~ Submitted by the Volunteer Coordinating Committee
Do you want to have a say in improving resident mobility and transportation services in Bedford? Are you interested in traffic circulation and keeping our roads safe? Would you like to see more crosswalks, sidewalks, and bike lanes in town? These are all subjects covered by the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), which currently has an opening for a new volunteer member.
The Transportation Advisory Committee is composed of seven (7) full members appointed by the Select Board. TAC works with the Department of Public Works, other town committees and employees, and residents to advise the Select Board on the future of transportation planning in Bedford. The committee typically meets once a month.
We encourage any interested Bedford registered voters to apply for this opening. Your help is needed and appreciated on this very worthwhile committee.
The TAC’s primary responsibilities are to examine, evaluate, and advise the Select Board regarding board actions and measures that will improve overall resident mobility, expand the use of non-automobile based methods of local and regional transportation, and improve traffic circulation and availability of transportation services that implement the transportation-related recommendations of the Town’s Vision Statement and Comprehensive Plan.
Specific responsibilities of the TAC include:
- To identify priority locations for sidewalk and crosswalk additions and extensions and to secure public support for proposed sidewalk projects.
- To determine the feasibility of preferred traffic calming and safety techniques/locations including signage improvements consistent with sound engineering principles.
- To recommend intersection and roadway improvements as well as bicycle path/route upgrades and additions.
- To investigate expansion of transportation services including interconnections with neighboring Town services and MBTA services.
- To engage residents and businesses in the establishment of a Transportation Management Association or similar employer-based organization.
- To identify funding opportunities for the implementation of recommended actions.
The group also follows initiatives to:
- Work with the DPW to establish a traffic-calming policy for the town, to provide clear guidance to residents on how to seek safety improvements on local streets
- Extend the network of sidewalks and crosswalks around town
- Implement the Great Road Master Plan for improvements along our major business and transit artery
The Transportation Advisory Committee is a wonderful opportunity for citizens who care about making Bedford a safe community for cars, bikes, and pedestrians to coexist. We have challenges, being a small town at a location that generates a lot of cut-through traffic. TAC members do not need to be transportation or infrastructure professionals; we are a group of citizens invested in pushing the long-term improvements to keep Bedford the wonderful place to live that it is.
For more information on this board, please visit https://www.bedfordma.gov/transportation-advisory-committee. For more information on Bedford’s volunteer process, including links to VCC contact information and the volunteer application, please visit https://www.bedfordma.gov/volunteer-coordinating-committee.
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