where appropriate, to clearly delineate vehicle turning paths through
the intersection;

Evaluate signal clearance intervals;

Reevaluate all wayfinding and guide signage; and

Trim overgrown vegetation.
To enhance the safety of the intersection, the long-term enhancements are to:

Improve the intersection geometry;

Improve wayfinding and guide signage;

Improve pedestrian accommodations; and

Provide 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 timeframe for implementation greater than 3 years; however, if
improvements to the intersection of East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road 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 Dennis to ensure that the designer incorporates the relevant safety
enhancements identified as part of this RSA.
Page 15
Road Safety Audit— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements
Safety Issue
Intersection Geometry
Safety
Time
Safety Enhancement
Payoff
Frame
Evaluate the appropriateness of removing the channelized rightturn islands at the northwest and southeast corners of the interLongsection and replacing with smaller radii. Consider using raised
Low
term
and/or textured material (e.g., stamped concrete, cobblestones,
etc.) to accommodate truck turns.
Move Upper County Road northwest-bound stop line closer to
Route 134. The stop line should not preclude the future addition
Shortof a crosswalk at this location. Maintain stagger in stop bar
Low
term
placement to assist with sight distance and to facilitate truck
turns.
Tighten the curb radius at the northeast corner of the intersection
LongLow
to slow vehicles. Consider the resulting impact on trucks.
term
Add dotted lane line extensions for the Upper Country Road
northwest-bound right-turn and the Upper County Road
ShortMedium
term
southeast-bound left-turn approaches, to clearly delineate
vehicle turning paths onto Route 134 northbound.
Reduce the length of the median and/or modify curb geometry of
median on Route 134 to facilitate Upper County Road southeastLow
Mid-term
bound left turns onto Route 134 northbound if dotted lane line
extensions are unsuccessful.
Add an Upper County Road southeast-bound left-turn pocket at
the intersection of Upper County Road/Great Western Road to
LongLow
reduce conflicts with Upper County Road southeast-bound
term
through-traffic.
Realign the Upper County Road approaches so that the Upper
Country Road northwest-bound through lane lines up with the
Longreceiving lane. Geometric modifications may require a sliver
Medium
term
taking. Consider the impacts to the historic district and queue
interactions along Upper County Road between Route 134 and
Great Western Road.
Cost
Responsibility
Current Design
Mid
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Mid
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Mid
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
High
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Page 16
Road Safety Audit— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue
Intersection Geometry
(cont.)
Intersection Operations
Signage
Safety Enhancement
Consider appropriateness of installing traffic signal at the
intersection of Upper County Road/Great Western Road and
interconnect with Route 134/Upper County Road/Duck Pond
Road to facilitate progression along Upper County Road and to
prevent queue build-up between intersections.
Evaluate all of the yellow and all-red clearance intervals at the
intersection—in particular, the Route 134 southbound left-turn
approach.
Evaluate the visibility of traffic signal indications behind large
vehicles.
Review all existing signage for relevance and conformance to
current MUTCD standards. Consider historic district signage
guidelines where appropriate.
Consider installing advance guide signage on Route 134
northbound and southbound.
Consider the appropriateness of adding Route 28 guide signage
on the Upper County Road northwest-bound and southeastbound approaches.
Consider the appropriateness of installing overhead lane use
signage for the intersection approaches.
Consider installing more visible street name signs, per current
MUTCD standards.
Consider installing advance wayfinding signage for Upper
County Road at the Route 6 off-ramps on Route 134.
Adjust the overhead left-turn signal sign (R10-10) at the
Route 134 northbound approach so that it is not visible from the
Upper County Road northwest-bound approach.
Safety
Payoff
Time
Frame
Low
Cost
Responsibility
Current Design
Longterm
High
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Medium
Shortterm
Low
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Longterm
Low
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Mid
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Medium Mid-term
Low
Longterm
Low
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Longterm
Low
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Town of
Dennis
Town of
Dennis
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Needs to be
evaluated
Needs to be
evaluated
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Medium Mid-term
Low
Low
Mid-term
Low
Low
Mid-term
Low
Low
Shortterm
Low
Page 17
Road Safety Audit— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Safety Issue
Pedestrian
Accommodations
Safety Enhancement
Install sidewalks along the east side of Route 134 and the south
side of Upper County Road, where possible.
Evaluate the feasibility of installing crosswalks and handicappedaccessible ramps across the eastern leg of the intersection and
incorporate into signal phasing.
Consider the feasibility and appropriateness of adding a pedestrian crossing across Route 134 to provide a safe connection
to the Cape Cod Rail Trail and shopping areas that are located
to the north of the intersection.
Trim overgrown vegetation along the sidewalk.
Bicycle
Accommodations
Relocate the utility pole currently situated in the middle of the
sidewalk at the northeast corner of the intersection.
Evaluate the feasibility of installing bicycle lanes along
Route 134 south of the intersection and providing a connection
between Upper County Road and the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Evaluate the appropriateness of installing bicycle accommodations (e.g., bike lane, wide shoulder, share the road signage,
etc.) along Upper County Road.
Safety
Payoff
High
Time
Frame
Longterm
Cost
High
Responsibility
Town of
Dennis
Current Design
Needs to be
evaluated
High
Longterm
Mid
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
High
Longterm
High
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Town of
Dennis
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Needs to be
evaluated
Low
Low
Shortterm
Longterm
Low
Low
High
Longterm
Mid
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
High
Longterm
Mid
Town of
Dennis
Needs to be
evaluated
Page 18
Road Safety Audit— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix A. RSA Meeting Agenda
Road Safety Audit— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix B. RSA Audit Team Contact List
Road Safety Audit— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Participating Audit Team Members
Date:
June 28, 2010
Location: DPW Conference Room, 120 Theophilus F. Smith Road, 1st Floor
Audit Team Members Agency/Affiliation
E-mail Address
Phone Number
Rich Troy
Dennis Police Department
rtroy@town.dennis.ma.us
774-352-1505
Henry Bowen
Dennis Road Safety Audit Task Force
hbindennis@verizon.net
508-385-1934
Joe Rodricks
Dennis Town Engineer
jrodricks@town.dennis.ma.us
508-760-6145
David Johansen
Dennis Superintendent of Public Works
djohansen@town.dennis.ma.us
508-760-6222
Lev Malakhoff
Cape Cod Commission
lmalakhoff@capecodcommission.org
508-744-1229
Doug Prentiss
FST
dprentiss@fst.com
781-221-1207
Angus Strachan
MassDOT Traffic Safety
Angus.Strachan@state.ma.us
603-828-8266
Justin Curewitz
MassDOT
justin.curewitz@state.ma.us
978-836-2610
Chris Chaffee
MassDOT
Chris.Chaffee@state.ma.us
Robert Gregory
MassDOT District 5
robert.gregory@state.ma.us
508-884-4245
Tim White
Federal Highway Administration
timothy.a.white@fhwa.dot.gov
(617) 494-3280
Lisa Schletzbaum
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
lisa.schletzbaum@state.ma.us
(617) 973-7685
Bonnie Polin
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
bonnie.polin@state.ma.us
(617) 973-7991
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— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix C. Detailed Crash Data
Road Safety Audit— East West Dennis Road (Route 134)/Upper County Road/Duck Pond Road, Dennis
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix D. Additional Information