Keep Arlington a walkable and safe community by refusing to drink and drive. Consuming even a small amount of alcohol can increase your risk of a crash, which further increases the chance of serious injury or death. Especially as the holidays roll around, make sure you and your loved ones take care not to get behind the wheel while under the influence. Learn more about Arlington’s Vision Zero Critical Crash Campaign here.
Following a recent pattern of vehicle-vehicle angle crashes involving drivers on N Park Dr attempting to turn left onto or cross N George Mason Dr, the County implemented a turn restriction at this intersection through a Vision Zero Quick Build Project installed earlier this month.
This quick-build project will temporarily close the left turn and through movements at the intersection of N Park Dr at N George Mason Dr using signage, flexible posts/bollards, and wheel stops. Left turns remain permitted from N George Mason Dr to access northbound or southbound N Park Dr. Visit the Vision Zero Quick-Build project page for more information on the change.
A safety-driven capital project to build a traffic signal at this intersection is currently in progress to reduce angle crashes and enhance safety at this intersection in the long term. The project is on target for completion in late 2024. This quick-build project provides an interim safety solution while the capital project is being designed and constructed. The interim conditions will be removed in conjunction with the capital safety project. Visit the N George Mason Dr & N Park Dr Intersection Safety Improvement project page for more information and updates on the capital project.
|
This winter, the County is reintroducing speed humps via a safety pilot project focused on reducing speeds in school slow zones where data shows the introduction of 20 mph speed limits has not lowered speeds. Speed humps are a proven strategy for reducing speeds and crashes on neighborhood streets. The pilot uses tactical speed humps because they are easy to both install and remove quickly if needed. The tactical materials are cost effective, tested for durability, and made from 100% recycled material. View the pilot info sheet to learn more.
Pilot locations are currently being installed in the following three school slow zones:
-
Cardinal Elementary School: 19th St N btw. N Madison St & N Lexington St
-
Hoffman Boston Elementary School: S Queen St btw. 12th St S and 13th Rd S
-
Gunston Middle School: S Lang St btw. Arlington Ridge Rd and 28th St S
The timeline for this project includes:
-
December 2023: Install speed humps
-
Winter 2023/24: Monitor locations and collect data
-
Spring 2024: Conduct public engagement to gather community feedback
-
Summer/Fall 2024: Identify next steps for the pilot
The County just wrapped up High-Injury Network (HIN) safety audits for 2023! This year, staff across all the Division of Transportation’s bureaus participated in six High-Injury Network safety audits to identify and address quick-response safety needs, as well as help identify capital safety needs. Audit corridors included segments on N Lynn St, Washington Blvd, S George Mason Dr, S Fern St, S Hayes St, and Langston Blvd. This is twice the number of HIN audits completed per year than in past years.
All safety audits resulted in corridor wide signage and pavement marking updates. Other notable improvements stemming from the audits included: development of a bike wayfinding signage plan for N Lynn St; installation of a school zone on Washington Blvd; assessment of additional improvements for N Lynn St and Washington Blvd through upcoming repaving efforts; two quick build projects on S George Mason Dr, and other improvements currently in planning stages for S Fern St & S Hayes St.
The County plans to conduct another six audits next year, which are anticipated to occur in the following order:
-
N Henderson Rd (winter 2024)
-
S Courthouse Rd (winter/spring 2024)
-
N Monroe St (spring 2024)
-
Wilson Blvd (summer 2024)
-
S Walter Reed Dr (fall 2024)
-
Columbia Pike (fall 2024)
You may have noticed that the County has constructed a handful of "protected” corners at intersections throughout Arlington. Protected intersections separate cars and bicyclists to eliminate the merging and weaving movements from vehicles. This road design slows vehicles turning and reduces conflicts between pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. It also promotes predictable movement by defining pedestrian and bicyclist operating space. Protected intersections work best at signalized intersections with high volumes of bicycles and vehicles.
Intersections in the County that currently have one or more protected corners include:
-
Wilson Blvd & N Pierce St
-
Wilson Blvd & N Quinn St
-
Clarendon Blvd & N Veitch St
-
Clarendon Blvd & N Quinn St
-
Wilson Blvd & N Courthouse Rd
-
15th St S & S Eads St
-
15th St S & S Elm St
-
14th St S & S Eads St
-
13th St S & S Eads St
Click here to find more information on Protected Intersections as well as many of the other important road safety tools.
We’ve had another very productive year and look forward to continuing our work into the new year.
In 2024, the Vision Zero team will be working on initiatives such as implementing speed cameras in school zones, completing the third and final phase of school zone retrofits, launching three pilot projects, delivering quick-build projects, conducting more before/after studies, and hosting our annual engagement and report in April.
Stay tuned for updates and thanks for your continued support through the third year of the Vision Zero program!
|
-
S Troy St & 27th St
-
Wilson Blvd & N Quinn St
Recently Completed Quick-Builds:
Visit the Vision Zero Safety Projects page to learn more about safety-driven quick build projects, capital projects, pilot projects, High-Injury Network safety audits, and more.
|
