You don't need to be a traffic engineer to figure out that traffic tables are a bad idea. (See Sarah Postlethwaite's letter.). Everyone I have talked to about the issue agrees that Lincoln should not be committing to traffic tables/ speed tables. Diana Smith
On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 9:26 PM ٍSarah Postlethwait <[email protected]> wrote: > Who is funding the proposed traffic table scheduled for installation this > spring? > > It is extremely difficult for residents to track decisions being made > across multiple boards, each operating on separate 5–10 year planning > timelines. I believe many residents will be genuinely surprised when a > traffic table appears, as this is not something the community has asked for > or supported. > > If residents are consistently requesting sidewalks next to roadways, why > are limited funds- even grant funds- being allocated to traffic tables and > bike lanes instead of addressing those clearly stated priorities? > Sarah Postlethwait > > > > On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM Margaret Olson <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> The survey was part of a continuous feedback process. We have the bicycle >> and pedestrian master plan, developed over several years with multiple >> neighborhood and public outreach meetings, we present at state of the town, >> and we send out surveys. We obviously can’t update a master plan very often >> but we can “check in” with the town through these lighter mechanisms to >> make sure there have been no major changes. >> >> On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> The question was not so much about crosswalk design on 117. >>> It is impeccable. >>> >>> The question raised was the rational for location-the general policy to >>> guide such decisions, and the advisability of using under 100 citizen >>> response to a survey to guide tax investments in public safety and roadway >>> questions. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Dec 13, 2025, at 3:04 PM, Margaret Olson <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> The town’s five year plan is available on the Transportation >>> Coalition website: >>> https://www.lincolntown.org/1552/Transportation-Coalition >>> >>> The town’s engineering consultants designed the crosswalk - all >>> infrastructure improvements are professionally designed. Site lines >>> determined the exact location of the new crosswalk as they do all >>> crosswalks. >>> >>> Margaret >>> >>> On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Past road projects were informed by professional guidance, standards >>>> and research. >>>> I am surprised to find that a survey response by under 100 residents >>>> seems to now guide decisions. >>>> >>>> The 117/Old Sudbury Rd. crosswalk is beautifully executed. >>>> However, it leads to a narrow, busy road (Old Sudbury Rd.) with no >>>> shoulder, no path, no sidewalk.. >>>> >>>> When the Roadway and Traffic Committee (the RTC) was formed, clear >>>> guidelines and standards were established for all such decisions. >>>> Crosswalk locations were determined to be safest and most appropriate >>>> where site lines were clear and the crosswalk connect paths and/or trials. >>>> >>>> It would be instructive to have the Transportation Coalition share the >>>> rational developed through guidance documents and professional reports that >>>> direct the expenditure of tax dollars on these projects. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Dec 13, 2025, at 2:18 PM, ٍSarah Postlethwait <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> “The crosswalk by town hall has new, hopefully more visible signs. It >>>> will be upgraded to a speed table in the spring, once the water main >>>> patches have settled. The speed table will give drivers, pedestrians, and >>>> Public Safety experience with this new traffic calming measure. We will >>>> then consider whether speed tables are well suited to other crosswalks in >>>> town.” >>>> >>>> I am genuinely struggling to understand why a traffic table is being >>>> presented as the preferred solution for Lincoln Road, particularly given >>>> its well-documented drawbacks and the availability of safer, more effective >>>> alternatives. >>>> >>>> Traffic tables carry significant and foreseeable downsides. They can >>>> delay emergency response vehicles, create safety hazards for motorcyclists >>>> due to abrupt elevation changes, and cause damage to vehicle suspensions, >>>> undercarriages, and front splitters—especially once the Table has a few >>>> seasons of New England weather has left it in less than optimal condition. >>>> Is the Town prepared to accept liability for vehicle damage caused by this >>>> installation? If not, why is a measure with such predictable consequences >>>> being advanced? >>>> >>>> Moreover, a single traffic table does nothing to meaningfully reduce >>>> overall vehicle speeds along Lincoln Road. At best, it creates a brief >>>> bottleneck where drivers slow momentarily, only to accelerate immediately >>>> afterward. This