Description
This intersection confuses me because I see no need for there to be a traffic light. There is no traffic turning onto Cambridge Street because the perpendicular streets are both one-way, directed away from Cambridge Street. The only reason for the traffic light is to allow pedestrians unrestricted access to cross Willow Street. However, even when the traffic light is red, I rarely see the walk sign ON. Essentially, when the traffic light is red, both vehicles and pedestrians are given signals to stop movement. A pedestrian signal is not very necessary at this intersection because there is one just about 50 feet to the east on Cambridge Street. I propose removing this traffic light entirely to ease with traffic congestion on Cambridge Street as this light does not seem to provide any public benefit. As an example, the very next street toward the west on Cambridge Street (Windsor Street) has neither a traffic light nor a pedestrian crossing signal.
Thank you.
also asked...
A. No Answer Given
A. Green light is too short
A. WALK light takes too long to come on
A. No Answer Given
5 Comments
Traffic - BMcK (Streets) (Verified Official)
Joel Thibault (Registered User)
Daniel (Registered User)
Acknowledged Traffic - DB (Signals) (Registered User)
Closed Traffic - DB (Signals) (Registered User)
Thanks for your report. The Cambridge St/Willow St intersection and the Cambridge St/Hunting St intersection both run on the same controller so the lights change at the same time. You are correct that there are no vehicular conflicts at Willow St but Hunting St has one-way traffic going into the intersection with Cambridge St so when Hunting has a green light, both intersections on Cambridge St get a red light.
The pedestrian walk signals at these intersections are push-button activated and only come up when a pedestrian is trying to cross. This reduces the duration of the red-light for Cambridge Street. If the pedestrian walk light came up every time Cambridge/Willow had a red-light, Cambridge Street would have to wait through the walk & flashing don't-walk time (which is longer than the Hunting St green light) before receiving a green light.
But, as mentioned in a previous comment, the main purpose of these lights are to facilitate pedestrian crossings for the school.
I understand that this may be a confusing scenario to explain through text so feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions (617 349 4729).