French Street and John Street Signal Removal

The French Street Corridor is scheduled to be reconstructed between Bridge Street and Arcand Drive to provide wider sidewalks and bicycle facilities, starting in 2026.  During the design process, the traffic engineering and design consultant is required to perform a study and evaluate the existing traffic control at all of the intersections in the corridor. The engineering consultant determined that the traffic signal at French Street and John Street no longer meets warrants for a traffic signal. However, the intersection does meet the criteria for all-way stop control (stop signs on all intersection approaches). The traffic signal at Bridge Street and French Street continues to meet signal warrants. Please see the Technical Information below to learn more about federal signal warrants. 

Learn more about the French Street Reconstruction project here: French Street Reconstruction Project Page

 The final design for French Street at John Street is below. 

FAQ

What is happening? The French Street Corridor will be reconstructed starting in 2026 between Bridge Street and Arcand Drive to provide a Complete Streets cross section, including wider sidewalks and bicycle facilities.  During the design process, the engineering consultant determined that the traffic signal at French Street and John Street no longer meets warrants for a traffic signal, therefore the signal will be removed and replaced with all-way stop control. The traffic signal at Bridge Street and French Street continues to meet signal warrants. The traffic signal at French Street/Father Morissette Boulevard and Arcand Drive will be replaced with an urban roundabout.  See the All About Roundabouts page for more information. See Technical Information below to learn more about federal signal warrants. The final project design has been discussed with the National Park Service, the Lowell Folk Fest organizers, the Lowell Summer Music Series organizers, Lowell High School representatives, Lowell Police Department and Lowell Fire Department.

What were the results of the trial since the signal has been flashing?  The City’s engineers received both positive and negative feedback on the trial.  The all-way stop control improved vehicle flow during the off-peak hours. No crashes were reported during the trial period. Mixed reactions were received regarding the pedestrian experience in the temporary condition, primarily due to the intersection being very wide and designed for the traffic signal. The project as designed will decrease the crossing distances and improve visibility of pedestrians by removing the vehicle focus of the intersection.  Further, additional street and sidewalk lighting will be provided. 

Why remove this signal? The traffic signal does not meet the federal signal warrant requirements.  The proposed design will reduce pedestrian crossing distances, slow vehicle speeds and increase pedestrian visibility.

Why is the street being narrowed? The project as designed will provide a shared use path along the Boardinghouse Park side of the street to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. This is part of the City's commitment to Complete Streets design standards. Narrowing the approaches to this intersection and eliminating the left turn lanes reduces the length of street that pedestrians must cross. This also helps drivers see other driver’s intensions for the movement they will be making at the intersection.  

The signal at the French Street and Bridge Street backs up past John Street now. Is this being changed? The project as designed will also reconstruct the traffic signal at French Street and Bridge Street, improving the operation of the signal and adding a crosswalk and modern pedestrian signals. The project as designed will reduce the amount of vehicle queueing expected at the signal. 

Additional questions or want to give feedback? Contact City Transportation Engineer, Elizabeth Oltman, PE, at 978-674-1405 or 60daytrial@lowellma.gov

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

What are traffic signal warrants? When determining whether a signal should be installed at an intersection, transportation engineers are required to use the traffic signal warrants that are defined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  The purpose of the MUTCD is to establish uniform national criteria for the use of traffic control devices that meet the needs and expectancy of road users on all streets, highways and pedestrian and bicycle facilities open to public travel. This publication is why all traffic signals look the same and operate consistently throughout the United States. There are nine warrants to consider, with the 8-hour minimum vehicular volume warrant identified as the most critical warrant to meet by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. A full engineering analysis of all nine warrants was conducted by the consultant and reviewed by the City’s engineers. The intersection of French Street and John Street does not meet the 8-hour vehicle warrant. There is a 4-hour pedestrian volume warrant to consider, which the intersection also does not meet.

The MUTCD federal guidance cautions: “Installation of a traffic control signal does not necessarily result in improved safety in every case.  In some cases, the installation of a traffic control signal at an inappropriate location could adversely impact safety for one or more types of road users. The purpose of the engineering study is to evaluate all of the factors that are relevant to a specific location. The satisfaction of a warrant (or warrants) is one of the relevant factors in the engineering study, but it is not intended to be the only factor or even the overriding consideration. Agencies can install a traffic control signal at a location where no warrants are met, but only after conducting an engineering study that documents the rationale for deciding that the installation of a traffic control signal is the best solution for improving the overall safety and/or operation at the location.”

Further MUTCD discussion on traffic signals: "Traffic control signals are often considered a panacea for all traffic problems at intersections. This belief has led to traffic control signals being installed at many locations where they are not needed, adversely affecting the safety and efficiency of motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. Traffic control signals, even when justified by traffic and roadway conditions, can be ill-designed, ineffectively placed, improperly operated, or poorly maintained. Improper or unjustified traffic control signals can result in one or more of the following disadvantages: A. Excessive delay, B. Excessive disobedience of the signal indications, C. Increased use of less-adequate routes as road users attempt to avoid the traffic control signals, and D. Significant increases in the frequency of collisions (especially rear-end collisions)." Fortunately, the City has not experienced C or D, but there is observed and recorded evidence of A and B at the intersection of French Street and John Street. 

When was the analysis done? The traffic counts were conducted on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, when the High School was in regular session.  The warrant analysis can be found here.

Who performed the analysis? The design firm retained by the City is Vanness Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB). [We Are VHB].