Was the car traveling eastbound or westbound?

I'm not sure what direction the car was traveling in.

Perhaps this should become a four-way stop (blinking red all directions). Right now it's blinking red on Packard but blinking yellow on Powder House Blvd.

Ron,

We need permanent lights on most of our roadways. The system as it is today is antiquated. I'm not sure who is dealing with "traffic expertise" in the city these days, but they really need to step up. Cameron and Holland is another scary intersection. Motorists are traveling at higher rates of speed and unless we hire around the clock details for these locations, safety is going to be compromised. I've already voiced my concerns and waiting for some answers. When that will be, who knows. It costs a great deal of money to install traffic devices throughout our city. What fund would that be drawn from....Question 5 perhaps? Or how about we put it on Question 4's tab since it would add to the enhancement of "open space", since the traffic and chaos at some of these intersections provides no space at all --for people to travel through these daily roadblocks.

What about traffic calming? If cars are forced to drive more slowly because of the way the road is designed, cars will have more time to see pedestrians and respond. Cambridge is way ahead of us with this ... look at Columbia, Willow and Rindge. I don't agree permanent lights are the answer. They just induce cars to speed from one light to the next, making it difficult for pedestrians to cross except at the major intersections.

Don't think it will matter much at all. Red lights, stop signs, no turn on red are very much ignored by many who proceed like there is no reason to stop. I am out on the road every day and it is incredible how bad things have been getting year after year. I watch people race around stopped school buses with flashing signs, going over side walks to get around traffic. It's crazy out there. I would like to get places faster too but I am not willing to take the risks of either causing some kind of accident or harm to someone or to raise my insurance rates any higher. More people are driving without a license now or unregistered cars. Hardly a week goes by the Somerville police have caught some. Can't imagine how many there are that hav not been caught. SOme won't own up to what they have done. It's pretty sad.

Wish I knew. We could install cameras but that would only help to find out who did it aferwards, but that won't help the person who gets hurt. Otherwise you need a cop at every light and intersection. Unless we can get drivers to be civilized this will continue unfortunatly.

A temporary solution could be to put an empty cruiser at the busiest intersections in order to force drivers to slow down. Pedestrian crossing signals are essential. Maybe the four-way flashing red lights would work, but there still has to be more pedestrian crossing signals in place--and those that work.

There are plenty of speeders driving new BMW's and Toyota's as well.

I've been asking for a "Do Not Enter from 4:00 - 7:00", sign at the corner of Mead Street, which motorists use to bypass the Holland intersection. The main reason for the Holland bottleneck is that drivers don't want to sit in traffic on Mass Ave, while they try to reach Route 93 because it takes too long on Route 16, so they cut through to Curtis/Winthrop Streets which will get them there in less time.

With this most recent accident near Tufts, you may see something change sooner than it would in our neighborhoods. The administrators and students will get involved and put pressure on the city officials to make it safer. They may have to provide some funding. It comes down to who will be paying for the improvements and what is in their interests to do so.

I think raised ped crossings like the ones on Rindge plus a lot of glow-in-the-dark lines demarcating the ped crossing and a blinking red light all together would help at each ped crossing on Powderhouse Blvd, because I don't think there's just a problem at Packard. Isn't there also a crosswalk near the playground at Tufts? Three or four raised ped crossings would definitely slow traffic along that road, while making it safer for pedestrians. The speed limit could also be lowered to 25 mph, aside from the school zone.

As a pedestrian, I don't like stoplights for pedestrian crossings on busy streets because cars don't stop for pedestrians anymore UNLESS the light is red (for example, on Somerville Ave at Lowell), and once you've missed the red light for crossing, you have to wait quite a while for the next Walk signal. Plus, the cars back up due to the long red light, causing more gridlock and more exhausts (esp. on Somerville Ave heading away from the new light near the gas station and Starbucks). On Powderhouse, cars heading toward the rotary will get stuck at the rotary too, so there's bound to be more idling cars all along the road.

Finally, for years I've advocated for the ability to make residential street speed limits lower; I believe Pat Jehlen has worked on this. It's ridiculous to have 30 mph on our narrow Somerville streets; a car driving down my narrow street can go as fast as one driving on Mass Ave!

