Concerned NC Resident

Section 15.2(a) of Traffic Regulations of Cambridge dated April 2023 stipulates “Any loading zones that are not specifically marked or as designated by a sign or signs as a Commercial Vehicle Only Loading Zone or a Flexible Loading Zone shall be considered a Curb Loading Zone.” Furthermore, "For vehicles displaying a commercial license plate, such person must be actively loading or unloading, and in no case shall the stop exceed thirty minutes. For vehicles displaying a passenger license plate" actively loading and unloading of materials or passengers shall not "exceed fifteen minutes.”
This is different from the MA loading zone regulation which applies only to commercial vehicles.
The standard Cambridge loading sign does not indicate the zone is for all vehicles with passenger cars limited to 15 Min.
Please make the signs clearly indicate different time limits for commercial and passenger vehicles. as described in the follow up comments.

I am posting this to thank the Police for responding within 5 minutes when I called in the shattered glass door at CorePower Yoga on Sunday morning around 7 AM. I called 911 because for some reason I couldn't call the non-emergency number using my cellphone.
Thank you for such a prompt response. It reminded me how our safety services keep us safe every day.

Parking space is too narrow creating potentially dangerous/fatal situation of driver side door being struck by passing car or causing dooring a bicyclist by passenger doors.

I am reporting Loading Zone Traffic sign issue again because Issue ID: 12964758, Traffic Sign Complaint, was CLOSED by Traffic - PB (Engineering) (Verified Official) without giving pubic the option to change its status. I am using the same address I used in the initial report, but this issue is citywide. The reason for closing the issue was “Loading Zone regulation is defined in the Cambridge Traffic Regulations. A driver parking a vehicle at the curb is expected to follow the regulations as set forth by the City, not all regulations are fully described on traffic signage. There is no plan to change loading zone signs citywide.”
As pointed out in the initial report, after the separated bike lane was installed on Mass Ave north of Dudley Street, there was mass confusion over Loading Zone that even confused the police officers. State Loading Zone applies only to commercial vehicles, but Cambridge allows non-commercial vehicles to use the loading zone. Many local store owners are unaware of this and would love to have their customers park in the loading zone in front of their shops instead of driving around in circles and then give up visiting the store for lack of parking space.
To get a driver’s license or even a learner’s permit, you must first pass a test about road rules, signs, and safe driving. Since there are differences between State and City traffic regulations, does this mean to drive in Cambridge, one has to take a test to demonstrate one’s knowledge of Cambridge specific rules and signs? Cambridge Traffic regulations still have rules of obsolete animal drawn vehicles. Do we have to learn those too?
And how about all the visitors and workers from outside Cambridge? How are they supposed to know this difference?
City had to put special signage for Loading Zone in North Camb and then on other segments of roadway as quick build separated bike lanes are installed. I am requesting uniform Loading Zone signage throughout the City that explains both commercial and non-commercial vehicles can park at the Loading Zone for the specified time.
Thank you for reconsideration

It would be more effective to replace the picture of the bike with a person. The sign should show what the biker is to look out for.

This is a resubmit of Open/overfilled Dumpsters at Dumpster Alley, Issue ID 13355001, which was closed with comment “CLOSED Inspectional Services - AT (Admin) (Verified Official) Thank you for reporting, we will continue to monitor this area” on 11/21/2022 because “Public status changes are not available for this issue.” This is an on-going issue at the "Dumpster Alley." I requested that the owner, Investment Limited, be required to display the name of the restaurant using each dumpster and require the dumpsters to be locked. And I requested to follow up by fining individual restaurant not keeping the lid of its dumpster locked and area around it in clean condition. I even attached a photo of an example in Davis Square behind the US Post Office to show its feasibility. My requests were not addressed except to continue to monitor the area.

Channel 7's 11/17 4:30 news segment reported great success of Somerville's use of Smart Boxes. According to D Powers of ISD "Cambridge is also using smart boxes on public property to catch rats and learn about population numbers and locations. We are also using “smart pipe” systems which are in the sewer system. These combined systems have resulted in many kills as well."
Why can't a smart box be placed as a pilot program to place these traps in problem commercial areas.

Now that Garden Street is one way from Huron Ave to Concord Ave intersection going towards Harvard Square, there needs to be a sign at Concord Ave and Bond Street (one way) and Concord Ave and Madison Street that no left turn will be allowed at Garden Street.
Other side streets coming out to Garden Street in this section need to be also examined.

I asked in Issue ID: 13634225, to change the trash pickup times for this stretch of Garden Street so that the garbage trucks do not block the narrowed auto travel lanes during rush hour now that Garden Street from Huron Ave to Concord Ave have been reconfigured for separated bike lanes. That issue was CLOSED by Public Works - KK (Community Relations) (Verified Official) with comment: “Hi , thank you for reaching out. I will share this suggestion with the supervisory team in the Sanitation Division for review. We value the feedback of the community and are always looking ways to improve.”
I am resubmitting that issue as “Public status changes are not available for this issue (Issue ID: 13634225).”
I submitted a similar request when separated bike lanes was installed on Mass Ave from Dudley St to Alewife Brook Pkwy and that issue wasn't closed until the schedule was changed.
Please keep this issue open until similar action is taken.
Thank you

Now that Garden Street from Huron Ave to Concord Ave have been reconfigured for separated bike lanes, please change the trash pickup times for this stretch of Garden Street so that the garbage trucks do not block the narrowed auto travel lanes during rush hour.

Now that Garden Street is one way from Huron Ave to Concord Ave intersection going towards Harvard Square, there needs to be a sign at Concord Ave and Bond Street (one way) and Concord Ave and Madison Street that no left turn will be allowed at Garden Street.
Other side streets coming out to Garden Street in this section need to be also examined,

Throughout the night of 9/19, Eversource worked on this stretch of Mass Ave and adjacent side streets. They left behind many traffic cones and barreles like the ones shown in the picture along Mass Ave, Norris Street and Rice Street (there might be others). Please have Eversource remove these items.

Dead mouse/baby rat bagged and left on the curb. Please remove.
Thank you.

Recent traffic signal timing change at Beech Street and Mass Ave is causing northbound traffic to be backed down to Porter Square shopping center at 3:23 PM on Tues. Please conduct traffic count and adjust the timing as necessary to relieve bottleneck.

An overfilled dumpster and a dumpster with top open all the way up at "Dumpster Alley." Please require Investment Limited display the name of the restaurant using each dumpster and require the dumpsters to be locked. And please follow up by fining individual restaurant not keeping the lid of its dumpster locked and area around it in clean condition. This is done in Dais Square and Cambridge should follow the same practice.

Bagged and left at the curb by 17 Norris Street. Please remove.

Thank you!