ROAD SAFETY AUDIT
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor
City of Newton and Town of Needham
March 2014
Prepared for:
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Prepared by:
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
38 Chauncy Street
Boston, MA 02111
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table of Contents
Background ................................................................................................................................. 2
Road Safety Audit Observations ....................................................................................................... 10
Corridor-wide Issues ......................................................................................................................... 11
Location 1:
Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street, Newton .................................. 14
Location 2:
Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street, Needham ............................. 19
Potential Safety Enhancements ......................................................................................................... 26
List of Appendices
Appendix A.
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
RSA Meeting Agenda
RSA Audit Team Contact List
Detailed Crash Data
List of Figures
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Locus Map .............................................................................................................................. 3
Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street ...................................................................... 6
Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street .................................................................... 8
List of Tables
Table 1.
Table 2.
Participating Audit Team Members ....................................................................................... 4
Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements ....................................................................... 27
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Background
The Road Safety Audit (RSA) focused on two intersections in the Needham Street and Highland Avenue
corridor in Newton and Needham and took into consideration the corridor as a whole. From 2009 to
2011, 175 crashes were reported along the corridor between the intersection of Winchester
Street/Boylston Street in Newton and the intersection of Highland Avenue/Webster Street in Needham.
This includes 100 crashes in Needham and 75 crashes in Newton. Two of the intersections on the
corridor are 2010 High Crash Locations: the intersection of Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street
in Newton and the intersection of Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street in Needham. The
intersection of Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street in Newton is also a 2011 High Crash
Location. This report will focus on these locations, but will also discuss safety issues at a 2008 High
Crash Location, Highland Avenue at Gould Street/Hunting Road, as well as corridor-wide issues and
potential improvements. The study area corridor is shown in Figure 1.
The corridor is in the 25% design phase under MassDOT Project #606635. The project will reconstruct
the corridor, including a rehabilitation of the Charles River Bridge at the Newton-Needham border, and
will include widening of the roadway and improvements to intersections. Construction is scheduled to
begin in the winter of 2017/2018. The intersection of Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street was
originally included in MassDOT Project #606635; however, it will be designed separately under
MassDOT Project #607889, which is in the preliminary design phase. The project is expected to begin in
the summer of 2016, and is contingent on the completion of the I-95/Route 128 Add-A-Lane Project
(#603711), which will construct frontage roads to Interstate 95 between Highland Avenue and Kendrick
Street. The Add-A-Lane project was expected to begin construction in the winter of 2013/2014.
Separate RSA meeting and site visits were conducted with Newton and Needham officials. The RSA
meeting in Newton focused primarily on the intersection of Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina
Street, with some discussion on corridor-wide issues and how future widening of the bridge south of the
intersection would affect traffic flow in the vicinity of the bridge. The RSA meeting in Needham focused
primarily on the intersection of Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street, with some discussion on
the intersection of Highland Avenue at Gould Street/Hunting Road.
In general, the RSA is intended to identify potential safety improvements that can be evaluated and
included as part of future design efforts for reconstruction. The short-term, low-cost potential
improvements could be considered by the responsible agency for implementation prior to reconstruction,
as appropriate.
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Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Figure 1.
Locus Map
RSA Study Area
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Project Data
The audit team conducted separate RSA’s with the City of Newton and with the Town of Needham for
the Needham Street/Highland Avenue corridor on Thursday, March 20, 2014. The RSA with the City of
Newton focused on Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street in Newton, while the RSA with the
Town of Needham focused on the intersection of Highland Avenue/1st Avenue/Wexford Street in
Needham. The RSA agendas appear in Appendix A. Table 1 lists the audit team members and their
affiliations. Appendix B provides contact information for all team members.
Prior to the RSA, in order to begin assessing possible safety issues, the team reviewed collision diagrams
and crash detail summaries based on crash records supplied by the Needham and Newton police
departments for the intersections. Appendix C provides the detailed crash data for the study area.
Table 1. Participating Audit Team Members
Audit Team Member
John Kraemer
Jim Krawicici
Paul Buckley
Bob Lewis
Richard P. Merson
Lou Taverna
John Daghlian
Frank Nichols
James Freas
Jeff Knight
Michael Castro
Jay Babcock
Marc Gromoda
Chris Marzilli
David Loutzenheiser
Alan Cloutier
Seth Asante
Promise Otaluka
Amitai Lipton
Tom Currier
Lisa Schletzbaum
Corey O’Connor
Mike Tremblay
Ted Brovitz
Agency/Affiliation
Needham Police Department
Needham Police Department
Needham Fire Department
Needham Department of Public Works
Needham Department of Public Works
Newton City Engineer
Newton Associate City Engineer
Newton City Engineering Division
Newton Planning Department
Newton Fire Department
Newton Fire Department
Newton Police Department
Newton Police Department
Newton Police Department
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
Fay, Spofford & Thorndike (FST)
Boston Region MPO/CTPS
Federal Highway Association – Massachusetts
MassDOT District 6
MassDOT Highway Division
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
According to the data provided by the Newton Police Department, 21 crashes were reported and
documented by the Newton Police Department at the intersection of Needham Street at Oak
Street/Christina Street from 2010-2013, including nine crashes that resulted in personal injury. Of the 21
crashes, six (or 29%) were rear-end crashes, six (29%) were sideswipe crashes, five (24%) were angle
crashes, and four (18%) were single-vehicle crashes. Most crashes occurred during the daylight hours
(19, or 90%) and on dry pavement (18, or 86%). Three crashes involved bicyclists, and two involved
pedestrians. Nine of the 21 crashes resulted in personal injury.
According to the data provided by the Needham Police Department, 32 crashes were reported and
documented at the intersection of Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street from 2009-2011,
including six crashes that resulted in personal injury. Twelve (or 38%) of the 32 crashes were rear-end
crashes, 11 (34%) were angle crashes, six (19%) were sideswipe crashes, two (6%) were single-vehicle
crashes, and one (3%) was a head-on crash. Twenty-nine of the 32 crashes (91%) occurred during the
daylight hours. Eight of the 32 crashes (25%) occurred on wet pavement, and one (3%) occurred on icy
pavement. One crash involved a pedestrian crossing First Avenue. Six of the crashes resulted in personal
injury.
Project Location Description
The RSA focused on the intersections of Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street in Newton and
Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street in Needham.
Needham Street at Oak Street/ Christina Street is a signalized intersection with four approaches. The
Oak Street eastbound approach consists of two unmarked travel lanes that act as a shared left-turn/through
lane and a right-turn lane. The Christina Street westbound approach consists of a single travel lane. The
Needham Street northbound and southbound approaches each consist of an exclusive left-turn lane and a
shared through/right-turn lane. Christina Street intersects Needham Street approximately 60 feet north of
Oak Street, creating an offset intersection. RSA team members stated that the signal equipment is
outdated and limits the ability to make changes to signal phasing at the intersection. Sidewalks are
provided along both sides of all of the roadways at the intersection. Crosswalks are provided across Oak
Street, Christina Street, and the north leg of Needham Street. Pedestrian push buttons and pedestrian
indications are not provided. Curb ramps are provided at crosswalks. No bicycle accommodations are
provided at the intersection. An aerial image of the intersection is shown in Figure 2.
The Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street location is actually two separate unsignalized, threeway intersections. The Wexford Street eastbound approach consists of a single travel lane; however,
RSA team members observed vehicles forming two lanes on the approach. The 1st Avenue westbound
approach consists of a single travel lane, which is restricted to right-turns-only. A median with flexible
bollards on Highland Avenue prevents vehicles from turning left onto Highland Avenue southbound or
crossing Highland Avenue to the office building opposite 1st Avenue. The median also prevents left turns
from Highland Avenue southbound onto 1st Avenue. The Highland Avenue northbound and southbound
approaches each consist of two general purpose travel lanes. RSA team members noted that the inside
travel lane on Highland Avenue northbound functions as a de facto left-turn lane at Wexford Street due to
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Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
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Figure 2. Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
significant left-turn movements and motorists’ difficulty in finding an acceptable gap in Highland Avenue
southbound traffic. Sidewalks are provided on both sides of Highland Avenue, though RSA team
members noted that these are typically poorly defined. Curb ramps are provided in some locations, but in
others, such as at certain commercial driveways, ramps are either not provided or not Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible. Crosswalks are not provided across 1st Avenue or Wexford Street. A
mid-block crosswalk is provided across Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue; however, curb ramps are not
provided at entrance to the crosswalk, and a raised median divides the two travel directions on Highland
Avenue at this location. The median itself is between 2-3 feet wide; not wide enough to be considered a
safe pedestrian refuge. A “No U-turn” sign is posted at the end of the median. No bicycle
accommodations are provided. An aerial image of the intersection is shown in Figure 3.
These intersections are the junctions of the following roadways, which are categorized according to
MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning functional classifications:
Needham Street is classified as an urban minor arterial by MassDOT and falls under MassDOT
jurisdiction. Needham Street runs northeast-southwest between Winchester Street to the northeast and at
the Needham Town Line at the Charles River to the southwest. Needham Street typically consists of one
travel lane in each direction with a two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL) running down the center of the
roadway. Sidewalks are generally provided on both sides of the roadway, but bicycle accommodations
are not provided. RSA team members stated that, once the corridor reconstruction project (#606635) is
completed, the jurisdiction of Needham Street will be transferred to the City of Newton.
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Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Figure 3. Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Highland Avenue is classified by MassDOT as an urban minor arterial and falls under MassDOT
jurisdiction between the Newton City Line and Webster Street; south of Webster Street, Highland Avenue
falls under the jurisdiction of the Town of Needham. Highland Avenue runs northeast-southwest between
the Newton City Line at the Charles River to the northeast, where it becomes Needham Street, and Great
Plain Avenue (Route 135) in the southwest, where it becomes Dedham Avenue. Sidewalks are generally
provided along both sides of Highland Avenue, but bicycle accommodations are not provided. RSA team
members stated that, once the corridor reconstruction project (#606635) is completed, the jurisdiction of
Highland Avenue will be transferred to the Town of Needham.
