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Traffic commission report: signs, deer-crossing marker approved; several studies postponed
Summary
Council heard the traffic commission's recap: some signage recommendations were approved, a left-turn restriction item was postponed pending more data, and a recommendation to review intersection crash history after a year was approved.
Council received a detailed report from the Traffic Commission recapping a traffic survey covering Mansfield Avenue, Technology Parkway, Wareham Road and nearby segments. The commission recommended multiple treatments; council approved some short-term signage and deferred other changes pending further study.
Among decisions reported: the commission approved placing a deer-crossing sign on Mansfield Avenue and approved development and use of an access management policy to reduce conflict points for direct access to Mansfield Road. The group postponed consideration of left-turn lane relocation and another speed study until additional traffic data is collected. Council also approved reviewing intersection crash history one year after any implemented improvements.
Council members discussed past experiments with left-turn restrictions and noted local travel patterns — one member said a prior trial directing school traffic away from Mansfield Avenue had failed because drivers continued to make the left turn through nearby parking lots. The commission recommended adding signage to direct large trucks to follow alternate routes to avoid getting stuck, and council agreed to gather observational data over the coming months before deciding on permanent lane or lighting changes.
The report prompted several follow-up requests for staff to supply more data and for the traffic engineer to provide written rationale for items the commission did not endorse.
