By C. Scott Morris

The Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) unanimously motioned to send a 16-page audit letter to city leaders last Thursday, in a monthly public meeting.

It’s based on information gathered from a 60-member, community-led walk and aims to increase overall safety and comfort while advising the upcoming Union Square Plaza and Streetscape Project, according to the letter.

Transportation Planner Katherine White said the project contains four phases, and they do not have a confirmed schedule yet.

The letter includes findings, recommendations, environmental measurements, and an explanation of their methods.

Overall, PTAC suggested planners could improve Union Square by considering comfort, safety, crossing time, sidewalk conditions, public art, green space availability, and driver compliance.

“We divided the square into seven key areas,” said Committee Chair Alessandra Seiter, “and that is how we structured our recommendations.”

By ranking each area, PTAC identified the most problematic locations. The committee also picked high-priority recommendations during the meeting.

People disliked the intersection between Webster Ave. and Prospect St. the most, Seiter said, noting the X-shape and noise level added to its dismal score. Some audit participants, who filled out checklists on the intersection, recorded concerns with safety, seating, signal, and crossing time, car speeds, and driver compliance.

PTAC recommends, in the short term, lengthening the pedestrian phase time and increasing its overall frequency. The committee also recommends allowing pedestrians to cross diagonally, changing the current tactile pads, adding a No Turn on Red sign, and introducing an audible prompt at the intersection.

For the long term, PTAC suggests changing sidewalks and the guardrail, moving utilities underground, and creating a pickup/drop-off area for cars.

White said that the intersection will be addressed in Phase 1 of the project.

Toward the north, a section of Prospect St., from the Green Line Station elevator to Somerville Ave., got the second-lowest score.

“Our key recommendations for this area are to create a mid-block crossing across Prospect St., which we’ve been advocating for many years at this point,” Seiter said. The letter also suggests adding wayfinding signs, planters, tables, art, and seating in the area.

Out of all the locations, the Webster Ave. and Washington St. intersection scored the highest.

During the audit, the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) noted that tactile markings for visually impaired people were often installed in a confusing way, and they sometimes pointed to the middle of the intersection, posing a safety risk.

SCPD also said that raised crossings that lack tactile markings can pose as tripping hazards to visually impaired people, according to the letter.

The Groundwork Somerville Green Team recorded the heat index, noise levels, and air quality during the walk.

“Some key areas in the walk audit area were significantly hotter than the ambient temperature,” Seiter said. “The heat index averaged about 8 to 11 degrees hotter, which is a good indication that there should be some more green space and less asphalt.”

The noise levels remained in the moderate to loud range. “Nothing got into dangerously loud territory, but that level of noise for a longer period of time can be stressful,” she said.

She added that the air quality measurements were quite good, with the only poor measurement taken near an idling bus.

“There are lots of amazing suggestions here. Some things will be easier than other things, and the letter is incredible,” said Transportation Planner Justin Schreiber.

He said the city can also consider using quick-build treatments for the project.