Oak Street is classified by MassDOT as an urban collector and falls under the jurisdiction of the City of
Newton. Oak Street runs northwest-southeast between Elliot Street to the northwest and Needham Street
to the southeast. Oak Street generally consists of one travel lane in each direction, and sidewalks are
provided along both sides of Oak Street. Bicycle accommodations are not provided along Oak Street.
Christina Street is a two-lane roadway classified by MassDOT as a local roadway and falls under the
City of Newton’s jurisdiction; however, signage along Christina Street states “Not a public way;
dangerous”, indicating that the roadway may be a private way. Christina Street generally runs in a
northwest/southeast direction, running from Needham Street in the northwest to Wallace Street in the
southeast. Sidewalks are typically provided on at least one side of the roadway, and are provided on both
sides of the roadway in the vicinity of Needham Street.
First Avenue (or 1st Avenue) is a two-lane roadway classified by MassDOT as a local roadway under the
jurisdiction of the Town of Needham. First Avenue runs northwest-southeast between Highland Avenue
to the northwest and B Street to the southeast. Sidewalks are provided along the northeast side of 1st
Avenue.
Wexford Street is a two-lane roadway and is classified by MassDOT as a local road under the jurisdiction
of the Town of Needham. Wexford Street generally runs in a northwest-southeast direction, running from
Fremont Street to the northwest to Highland Avenue to the southeast. Sidewalks and bicycle
accommodations are not provided along Wexford Street.
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Road Safety Audit Observations
Based on field observations on Thursday, March 20, 2014, the RSA team determined that the four study
area intersections have the following issues that affect safety:
�
�
�
�
�
�
Signage and pavement markings;
Pedestrian and bicycle accommodations;
Transit;
Intersection control and geometry;
Traffic signals; and
Access management.
The following sections describe in more detail the safety issues and potential enhancements determined
during the RSA. Several of these issues require further study and engineering judgment to determine the
feasibility of implementing the improvements to address them.
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Corridor-wide Issues
The RSA team made the following observations with regard to signage, pedestrian accommodations,
bicycle accommodations, and transit along the Needham Street/Highland Avenue corridor in Newton
and Needham.
Observations:
Signage
RSA team members stated that “No U-Turn” signage on Highland Avenue southbound at the
intersection of Highland Avenue/Gould Street/Hunting Road is often ignored or disregarded.
Illegal U-turns from Highland Avenue southbound conflict with a Hunting Road right-turn
overlap phase. Team members also stated that the signage is often struck due to being posted too
close to the left-turn lane, a result of the narrow median in that location.
Signage prohibiting trucks on Hunting Road is not visible for Highland Avenue southbound
vehicles turning left onto Hunting Road, unless those vehicles have already begun turning onto
Hunting Road.
Pedestrian Accommodations
RSA team members in the Newton RSA stated that
Needham Street will experience a large amount of
redevelopment in the coming years that will result in its
transition to a more mixed use and walkable corridor.
Team members suggested that several aspects of the
pedestrian realm are currently inadequate to encourage
comfortable pedestrian activity along both Needham
Street and Highland Avenue. It was noted that:
� Sidewalks are in poor condition in some
locations;
Driveways are not flush at some
locations, and ramps are often
not provided.
� There are many driveways along the corridor, many of which are not flush with the
sidewalk;
� There are numerous unsignalized crossings of minor streets and driveways where
vehicles do not yield to pedestrians; and
� There are few places to cross the corridor safely mid-block.
Bicycle Accommodations
As noted in the discussions for each of the study area intersections, there are no bicycle
accommodations along the Needham Street/Highland Avenue corridor. During the RSA, several
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
cyclists were observed along the corridor; some rode in the roadway while others rode on the
sidewalk.
Transit
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) #59 bus runs on Needham Street in
Newton between Oak Street and Winchester Street. RSA team members noted that this bus runs
infrequently (35 to 70-minute maximum headways on weekdays only). Team members also
noted that some bus stops are poorly designed, with inadequate landing areas, insufficient space
for buses to enter or exit the stop, no bus shelters, etc.
Potential Enhancements:
1. Determine another location to reinforce the No U-Turn restriction for the Highland Avenue
southbound approach to Gould Street/Hunting Road. Consider mounting a sign on the signal
post opposite the intersection and/or on the mast arm to reinforce the No U-Turn restriction in
case the existing sign has been struck and/or removed.
2. Install an additional “No Trucks” sign for Hunting Road in a location where Highland
Avenue southbound vehicles can see it before they begin turning onto Hunting Road.
3. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, reconstruct all sidewalks on both sides of the
corridor to ensure adequate accommodations for pedestrians.
4. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, identify opportunities for businesses to
consolidate driveways or relocate driveways to side streets to reduce the number of driveways
along the corridor, increasing pedestrian comfort and safety.
5. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, driveways should be reconstructed so that they
are flush with the sidewalk to improve pedestrian comfort and safety by not forcing
pedestrians to use ramps and slowing entering and exiting vehicles as they cross the sidewalk.
6. Consider the use of raised crosswalks across side streets at unsignalized intersections as part
of long-term reconstruction efforts to improve pedestrian comfort and safety. Raised
crossings prioritize pedestrians by slowing traffic and allowing pedestrians to cross the
roadway without using a pedestrian ramp.
7. In the short-term, consider additional locations for mid-block crossings of the corridor,
considering vehicle sight distance, MBTA bus stop locations, potential median refuge island
locations, and distance from signalized crosswalks. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD) recommends that mid-block crossings should be located no closer than
100 feet from a signalized intersection.
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
8. Consider the use of pedestrian hybrid beacons or Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB’s)
at new and existing mid-block crossings along the Needham Street/Highland Avenue corridor
to improve pedestrian safety.
9. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider providing median refuge islands at midblock crosswalk locations to improve pedestrian comfort and safety. Consider vehicle
turning movements into and out of side streets and commercial driveways.
10. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider providing bicycle lanes or, if feasible,
protected cycle tracks, along Needham Street and Highland Avenue to provide bicyclists with
a dedicated facility in which to ride, separated from motor vehicles. Consider using green
pavement color at driveways to raise awareness of bicycles.
11. Work with the MBTA to increase the frequency of service of the #59 bus along Needham
Street in Newton to encourage transit use and to attract new visitors to the Needham Street
corridor.
12. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, work with the MBTA to determine the ideal
number and locations of bus stops along Needham Street in order to help facilitate a
pedestrian- and transit-friendly corridor. Improve existing bus stops to current MBTA
standards regarding bus stop length, landing locations, and bus shelters.
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Location 1: Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street,
Newton
The RSA team made the following observations with regard to intersection geometry, traffic signals,
and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations at the intersection of Needham Street at Oak
Street/Christina Street in Newton.
Observations:
Intersection Geometry
Oak Street intersects Needham Street approximately 60
feet south of Christina Street, creating an offset
intersection. Vehicles traveling through the intersection
between the two roadways must turn left in order to
navigate the intersection. The Oak Street eastbound and
Christina Street westbound approaches receive green
indications concurrently, so these offset through
movements occur simultaneously. As the intended vehicle
paths are not clearly defined, these simultaneous through
movements can result in sideswipe and angle crashes. One
sideswipe crash occurred within the intersection between
Oak Street eastbound and Christina Street westbound
vehicles.
Oak Street and Christina Street
are offset, creating awkward
through movements.
The intersection offset can also cause confusion as to the intent of motorists approaching the
intersection on Oak Street eastbound or Christina Street westbound. During the RSA, team
members observed vehicles using their left turn indication to travel through the intersection due to
the offset. Additionally, it is difficult initially to determine whether a vehicle is turning left or
traveling through the intersection. Two crashes involved an Oak Street eastbound left-turning
vehicle and a Christina Street westbound right-turning vehicle that both attempted to enter the
Needham Street northbound departure lane.
The pavement and pavement markings on Oak Street are in poor condition. RSA team members
suggested that illegible existing pavement markings in advance of the intersection could cause
confusion about lane use at the intersection.
Traffic Signal
Team members noted that the all-red phase for the Oak Street eastbound approach and the
Christina Street westbound approach may be too short, especially considering the shifting
maneuver necessary to travel through the intersection. A short all-red phase may not be long
enough for Oak Street eastbound and Christina Street westbound vehicles to clear the
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
intersection. This may cause Needham Street northbound and southbound vehicles to proceed
after seeing a green light, but stop unexpectedly for Oak Street eastbound and Christina Street
westbound vehicles to clear the intersection. One rear-end crash occurred on the Needham Street
northbound approach, and four rear-end crashes occurred on the Needham Street southbound
approach.
Signal indications are overhead
with supplemental post-mounted
signals. All Needham Street
northbound and southbound left
turns are permissive.
Traffic signal indications at the intersection are primarily
provided on an overhead span wire that runs from the
northwest corner of the intersection to the southeast corner
of the intersection. Supplemental post-mounted signal
indications are provided for each approach except for the
Needham Street northbound approach. None of the signal
indications have backplates.
RSA team members
suggested that backplates may not be able to be added to
signal indications on the span wire because they would
alter the wind loads on the span wire assembly.
All left turns at the intersection are permissive. Team
members stated that it is difficult to make a left turn from
Highland Avenue northbound or southbound during peak
periods, which can lead to frustration or inattention. Six of the 21 crashes were attributed to
motorist inattention, including four of the six rear-end crashes at the intersection.
Signal preemption is not provided at the intersection. Public safety officials at the RSA stated
that the primary movement for emergency response vehicles is right turns from Oak Street onto
Needham Street southbound due to a mutual aid agreement between the City of Newton and
Town of Needham, and that it is typically easy to make this turn without preemption.
RSA team members noted that the traffic signal controller operates electromechanically, and that
certain signal functions may be difficult to program into the existing controller.
Pedestrian Accommodations
Two crashes involving pedestrians occurred at the
intersection. One of the crashes involved a pedestrian
crossing the southern leg of Needham Street. While
crosswalks are provided across all the other legs at the
intersection, there is no crosswalk across the southern
leg of Needham Street. The second crash occurred
when a vehicle exiting #311 Needham Street struck a
pedestrian crossing a driveway.
