We will improve bus reliability by extending the shared bus-bike lane about 500 feet to the Homer Avenue bus stop. We will also make changes to signal timing to improve bus travel time reliability.
Background
This project is guided by the City's Complete Streets Policy, Bus Delay and Unreliability Studies, and Transit Strategic Plan. More information on transit planning in Cambridge can be found on the Community Development Department's website.
This project will address concerns with the current traffic pattern that we installed in 2017, that we were unable to address with the previous signal infrastructure. Additional information about the traffic pattern changes from 2017 can be found on the Community Development Department website.
This project will make improvements to pedestrian signals at two intersections: Mt. Auburn Street at Homer Avenue and Mt. Auburn Street at Aberdeen Avenue. This includes:
- Changes to signal timing to allow pedestrians more time to cross the street.
- "Split-signal timing" at Aberdeen Avenue, which will allow people to cross without traffic turning into the crosswalk.
- Improvements to signal equipment to make it easier for people with disabilities to use.
Background
This City is continually making improvements for people walking on a citywide basis. This includes a number of active initiatives identified in the City's Pedestrian Plan, such as:
- Limiting the number of new curb cuts approved in the city.
- Installing street trees, benches, bus shelters and other amenities.
- Rebuilding streets and sidewalks as part of the City's Five Year Plan for Streets and Sidewalks.
- Repairing existing sidewalks and ramps citywide on an ongoing as-needed basis.
We will improve bike facilities with a combination of quick-build separated bike lanes, shared bus/bike lanes, and standard bike lanes.
Background
Mt. Auburn Street is called out in the Cambridge Bike Network Vision as streets for "greater separation." Greater separation means that bike lanes are separated from vehicle traffic with barriers or curbs. This project will improve bike facilities on both streets without changing existing parking.
This project will look at other types of bike facilities in addition, including bicycle-specific ramps and signals.
Bicycle-specific ramps allow people biking to cross the street without having to merge across traffic. People biking can take a ramp up the same level as the sidewalk and turn to cross the street at their own crossing. Specific ramps, markings and signals for bicyclists help keep bike and pedestrian traffic separate and create a more comfortable experience for people riding bikes. We install these throughout the city in locations where bicycle traffic must turn left across a busy street. (Image: Example of a bicycle ramp in Porter Square)
Bike Lane Types
Below, learn more about the types of bike lanes you will see on Mt. Auburn Street.
Separated Bike Lanes
We will install separated bike lanes on both sides of the street between Homer Avenue and Aberdeen Avenue.
Separated bike lanes provide dedicated spaces for people riding bikes, physically separated from traffic by a vertical structure like a curb, flex-post, or other barrier. Compared to traditional bike lanes, more people are comfortable biking in bike lanes that are separated from traffic with a barrier or curb. The experience is also much more comfortable than riding in traffic with cars, buses, and trucks.
Separated bike lanes also increase safety for people walking by reducing crossing distances at crosswalks and visually narrowing the roadway. As we install separated bike lanes, we also look for opportunities to increase visibility at intersections, refresh crosswalk markings, and install appropriate pedestrian crossing signs.
Example of a separated bike lane on Mt Auburn St
On-Street Bicycle Lane (Standard Bicycle Lane)
We will install a standard bicycle lane for people traveling west (toward Watertown) between Homer Avenue and Belmont Street.
On-street bike lanes provide space for bicyclists to ride out of the way of moving traffic, but do not provide a physical barrier between people riding bikes and people driving.
Example of an existing on-street bicycle lane on Mt. Auburn St
Shared Bike/Bus Lanes
We will install a shared bus/bike lane for people traveling east (away from Watertown) between Homer Avenue and Belmont Street.
Shared bike/bus lanes are dedicated lanes for both buses and people riding bikes. Compared to separated bike lanes, they are a less comfortable facility for people biking, but they are more comfortable than riding in mixed traffic. The city installs shared bike/bus lanes only in locations where space for a dedicated bike lane is not yet available.
Example of a shared bus/bike lane in Boston
As part of this project, we are looking at ways to improve safety and clarity for people driving. This will include:
- Adding dedicated turn lanes, which provides dedicated space for cars to wait to turn, so that they won't block cars going straight.
- Replacing and upgrading all traffic signal equipment at the Mt. Auburn/Aberdeen intersection. This will include a dedicated signal for traffic turning left onto Aberdeen Ave. The turn signal will hang directly above the left turn lane, making the intersection easier for drivers to understand.
- Reducing conflicts between cars, people walking, and people biking. Traffic turning right will get a dedicated time to turn, separate from people walking in the crosswalk and people biking.
- We will remove one travel lane, so there will be a single lane for traffic headed west toward Belmont and Watertown. We're able to make this change with limited impacts to traffic by adding turn lanes and making changes to signal timing.