Massachusetts

City: 
Boston Area
Facilities: 
I-93, SR 3, I-95
Facility Type: 
Freeway shoulder
Description: 
I-93: Exit 41 to Exit 47 from Wilmington to Methuen (10 miles); SR 3: Exit 15 to Exit 12 (11 miles); I-95: Exit 12 to Exit 20 (12 miles); I-93: Exit 1 to Exit 4 (12 miles)
Objectives: 
Increase capacity
Date Implemented: 
2002
Date Terminated: 
N/A
Other Information: 
Congestion on these facilities was to the point where traffic was at a standstill and drivers were using the shoulders already.
Operational Information
Allowed Vehicles: 
All vehicles except heavy trucks
Operating Partners: 
MassDOT, Massachusetts State Police, Commerce Insurance Courtesy Patrol
Operational Hours: 
M-F, I-93: SB 5 AM - 10 AM, NB 3 PM - 7 PM; SR 3: SB 6 AM - 10 AM, NB 3 PM - 7 PM; I-95: SB and NB 6 AM - 10 AM and 3 PM - 7 PM; I-93: 3 PM - 7 PM
Conditions: 
With each deployment, MassDOT had to seek approval from FHWA to seek implementation as a temporary measure until funding and approval is obtained for widening; SR 3 is at preliminary and environmental stage to widen, at which time the shoulder use would end. I-95 is in the construction stage to add a lane, at which time the shoulder use would end. Bridges along I-95 that are being widened will have enough width to add another lane at a later date and still provide a shoulder.
Maximum Speed: 
65 mph (60 mph on SR 3)
Oversize Vehicles: 
No heavy trucks allowed in breakdown lanes.
Geometric Features
Cross Section Details: 
10 ft minimum; 12 ft desirable
Treatment at Interchanges: 
Vehicles travel through ramps;
Handling of Inlets: 
Projects treated as traditional widening and drainage was moved to the new edge of pavement.
Handling of Rumble Strips: 
Rumble strips removed; scored concrete and block pavers removed as well.
Guardrail and Fixed Objects: 
Projects treates as traditional widening and guardrails and fixed object shielding were moved accordingly.
Pull Off Areas: 
located approximately every 1/2 mile
Pavement: 
shoulders resurfaced as part of project
Traffic Control Devices
Pavement Markings: 
N/A
Overhead Signs and Signals: 
DMS being installed on I-93 in northern section
Ground Mounted Signs: 
Post-mounted signs in yellow and white.
ITS: 
Some sensors on I-93, cameras, and overhead DMS - probably not on SR 3; most existed prior to deployment
Performance Measures
Monitoring Responsibilities: 
MassDOT
Operational Effectiveness: 
No specific MOE's
Safety Evaluation: 
No signficant change in crash rates; often difficult to assess since the data and the locations do not really indicate whether a crash is in the breakdown lane or not.
Other Impacts: 
Definite improvement in travel speeds, though difficult to track without devices in the field.
Costs: 
N/A
Enforcement
Responsibility: 
Massachusetts State Police
Fines: 
~ $25
Approach: 
visual inspection
Maintenance: 
MassDOT
Incident Reponse
Responsibilties: 
Unified response manual that involves MassDOT, fire departments, police departments, environmental services, etc.
Average Response Time: 
Varies
Strategies: 
N/A
Operational Experience: 
Definite improvements in operations
Institutional Issues
Liability: 
None
Public Outreach: 
Most likely had public hearing and information meetings; generally a lot of public support for the operations by commuters;
Legislation: 
None
Difficulty: 
None