What you can do now about Traffic & Pedestrian Safety

Be Mindful About Safety & Return to the Basics

Everyone:

• Be alert and make eye contact
• Eliminate distractions when in transit (earbuds, phones, food…)

When on foot:

• Run/walk single file
• Walk/run against traffic
• Check both ways for traffic BEFORE entering a crosswalk

When cycling:

• Bike single file
• Bike with traffic and obey traffic laws
• Wear a helmet

When driving:

• Slow down/leave space between cars
• Stop at crosswalks & for school buses
• Alternate turns at difficult intersections
• Avoid residential shortcuts
• Carpool and plan trips for efficiency

Be Informed

• Educate your family on safe pedestrian behavior
• Talk to friends and neighbors about what you learned
• Learn more about Massachusetts initiatives
• Complete Streets
• Vision Zero
• WalkBoston
• Safe Routes to School

Initiate Interim Solutions

• Notify DPW, Police and other officials if roads, sidewalks, street-lights or other safety measures need repair or improvement.
• Report traffic violations to the Po-lice.
• Request police assistance(monitoring, mobile radar display, traffic barrels, other temporary improvements) in problem areas.
• Raise ideas for improvements via email, phone, forums, and meetings.

Follow Current Initiatives

• Attend public workshop on Hayden Rowe Corridor Study on
  February 15th, HHS
  Auditorium, 7PM
• Vote on sidewalk and other traffic & pedestrian safety items at Annual Town Meeting, Monday, May 1st
• Watch for announcements on Downtown Corridor public forums
• Follow eHop on social media (@eHop01748) for updates

Track New Development

• New elementary school
• Hopkinton Mews on Lumber Street
• Possible 34-lot subdivision between Chamberlain and Whalen Streets
• Hopkinton Swim & Tennis Club
• Possible Saddle Hill Road subdivision
• Maspenock Woods

Want More Information? Read On!

PEDESTRIAN EDUCATION:

Federal Highway Administration

• 3-Minute Videos (targeted by age group): http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney/

Safe Routes to School

• Pedestrians & Cyclists: http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/education/key_messages_for_children.cfm
• Parents: http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/education/key_messages_for_parents.cfm
• Drivers Near School: http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/education/key_messages_for_drivers_near_the_school.cfm
• Neighbors of School: http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/education/key_messages_for_neighbors.cfm

GENERAL EDUCATION:

Federal Highway Administration

• Alliance for Biking and Walking 2016 Benchmark Study: http://www.bikewalkalliance.org/storage/documents/reports/2016benchmarkingreport_web.pdf
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/
• Massachusetts Pedestrian Transportation Plan : https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/17/docs/pedplan/PedPlanD1_Acc.pdf

SAMPLE LOCAL INITIATIVES:

Metrowest Moves (Framingham, Westborough, Northborough, Hudson)

• Metrowest Moves Website: http://metrowestmoves.org/
• Winter 2016 Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/metrowest-moves-newsletter

GLOBAL, NATIONAL AND STATE INITIATIVES:

Complete Streets

• National Complete Streets Program: Smart Growth America: https://smartgrowthamerica.org/program/national-complete-streets-coalition/
• What Mass is Doing: https://smartgrowthamerica.org/how-massachusetts-is-encouraging-communities-to-take-action-on-complete-streets/
• MassDOT Funding Program: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/DoingBusinessWithUs/LocalAidPrograms/CompleteStreets.aspx
• Mass: Interactive Map of Participating Towns: https://masscompletestreets.com/Map/
• Framingham’s Complete Streets Policy: http://www.framinghamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18411

Vision Zero

• Sweden’s Vision Zero Initiative Program Site: http://www.visionzeroinitiative.com/
• Mass Vision Zero Coalition: http://www.visionzerocoalition.org/
• Boston Website: http://www.visionzeroboston.org/
• NPR News Article on Boston Vision Zero Status, December 2016: http://www.wbur.org/news/2016/12/07/vision-zero-report

Printable Handout eHop Spotlight on Traffic Pedestrian Safety (PDF)