A Transportation Advisory Committee in Newton, Mass., recently recommended a seven-goal plan for changing the town’s transportation priorities.
Noting that traffic and vehicle related issues are among the highest quality-of-life issues for the city, the committee looked to address both short- and long-term issues, keeping in mind seven key goals:
- Options: Provide a range of options for all ages or residents and visitors, irregardless of age or motivation (i.e., health, budget, environment, etc.).
- Quality of Life: Support and advance the broader vision for “the Newton that we all want to live in.”
- Reduce Driving: Focus on vehicle traffic, particularly “cut-through” traffic.
- Safety: For motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
- Smart Growth: Integrate decisions with planning and land-use considerations.
- Consistency: Support the city’s other long-term goals, whether they be budgetary or related to environmental impact (i.e., reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting health lifestyles, etc.)
- Balance: Address all constituents, not just motorists.
The advisory committee is made up of residents and employees from the Planning, Engineering, Public Works and Police departments.
Many of the recommendations regarded policies and procedures for improving communication and to speed decision making; others were more operational, for example:
- Coordinators: The appointment of a Bicycle Coordinator, Pedestrian Coordinator, and an advisory committee to coordinate issues relating to biking and walking.
- “Fix It First": Implementation of a “fix it first” approach to infrastructure improvements, prioritizing safety-related work both when undertaking maintenance or
establishing capital priorities.
- Complete Streets: Adoption of a “Complete Streets” policy, which begins with the assumption that all people, not just car users, must be taken into consideration of street design.
- Design Classification: Creation of a new classification for roadways, which will help the city prioritize work.
- Public Transit Expansion: Identify certain bus and rail routes as projects for feasibility analysis to determine whether the extension of these routes is feasible and cost-effective.
- Reduce Traffic Near Schools: Reduce gridlock/traffic issues en route to
schools, and keep children safe during these busier periods
- Meters: Pilot “market-based” meter pricing, which should encourage more walking, biking, or use of public transit.
- Car Share: Increase car-share opportunities to reduce ownership
The complete report can be found here, as can the original vision for the city. Information on the advisory committee is also available.