Pedestrian indications and push buttons are not
provided at the intersection. Most signal posts are
A crosswalk is not provided
across the southern leg of
Needham Street.
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
located behind fences, so pedestrian push buttons could not be installed. Team members stated
that it is likely not possible to add functionality for pedestrian indications with the existing signal
controller.
According to team members, the Oak Street eastbound and Christina Street westbound
approaches do not receive a green light unless a vehicle arrives at the intersection. This means
that pedestrians who wish to cross Needham Street may not receive a gap in Needham Street
traffic during off-peak periods if there is no traffic on Oak Street or Christina Street.
Team members noted that, while ramps are provided at the intersection, they are likely not
compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, RSA team members
noted that apex ramps are not appropriate at the intersection.
Bicycle Accommodations
There are no bicycle accommodations at the intersection. Three crashes involved bicycles, and
RSA team members stated that bicycle traffic is moderate along the Needham Street corridor.
One bicycle crash occurred when a vehicle turning right on red struck a bicyclist who was
crossing Oak Street using the sidewalk and crosswalk. A second bicycle crash occurred when a
bicyclist was struck by an opening car door on Needham Street northbound. The third crash
involving a bicycle occurred when both the vehicle and bicyclist were turning right from
Christina Street westbound onto Needham Street northbound.
Potential Enhancements:
1. In the short term, consider resurfacing and restriping the Oak Street eastbound approach to
the intersection to clarify its lane use. Reinforce lane use regulations with appropriate
diagrammatic lane use signage.
2. Consider providing a dotted yellow centerline extension through the intersection to guide Oak
Street eastbound and Christina Street westbound vehicles through the intersection and to help
reduce sideswipe crashes.
3. Consider using split phasing for the Oak Street eastbound and Christina Street westbound
approaches to eliminate the confusion that occurs when they run simultaneously. Consider
the impacts to capacity and operations of making the phasing change.
4. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts to reduce motorist confusion, consider shifting one
or both of the Oak Street eastbound or Christina Street westbound approaches to create a
more traditional, 90-degree intersection. Corner radii should be kept as small as possible to
increase pedestrian safety by reducing the speed of right-turning vehicles. Consider impacts
to adjacent property.
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
5. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider a modern roundabout at the intersection
to reduce the occurrence of angle crashes. Consider the impacts to adjacent property and to
traffic operations.
6. In the short term, consider adding retroreflective borders to the backplates on the postmounted signals at the intersections for added visibility during nighttime driving or in times
of possible solar glare.
7. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider adding a post-mounted signal at the
Needham Street northbound approach to the intersection.
8. Determine the proper all-red clearance time for the Oak Street eastbound and Christina Street
westbound approaches and, if necessary, increase the all-red interval to the appropriate
length. Consider that vehicles may travel more slowly through the intersection due to its
geometry and close interaction with opposing vehicles.
9. In advance of reconstruction of the intersection, consider replacing the signal controller with
a modern system to enable timing and phasing changes at the intersection.
10. Consider implementing protected-permissive signal phasing for the Needham Street
northbound and southbound approaches to the intersection to relieve congestion and reduce
the number of crashes attributed to inattention. Consider the use of a flashing yellow arrow
during the permissive phase to alert motorists that they need to yield to oncoming through
vehicles. Consider the tradeoffs between additional capacity and the potential for increased
angle crashes at the intersection.
11. In the short term, consider putting the Oak Street eastbound and Christina Street westbound
approaches on recall so that pedestrians wishing to cross Needham Street will be provided
with a gap in Needham Street northbound and southbound traffic even if no vehicles are
waiting on Oak Street or Christina Street.
12. Consider providing a crosswalk across the southern leg of Needham Street for increased
pedestrian access and safety.
13. Provide pedestrian signals at the intersection when possible. Consider the operational
benefits for both vehicles and pedestrians of allowing concurrent pedestrian crossings. If
concurrent pedestrian crossings are used, consider the safety benefits of providing a leading
pedestrian interval (LPI) so that pedestrians can enter the intersection ahead of turning
vehicles. Provide ADA-accessible push-buttons at all crossings.
14. Provide ADA-accessible ramps at crosswalks as part of long-term reconstruction efforts.
15. Consider providing bicycle detection at the intersection when the signal controller is
modernized.
Page 17
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
16. Consider the use of bicycle boxes at the intersection to place bicyclists in the view of
motorists at the stop line.
Page 18
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Location 2: Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street,
Needham
The RSA team made the following observations with regard to intersection control and geometry,
access management, signage and pavement markings, and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations at
the intersection of Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue/Wexford Street in Needham.
Observations:
Intersection Control and Geometry
First Avenue intersects Highland Avenue
approximately 250 feet south of Wexford Street.
Left turns from 1st Avenue onto Highland Avenue
southbound are prohibited, a restriction that is
reinforced with a raised median and flexible
bollards. RSA team members stated the bollards
were added to further discourage illegal left turns
after heavy vehicles drove over the raised median.
To access Interstate 95 (I-95), located south of the
intersection, 1st Avenue westbound vehicles, which
typically originate from Kendrick Street to the
A median and flexible bollards
st
south, must turn right onto Highland Avenue
prevent left turns from 1 Avenue
onto
Highland
Avenue
southbound.
northbound and turn around to access Highland
Avenue southbound. RSA team members stated
that the preferred route for vehicles on Kendrick Street who are destined to I-95 is to use 4th
Avenue to access 2nd Avenue, then turn left at the signalized intersection of 2nd Avenue/Highland
Avenue. Team members suggested that this route may not be signed sufficiently, and that GPS
systems may prompt motorists to use 1st Avenue to turn left onto Highland Avenue.
Highland Avenue northbound vehicles from 1st
Avenue that wish to turn around to access Interstate 95
often make a U-turn at the end of the median, which is
prohibited.
Vehicles were also observed using
Wexford Street to turn around by turning onto
Wexford Street and using a parking lot to turn around
before turning right onto Highland Avenue
southbound, or turning right into #238 Highland
Avenue before turning left onto Highland Avenue
southbound. The Wexford Street maneuver inflates
the number of vehicles turning left onto Wexford
Wexford Street is used for local
Street, causing more vehicles to make a left turn across
access as well as a turnaround
two travel lanes at an unsignalized intersection. The
location to access I-95.
left-turning volume and the unexpected and prohibited
U-turn maneuvers impact operations on Highland Avenue. One crash involved a U-turning
Page 19
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
vehicle from Highland Avenue northbound and a through vehicle from Highland Avenue
southbound.
Wexford Street eastbound vehicles often form two travel lanes due to heavy delays for leftturning Wexford Street eastbound vehicles. An RSA team member reportedly observed a vehicle
exiting the adjacent Hess gas station into the queue of Wexford Street eastbound vehicles,
blocking the Wexford Street westbound departure and causing general confusion. One crash at
the intersection involved a Wexford Street eastbound vehicle who reversed direction, hitting a
following vehicle. The formation of two travel lanes on Wexford Street eastbound also increases
the risk of courtesy crashes, which may occur when a vehicle in the queue yields to a vehicle
exiting the Hess gas station, which is subsequently hit by an unsuspecting vehicle in the adjacent
travel lane. RSA team members noted the potential for these crashes during the RSA. In addition
to the potential for courtesy crashes involving vehicles exiting Hess, three courtesy crashes
occurred along Highland Avenue involving vehicles exiting Wexford Street.
While Highland Avenue northbound consists of two general purpose travel lanes, RSA team
members stated that the inside travel lane on Highland Avenue northbound at Wexford Street
often acts as a de facto left-turn lane due to the significant traffic volume entering Wexford Street
to turn around or to access the industrial park on Wexford Street. Motorists may not anticipate a
vehicle in the inside lane slowing or stopping to turn left onto Wexford Street, resulting in rearend crashes. Two rear-end crashes occurred along Highland Avenue northbound, south of
Wexford Street.
Congestion on Highland Avenue southbound, as
well as perceived pressure from following vehicles,
may cause Highland Avenue northbound motorists
to accept smaller gaps in opposing traffic while
turning onto Wexford Street, which may cause
angle crashes and rear-end crashes for Highland
Avenue southbound vehicles. One angle crash
involved a left-turning Highland Avenue
northbound vehicle and a Highland Avenue
southbound through vehicle.
Three rear-end
crashes occurred along the Highland Avenue
southbound approach to Wexford Street. Two
sideswipe crashes also occurred along the Highland
Avenue southbound approach, one of which was
attributed to a vehicle changing lanes to avoid a
slowing vehicle.
Highland Avenue is generally
congested during peak periods,
creating long delays, frustration, and
confusion for Wexford Street
eastbound vehicles.
Page 20
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Access Management
A Hess gas station is located on the northwest corner
of the intersection along Wexford Street and Highland
Avenue. Vehicles must enter the Hess station from
Highland Avenue and exit onto Wexford Street using
a driveway approximately 60 feet west of Highland
Avenue. There is very little area within the gas
station for vehicles to wait for a pump to open, so
vehicles often spill into Highland Avenue, creating
additional confusion and delay. Like at Wexford
The boundary between the sidewalks
Street, vehicles unexpectedly slowing or stopping to
and parking areas is often not clearly
defined.
turn left from Highland Avenue northbound into the
Hess station can cause rear-end crashes with other
Highland Avenue northbound vehicles. Two rear-end crashes occurred between Highland
Avenue northbound vehicles in the vicinity of the Hess station. Additionally, left-turning
vehicles must cross two lanes of traffic without a signal. One angle crash occurred between a
Highland Avenue northbound vehicle entering Hess and a Highland Avenue southbound vehicle.
Team members noted that shrubs on the northwest corner of the intersection, adjacent to the Hess
station, may be overgrown and may impact sight lines to the north of the intersection. This can
result in uncertainty on the part of Wexford Street eastbound vehicles wishing to turn onto
Highland Avenue, contributing to rear-end crashes and congestion.
