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Needham engineers report speed and volume results; ongoing truck study and speed‑cushion installations noted
Summary
Engineering staff reported 85th‑percentile speeds and daily volumes for multiple corridors, described an active truck study on Cary Road and said Harris Avenue speed cushions have arrived and await signage decisions.
Engineering staff updated the Transportation Safety Committee on recent speed and volume counts and on in‑progress temporary deployments.
Key measurements presented: - Chestnut Street northbound 85th percentile: about 39 mph; southbound 85th percentile: about 42 mph; average daily volume reported around 6,400 vehicles. - Webster Street (south of Dedham Avenue): northbound 85th percentile ~33 mph; southbound ~34 mph; volume ~560 vehicles per day. - Great Plain Avenue (east of Prospect Street, down the hill toward Ramravad Road): eastbound and westbound 85th percentile speed ~40 mph; volume about 4,900 vehicles per day.
Other items: - Cary Road truck study: engineering confirmed tube counters are in place to capture truck volumes and classifications; results will be shared at a future meeting. - Harris Avenue speed cushions: units have arrived and are stored in the highway bay; the outstanding issue is how to sign and locate the cushions without obstructing nearby crosswalk signage. Committee members asked staff to develop advance‑warning signage and placement that avoids obstructing existing crosswalk poles.
Engineering indicated that some speed changes may be achieved by curb work and granite curbing when sidewalk projects are scheduled; the department recommended combining physical changes (if planned) with pilot measures such as line striping or signage and then measuring effects.
No formal votes were taken on these items; staff will return with the Cary truck study results and designs and with options for Harris Avenue signage and timing.