Mark,

It appears there is a push to get cars off the roads and increase the number of cyclists. I see that coming and not a strong advocate, unless they enforce cyclists to adhere to the same laws as drivers.

Interesting history you have cited on Rt. 16. Do you have an opinion which you would like to share with the rest of us as to why officials are ignoring these potentially dangerous intersections and make suggestions as to how we change our roads to better accommodate thousands of commuters who travel them daily?

It sounds like you are an expert in the field. I would appreciate your input.

Mark,

Thanks for sharing. I've been deeply concerned about the safety on our roadways since the fatality of a cyclist near my work. I have developed a fear of driving in this area due to some of my own close calls with cyclists and have almost been struck as a pedestrian in a cross walk in Cambridge by a hurried cyclist.

I know this intersection near Tufts since I walk my dog up through this area and circle around Highland to Mass Ave and Cameron. It can be deceiving because it is not as heavily traveled at night. I do hope the student makes a full recovery.

There was a fatal accident on Holland many years ago when I was a child. A young girl was crossing at Hodgkins Park, which was then Hodgkins Elementary School. The traffic device which is presently at this location, is there due to this accident because parents pushed officials into making is safer for all children who crossed in the future. It should not take an accident to change existing problems pertaining to traffic. We have people who do this for a living and the city should be doing more to avoid potential accidents. I guess it boils down to a word I try to avoid saying....Bureaucracy.

Ron,

We are trying to have an open dialogue about traffic issues, since one problem and area is also linked to another.

Davis Square, Powerhouse Rotary and Boulevard, Holland, Cameron and Rt. 16 are all interconnected. When the traffic on these neighborhoods is jammed, motorists use side streets as a way to get to their destination--in most cases, it's Rt. 93. I've lived in this neighborhood long enough to know that the existing roadways are antiquated and cannot handle the amount of daily traffic unless changes are made. It should not be that difficult to have a qualified expert study the roadways and implement solutions. But we have a few proposed developments on the back burner right now and maybe they are waiting for the developers to foot the bill for the new traffic devices. I don't know the answers, and it's damn hard to get anyone to explain them.

Maybe members of the Tufts Administration and student activists will be the answer to solving the issue on Powderhouse Blvd. In the meantime, the rest of us will just sit back and wait.

No matter what is done we still have the idiots behind the wheel. Since the texting law went into effect we have had more accidents from people texting as they try to hide the fact that they are and paying even less attention to the roads than before. Also, on those bump things I watch cars speed up and take them at an angle to get by them even faster. Powderhosue cold be better just by the drivers getting into the right lanes instead of crisscrossing all over the place and being aggressive. I don't expect that will happen. Also I run into people going around it the wrong way. That's a thrill. I don't know how this could ever be solved. Maybe one day they will have a computer chip in your car and they can monitor yor driving. People are just not going to do this on their own. It takes too long to get form point A the point B. Myself I just except this fact, don't like it bu that;s the way it is. I know how long it took me to get tp places around here 50 years ago and how long it takes now. I would estimate it takes triple the time for me now trying to play it safe and obey the rules.

Warren,

Where exactly did the accident occur? At which intersection?

The accident occurred at Powderhouse and Packard. I think that's in the article. Based on the area that was taped off for hours, the pedestrian was crossing Packard on the crosswalk on the east side of the intersection, though that isn't in the article.

I brought this up to the Chief of Police on 10/12/2011 after one particularly troublesome time being at that intersection. I drive past it in the morning, and they had removed the crossing guard. He stated that they would "assign directed patrols to monitor these locations, to include running radar ... coordinate with these other city agencies and make a recommendation based on this review." I'll follow up with him on what they found. There are now crossing guards there so that is one good change.

There was an accident on Sept. 20th, 2011:

http://www.tuftsdaily.com/look-both-ways-six-pedestrian-accidents-in-sept-add-up-to-anomaly-1.2646144
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/mobile/editorial-a-needless-safety-hazard-1.2635022
[Which says it has been an issue for sixty years]

Another accident on July 29th, 2011:

http://somerville.patch.com/articles/fire-department-uses-jaws-of-life-after-car-accident-near-tufts-three-sent-to-hospital

The next intersection with a light is Power House Blvd and Curtis St. That is a four way stop, except that Curtis is one way from Teele Sq. leading into the intersection. It is right next to the West Somerville Neighborhood School which probably accounts for the fact it is a four way stop.

