McMahon was retained by the City of Waltham to prepare a transportation master plan to map out the City’s transportation future. The City sought to identify and prioritize transportation infrastructure improvements in a 10-year action plan. Existing transportation conditions and safety issues were evaluated for all modes at 91 intersections, and deficiencies in pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit options and parking accommodations were identified.

 

Specific to bicyclists, the city-wide short- and long-term recommendations focused on identifying a current and future bike network with both on-street and off-road connections, bicycle parking at key locations, educational and encouragement programs, responsive improvements for high bike crash locations, policy changes to motivate bicycle mode through development incentives, the implementation of a bike-share program, and the implementation of “pop-up” or “pilot” bike facilities, as well as the implementation of bicycle features, such as bike boxes, bicycle crosswalks and signals.

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The top 20 intersections and five major corridors were selected for mitigation in the immediate, short- and long-term solutions as part of the 10-year action plan. Conceptual sketch plans, including geometric and intersection improvements, bus stop optimization, pedestrian accessibility and bicycle accommodations following MassDOT’s Complete Streets guidelines, were developed. In addition, recommendations for transit signal priority and curb extensions were provided for two busy commercial corridors, following a stop to stop bus travel time analysis, as well as a concept design for an enhanced transit hub at the train station.

 

A final transportation master plan report was prepared for the city with proposed recommendations for future improvements. Stakeholder and public outreach was coordinated throughout the project including an online survey made available to residents and commuters to provide input on existing transportation needs and deficiencies.