Five crashes involved vehicles entering or exiting commercial driveways at the intersection. RSA
team members noted that, in general, driveways are not clearly defined and are often not flush
with the sidewalk. Poorly defined driveways may be safety issues if they are wide enough to
encourage fast maneuvers into or out of the driveways. Team members also observed that there
is often no clear transition from the back of sidewalk to a driveway or parking lot, resulting in
parking spaces being striped directly adjacent to the sidewalk.
Signage and Pavement Markings
RSA team members stated that the speed limit on
Highland Avenue drops from 50 miles per hour
(mph) in the vicinity of the I-95 ramps to 30 mph in
the vicinity of 1st Avenue; however, no speed limit
signage is posted on Highland Avenue. Public
safety officials noted that these speeds are
fundamental speed limits, which are not posted, and
more difficult to enforce than posted speed limits.
Vehicles exiting I-95 may enter the study area at
speeds that are higher than the safe travel speed,
“No Turns” signage is confusing to
motorists approaching Wexford
Street, where left turns are legal.
Page 21
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
restriction is intended to apply to a small commercial driveway south of Wexford Street, where
the double yellow centerline (DYCL) is solid, but not to Wexford Street itself, where the DYCL
is broken. It was suggested that this sign is confusing to those who wish to turn left onto
Wexford Street.
Team members observed that signage for businesses are posted on utility poles or placed on the
sidewalk. Unnecessary signage contributes to sign clutter and may distract motorist attention
from the roadway.
There is no lane use or centerline striping on Wexford Street, which may contribute to the general
confusion on the roadway. There is also no stop line or stop sign on Wexford Street. Finally,
there is no advance street name signage for Wexford Street along Highland Avenue.
Pedestrian Accommodations
The only pedestrian crossing across
Highland Avenue does not have
pedestrian ramps, and a raised
median is not wide enough for a
pedestrian refuge.
One crosswalk is provided across Highland Avenue in
the study area, located at 1st Street north of its
intersection with Highland Avenue. However, the
crosswalk does not have pedestrian ramps. The
crossing is also divided by a median that is not wide
enough to be considered a median refuge. The median
is raised, likely eliminating any possibility of a person
in a wheelchair using the crossing. The crossing is
located on the north side of 1st Street; motorists turning
right onto Highland Avenue likely would not expect a
pedestrian in the crosswalk and only need to look to the
south to see oncoming traffic. Finally, the crossing is
unsignalized and is located just 250 feet north of the I­
95 on- and off-ramps, making it difficult for pedestrians
to judge accurately whether they will be able to cross
Highland Avenue safely.
Team members noted that pedestrians sometimes unexpectedly attempt to cross Highland Avenue
without a crosswalk, and begin crossing the roadway from behind snowbanks.
Pedestrian warning signage is provided in advance of the crosswalk across Highland Avenue
along Highland Avenue northbound, but it is worn. No signage is posted at the crosswalk in
either direction.
Crosswalks are not provided across 1st Avenue or across Wexford Street. One crash involving a
pedestrian was reported involving a right-turning vehicle entering 1st Avenue.
RSA team members observed that the southeast corner radius at 1st Avenue appears to be
somewhat large, possibly to facilitate truck movements onto 1st Avenue. However, wider curve
Page 22
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
radii are safety concerns for pedestrians because they facilitate faster, less deliberate turns by
smaller vehicles and lengthen the crossing distance for pedestrians, extending their exposure to
traffic.
Team members also noted that the I-95 on- and off-ramps intersect Highland Avenue at acute
angles, allowing vehicles to enter and exit Highland Avenue at high speeds. This poses a safety
issue to pedestrians both crossing the ramps and downstream of the ramps due to the high travel
speed of vehicles.
Potential Enhancements:
1. Provide additional signage stating “To I-95” with arrows along Kendrick Street directing
vehicles to use 4th Avenue and 2nd Avenue to access I-95 in order to reduce the number of
vehicles using 1st Avenue and Wexford Street to access Highland Avenue southbound.
Provide additional signage directing traffic on 1st Avenue to use A Street and 2nd Avenue in
case motorists miss the signage to use 4th Avenue.
2. Consider restricting left turns into and out of Wexford Street to reduce congestion and
confusion at Wexford Street. Take into consideration the possibility that this may move the
issue farther north to Charles Street. Consider limiting this restriction to peak periods if
appropriate.
3. Consider converting Wexford Street to one-way eastbound and converting its northerly
parallel roadway, Charles Street, to one-way westbound to facilitate a legal and natural Uturn from Highland Avenue northbound onto Highland Avenue southbound. Consider
impacts to area businesses.
4. Consider providing a dedicated left-turn pocket on the Highland Avenue eastbound approach
to its intersection with Wexford Street to remove left-turning vehicles from the general travel
lanes and reduce rear-end crashes. Consider the safety impacts for Wexford Street eastbound
left-turning vehicles that may arise as queued Highland Avenue eastbound left-turning
vehicles may block the two Highland Avenue northbound through lanes from view, and an
additional lane to cross provides an additional challenge for turning vehicles. Consider the
possibility of an increased risk of courtesy crashes.
5. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider signalizing the intersection of 1st
Avenue/Highland Avenue and allowing left turns from 1st Avenue onto Highland Avenue
southbound to eliminate the circuitous route vehicles must take to access I-95 from 1st
Avenue westbound. Consider the potential introduction of new safety issues; team members
stated that the signal would create gaps in Highland Avenue traffic at Wexford Street;
however, this may not occur if there is a significant volume of First Avenue westbound rightturning vehicles. Team members also expressed concern that Highland Avenue southbound
queues may extend past Wexford Street, increasing the risk of courtesy crashes. Additional
analysis is required to determine the full impact of signalization at Highland Avenue/First
Avenue.
Page 23
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
6. Work with business owners to define and narrow driveways, as appropriate, to encourage
slow, safe turns into and out of commercial parking lots. Driveways should be flush with
sidewalks so that pedestrians may cross without the use of a ramp. Consider turning radii of
delivery vehicles.
7. If necessary to provide adequate sight triangles, trim back the bushes at the northwest corner
of the intersection of Wexford Street/Highland Avenue.
8. Consider prohibiting left turns into Hess from Highland Avenue northbound. Consider the
impacts of the resulting need to make a U-turn to access the Hess station.
9. Consider performing a speed study along Highland Avenue to determine the 85th percentile
speed along Highland Avenue. Determine the 85th percentile speed in the vicinity of the I-95
ramps and in the vicinity of 1st Avenue/Wexford Street, as speeds in the thickly settled area of
Highland Avenue should be significantly lower. After 85th percentile speeds are determined,
post the regulatory speed limit along Highland Avenue so that it is known by motorists and
enforceable by police officers.
10. Reconsider whether the “No Turns” signage along Highland Avenue northbound is
necessary, and remove if appropriate. If deemed necessary, consider replacing text “No
Turns” signage with graphic “No U-Turn” and/or “No Left Turn” signage. For added
visibility, consider placing retroreflective tape on the sign post.
11. Remove unnecessary signage within the roadway right-of-way and work with business
owners to remove signs close to the right-of-way that may be considered distracting for
motorists.
12. Provide lane use and centerline pavement markings on Wexford Street. Also provide a stop
line and stop sign on the Wexford Street eastbound approach.
13. Provide advance street name signage for Wexford Street along the Highland Avenue
northbound and southbound approaches.
14. Provide safe and ADA-compliant pedestrian crossings, indications, and push-buttons at all
three legs of the intersection.
15. Provide pedestrian warning signage with arrows at the crosswalk across Highland Avenue.
Consider the use of fluorescent signage for added visibility.
16. Consider providing yield lines in advance of the crosswalk across Highland Avenue to
increase visibility of pedestrians waiting to cross in the crosswalk. Supplement with
appropriate crosswalk warning signage and consider mounting in the median and left-side of
the roadway in addition to the right side of the roadway to increase visibility.
Page 24
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
17. Ensure that snow is removed in the vicinity of pedestrian crossings so that sight lines are
unobstructed for both pedestrians and motorists.
18. Consider providing ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps and removing a small segment of the
median at the crosswalk across Highland Avenue in the vicinity of 1st Avenue so that the
crosswalk is usable by pedestrians in wheelchairs.
19. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, define the back of sidewalk and the edge of
parking areas so that the pedestrian area is clear and comfortable.
20. As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, realign and reduce the radius of the I-95 ramps at
Highland Avenue to force vehicles to enter and exit Highland Avenue at slower speeds.
Page 25
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
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 along the Needham Street/Highland Avenue corridor. These improvements
include short-term improvements that could be done within a year, and long-term solutions that may be
done in advance of or alongside the corridor reconstruction project.
Short-term enhancements include, but are not limited to:
�
Provide crosswalks where they are missing or in key locations across Highland Avenue;
�
Improve wayfinding signage to I-95;
�
Evaluate clearance intervals at Needham Street at Oak Street/Christina Street;
�
Provide retroreflective backplates on post-mounted signals;
�
Provide centerline extension between Oak Street and Christina Street;
�
Reduce sign clutter; and
�
Evaluate a one-way scheme for Wexford Street and Charles Street.
To enhance the safety of the corridor, the long-term enhancements are to:
�
Realign Oak Street and/or Christina Street to eliminate the offset;
�
Signalize the intersection of Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue
�
Consolidate driveways where possible;
�
Equip mid-block crossings with pedestrian hybrid beacons;
�
Improve sidewalks, with flush driveways and raised crosswalks; and
�
Provide bicycle lanes or cycle tracks.
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). The costs are categorized as low (<$10,000), medium ($10,000 to
$50,000), or high (>$50,000). It is the responsibility of MassDOT 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. Those improvements should be evaluated and included as part of
the design process for reconstruction of the Needham Street/Highland Avenue corridor.
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Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements
Location
Corridor-Wide
Issues
Safety Enhancement
Determine another location to reinforce the No U-Turn restriction
for the Highland Avenue southbound approach to Gould
Street/Hunting Road. Consider mounting a sign on the signal post
opposite the intersection and/or on the mast arm to reinforce the
No U-Turn restriction in case the existing sign has been struck
and/or removed.