Another reference to past accidents:

http://davis-square.livejournal.com/1692949.html?thread=19795477

Missed this from the email thread.

Traffic and Parking and the Somerville Police Dept in conjunction with the Tufts Police Department reviewed this intersection. They forwarded the accident history of Packard Ave/Powderhouse Blvd to the Tufts Police Dept for their review and the data indicates that this intersection did have an unusually high number of accidents in 2002 (12) and also so far in 2011 (7).

It also noted that Traffic and Parking “repaints” this intersection’s crosswalks with thermoplastic paint at a higher frequency than most other intersections in the city. This intersection was repainted in Spring 2011 and is repainted every 2 years instead of the normal 4 years so that there is a higher reflectivity value for the crosswalks and, thus, a safer and calmer traffic environment.

Acting as a juror on a case which involved a serious accident years ago, the driver, the insurance company, town, state (highway dept) and except for the corporation (Polaroid) were all sued by the plaintiff. Scene of the accident took place on Rt. 1 Norwood. It was obvious none of the entities felt responsible to take proper safety measures.

As the student remains in critical condition, I can't help wondering about the how many accidents could be prevented if the roads were properly assessed for traffic devices.

It's time for permanent traffic devices if we are to keep all commuters and pedestrians safe. It takes more time to carefully police our own commuting than it does to have a permanent light doing it for us. Our population explosion in Ward 7 is too heavy to rely on the antiquated roadway systems. Motorists will obey a red light, more so than blinking lights. Powerderhouse Boulevard should have brighter street lamps and cut back their trees. It's dark at night while other streets are not so much.

The worst part of this story is the serious injuries sustained by the student pedestrian with no word of his recovery. The other issues are potential lawsuits which occur afterwards effecting the town, taxpayers and car insurance premiums. If our roads were made safe, think about all the serious issues which could be avoided. I am confused as to why there is blatant neglect of the duties to increase safety on our roadways. Anyone wish to offer an explanation?

From second link above under Jamie's comment:

"The cost of installing a pedestrian crossing signal and converting the traffic lights from flashing reds to fully functioning traffic lights would be in the tens of thousands of dollars, but we believe that there is simply no question that the cost is justified". --Amen

AHM,

I beg to differ on the need for red lights. We should have speed bumps, bright yellow neon signs, in addition to severe ticketing when the driver/pedestrian/bicyclist is found to be at fault. I believe there is a need for personal responsibility for all who travel on roadways. I've walk my dog on Powerhouse Blvd at night. I have anxiety crossing that road because I feel it's too dark, cars are now driving at higher rates of speed. In addition, I attribute this to lack of enforcement of ticketing. I'd rather see officers spend time and money ticketing negligent drivers than cars at parking meters in Davis Square. I know it costs the city to put officers at these intersections, but how much is the loss of life, or permanent disability? No money saved can bring back a loved one, or reinstate full recovery. The student remains in a coma. I have not heard any updates to their condition.

It would be helpful to know who the drivers are, if speed or alcohol were factors, what bicyclists/pedestrians were doing (cell phone/headphones) at the time of the accident. The articles listed by Jamie are informative, provide history of ongoing issues at these intersections. It could have a lot to do with the relationship between the city and Tufts. Maybe if they decide to sell PHCS to them for a reduced rate, while they continue to give away our properties under the no-tax-to-non-profits, Tufts can kick in $50k to modernize the roadway system.

Comment from link below:

"....I wasn’t the first person to ask and the answer was (as it always is) too much money for a light and a four way stop would be too disruptive to traffic and the neighbors didn’t want it...My personal preference would a pressure switch that only activated after a car on Packard triggered it and of course one of those light pole buttons for pedestrians.

