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POR 2017 #157 · Agenda item attachment · Jun 19 2017
That the City Manager is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and any other appropriate City departments on the feasibility and cost of installing computerized traffic signals along the City’s main corridors
City of Cambridge
O-2
ORIGINAL ORDER
IN CITY COUNCIL
June 19, 2017
COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS:
The City of Cambridge has signed onto numerous pledges reaffirming its’ commitment
to combatting climate change, and the City is a member of Cities for Climate
Protection, an international consortium of communities working to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, and ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability, which includes over
1,200 communities around the world; and
WHEREAS:
Idling cars, trucks, and buses are one of the greatest avoidable sources of CO2
emissions; and
WHEREAS:
Many of the city’s intersections are “F” rated during peak commuting hours, and some
are “F” rated during additional periods throughout the day; and
WHEREAS:
When cars, trucks, and buses are stuck idling in traffic at poorly-flowing intersections,
they are emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere; and
WHEREAS:
The City of Cambridge and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have taken steps to
ensure that cars do not unnecessarily idle when parked, including ticketing drivers who
idle for longer than five minutes, but drivers have no choice but to idle when sitting in
traffic; and
WHEREAS:
Computer-controlled traffic lights and signals could sharply decrease overall CO2
emissions by minimizing light-cycle waiting periods; and
WHEREAS:
Fire, Police, and Emergency Medical Services would benefit from computer-controlled
traffic light coordination; and
WHEREAS:
Computer-controlled traffic signals can be set to keep traffic flowing at a safe, legal
speed custom-tailored for a specific intersection; now therefore be it
ORDERED:
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking
and Transportation Department and any other appropriate City departments to report
back to the Council on the feasibility and cost of installing computerized traffic signals
along the city’s main corridors; and be it further
ORDERED:
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with appropriate staff to
report back to the Council on the potential savings in CO2 emissions by implementing
this system.