does not address speeding behavior along the rest of the >>>> roadway and offers no comprehensive traffic-calming benefit. >>>> >>>> It is also worth noting that traffic tables are not safely traversed at >>>> 20-30mph. In practical use, drivers must slow to approximately 15–20 mph to >>>> avoid vehicle damage. This creates an inconsistent and potentially >>>> hazardous driving environment, particularly for unfamiliar drivers, >>>> cyclists, and emergency vehicles. >>>> >>>> Compounding this concern are ongoing discussions about asking residents >>>> to contribute financially to repaving Lincoln Road- work that will likely >>>> be necessary sooner rather than later due to the extremely poor patching >>>> performed after the water main replacement. If repaving is imminent, would >>>> the newly installed traffic table need to be removed and rebuilt? If so, >>>> how is this an efficient or fiscally responsible use of public or resident >>>> funds? >>>> >>>> There are proven, safer alternatives that address pedestrian safety >>>> without introducing these risks. For example, pedestrian-activated crossing >>>> signals, such as the flashing system used at Walden Pond, have been shown >>>> to improve driver compliance and pedestrian visibility while preserving >>>> road continuity. Why was this option dismissed by the Transportation >>>> Coalition, and on what evidence was that decision based? >>>> >>>> Finally, it remains unclear who would be responsible for the >>>> installation, maintenance, and long-term upkeep of the proposed traffic >>>> table. What are the projected costs, and how will they be funded? >>>> >>>> Given these unresolved concerns, it is difficult to justify a traffic >>>> table as the best, or even a prudent solution for Lincoln Road. >>>> Sarah Postlethwait >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 1:44 PM Margaret Olson < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Everyone, >>>>> >>>>> We wanted to share with you the results of the Transportation >>>>> Coalition survey and give you an update on recently completed and upcoming >>>>> projects. >>>>> >>>>> The Survey: >>>>> >>>>> The survey opened on August 26th and closed on October 13th. 312 of >>>>> you responded to our outreach: postal mailing, flyers, and emails. To all >>>>> who responded: Thank you! The feedback we received will help guide our >>>>> long-term planning. The Transportation Coalition will continue to partner >>>>> with the Town's Public Safety Department and DPW on road safety and >>>>> maintenance, and to fund as much as possible with a combination of state >>>>> Chapter 90 money and grants. >>>>> >>>>> Resident’s top-rated priorities were additional roadside >>>>> paths/sidewalks (82 votes), road maintenance (77 votes), and speed/traffic >>>>> control (61 votes). Answers to the question "if you could pick one project >>>>> to improve pedestrian or cyclist safety in your neighborhood, what would >>>>> it >>>>> be?" reflected these priorities: sidewalks and speed. The intersection of >>>>> 117 and Tower Road and additional bike lanes were the largest group of >>>>> specific responses. >>>>> >>>>> When it comes to taxes to support improvements, 146 of you are >>>>> opposed, 129 are in favor, and 27 responded with "maybe". >>>>> >>>>> Projects: >>>>> >>>>> The crosswalk at Old Sudbury Road and Route 117 is now complete! It >>>>> consists of new pedestrian refuge islands and a pedestrian activated >>>>> warning light. This was funded by a Complete Streets grant. Attached is a >>>>> picture for those of you who do not often drive along 117. >>>>> >>>>> The crosswalk by town hall has new, hopefully more visible signs. It >>>>> will be upgraded to a speed table in the spring, once the water main >>>>> patches have settled. The speed table will give drivers, pedestrians, and >>>>> Public Safety experience with this new traffic calming measure. We will >>>>> then consider whether speed tables are well suited to other crosswalks in >>>>> town. A "speed table" is a traffic calming device consisting of a long, >>>>> flat topped speed hump that allows vehicles to maintain speeds of around >>>>> 20-30 mph while still slowing traffic for safer pedestrian crossings. >>>>> Attached is an image of a speed hump from the Federal Highway Division. >>>>> >>>>> And, as most of you probably know, the second half of the water main >>>>> project on Lincoln Road will begin in the spring/summer. >>>>> >>>>> The 2A repaving by Mass DOT will not be put out to bid until 2029. At >>>>> least some of the 2A crosswalks and pedestrian protections that the Town >>>>> advocated for remain as part of the plan. >>>>> >>>>> MassDOT has informed us that the Route 126 bridge project will start >>>>> this coming summer and is projected to finish in the summer of 2031. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Margaret Olson >>>>> >>>>> Chair, Transportation Coalition >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- Diana Smith PO Box 6294 Lincoln MA 01773 Cell: 617 803 8022
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