Can Waltham Control Speeding?
Waltham traffic officials are testing out a new speed mitigation measure on the South Side, reflecting widespread worries about speeding. What is the appropriate solution, if any?
Speed Cushions
Last Monday, two speed cushions were installed on Crescent Street near Adams.
“The speed cushions, designed for a speed of 30 mph, were approved on a trial basis by the Waltham Traffic Commission from mid-April to mid-October,” said Waltham traffic engineer Mike Garvin last week.
The short rubber cushions, described in Garvin’s report as “partial speed bumps,” are different from the elevated crosswalks seen at a few Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) crossings in Waltham, such as Lyman Street.
The cushions do not extend across the entire street and they can be removed during the winter to prevent plowing impacts. The wheels of fire apparatus can travel to the outside of the cushions, preventing delays.
There are drawbacks. “One of the disadvantages of the speed cushion is the noise as each vehicle travels over it,” Garvin said in his report last fall.
But they appear to be working so far. We witnessed cars slowing down as they approached them.
Ward 8 city councilor Cathyann Harris, an outspoken proponent of speed mitigation, said she has received calls from more than a dozen constituents saying that the cushions have helped with the speeding problem on Crescent.
The Issue
Like other city councilors, Harris regularly appears before the Waltham Traffic Commission to press for speed mitigation for her constituents.
In February, two speeding vehicles struck a utility pole and residential fencing on Crescent Street, resulting in charges against two male drivers.
She said those who live in the neighborhood worry about getting hit by speeding vehicles while making left turns onto Crescent from side streets.
Last fall nearly 50 residents attended a neighborhood meeting about the issue.
The speed limit is 25 miles per hour. In his report, Mike Garvin said “speeds on Crescent Street are a little higher than they should be, at 37.5 miles per hour.”
He said there have been 18 crashes on Crescent between Robbins and Moody over the last 3 years.
Mitigation measures have been tested, including striping and a radar speed sign, but nothing seems to work. “We haven’t found the magic bullet yet,” Harris said.
Garvin recommended speed cushions for a pilot program instead of a raised intersection on Crescent Street. The commission approved them in October 2024.
Councilor Harris and her constituents are encouraged by the new measure, but not everyone is in favor of them.
“I am opposed to putting impediments in our road system that impede emergency response,” said Waltham fire chief Randy Mullin at the last traffic commission meeting.
The chief said firefighters operating heavy engines and ladder trucks are already grappling with heavy traffic and poorly parked cars. “Seconds make a difference between life and death,” Mullin said.
He cited federal traffic data showing a 10-second delay for each speed bump. “If we have to transverse four, five, six of them, we’re a minute late.”
Possible Measures?
During COVID lockdowns, speeding increased nationwide, as did crashes. Some of the risky habits have proven hard to shake, especially with distracted driving as another factor.
Determining exactly what to do, however, is tricky, although there are some measures already in place in Waltham and Watertown.
Along with the raised crosswalks along the rail trail, there are two road humps on Hagar Lane off Warren Street near the Watertown line. Drivers slow down to navigate them on the narrow residential street.
Near Watertown Middle School there are raised crosswalks similar to the ones at some Waltham rail trail crossings. They also slow drivers down.
During the April traffic commission meeting, fire chief Mullin said he would prefer long speed tables. “Nothing more than 3 inches high and elongated. The speed table is less rigid on our trucks as we go over them,” he said.
Councilor Harris said Waltham needs to see what works elsewhere while respecting the needs of first responders.
“We should look at how other cities and towns have successfully implemented speed calming measures like speed cushions and tables without impacting public safety response times,” she said.
In the coming months, traffic engineer Mike Garvin will collect speed data to determine if the speed cushions are effective at lowering speeds on Crescent Street.
He will then present his findings from the pilot program to the traffic commission in the fall to determine next steps.