Install an additional “No Trucks” sign for Hunting Road in a
location where Highland Avenue southbound vehicles can see it
before they begin turning onto Hunting Road.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, reconstruct all
sidewalks on both sides of the corridor to ensure adequate
accommodations for pedestrians.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, identify opportunities
for businesses to consolidate driveways or relocate driveways to
side streets to reduce the number of driveways along the corridor,
increasing pedestrian comfort and safety.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, driveways should be
reconstructed so that they are flush with the sidewalk to improve
pedestrian comfort and safety by not forcing pedestrians to use
ramps and slowing entering and exiting vehicles as they cross the
sidewalk
Consider the use of raised crosswalks across side streets at
unsignalized intersections as part of long-term reconstruction
efforts to improve pedestrian comfort and safety. Raised
crossings prioritize pedestrians by slowing traffic and allowing
pedestrians to cross the roadway without using a pedestrian ramp.
In the short-term, consider additional locations for mid-block
crossings of the corridor, considering vehicle sight distance, MBTA
bus stop locations, potential median refuge island locations, and
distance from signalized crosswalks. The Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) recommends that mid-block
crossings should be located no closer than 100 feet from a
signalized intersection.
Safety
Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Responsible Party
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
High
Long-term
High
MassDOT
Medium
Long-term
High
MassDOT/City of
Newton/Town of
Needham/Abutters
Medium
Long-term
High
MassDOT/Abutters
Medium
Long-term
High
MassDOT
Medium
Mid-term
Low
MassDOT/MBTA
Page 27
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements (continued)
Location
Corridor-wide
Issues
Location 1:
Needham Street
at Oak
Street/Christina
Street, Newton
Safety Enhancement
Consider the use of pedestrian hybrid beacons at new and
existing mid-block crossings along the Needham Street/Highland
Avenue corridor to improve pedestrian safety.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider providing
median refuge islands at mid-block crosswalk locations to
improve pedestrian comfort and safety. Consider vehicle turning
movements into and out of side streets and commercial
driveways.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider providing
bicycle lanes or, if feasible, protected cycle tracks, along
Needham Street to provide bicyclists with a dedicated facility in
which to ride, separated from motor vehicles. Consider using
green pavement color at driveways to raise awareness of
bicycles.
Work with the MBTA to increase the frequency of service of the
#59 bus along Needham Street in Newton to encourage transit
use and to attract new visitors to the Needham Street corridor.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, work with the MBTA
to determine the ideal number and locations of bus stops along
Needham Street in order to help facilitate a pedestrian- and
transit-friendly corridor. Improve existing bus stops to current
MBTA standards regarding bus stop length, landing locations,
and bus shelters.
In the short term, consider resurfacing and restriping the Oak
Street eastbound approach to the intersection to clarify its lane
use.
Consider providing a dashed yellow centerline extension through
the intersection to guide Oak Street eastbound and Christina
Street westbound vehicles through the intersection and to help
reduce sideswipe crashes.
Safety
Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Responsible Party
High
Mid-term
High
MassDOT
High
Mid-term
High
MassDOT
Medium/
High
Long-term
Low/
Medium
MassDOT
Medium
Short-term
High
MBTA/ City of
Newton
Medium
Long-term
Low
MassDOT/MBTA/
City of Newton
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT/City of
Newton
Medium
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Page 28
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements (continued)
Location
Location 1:
Needham Street
at Oak
Street/Christina
Street, Newton
Safety Enhancement
Consider using split phasing for the Oak Street eastbound and Christina
Street westbound approaches to eliminate the confusion that occurs
when they run simultaneously. Consider the impacts to capacity and
operations of making the phasing change.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts to reduce motorist confusion,
consider shifting one or both of the Oak Street eastbound or Christina
Street westbound approaches to create a more traditional, 90-degree
intersection. Corner radii should be kept as small as possible to
increase pedestrian safety by reducing the speed of right-turning
vehicles. Consider impacts to adjacent property.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider a modern
roundabout at the intersection to reduce the occurrence of angle
crashes. Consider the impacts to adjacent property and to traffic
operations.
In the short term, consider adding retroreflective backplates on the
post-mounted signals at the intersections for added visibility during
nighttime driving or in times of possible solar glare.
Determine the proper all-red clearance time for the Oak Street
eastbound and Christina Street westbound approaches and, if
necessary, increase the all-red interval to the appropriate length.
Consider that vehicles may travel more slowly through the intersection
due to its geometry and close interaction with opposing vehicles.
In advance of reconstruction of the intersection, consider replacing the
signal controller with a modern system to enable timing and phasing
changes at the intersection.
Consider implementing protected-permissive signal phasing for the
Needham Street northbound and southbound approaches to the
intersection to relieve congestion and reduce the number of crashes
attributed to inattention. Consider the use of a flashing yellow arrow
during the permissive phase to alert motorists that they need to yield to
oncoming through vehicles. Consider the tradeoffs between additional
capacity and the potential for increased angle crashes at the
intersection.
Safety
Payoff
Time
Frame
Cost
Responsible Party
High
Mid-term
Low
MassDOT
High
Long-term
High
MassDOT/Abutters
High
Long-term
High
MassDOT/Abutters
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Medium
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
High
Mid-term
High
MassDOT
Medium
Mid-term
High
MassDOT
Page 29
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements (continued)
Location
Location 1:
Needham Street
at Oak
Street/Christina
Street, Newton
Location 2:
Highland Avenue
st
at 1
Avenue/Wexford
Street, Needham
Safety Enhancement
In the short term, consider putting the Oak Street eastbound and
Christina Street westbound approaches on recall so that
pedestrians wishing to cross Needham Street will be provided
with a gap in Needham Street northbound and southbound
traffic even if no vehicles are waiting on Oak Street or Christina
Street.
Consider providing a crosswalk across the southern leg of
Needham Street for increased pedestrian access and safety.
Provide pedestrian signals at the intersection when possible.
Consider the operational benefits for both vehicles and
pedestrians of allowing concurrent pedestrian crossings. If
concurrent pedestrian crossings are used, consider the safety
benefits of providing a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) so that
pedestrians can enter the intersection ahead of turning vehicles.
Provide ADA-accessible push-buttons at crossings unless
pedestrian phasing is put on recall.
Provide ADA-accessible ramps at crosswalks as part of long­
term reconstruction efforts.
Consider providing bicycle detection at the intersection when the
signal controller is modernized.
Consider the use of bicycle boxes at the intersection to place
bicyclists in the view of motorists at the stop line.
Provide additional signage stating “To I-95” with arrows along
Kendrick Street directing vehicles to use 4th Avenue and 2nd
Avenue to access I-95 in order to reduce the number of vehicles
using 1st Avenue and Wexford Street to access Highland
Avenue southbound. Provide additional signage directing traffic
on 1st Avenue to use A Street and 2nd Avenue in case motorists
miss the signage to use 4th Avenue.
Safety
Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Responsible Party
Medium
Mid-term
Low
MassDOT
Medium
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
High
Mid-term
High
MassDOT
High
Long-term
Medium
MassDOT
Medium
Mid-term
Medium
MassDOT
Medium
Mid-term
Medium
MassDOT
Medium
Short-term
Low
MassDOT/Town of
Needham
Page 30
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements (continued)
Location
Location 2:
Highland Avenue
st
at 1
Avenue/Wexford
Street, Needham
Safety Enhancement
Consider restricting left turns into and out of Wexford Street to
reduce congestion and confusion at Wexford Street. Take into
consideration the possibility that this may move the issue farther
north to Charles Street. Consider limiting this restriction to peak
periods if appropriate.
Consider converting Wexford Street to one-way eastbound and
converting its northerly parallel roadway, Charles Street, to oneway westbound to facilitate a legal and natural U-turn from
Highland Avenue northbound onto Highland Avenue
southbound. Consider impacts to area businesses.
Consider providing a dedicated left-turn pocket on the Highland
Avenue eastbound approach to its intersection with Wexford
Street to remove left-turning vehicles from the general travel
lanes and reduce rear-end crashes. Consider the safety
impacts for Wexford Street eastbound left-turning vehicles that
may arise as queued Highland Avenue eastbound left-turning
vehicles may block the two Highland Avenue northbound
through lanes from view, and an additional lane to cross
provides an additional challenge for turning vehicles. Consider
the possibility of an increased risk of courtesy crashes.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, consider signalizing
the intersection of 1st Avenue/Highland Avenue and allowing left
turns from 1st Avenue onto Highland Avenue southbound to
eliminate the circuitous route vehicles must take to access I-95
from 1st Avenue westbound. Consider the potential introduction
of new safety issues; team members stated that the signal would
create gaps in Highland Avenue traffic at Wexford Street;
however, this may not occur if there is a significant volume of
First Avenue westbound right-turning vehicles. Team members
also expressed concern that Highland Avenue southbound
queues may extend past Wexford Street, increasing the risk of
courtesy crashes. Additional analysis is required to determine
the full impact of signalization at Highland Avenue/First Avenue.
Safety
Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Responsible Party
Medium
Short-term
Low
MassDOT/Town of
Needham
High
Short-term
Low
MassDOT/Town of
Needham
Medium
Long-term
High
MassDOT
High
Long-term
High
MassDOT
Page 31
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements (continued)
Location
Location 2:
Highland Avenue
st
at 1
Avenue/Wexford
Street, Needham
Safety Enhancement
Work with business owners to define and narrow driveways, as
appropriate, to encourage slow, safe turns into and out of
commercial parking lots. Driveways should be flush with
sidewalks so that pedestrians may cross without the use of a
ramp. Consider turning radii of delivery vehicles.
If necessary to provide adequate sight triangles, trim back the
bushes at the northwest corner of the intersection of Wexford
Street/Highland Avenue.
Consider prohibiting left turns into Hess from Highland Avenue
northbound. Consider the impacts of the resulting need to make
a U-turn to access the Hess station.
