KINGSTON — The traffic safety audit for the intersection of Pembroke Street at Lake and Station Streets is focusing on ways to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries at this location.

The objective was to identify known issues and potential improvements that could be implemented at high accident sites in the short and long term, as well as possible capital improvement projects.

The proximity of the intersection to the Silver Lake schools was factored into the decision to conduct the audit at this location. The audit was conducted virtually on May 11, 2021, with an Old Colony Planning Council planner on hand to provide video links and commentary and answer questions.

The results of the Old Colony Metropolitan Planning Organization’s traffic safety audit of the intersection were presented to the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday evening by Charles Kilmer of the Old Colony Planning Council. The audit took into account data on accidents, average daily traffic and vehicle speeds.

According to data provided by the Kingston Police Department, over a four-year period, there were nine crashes at the intersection, four of which resulted in injuries, Kilmer said. A collision diagram was created and revealed at least one pattern. He said the diagram can help identify security issues.

“It could be someone leaving Lake Street and turning left heading north on Route 27 and they were hit by a vehicle passing Route 27,” he said. “Part of this may be due to site lines as drivers look to the left or it may indicate higher travel speeds or someone not observing the stop sign on Lake Street.”

A rear-end crash on Lake Street may have been caused by a distracted driver, equipment failure or someone stopping suddenly at the intersection, Kilmer said. Questions have also been raised about crashes involving school-age drivers, given the mid-day timing, and plans to conduct traffic counts in the spring and after school leaves.

The audit also identified a lack of bicycle accommodations, poor crosswalk visibility on Lake Street, and other issues that it says can be addressed by the city through the City’s Complete Streets Funding Program. ‘State.

The only action taken by council was to vote unanimously to accept the results of the road safety audit. No vote was taken to implement the suggestions.

Potential improvements include clearing vegetation at the northwest corner of the intersection, restoring roads to the complete streets plan the city is pursuing, improving bike lanes, adding crosswalks, and collaboration with students on pedestrian safety.

In the long term, a compact roundabout similar to Route 53 at Duxbury in Winter Street, Route 14 at Pembroke Street and the Obery Street roundabouts in Plymouth are suggested along with a network of pavements to fill gaps . The Duxbury project cost $1.4 million.

Next steps presented by Kilmer include implementing short-term improvements to pavement signage and markings under city jurisdiction, continuing the Complete Streets program to develop a prioritization plan, and applying for grants. through the state Department of Transportation.

Coach Dick Arruda asked about the use of electronic stop signs and flashing crosswalk signs as a way to prevent deaths rather than react to fatalities. He said it was not mentioned in the report.

“Unfortunately some of the places you see it’s because there was a fatality there and action was taken after the issue should have been corrected,” he said.

Kilmer said it’s one of the newer technologies for increasing the visibility of stop signs at intersections, and while it can improve visibility and increase safety, there can be maintenance issues with it. lights and lights can have the opposite effect if they stop flashing.

The $11 million Route 27 project built in 2008-09 involved a long process, and Superintendent of Streets, Trees and Parks Paul Basler said the state and federal governments don’t feel the need to designate the area in front of the school as a school zone.

“We were very fortunate to work with the Kingston Police, the Old Colony Planning Council and Mass DOT,” he said. “If you notice in front of the school, we need to reduce traffic speed to 30 miles per hour.”

Route 27 is posted at 45 miles per hour. Unfortunately, he said, Complete Streets is not a viable funding option because Route 27 is a numbered route.

Regarding the prioritization of the intersection of Pembroke, Lake and Station streets, Basler said his office often receives calls regarding Main Street, Route 106, Route 80, Summer Street, West Street and Smiths. Lane, but while the needs are high, funding sources are mooing.

The lighted stop signs Arruda asked about cost between $7,000 and $12,000, he said, and he didn’t ask for them in the budget this year because of the increase limit. 2% budget.

“We currently have a serious infrastructure funding problem in this city,” he said. “We’re looking to the state, we’re looking for complete streets. With (planner) Valerie (Massard) on board, hopefully we’ll have more opportunities to find funding, but all grants are competitive, so hopefully we’ll get the money to finish all these things is not realistic.

He said with Massard and Hickey on board and selectors Don Alcombright and Sheila Vaughn on the road safety task force, they can start trying to prioritize residents’ needs and concerns, whether additional sidewalks, roundabouts or red light signals, which is also expensive. .

As for the immediate steps, Basler said the change in position of the stop signs can be completed when the ground is no longer frozen, and the painting of the strips can be completed after July 1, as there are has a line painting position in the budget. It could also use Chapter 90 transportation funding.

As for clearing vegetation on city property, he said it can be accomplished, but residents may be hesitant to clear vegetation that serves as a noise barrier on the busy street. He said some of the work the city can afford can be completed by August 1.

A public meeting on the Complete Streets grant program will be held in February.

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