About 10-15 years ago a pedestrian was killed while crossing in the cross walk at night and from the story I read was thrown up in the air and landed on the hood of a car coming in the other direction. That car happened to be a police car. I think that driver was charged but it’s been so long I can’t recall the details". (somervilleguy)

http://davis-square.livejournal.com/1692949.html#comments

AHM,

The reason I am for a permanent red light--fine is high plus a 7 year insurance surcharge. Speed bumps should also be added for those drivers who care more about the damage done to the under carriage of their vehicle than pedestrian safety. Maybe if they can figure out how to weed out the decades long drug infestations of E. Somerville, that would be a good start to better drivers.
My idea would be to force integration--why don't we have professionals buying up homes in East Somerville? Can't we create a Davis Square II somewhere over by McGrath HIghway and add another Red Line T stop to widen the obvious divisions of class in our city? Would anyone care to comment? I guess it would be just too PC to ignore going down that briar patch. I'm an equal opportunity critic. If I see one side is at fault, I call them out on it. Personal relationships and conflict of interest, decade long nepotism, cronyism, favoritism, back-room deals are what deteriorates communities and I'm tired of it. I'm as equally frustrated with the newcomer storm-trooper elite who feel entitled. Their self-interests are no benefit to our locals--working families and elderly who have paid millions in taxes for decades, (my family since 1930) only to be wrought with more increase in taxes by Question 4. It is up to us to make sure they use those funds for the purpose it was created and not for new jobs to friends and family members who are either unqualified or paid more than competitive salaries.

A neighbor recently commented about a friend/homeowner of Union Square--"I don't want affordable housing next to my house, because it will lower the value of my property". He sounds like a Romney supporter. Romney's son strong-armed his home town community to vote against a hospice care center for the very same reason. People commented they didn't want the hearses and ambulances disturbing their tranquil neighborhoods and turned out at town hall to protest. I find that outrageous. I guess some people don't feel compassion for elderly as the rest of us with a pulse.

Mark,

I appreciate all your suggestions but unless people are willing to be flexible, nothing will change. The comment about "neighbors on PH Blvd. don't want it", reminds me of a place I once visited within a NE semi-rural, coastal community. Mainly newcomers voted against a supermarket in their town because it would require a permanent light for traffic flow. They wanted the Mayberry feel of a blinking red on the strip of road by their million dollar homes (once distressed properties) because it was more Stepfordesque, enhancing a Norman Rockwell era. I've heard it all--at the end of the day, it boils down to a few simple reasons: People who are waiting to cash out and get the most for their homes when retirement and Florida are beckoning; those in the city who believe that voting for a permanent street light is going to take any entire year's salary away from them and put it into the RE tax account, and those who think it's only up to the city to protect the irresponsible bicyclist/student who believes the campus constitutes a 6 mile radius of our city. Tufts has their own agenda with the city and I dislike the fact they have been gobbling up all our properties and not paying taxes, which then becomes a burden to the Somerville homeowners, who many are struggling due to ongoing poor economic times. I wish I shared your optimism, but it's politics as usual and none of this will resolve unless people are willing to work together in a respectful, timely manner.

Mark,

I do not share your overwhelming enthusiasm to encourage more Lance Armstrongs wannabes to further create more dangerous intersections on our roadways. Until our legislators can properly manage to curtail the ongoing abuses by militant bicyclists, primarily Somerville/Cambridge/Boston, I am not in favor of adding more bike lanes.

I have come very close to injuring 3 reckless, irresponsible bicyclists which is one reason I no longer wish to drive in area. Two were trying to pass me as I was attempting to make a RT turn. The Cambridge police have been issuing tickets to bicyclists who intentionally disregard safety & rules of the road, flying through stop signs, red lights, riding between lanes, on Memorial Drive, cutting off drivers who use signals to turn, 20 feet away from them, etc. I've seen it all! I was pursued by a crazed bicyclist who looked like he belonged in a Tour de'France competition not on the streets of Brattle/Sparks--he screamed at my window, accused me of encroaching into HIS bike lane, when I had not. He proceeded to chase me while on the sidewalk of Mem Dr., to further intimidate me. If he had a license plate/reg on his bike I would have reported the incident to the Cambridge police for harassment/intimidation of a motorist. If they are on the road, they should have to obey as motorists and pay fines as motorists, register as motorists. They cross into crosswalks and hit pedestrians and ride off into the sunset.