Reconsider whether the “No Turns” signage along Highland
Avenue northbound is necessary, and remove if appropriate. If
deemed necessary, consider replacing text “No Turns” signage
with graphic “No U-Turn” and/or “No Left Turn” signage. For
added visibility, consider placing retroreflective tape on the sign
post.
Remove unnecessary signage within the roadway right-of-way
and work with business owners to remove signs close to the
right-of-way that may be considered distracting for motorists.
Provide lane use and centerline pavement markings on Wexford
Street. Also provide a stop line and stop sign on the Wexford
Street eastbound approach.
Consider performing a speed study along Highland Avenue to
determine the 85th percentile speed along Highland Avenue.
Determine the 85th percentile speed in the vicinity of the I-95
ramps and in the vicinity of 1st Avenue/Wexford Street, as
speeds in the thickly settled area of Highland Avenue should be
significantly lower. After 85th percentile speeds are determined,
post the regulatory speed limit along Highland Avenue so that it
is known by motorists and enforceable by police officers.
Safety
Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Responsible Party
Medium
Long-term
High
MassDOT/Town of
Needham/Abutters
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT/Hess
Medium
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT/Town of
Needham
Medium
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Page 32
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Table 2. Summary of Potential Safety Enhancements (continued)
Location
Location 2:
Highland Avenue
st
at 1
Avenue/Wexford
Street, Needham
Safety Enhancement
Provide advance street name signage for Wexford Street along
the Highland Avenue northbound and southbound approaches.
Provide safe and ADA-compliant pedestrian crossings,
indications, and push-buttons at all three legs of the intersection.
Provide pedestrian warning signage with arrows at the
crosswalk across Highland Avenue. Consider the use of
fluorescent signage for added visibility.
Consider providing yield lines in advance of the crosswalk
across Highland Avenue to increase visibility of pedestrians
waiting to cross in the crosswalk. Supplement with appropriate
crosswalk warning signage and consider mounting in the median
and left-side of the roadway in addition to the right side of the
roadway to increase visibility.
Ensure that snow is removed in the vicinity of pedestrian
crossings so that sight lines are unobstructed for both
pedestrians and motorists.
Consider providing ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps and
removing a small segment of the median at the crosswalk
across Highland Avenue in the vicinity of 1st Avenue so that the
crosswalk is usable by pedestrians in wheelchairs.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, define the back of
sidewalk and the edge of parking areas so that the pedestrian
area is clear and comfortable.
As part of long-term reconstruction efforts, realign and reduce
the radius of the I-95 ramps at Highland Avenue to force
vehicles to enter and exit Highland Avenue at slower speeds.
Safety
Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Responsible Party
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
High
Long-term
High
MassDOT
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Low
Short-term
Low
MassDOT
Low
Short-term
Low
Town of Needham
High
Mid-term
Medium
MassDOT
Low
Long-term
Medium
MassDOT
High
Long-term
High
MassDOT
Page 33
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix A. RSA Meeting Agenda
Road Safety Audit
Newton, MA
Needham Street/Christina/Oak Street
Meeting Location: Newton Utility Building
66 Elliot Street, Newton, MA
Thursday, March 20, 2014
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Type of meeting:
High Crash Location – Road Safety Audit
Attendees:
Invited Participants to Comprise a Multidisciplinary Team
Please bring:
Thoughts and Enthusiasm!!
1:30 PM
Welcome and Introductions
1:45 PM
Discussion of Safety Issues
• Crash Analysis – provided in advance
• Existing Geometries and Conditions
2:15 PM
Site Visit
• Drive to the intersection of Needham St/Oak St/Christina St
• As a group, identify areas for improvement
2:45 PM
Discussion of Potential Improvements
• Discuss observations and finalize safety issue areas
• Discuss potential improvements and finalize recommendations
3:30 PM
Adjourn for the Day – but the RSA has not ended
Instructions for Participants:
• Before attending the RSA on March 20th, participants are encouraged to drive/walk
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
Needham, MA
Highland Ave/First Ave/Wexford Street
Meeting Location: Needham Town Hall (Powers Hall)
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
Thursday, March 20, 2014
10:00 AM – 12:00 noon
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
Discussion of Safety Issues
• Crash Analysis – provided in advance
• Existing Geometries and Conditions
11:00 AM
Site Visit
• Drive to the intersection of Highland Ave/First Ave/Wexford Street
• As a group, identify areas for improvement
11:30 AM
Discussion of Potential Improvements
• Discuss observations and finalize safety issue areas
• Discuss potential improvements and finalize recommendations
12:00 noon
Adjourn for the Day – but the RSA has not ended
Instructions for Participants:
• Before attending the RSA on March 20th, participants are encouraged to drive/walk
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
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix B. RSA Audit Team Contact List
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc..
Participating Audit Team Members
Date:
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Location: Needham Town Hall/Newton Utility Building
Audit Team Members Agency/Affiliation
E-mail Address
John Kraemer
Needham Police Department
jkraemer@needhamma.gov
Jim Krawicici
Needham Police Department
Paul Buckley
Needham Fire Department
pbuckley@needhamma.gov
Bob Lewis
Needham Department of Public Works
rlewis@needhmamma.gov
Richard P. Merson
Needham Department of Public Works
rmerson@needhamma.gov
Lou Taverna
Newton City Engineer
ltaverna@newtonma.gov
John Daghlian
Newton Associate City Engineer
jdaghlian@newtonma.gov
Frank Nichols
Newton City Engineering Division
fnichols@newtonma.gov
James Freas
Newton Planning Department
jfreas@newtonma.gov
Jeff Knight
Newton Fire Department
jknight@newtonma.gov
Michael Castro
Newton Fire Department
mcastro@@newtonma.gov
Jay Babcock
Newton Police Department
jbabcock@newtonma.gov
Marc Gromoda
Newton Police Department
mgromoda@newtonma.gov
Chris Marzilli
Newton Police Department
cmarzilli@newtonma.gov
David Loutzenheiser
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
dloutzenheiser@mapc.org
Alan Cloutier
Fay, Spofford & Thorndike (FST)
acloutier@fstinc.com
Seth Asante
Boston Region MPO/CTPS
sasante@ctps.org
Promise Otaluka
Federal Highway Association – Massachusetts
promise.otaluka@dot.gov
Amitai Lipton
MassDOT District 6
amitai.lipton@state.ma.us
Tom Currier
MassDOT Highway Division
Thomas.currier@dot.state.ma.us
Lisa Schletzbaum
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
lisa.schletzbaum@state.ma.us
Corey O’Connor
MassDOT Highway Division Safety Section
corey.oconnor@state.ma.us
Mike Tremblay
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
mtremblay@hshassoc.com
Ted Brovitz
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates
tbrovitz@hshassoc.com
Phone Number
781-444-1212
781-444-1212
781-455-7580
781-455-7550
781-455-7550
617-796-1025
617-796-1023
617-796-1034
617-796-1131
617-594-7090
617-594-7106
617-796-2175
617-796-2174
617-796-3635
617-933-0743
781-221-1245
617-973-7098
617-494-2528
857-368-6313
857-368-9348
857-368-9634
857-368-9638
617-348-3347
617-348-3308
Road Safety Audit
Needham Street and Highland Avenue Corridor, Newton and Needham
Prepared by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc.
Appendix C. Detailed Crash Data
High Crash Location
Crash Data Summary Table
Oak and Christina Streets at Needham Street, Newton, MA
January 2010 - December 2013
Diagram
Ref #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Crash Date
Crash Day
m/d/y
Wednesday
1/27/10
Friday
6/4/10
Wednesday
10/27/10
Monday
11/29/10
Monday
1/31/11
Time of Day
6/14/11
6/30/11
Tuesday
Thursday
7/11/2011
Monday
4:45 PM
6:20 PM
5:33 PM
7:12 AM
11:01 AM
7:59 AM
3:24 AM
8:19 AM
Manner of Collision
Type
Rear-end
Rear-end
Angle
Rear-end
Rear-end
Light Condition
Type
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Condition
Type
Clear
Clear
Rain
Clear
Clear
Road Surface
Type
Dry
Dry
Wet
Dry
Dry
Driver Contributing Code
Type
Inattention
Inattention
Inattention
Followed too closely
Inattention
Sideswipe, opposite direction
Single Vehicle Crash
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Clear
Dry
Dry
No Improper Driving
No Improper Driving
Angle
Daylight
Clear
Dry
D1
Ages
D2
D3
17
59
45
78
67
52
44 unk
49
27
46 unk
66
25
28
52
9
8/10/11
Wednesday
1:19 PM
Rear-end
Daylight
Clear
Dry
Inattention
83
27
10
8/12/11
Friday
6:01 PM
Angle
Daylight
Clear
Dry
Failed to yield right of way
43
39
11
12
9/13/11
11/9/11
Tuesday
Wednesday
11:00 AM
3:22 PM
Single Vehicle Crash
Angle
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Clear
Dry
Dry
Unknown
Unknown
58
83
41
13
1/19/12
Thursday
7:37 PM
Sideswipe, opposite direction
Dark - lighted roadway Clear
Dry
Failure to keep in proper lane or
running off road
71
23
14
4/10/12
Tuesday
8:07 AM
Sideswipe, same direction
Daylight
Dry
Over-correcting/over-steering
62
43
54
39
25
79
Clear
15
16
5/8/12
7/1/12
Tuesday
Sunday
4:35 PM
4:11 PM
Sideswipe, same direction
Sideswipe, same direction
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Cloudy
Dry
Dry
Failure to keep in proper lane or
running off road
Inattention
17
18
4/8/13
4/24/13
Monday
Wednesday
7:53 PM
10:32 AM
Single Vehicle Crash
Rear-end
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Clear
Dry
Dry
Made an improper turn
Followed too closely
52
20
67
39
19
20
5/25/13
7/11/13
Saturday
Thursday
1:11 AM
11:21 AM
Single Vehicle Crash
Angle
Dark - lighted roadway Cloudy
Daylight
Cloudy
Wet
Wet
Illness
Failed to yield right of way
56
78
113
81
21
7/11/13
Thursday
3:02 PM
Sideswipe, same direction
Daylight
Dry
Other improper action
41
54
Clear
*Courtesy Crash - A term used to describe a crash that occurs subsequent to a non-involved mainline driver who gives the right of way, contrary to the rules of the road, to another driver.
