 Construction season is here! Work zones involve large equipment, traffic pattern changes, lane closures, uneven pavement, variable speed limits, and – most importantly – workers. When driving near a work zone, lookout for highway workers, adhere to all signage, and drive distraction-free.
Click here to learn more about work zone safety.
The interactive Vision Zero Program Dashboard is a new tool that provides a regularly-updated, full-picture overview of crash histories, safety infrastructure in the county, Vision Zero program initiatives, speed limits and ongoing reviews, and outreach efforts. We hope this will be a one-stop shop for people seeking information about Arlington’s transportation safety program.
The County would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Annual Safety Feedback Engagement. There were 860+ online, 10+ mail-in, and 640+ in-person interactions (including family events, food distribution events, an event at Washington-Liberty High School, and a community walking tour) where we were able to collect valuable feedback on road safety in Arlington. The feedback summary following this engagement can be expected in late summer 2024
The Vision Zero team will be presenting a progress update during the next Transportation Commision Meeting on Thursday, May 30 from 7:00-9:00 PM. The presentation will cover the content in the Annual Report, as well as findings from the Annual Safety Feedback Engagement. If you’re looking for a presentation-style program update, this is a great opportunity to listen in!
- The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants feedback on proposed changes for the Washington Blvd./Rt. 50 interchange. Please help advocate for safe solutions on VDOT's survey through Tuesday, May 21.
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The Neighborhood Complete Streets (NCS) program is seeking public feedback on five different concept designs for various projects throughout the County. View the concept design for each project and provide your feedback by Monday, May 27.
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Stay tuned for the engagement on Repaving for Complete Streets later this spring!
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Stay tuned for a summary of the Vision Zero Annual Safety Feedback Engagement coming later this summer!
Arlington was pleased to send several staff members to the 2024 National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Designing Cities Conference. See below for a recap from the Vision Zero Team’s Principal Planner, Laura Castro:
I had the opportunity to attend the NACTO Designing Cities Conference 2024 held in Miami-Dade which included themes on equity, safety, and sustainability. This was my first time attending a NACTO conference, and I had the opportunity to engage and connect with transportation planners, engineers, and practitioners from other cities.
I also attended a Vision Zero session during that conference where I had a chance to learn what other cities were doing through their programs. Participating in the Walkshops, gave me the opportunity to explore neighborhoods and experience Miami’s unique urban landscape. One thing that I was very impressed by was how art is incorporated from the tops of buildings to the pavers on the ground.
Overall, it was a great experience to be among other transportation leaders committed to improving our transportation systems. Arlington staff are very excited that next year’s NACTO conference will take place in Washington D.C!
May is National Bike Month! Did you know that Arlington added 1.15 miles of separated facilities in 2023? Separated bike lanes (often referred to as protected bike lanes) are separated from vehicles horizontally through a buffer from the general travel lane and vertically with a physical object. Vertical separation may be in the form of a flex post, parking stop, flexible delineators, planter, or concrete barrier. In areas with on street parking, the bike lane can be located between the parked cars and curb, using the parked cars as a barrier. Separated bike lanes may be one- or two-way (also called “cycle tracks”).
Safety benefits of separated bike lanes:
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Reduces conflicts with vehicles and bicycles.
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Provides a higher level of comfort and safety for people in the bike lane due to physical separation.
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Prevents vehicles from driving, stopping, or waiting in the bike lane.
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Better option than conventional bike lanes for roads with high travel speeds, high traffic volumes, and/or high transit or truck volumes.
Early on Monday (5/20), our crews began installation of centerline hardening devices at Columbia Pike & S Four Mile Run Dr and Columbia Pike & S Dinwiddie St as part of a Vision Zero safety pilot project. A mix of flex posts, markings, and miniature speed humps are being used to sharpen left turning angles with the purpose of slowing down turning vehicles and increasing vehicles yielding to pedestrians. The remaining three pilot locations will be installed within the next few weeks.
We collected thorough “before” data on the motorist turn speeds and the vehicle placement at these intersections. Once installed, we will collect the same metrics as “after” data to understand the safety impacts of this tool. This data, in combination with public engagement feedback to be collected in the fall, will inform future guidelines for the use of centerline hardening.
For updates and more information, visit the Safety Pilot Projects Page.
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High-Injury Network Safety Audits:
Recently Completed Quick-builds:
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Williamsburg Blvd & 36th St N (Tactical) - Project Sheet
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N Clarendon Blvd & N Cleveland St – Project sheet coming soon
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N Randolph St & 9th St N (Tactical) - Project Sheet
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N Barton St & 14th St N (Tactical) - Project Sheet
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Fairfax Dr & N Nelson St (Tactical) - Project Sheet
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Wilson Blvd & N Garfield St (Tactical) - Project Sheet
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6th St S & S Adams St – Project sheet coming soon
Check out the updated Quick Build Safety Projects webpage that includes a map of the County's completed and proposed 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.
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