p.s. The 3rd bicyclists was in Davis Square, Redbones, Rt side of road. She was attempting to pass me as I was entering a parking space, on my drivers side (there was sufficient room for me to drive in, not back in because there were 3 vacant spots). I saw her as I slowly entered the spot with my blinker on to alert those driving behind me. She didn't make it and hit my bumper, proceeded to fall into the empty parking space with her bike. I immediately jumped out of my car, helped her up and asked if she was alright. She said yes, and apologized for her error in judgment --"I should not have cut you off like that, I thought I could have made it"....

I have had no accidents in all the years I have driven a car--30+, but in the past two years, I have come very close and now I get exhausted behind the wheel in areas with multiple bike lanes because I feel like I'm baby sitting on the roadway with very young, naive bicyclists who don't know they are not in Kansas anymore! If many have never driven a car, how do they know how to ride a bike on a busy road in the metropolitan area--it cannot be done!

AHM,

Oh, you mean like a certain senator, not TK, who drove into a woman's home foundation and the cop on duty was told to take him right home and not to the station or not bother showing up for work tomorrow! True story....decades ago.

AHM,

I've researched a few tragic fatalities involving bicyclists in Cambridge and Boston in the recent year, one very close to my work. There is a website dedicated to those who wish to bike in the area and most are mean spirited who blame all drivers, especially drivers of trucks and buses. Sounds more like class wars than motorist/bike wars since they are hesitant to blame those driving SUV Mercedes in Wellesley/Weston areas.

I would like those who sit in judgement of motorists to be forced to drive a truck and bus for an entire year so they can understand their own ignorant bias.

If bicyclists cannot use proper judgement and common sense when entering highly dangerous intersections, in the dark, during inclement weather conditions, without reflective clothing, devices on their bike, how can they fault the driver who can't see them?

In many cases, motorists vision is impaired due to blind spots in side mirrors. That is why I nearly hit 2 reckless bicyclists because due to the speed they were traveling, within a split second, they were upon me without notice and I had no time to stop my RT turn. In one particular case, it was Mass Ave, N.Cambridge with no bike lane, parked cars, heavily traveled area. I could actually hear him screaming and the sound of the rubber on the pavement and tires which were probably in the shop the next day. How can motorists be blamed when dealing with crazy bicyclists suffering from stupidity?

AHM,

Your insurance paid $25k for their reckless behavior? And now your insurance premium has been raised? That story adds more insanity to the rest of the saga of crazed bicyclists.

I'm convinced there is some kick-back to the state for allowing all this "please bike and give up your car", non-sense.

There is a war against motorists and it's wrong. People have the right to drive a car if they choose and there are many--elderly, disabled, mothers w/children, etc., who must rely on a car. We can't all be living our lives on bicycles. I use to ride a bike to Cambridge when I worked at MAH. This was in the early 90's, very different from today. I could still ride my bike, but I am too cautious a person to put my life in danger. I do not feel our roadways are meant to handle the already high foot traffic combined with motorists--bikes only increase already existing dangers. Just last week, as I was exiting the train station, 5 bikes cut off about 25 pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk and when one man yelled at one, she shouted back that they had the right of way. When is it acceptable practice for bicyclists to run down pedestrians! Good Lord what a wacked out society we live in.

So where are they hiding that slush fund for allowing so many bicyclists to take over our roadways? Maybe they should apply it to the traffic device fund.

AHM,

My opinion--it's both. There are all types of addicts and bicyclists are no different from the rest. You know, they must get their maximum endorphin rush, otherwise they cannot control their compulsive urges or maintain pathological tendencies to keep a zero body fat at all times. I walk, it's healthier and more relaxing, as long as you can avoid dangerous intersections.