Summary based on Crash Reports obtained from: The Newton Police
79
Comments
D4
47
Vehicle 1 swerved to avoid one collision and collided with Vehicle 2.
Vehicle 1 rear ended Vehicle 2, Vehicle 2 fled the scene.
52
Vehicle 2 traveling southbound attempted to pass a bus and clipped Vehicle
1. Vehicle 2 fled the scene.
Bicyclist ran into open door of Vehicle 1.
Vehicle 1 stopped too far in front of the stop line at a red light, attempted to
back up out of the intersection and backed into Vehicle 2.
Vehilce 1 stopped at a red light to turn right on red, failed to see Bicyclist
traveling EB on sidewalk before impacting it.
Vehicle 1 struck Pedestrian 1. Pedestrian 1 stated she was fine and carried
on her way.
Courtesy Crash.
Vehicle 2 crossed over into the lane of Vehicle 1 and struck the driver side.
Vehicle 2 fled the scene.
Vehicles 1 and 2 traveling same direction, Vehicle 2 attempted to pass
Vehicle 1 but side swiped his car.
Vehicles 1 and 2 traveling same direction, Vehicle 2 attempted to pass
Vehicle 1 but side swiped his car.
V2 struck V1 while trying to switch lanes to the left turn lane
Pedestrian 1 was crossing the driveway of #311 Needham St in front of
Vehicle 1, Vehicle 1 didn’t see the pedestrian and struck her.
Vehicle 1 took a turn too wide and struck a traffic light.
Vehicle 1 attempting to make a right turn collided with Bicyclist 1 also
attempting to make a right turn.
Crash Data Summary Tables and Charts
Oak and Christina Streets at Needham Street, Newton, MA
CRASH MONTH
19%
20%
15%
14%
14%
14%
10%
10%
10%
10%
5%
5%
0%
0%
0%
F
M
J
5%
0%
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
CRASH DAY OF WEEK
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
24%
19%
19%
19%
10%
Monday
Tuesday
19%
20%
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
5%
5%
Saturday
Sunday
CRASH TIME OF DAY
19%19%
15%
10%
10%10%
10%
5%
5%
0%
5% 5%
0% 0%
6AM­
8AM
8AM­
10AM
10AM­
12PM
12PM­
2PM
2PM­
4PM
4PM­
6PM
6PM­
8PM
8PM­
10PM
10PM­
12AM
0%
12AM­
2AM
2AM­
4AM
4AM­
6AM
CRASH MANNER OF COLLISION
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
30%
20%
20%
20%
10%
Single
Vehicle
Crash
Rear-end
Angle
Sideswipe, Sideswipe,
same
opposite
direction
direction
Newton, Needham St at Oak and Christina Crash Data Spreadsheet.xlsx
1 of 2
0%
0%
0%
Head on
Rear to
Rear
Unknown
3/12/2014
Crash Data Summary Tables and Charts
Oak and Christina Streets at Needham Street, Newton, MA
CRASH LIGHT CONDITION
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
90%
Daylight
0%
0%
Dawn
Dusk
10%
Dark ­
Lighted
Roadway
0%
0%
0%
0%
Dark ­
Roadway
not lighted
Dark ­
unknown
roadway
lighting
Other
Unknown
CRASH WEATHER CONDITION
0%
0%
Blowing
sand, snow
0%
Unknown
0%
Other
0%
Severe
Crosswinds
0%
Fog, Smog,
Smoke
Rain
0%
Sleet, Hail,
Freezing
Rain
5%
Cloudy
15%
Snow
80%
Clear
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
CRASH ROAD SURFACE
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
85%
15%
Dry
Wet
0%
0%
Snow
Ice
0%
0%
Sand, mud, Water
dirt, oil, (standing,
gravel
moving)
0%
0%
0%
Slush
Other
Unknown
CRASH DRIVER AGES
30%
21%
17%
20%
10%
0%
21%
10%
7%
12%
10%
2%
15-20
21-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
Newton, Needham St at Oak and Christina Crash Data Spreadsheet.xlsx
2 of 2
60-69
70-79
80+
3/12/2014
High Crash Location
Crash Data Summary Table
Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue and Wexford Street, Needham, MA
2009 - 2011
Crash
Date
Crash Day
m/d/y
Time of Day
1
2
3
4
5
1/29/09
3/4/09
5/27/09
7/7/09
11/6/09
Thursday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Tuesday
Friday
8:25 AM
3:25 PM
5:50 PM
10:46 AM
2:48 PM
Rear-end
Angle
Rear-end
Angle
Angle
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Clear
Cloudy
Rain
Clear
Ice
Dry
Wet
Wet
Dry
6
7
8
11/18/09 Wednesday
12/14/09 Monday
Tuesday
1/5/10
7:33 PM
12:27 PM
6:52 AM
Angle
Rear-end
Angle
Dark - lighted roadway Cloudy
Daylight
Clear
Daylight
Clear
Dry
Dry
Wet
9
1/29/10
Friday
9:07 AM
Rear-end
Daylight
Clear
Dry
10
11
12
13
14
15
3/18/10
7/6/10
8/10/10
8/27/10
8/30/10
9/21/10
Thursday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Friday
Monday
Tuesday
3:05 PM
11:30 AM
9:39 AM
12:27 PM
4:38 PM
12:14 PM
Rear-end
Rear-end
Sideswipe, same direction
Sideswipe, same direction
Rear-end
Rear-end
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Dawn
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Clear
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
16
11/4/10
Thursday
7:49 AM
Angle
Daylight
Rain
Wet
17
18
19
20
21
12/19/10
1/11/11
1/20/11
2/18/11
2/24/11
Sunday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Thursday
3:55 AM
9:24 AM
8:20 AM
12:39 PM
8:57 AM
Single Vehicle Crash
Sideswipe, same direction
Sideswipe, same direction
Rear-end
Rear-end
Dark - lighted roadway
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Clear
Clear
Cloudy
Clear
Dry
Dry
Dry
Wet
Dry
22
23
24
25
26
3/16/11
3/21/11
3/28/11
5/16/11
5/16/11
Wednesday
Monday
Monday
Monday
Monday
6:50 PM
1:52 PM
7:25 AM
2:30 PM
4:45 PM
Angle
Angle
Single Vehicle Crash
Angle
Rear-end
Dark - lighted roadway
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Snow
Clear
Cloudy
Rain
Dry
Wet
Dry
Dry
Wet
27
6/10/11
Friday
12:00 PM
Sideswipe, same direction
Daylight
Cloudy
Dry
28
29
30
6/13/11
6/16/11
9/16/11
Monday
Thursday
Friday
5:45 PM
7:00 PM
9:38 AM
Sideswipe, same direction
Angle
Rear-end
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Cloudy
Clear
Clear
Crash
Diagram
Ref #
31
32
9/23/11 Friday
10/13/11 Thursday
12:31 PM
12:16 PM
Manner of Collision
Type
Head on
Angle
Light Condition
Type
Daylight
Daylight
Weather
Condition
Type
Cloudy
Rain
Road Surface
Type
Driver Contributing Code
Type
Swerving or avoiding due to wind,
slippery surface, vehicle, object, nonmotorist in roadway, etc.
Unknown
Failed to yield right of way
Failed to yield right of way
Failed to yield right of way
Swerving or avoiding due to wind,
slippery surface, vehicle, object, nonmotorist in roadway, etc.
Inattention
Failed to yield right of way
Operating Vehicle in erratic, reckless,
careless, negligent, or aggressive
manner
D1
Ages
D2
Comments
D3
26
18
29
17
24
23
48
51
28
25
V1 slid on ice into V2
Courtesy Crash*
V1 attempted to turn into #210 Highland Ave from inside lane
V1 turned left from outside lane
Courtesy Crash*
21
41
43
43
42
35
V1 swerved left to avoid hitting a slowing vehicle in front of it
40
48
Inattention
Unknown
Failed to yield right of way
Failed to yield right of way
Followed too closely
Followed too closely
Swerving or avoiding due to wind,
slippery surface, vehicle, object, nonmotorist in roadway, etc.
Operating Vehicle in erratic, reckless,
careless, negligent, or aggressive
manner
Unknown
Failed to yield right of way
No Improper Driving
Inattention
44
63
32
71
39
50
31
44
27
77
46
16
21
22
23
55
70
43
54
59
42
29
42
51
26
53
35
46
23
71
39
74
Dry
Dry
Dry
Failed to yield right of way
Unknown
Glare
Failed to yield right of way
Failed to yield right of way
Failure to keep in proper lane or
running off road
Failure to keep in proper lane or
running off road
Failed to yield right of way
Inattention
56
51
84
38
29
55
V1 backed into V2 when trying to pull out of the Highland Ave travel lane
Dry
Wet
Disregarded traffic signs, signals, road
markings
Failed to yield right of way
56
70
25
70
46 V1 attempted to make an illegal U-turn but was hit by V2. V1 then hit V3
V2 attempted to exit driveway #236 Highland Ave
V2 attempted to turn into #237 Highland Ave from inside lane
Operator of V2 attempted to change lanes and rear-ended V1 in the process
V3 was distracted by uninvolved vehicle failing to yield for him at the off­
36 ramp and hit V2 into V1
35
V1 attempted to change lanes
V1 entered traffic from #238 Highland while V2 was in right lane
V2 began to enter traffic but stopped quickly for approaching vehicles
V1 swerved left to avoid uninvolved vehicle turning into gas station
V1 claims to have fallen asleep and hit "keep right" sign
48
25
V1 attempted to change lanes but did not see V2
While turning into gas station, V1 slowed down, causing V2 to hit it
V1 did not see pedestrian due to sun glare
Courtesy Crash*
V1 stopped to turn left into #200 Highland Ave
*Courtesy Crash - A term used to describe a crash that occurs subsequent to a non-involved mainline driver who gives the right of way, contrary to the rules of the road, to another driver.
