Background

With its strategic location at the crossroads of major highways, Weston experiences both local and commuting traffic on the Town roads and on the state roads that pass through Weston. One of the challenges facing Weston is to maintain a safe and efficient road system, while ensuring pedestrian safety and retaining the semi-rural character of the Town.

Purpose

The Traffic and Sidewalk Committee (TSC) is created to provide the Board of Selectmen with planning responses to specific issues and periodic evaluation of and recommendations regarding measures that are considered to meet the evolving traffic conditions and pedestrian safety needs of the Town of Weston:

• Public transit options
• Roadway improvements and changes
• Sidewalks and crosswalks
• Signage and lighting
• Signals
• Traffic calming measures

Responsibilities

The Committee’s responsibilities include:

• Coordinating with Weston’s representatives on regional traffic and mass transit review committees
• Developing more detailed traffic studies and plans (including master plans and mitigation plans) at the request of the Board of Selectmen
• Establishing a new construction priority list for sidewalk/footpath/crosswalk projects and preparing cost estimates for the projects heading that list
• Evaluation of sidewalks, footpaths, crosswalks, and other pedestrian infrastructure throughout Weston to meet safety standards and current and anticipated educational, recreational, and commercial needs, as well as ADA requirements
• Evaluation, as requested by the Board of Selectmen of new or changes to existing signage, traffic signals or lighting to understand the options and the impacts on vehicular mobility and pedestrian and bicycle safety
• Evaluation, as requested by the Board of Selectmen of the impacts and options for new roadways or changes to existing roads on vehicular mobility, and bicycle and pedestrian safety
• Receiving and evaluating, as requested by the Board of Selectmen, sidewalk and vehicular traffic concerns or proposals raised by residents, schools and merchants, and, where appropriate providing recommendations with cost estimates
• Review of sidewalk maintenance and repair priorities established by the DPW

Reporting

The TSC will report at least once annually to the Board of Selectmen on pending committee work, plans and goals. Commensurate with its advisory role, the TSC shall not publicly advocate as a committee for specific projects unless requested to do so by the Board of Selectmen.

Membership & Appointment

The committee consists of:

• 5 citizens with experience/training or interest in traffic management, pedestrian safety, roadway development, traffic mitigation, public transit, bicycling, or other related areas.
• Representative of Weston business community
• Superintendent of Schools or designee (ex officio)
• The Chief of Police or designee (ex officio)
• The Town Engineer (ex officio)