As far as hospice care centers are concerned--have you noticed that more and more people are so self-involved they also believe they are immortal? I was raised as a Christian and Catholic--I was taught when it's our time to go, we go and we should not fear death. I guess they can't take reminders of that it may happen to be them one day. Like they say...."death and taxes, you cannot avoid either one".
But if the two towns which voted against it are Cambridge and Belmont, I would think it has a great deal to do with the prominent culture which exists within. They don't want anything which will intrude upon their tranquil existence. Banning leaf blowers was another strange demand. Now I read about Brookline banning Styrofoam. I found some in my mail today and thought someone might come by to arrest me. Are there any D & D's in Brookline? If so, they better be prepared to change to the S--bucky's choice of the green is better- container. I'm all for keeping it all clean, but how about they go after the Oil Tycoons?

AHM,

I've personally experienced worse roadside behavior by certain bicyclists, but I have had my share of others, just less frequent the past few years.

Agreed, we should not veer off topic, will just add this link about your last comment.
I have my own opinions as to why and it has less to do with conservation and more to do with marketing of self-interests. It's just like what has happened with the other story on this site with regard to Johnnie's--when you force out the competition, there is only one option. I dislike monopoly's and those who suffer compensatory losses should sue in open court for all to witness. This is not the democratic society I believe it--it's a corporate entity which is relentless in hording it all to themselves. I agree on small bottles, but I will keep purchasing my gallons of Spring/Artesian alternatives. I don't believe in tap and I won't go into the details for obvious reasons.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/07/13710037-concord-mass-the-first-us-city-to-ban-sale-of-plastic-water-bottles?lite

Warren,

I never suggested cutting down your trees. You should be asking the city to trim them down so the lights will shine on Powderhouse Blvd. The road is too dark. If there are two bulbs burned out, why haven't you contacted the city? It's the responsibility of residents to inform the DPW/Aldermen when lamp posts are out.

The east section of city traffic has absolutely nothing to do with the west side. And your comment about the car losing control when it hits the speed bump is absurd.

The only reason I see that the residents would banned together to keep the road from being properly developed for safety, is to increase their ever-so-precious home values. I'm disappointed in that type of behavior because it does not consider the lives of other, only those who subscribe to a false sense of entitlement & self-interests. Some things are much more important--like saving a life, preventing serious accidents which require the jaws-of-life, among other things like lawsuits effecting taxes.

I know that road very well. It has not changed much in over 5 decades, still a beautiful road, one of the few left in our city which is why I prefer to walk my dog there & through roads by Tufts. It remains as an old country road--explains its appeal to potential buyers. But I have seen how fast cars drive by there at night & I know how dark that road is with all those trees which hover over street lamps. A permanent light would change all that. It would become METRO.

Gentrification does not last forever--boredom sets in quickly after all the demands and toys have been implemented. I'll be around long enough to see it all changed back to it's original state. Enjoy it while it lasts. I just hope that all those empty condo's and businesses won't tank the city budget when they pack up and leave town to start families in Stepford. I also hope we continue to prevent fatal accidents over what is best for the roadway and self-interests of homeowners. Those not experts in traffic, only bicycle lanes is the issue and it's time concerned residents try to find out on their own, just what is needed to keep people safe on the roads. I have a close friend who is a MSP--he has stated that is MOST CASES, when accidents occur with bicyclists it is their fault, not of the motorist. He would know because those officers under his command must deal with gruesome discoveries, hellish ordeals, then to share with loved ones. I am a person who cares about human life and unless we stand up to the absurdities of others who think differently, because none of this ever effects them, we are no better. NOT- Ignoring situations as these takes courage and the will to think outside of one's own comfort zone.

I have a better idea for you-- Why not appeal to the Alderman & Mayor, ask them to turn your road into a private way, block off entrances from Rt. 16 & Rotary. That way, you can have the entire area to yourself, Mark,& the merry-bicyclists who desperately need a permanent Sunday's at Memorial Drive speedway.
What you fail to understand is this--when you buy a house in the metro area or back country road--you only have rights to that foot print. You are not the property owner of said road, your neighbors house, their mulch, their trees or their pine cones. You are only a homeowner, please start behaving as one. These decisions are not solely yours to make, nor are they mine or any one person or small body of neighbors. They are made by a larger group of people hired to do this as their profession and we are only able to provide LOGICAL suggestions which would help make the road safe, not make your life better or keep your home value at its highest. This is the behavior I have talking about which we don't need in our city--it is small minded and inconsiderate of others. Until people learn to mind their own business and realize the world does not revolve around them and their bike lanes or small foot print of a home, then maybe we as a community can bridge these gaps of ignorance and finally begin to work together on common goals.
Until then, please refrain from your addressing your annoying comments at me. They serve no constructive dialogue or purpose of further discussion.

