Aspirational Statement

Nantucket has no traffic lights. Year-round transportation includes accessible, affordable, and reliable multi-modal options that respect the historical setting of our community and limits reliance on single occupancy vehicles and private transportation. The Town has improved safety and mobility, incorporating more sustainable emerging technologies without accommodating a car centric culture. Pedestrians and bicyclists feel safe traversing along paths and walkways as they navigate the transportation network. Parking in our vibrant Old Historic District is easier, which makes year-round access a pleasant experience.

Over the past five years, sidewalks have been repaired throughout the downtown area and new bike lane markings have been added. As new road and street projects are brought online, attention is paid to improving walkways and bicycle access – all designed to encourage mobility around the island and in and out of downtown without relying on cars.

Planning also depends on collecting data to better understand traffic flow and parking needs to set policies and create programs to improve traffic and parking programs. A permanent traffic counting station has been installled at Goose Pond Lane and Orange Street, and six (6) other data collection devices have been installed across the island. These devices record traffic counts, speeds, and even vehicle size/type, affording our planners to evaluate vehicular traffic patterns, plan for congestion relief, and evaluate speed concerns.

Goals

1. Create a complete network of sidewalks/Multi-Use Pathways (MUPs) thatwould allow people living in the mid-island and downtown core to access a fullrange of services without needing a car.
2. Shift the commuter mode of choice from driving alone and promote the useof other modes of transportation and their safe interaction with one another.
3. Optimize downtown parking management system to reduce demand andstimulate higher turnover.

Activities That Have Been Completed or Operationalized

Since initiating the strategic planning process in 2018, the Town’s commitment to improving transportation has yielded considerable results. Some of the completed activities or operationalized programs related to this focus area include:

• Completing the Orange Street bike lane from Milestone Road to Landmark House and improving the Candle Street bike lane
• Repairing sidewalks on:
  • Easy Street
  • Broad Street
  • Washington Street
  • Salem Street
  • Centre Street
  • South Water Street
  • India Street
  • Federal Street
  • N Water Street
• Installing a traffic counting station at Goose Pond/Orange Street
• Researching software to support parking management systems
• Conducting outreach and education related to motorized bicycle and scooter safety
• Determining low-cost and high-yield measures to better understand year-over-year changes to transportation mode share