Summary based on Crash Reports obtained from the Needham Police Department.
Crash Data Summary Tables and Charts
Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue and Wexford Street, Needham, MA
CRASH MONTH
20%
16%
16%
15%
9%
10%
9%
9%
6%
9%
9%
6%
6%
3%
5%
0%
0%
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
CRASH DAY OF WEEK
25%
22%
22%
22%
19%
20%
13%
15%
10%
3%
5%
0%
0%
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
CRASH TIME OF DAY
30%
25%
22%
20%
10%
0%
13%13%
9%
6%
9%
0% 0% 0%
6AM­
8AM
8AM­
10AM
10AM­
12PM
12PM­
2PM
2PM­
4PM
4PM­
6PM
6PM­
8PM
8PM­
10PM
10PM­
12AM
3%
12AM­
2AM
2AM­
4AM
0%
4AM­
6AM
CRASH MANNER OF COLLISION
38%
40%
34%
30%
19%
20%
10%
0%
6%
0%
Single
Vehicle
Crash
Rear-end
Angle
Sideswipe, Sideswipe,
same
opposite
direction
direction
Needham, Highland at Wexford_Crash Data Spreadsheet.xlsx 2 of 3
3%
Head on
0%
0%
Rear to
Rear
Unknown
3/3/2014
Crash Data Summary Tables and Charts
Highland Avenue at 1st Avenue and Wexford Street, Needham, MA
CRASH LIGHT CONDITION
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
88%
Daylight
3%
0%
Dawn
Dusk
9%
Dark ­
Lighted
Roadway
0%
0%
0%
0%
Dark ­
Roadway
not lighted
Dark ­
unknown
roadway
lighting
Other
Unknown
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Unknown
0%
Other
Rain
Cloudy
Clear
3%
Blowing
sand, snow
72%
13%
Severe
Crosswinds
80%
22%
Fog, Smog,
Smoke
63%
Sleet, Hail,
Freezing
Rain
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Snow
CRASH WEATHER CONDITION
CRASH ROAD SURFACE
60%
40%
25%
20%
0%
Dry
Wet
0%
3%
Snow
Ice
0%
0%
Sand, mud, Water
dirt, oil, (standing,
gravel
moving)
0%
0%
0%
Slush
Other
Unknown
CRASH DRIVER AGES
30%
26%
20%
10%
0%
25%
17%
14%
11%
5%
15-20
2%
21-29
30-39
40-49
Needham, Highland at Wexford_Crash Data Spreadsheet.xlsx 3 of 3
50-59
60-69
2%
70-79
80+
3/3/2014
Crash Data Summary Table
Highland Avenue at Gould Street and Hunting Road, Needham, MA
2009 - 2011
Crash
Crash Day
Date
m/d/y
Time of Day
1
1/27/09
Tuesday
8:55 AM
Rear-end
Daylight
Clear
Dry
Driver Contributing Code
Type
Operating Vehicle in erratic, reckless,
careless, negligent, or aggressive
manner
2
3
4/24/09
7/2/09
Friday
Thursday
10:45 AM
3:16 PM
Unknown
Rear-end
Daylight
Daylight
Clear
Cloudy
Dry
Dry
4
5
11/23/09 Monday
Saturday
4/3/10
4:20 PM
5:11 PM
Angle
Angle
Dark - lighted roadway Rain
Daylight
Clear
Crash
Diagram
Ref #
Manner of Collision
Type
Light Condition
Type
Weather
Condition
Type
Road Surface
Type
D1
D2
44
41
36
Unknown
Other improper action
20
30
41
34
41
Wet
Dry
Made an improper turn
Visibility Obstructed
42
62
55
46
Disregarded traffic signs, signals,
road markings
6
5/12/10
Wednesday
4:00 PM
Sideswipe, same direction
Daylight
Cloudy
Dry
7
8
9
5/14/10
6/18/10
12/8/10
Friday
Friday
Wednesday
1:00 PM
2:23 PM
3:26 PM
Rear-end
Rear-end
Single Vehicle Crash
Daylight
Daylight
Daylight
Cloudy
Clear
Clear
Dry
Dry
Dry
10
3/18/11
Friday
11:54 PM
Sideswipe, same direction
Dark - lighted roadway Clear
11
12
4/7/11
7/23/11
Thursday
Saturday
10:25 AM
11:56 AM
Rear-end
Sideswipe, same direction
Daylight
Daylight
13
14
####### Tuesday
Thursday
9/1/11
9:35 AM
7:05 PM
Rear-end
Daylight
Clear
Sideswipe, same direction
Dusk
Clear
15
9/28/11
Wednesday
2:59 PM
Rear-end
Daylight
Clear
Dry
16
10/8/11
Saturday
9:29 AM
Angle
Daylight
Clear
Dry
Failure to keep in proper lane or
running off road
Failure to keep in proper lane or
running off road
26
52
17
11/1/11
Tuesday
4:30 PM
Angle
Clear
Dry
Disregarded traffic signs, signals,
road markings
55
73
18
12/25/11 Sunday
6:30 AM
Single Vehicle Crash
Daylight
Dark, unknown
roadway lighting
Clear
Dry
Over-correcting/over-steering
28
Clear
Clear
54
53
25
34
86
23
36
Dry
Unknown
Followed too closely
Glare
Disregarded traffic signs, signals,
road markings
Dry
Dry
Unknown
Unknown
54
62
56
Dry
Inattention
Dry
Failed to yield right of way
74
20
31
53
45
27
Ages
D4
59
Comments
D5
61
D6
44
D7
Vehicle 1 went to turn left across Highland Ave into #609 Highland Ave,
Vehicle 2 collided with Vehicle 1, cause of accident is unknown.
85 Vehicle 7 "hit the brake instead of the gas" causing the accident.
Vehicles 1 and 2 stopped at the traffic light, Vehicle 1 turning left and
Vehicle 2 in the through lane. Vehicle 3 attempted to go in between the
vehicles in attempt at also taking a left turn, striking both Vehicles.
Courtesy Crash.
Vehicle 1 was forced into Vehicle 2 due to an uninvolved vehicle entered its
lane.
Vehicle 1 stopped short to avoid hitting 2 pedestrians running into the road.
Driver experienced extreme solar glare.
56
Vehicle 2 turned right from the left turn lane.
Vehicle 1, a TT unit, and Vehicle 2 were stopped at the light headed
northbound, Vehicle 1 claims Vehicle 2 hit it, Vehicle 2 claims Vehicle 1
rolled back into him.
Vehicle 2 fled the scene.
Vehicles 1 and 2 stopped at the light turning left onto Hunting Rd, Vehicle 1
rear ended Vehicle 2 prior to turning left.
Vehicle 1 failed to stay in lane.
Vehicle 1 claimed to have no brakes. Went over the curb, traveled through
the ditch onto the opposite side of the road and struck 2 parked vehicles.
36
*Courtesy Crash - A term used to describe a crash that occurs subsequent to a non-involved mainline driver who gives the right of way, contrary to the rules of the road, to another driver.
Summary based on Crash Reports obtained from the Needham Police Department
D3
Vehicle 2 claims that Vehicle 1 was in its blind spot
Vehicle 1 claimed to have had a green left arrow, Vehicle 2 claims to have
had circular yellow light.
Vehicle 1 hit the curb headed southbound, crossed the median and hit the
guard rail on the opposite side of the road.
Crash Data Summary Tables and Charts
Highland Avenue at Gould Street and Hunting Road, Needham, MA
CRASH MONTH
20%
17%
17%
15%
11%
11%
11%
11%
N
D
10%
6%
6%
6%
6%
5%
0%
0%
J
0%
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
CRASH DAY OF WEEK
25%
22%
20%
17%
17%
17%
17%
15%
10%
6%
6%
5%
0%
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
CRASH TIME OF DAY
30%
22%22%
17%17%
20%
10%
0%
6%
6%
6%
6%
0% 0% 0%
0%
6AM­
8AM
8AM­
10AM
10AM­
12PM
12PM­
2PM
2PM­
4PM
4PM­
6PM
6PM­
8PM
8PM­
10PM
10PM­
12AM
12AM­
2AM
2AM­
4AM
4AM­
6AM
CRASH MANNER OF COLLISION
40%
35%
30%
20%
24%
24%
12%
6%
10%
0%
0%
Single
Vehicle
Crash
Rear-end
Angle
Sideswipe, Sideswipe,
same
opposite
direction
direction
Needham, Highland at Gould and Hunting Crash Data Spreadsheet.xlsx
2 of 3
0%
0%
Head on
Rear to
Rear
Unknown
3/3/2014
Crash Data Summary Tables and Charts
Highland Avenue at Gould Street and Hunting Road, Needham, MA
CRASH LIGHT CONDITION
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
76%
Daylight
12%
6%
0%
Dawn
Dusk
Dark ­
Lighted
Roadway
6%
0%
Dark ­
Roadway
not lighted
Dark ­
unknown
roadway
lighting
0%
0%
Other
Unknown
CRASH WEATHER CONDITION
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
0%
Blowing
sand, snow
Severe
Crosswinds
0%
0%
Unknown
0%
Other
0%
Fog, Smog,
Smoke
Rain
0%
CRASH ROAD SURFACE
94%
6%
Dry
0%
Sleet, Hail,
Freezing
Rain
6%
Cloudy
18%
Snow
76%
Clear
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Wet
0%
0%
Snow
Ice
0%
0%
Sand, mud, Water
dirt, oil, (standing,
gravel
moving)
0%
0%
0%
Slush
Other
Unknown
CRASH DRIVER AGES
28%
30%
19%
20%
19%
19%
10%
0%
6%
6%
60-69
70-79
0%
15-20
21-29
30-39
40-49
Needham, Highland at Gould and Hunting Crash Data Spreadsheet.xlsx
3 of 3
50-59
3%
80+
3/3/2014