Shifting the light from a blinking yellow/red to a four way blinking red (with more signs) would be a worthwhile test, and should cost the least amount (besides no change of course). We could certainly try it for a year or two and see if the probability of accidents declines. If it doesn't, then we could consider other options.

My guess would be that there would be resistance from the city to such a change as it would slow down the flow of traffic on that street.

In terms of people speeding down Powder House Blvd., perhaps putting up one of the "You are going this fast" detectors half way down to the rotary.

Speaking of rotaries, on a trip to Northern Ireland, I had the pleasure of driving in a number of rotaries there. While they don't have stop lights, we might look at what they do in thinking about redesigning the Powder House Rotary. They tend to have two lanes, with the inner lane being used for going over 2/3 of the way around and the outer lane being used to access the exits on the first 2/3. It worked really well. Of course that could also be polite Northern Ireland drivers.

Sand Man,

I hear you--the only logical explanation for this is--some special interest group is throwing a ton of money at the bicycle project. Maybe the city is getting some tax incentives. I'd like to know, wouldn't you? Every time there is an accident on the roadway, it is costing the taxpayers--whether it be a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist and motorist--each time, there are considerations of law suits. Some will lie, just to make a buck, get on disability or just freeload. And they come in all shades. Another poster shared a bicyclist had collided with his vehicle and was found at fault, but still managed to sue his insurance company for $25k and he wasn't even injured? How does this happen? I'm betting he bought himself a brand new bike with the proceeds and gear to go. While insurance premiums go up for the rest of us who drive with caution.

Talked with Matthew of Traffic and Parking who noted that they have added fluorescents used on the sign poles that proceed the intersections, new thermoplastic line painting (xwalks and double yellows) and extra largestop signs and PED signs. He was very quick to respond, and I certainly appreciate that.

He also noted that they are exploring improvements to all the intersections in the Tufts area, the any proposals they come up with are shared at the Resistat meetings in the neighborhood. There was a Ward 7 meeting on 10/27 and a Ward 6 meeting on 11/15. Future meetings should be posted at:

http://somervilleresistat.blogspot.com/

Though the programs look pretty full for only a few hours.

Boston.com has an article about Tufts University commissioning a traffic study at that intersection: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2012/11/tufts_promises_improvements_at.html?camp=localsearch:on:twit:HLsomerville&dlvrit=155349

I hate to say it but anyone who gets hit at this intersection has only themselves to blame!!!!. i cant tell you how many times i drive around tufts just to see STUPID kids darting out into traffic,runners just running across streets without looking or dumb as students jumping into cross walks without looking... and they do it WORSE AT NIGHT!!!!! at least 3 times a day i slamonmy breaks for some idiot not paying attention to ANYTHING!!!!!!!!.. i saw three 5 minutes ago.. blasting headphones... walking across a major road like its not even a road... they simply are oblivious!!!!!... its not the drivers its the dumb people who just blast intoroads!!!!!!!!!!!!!...one of the first things i ever learned was to "look both ways before crossing"... NOBODY AROUND TUFTS DOES THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ANNOYING im surprised 10 people arent hit daily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. get your heads out of your ass people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the condition of the Tufts student who was hit on Packard Ave? Does anyone know? I haven't seen any update about his condition.
I've seen cars race through Davis Sq. and on Elm St. Speed traps should be set up more often to ticket and stop these reckless drivers. A big jump in their car insurance rate will make them think twice about speeding.

RWB

Just wanted to update people on this. The city changed the intersection to a 4 way blinking red a few days ago, as suggested by Ron above and seconded by several of the rest of us, and put 1-2 cruisers at the intersection for a couple days straight to, uh, "remind" people who didn't notice the change.

I have to give this to Curtatone: when he does realize there is a problem and there is a reasonable fix, he does fix things rather than ignoring them.