DPW unveils data‑driven pavement management program, updates Complete Streets and traffic‑calming policies

The Department of Public Works presented a comprehensive, data‑driven approach March 18 to manage Brookline’s roads, sidewalks and streetscape. Commissioner Erin Chute and staff described a pavement management program that uses a pavement condition index (PCI), traffic volume and unit‑cost life‑extension estimates to prioritize work across the town’s roughly 99.5 center‑line miles.

DPW emphasized preservation: cheaper preventive treatments (bonded wearing course; thin overlays) maintain higher PCI roads and delay costly reconstruction. The department presented three budget scenarios and a five‑year program: at current unit costs a $5.5 million annual program will not arrest network deterioration; calibrated unit costs and inclusion of ADA and complete‑streets elements push the break‑even funding need higher (staff estimated $7.5–9.0 million depending on scope).

DPW proposed four policy updates to support the program: a new Pavement Preservation, Maintenance & Management policy to prioritize treatments by cost‑benefit; an updated Complete Streets policy that focuses capital investment on a priority network; a revised Traffic Calming policy that uses existing traffic/crash/speed datasets and quick‑build interventions to reduce the backlog of requests; and a Sidewalk & Ramp policy that prioritizes replacement by pedestrian use, ADA need and proximity to schools rather than tying sidewalk funding strictly to pavement projects.

Commissioner Chute said the department has published a public dashboard showing road condition, planned years and treatment categories and will present the policies for Select Board action at the next meeting. Board members praised the transparency, asked for clearer public navigation to the dashboard and raised utility restoration and long‑term funding questions.