Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

First-level Heading First-level Heading Claire Saltonstall Memorial Bikeway: CAPE COD SEGMENT – RECOMMENDED ROUTE REVISIONS February 2015 Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Background and Purpose ................................................................................................. 1 Methodology.................................................................................................................... 3 Traffic counts ............................................................................................................... 4 Timing and implementation ........................................................................................... 4 Mapping ....................................................................................................................... 4 Signage ......................................................................................................................... 4 Existing Route and Problems/Issues .................................................................................. 5 Maps ................................................................................................................................ 5 Route description ............................................................................................................ 5 Route Recommendations.................................................................................................... 9 Maps ............................................................................................................................... 11 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 19 Claire Saltonstall Bikeway Cape Cod Commission Page 1 Introduction BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In 1978 The Massachusetts General Court established the Claire Saltonstall Memorial Bikeway (also known as “Mass Bike Route 1” and the “Boston to Cape Cod Bikeway”) as a memorial to Claire Saltonstall, daughter of Senator William Saltonstall, who died in a bicycle accident in 1974. The bike route consists of a series of interconnected on-road segments and multi-use paths beginning in Boston and ending in Provincetown. A secondary leg extends from Bourne to Falmouth. Road conditions, development patterns, and bicycle accommodations on Cape Cod have changed since the bikeway’s designation. Portions of the route travel along formerly rural roads that now carry considerably more traffic volumes, creating an uncomfortable ride even for experienced cyclists. Multi-use paths and segments of the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) and the Shining Sea Bike Path built since the route’s designation are now available and preferred options, however route maps and accompanying signage in some locations still follow the original on-road route. The purpose of this report is to provide recommendations to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for route revisions to create more comfortable conditions for bicyclists. 1 It includes route alternatives that could be designated on existing roads and facilities in the near –term (2016) as well as recommendations for future route revisions when new shareduse paths and other bicycle accommodations currently in planning phases will be constructed. In addition to revising the bike route, maps and signage will need to be updated to reflect the changes. Bicycling from Boston to Cape Cod is a popular activity that draws cyclists seeking a bicycle tour between the city and the Cape. It is important for their safety that the signed and designated route be updated to direct them to the most comfortable roads and shared-use paths where feasible. As the region’s network of bicycle and shared-use paths expands and new facilities are constructed, new opportunities will become available for future revisions to the Saltonstall bikeway route. Route revision will likely entail a phased implementation process - including new mapping and signage - that should involve Cape Cod Commission staff, the towns, and MassDOT to ensure a coordinated process. 1 This project is funded by MassDOT as part of the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization 2014 Unified Planning Work Program. Page 2 Cape Cod Commission Claire Saltonstall Bikeway FIGURE 1 – CLAIRE SALTONSTALL BIKEWAY – CAPE COD SEGMENTS Claire Saltonstall Bikeway Cape Cod Commission Page 3 METHODOLOGY The project team reviewed the legislation that established the Claire Saltonstall Bikeway to ensure its routing recommendations comport with any guiding principles and objectives behind the route’s configuration, e.g. whether it was designed to provide a scenic ride between Boston and Provincetown (and Falmouth) or the most direct route and/or lowest traffic volume roadways, etc. However, the legislation does not include objectives or route priorities, other than to provide a way of bicycle travel between Boston and Cape Cod. MassDOT officials were unable to provide any documentation of the route’s original intent. The team looked for the most direct regional route connections that would provide the most comfortable ride for an experienced or touring cyclist. Multi-use paths that provide/maintain route connectivity were preferred over shared roads

Truro – Head of the Meadow Trail 91 TRURO Truro – Head of the Meadow Trail 92 Head of the Meadow Trail #1 (Holden Street) CRASH HISTORY SURROUNDING THE CROSSING No crash history surrounding the crossing. HOLDEN STREET, ROAD SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Advance Warning Signs Bike Trail Crossing Signs Advance Pavement Markings Control Type Shark Teeth Yield Markings Crosswalk Markings Median Between Crosswalk Additional Safety Features Visibility of Bike Trail Grade Posted Speed Limit Avg. Lane and Shoulder Width NB None Good None None None Good No None Good Slight Down hill None 13’/2’ SB None Good None None None Good No None Good None None 15’/1’ HEAD OF THE MEADOW TRAIL BIKEWAY SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Control Type Condition of Signage Pavement Markings Advance Warning Signs Sight Distance Width at Intersection Median Approaching Intersection Other Features Crossing Distance Crosswalk Style Crosswalk Width Tactile Warning Plates EB Stop Good None Yes Good 22’ No None 43’ Standard 10’ Good W B None None None No Good 22’ No None 43’ Standard 10’ None EXTRA NOTES WB approach doesn’t exist, The trail begins at this crossing. Truro – Head of the Meadow Trail 93 IMAGES Figure 61: Road Approach Figure 62: Path Approach to Crossing

Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 245 DENNIS Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 246 Cape Cod Rail Trail #39 (Great Western Road) CRASH HISTORY SURROUNDING THE CROSSING Crash Date Crash Time Crash Severity Non-Motorist Action (All Persons) Light Conditions Weather Conditions 5/12/2016 2:03 PM Property damage only (none injured) None Daylight Clear 5/4/2016 7:02 AM Property damage only (none injured) None Daylight Cloudy GREAT WESTERN ROAD, ROAD SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Advance Warning Signs Bike Trail Crossing Signs Advance Pavement Markings Control Type Shark Teeth Yield Markings Crosswalk Markings Median Between Crosswalk Additional Safety Features Visibility of Bike Trail Grade Posted Speed Limit Avg. Lane and Shoulder Width EB Good Good* Poor None None Poor No None Good Slight Downhill 40 12' / 6' WB Good Good* None None None None No None Fair Slight Uphill 40 12' / 0' *Green, wayfinding signage as well. CAPE COD RAIL TRAIL BIKEWAY SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Control Type Condition of Signage Pavement Markings Advance Warning Signs Sight Distance Width at Intersection Median Approaching Intersection Other Features Crossing Distance Crosswalk Style Crosswalk Width Tactile Warning Plates SB Stop Good None No Fair 10' No None 25' None None None NB Stop Good Poor No Good 17' Yes None 25' Continental 13' None Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 247 IMAGES Figure 192: Aerial Image of the Crossing from North Side. Crosswalk Markings are Completely Lacking for Westbound Traffic. Figure 193: Road Approach from East Side Showing the Bike Trail Crossing Signage and the Wayfinding Signage (Advance Signage is Not in Picture) Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 248 Cape Cod Rail Trail #40 (S & J Exco Driveway) CRASH HISTORY SURROUNDING THE CROSSING Crash Date Crash Time Crash Severity Non-Motorist Action (All Persons) Light Condition s Weather Condition s 5/12/2016 2:03 PM Property damage only (none injured) None Daylight Clear 5/4/2016 7:02 AM Property damage only (none injured) None Daylight Cloudy 8/1/2017 3:15 PM Property damage only (none injured) P3: Cyclist Daylight Clear S & J EXCO DRIVEWAY ROAD SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Advance Warning Signs Bike Trail Crossing Signs Advance Pavement Markings Control Type Shark Teeth Yield Markings Crosswalk Markings Median Between Crosswalk Additional Safety Features Visibility of Bike Trail Grade Posted Speed Limit Avg. Lane and Shoulder Width SB None* None None Stop None Good No None Fair Uphill None None NB None* None None None None Good No None Good Downhill None None *There are Advance Warning Signs in the area, but those are for the crossing to the east. CAPE COD RAIL TRAIL BIKEWAY SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Control Type Condition of Signage Pavement Markings Advance Warning Signs Sight Distance Width at Intersection Median Approaching Intersection Other Features Crossing Distance Crosswalk Style Crossw alk Width Tactile Warning Plates EB Stop Good None No Fair 11' No None 44' Continental 10' None W B Stop Good None No Good 9' No None 44' Continental 10' None Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 249 EXTRA NOTES Steep driveway. No advanced warnings on path. IMAGES Figure 194: Bike Trail Crossing, Facing East Figure 195: A View of the Path Crossing from S & J Exco Parking Lot Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 250 Cape Cod Rail Trail #41 (South Gages Way) CRASH HISTORY SURROUNDING THE CROSSING Crash Date Crash Time Crash Severity Non-Motorist Action (All Persons) Light Conditions Weather Conditions 8/5/2017 1:36 PM Property damage only (none injured) None Daylight Cloudy 10/10/2018 5:40 AM Property damage only (none injured) None Dark - lighted roadway Clear 7/19/2019 1:41 PM Property damage only (none injured) None Daylight Clear SOUTH GAGES WAY ROAD SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Advance Warning Signs Bike Trail Crossing Signs Advance Pavement Markings Control Type Shark Teeth Yield Markings Crosswalk Markings Median Between Crosswalk Additional Safety Features Visibility of Bike Trail Grade Posted Speed Limit Avg. Lane and Shoulder Width SB Good* Good** Good None None Good Yes RRFB, Median Good Slight Downhill None 11' / 2' NB Fair* Good** Good None None Good Yes RRFB, Median Fair Slight Uphill None 11' / 2' *Advance warning signs with LED border tied into the detection system. ** Green, wayfinding signage additionally. CAPE COD RAIL TRAIL BIKEWAY SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Control Type Condition of Signage Pavement Markings Advance Warning Signs Sight Distance Width at Intersection Median Approaching Intersection Other Features Crossing Distance Crosswalk Style Crosswalk Width Tactile Warning Plates W B Stop Good Good Yes* Good 20' Yes RRFB (motion 51' Standard 20' Fair Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 251 and push button)* EB Stop Good Good Yes* Good 20' Yes RRFB (motion and push button)* 51' Standard 20' Fair * Bike loop detectors as well EXTRA NOTES Lots of sand in the path due to vehicles. Lots of heavy vehicle traffic in this area due to local businesses. Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 252 IMAGES Figure 196: Bike Trail Approach with Pavement Markings Figure 197: A View of the Crossing Looking Eastward (Note RRFBs) Dennis – Cape Cod Rail Trail 253 Cape Cod Rail Trail #42 (Old Bass River Road / Main Street) CRASH HISTORY SURROUNDING THE CROSSING Crash Date Crash Time Crash Severity Non-Motorist Action (All Persons) Light Conditions Weather Conditions 9/12/2019 12:38 PM Property damage only (none injured) None Daylight Rain MAIN STREET SAFETY FEATURES Dir. Advance Warning Signs Bike Trail Crossing Signs Advance Pavement Markings Control Type Shark Teeth Yield Markings Crosswalk Markings Median Between Crosswalk Additional Safety Features Visibility of Bike Trail Grade Posted Speed Limit Avg. Lane and Shoulder Width SB Good* Good* * Good None None Good Yes RRFB, Raised Crosswalk Good None None 11