military road safety improvements
TRANSCRIPT
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Military Road Safety Improvements
June 10, 2021
Dan NaborsAssistant Bureau Chief, TE&O
Jason WidstromProgram Manager, TPCPM
Nate GrahamPublic Engagement, DES
Gabriela KockProject Manager, TPCPM
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Meeting Agenda• Introduction• Project Background and Goals• Project Update:
1. Marcey Road2. 36th Street N. / Gulf Branch Trail
• Project Update: Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive
• Safety Concerns• Existing Conditions• Past Engagement• Next Steps
• Question & Answer
Questions? Concerns?
Gabriela Kock, Capital Project [email protected]
Dan Nabors, Asst. TE&O Bureau [email protected]
Jason Widstrom, Capital Projects [email protected]
Nate Graham, Public Engagement [email protected]
How This Works:For questions during this presentation• Ask us questions anytime during the presentation
using the Live Event Q&A− The project team are ready to respond as
needed- We’ll let you know if your question will be
answered in the presentation or in the Q&A- We’ll respond directly to specific or clarifying
questions as possible.
How to ask questions during the presentation:
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Project Location
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Project Background• Military Road is a corridor included in the 2004
Arterial Transportation Management Study• The study covered 11 corridors in the County
that experienced high vehicle speeds, collisions, and limited pedestrian infrastructure
• Recommendations for the corridor included:– Eliminate one travel lane in each direction – Install bicycle lanes and parking boxes along the
corridor– Install medians at key crossings and provide
additional crossing points through the corridor.
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Project Background
• Historical speed counts show average speeds through the corridor are 10 miles above the posted speed limit (30 mph).
• People use Military Road for walking and biking but have few opportunities to cross the road safely.
• The pandemic has pushed us all to spend more time outdoors.
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• Improve conditions for safe pedestrian crossing at corridor intersections
• Improve existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Reduce impervious surface when possible
Military Road Corridor Goals:
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• Fall 2017 public meeting at Gulf Branch Nature Center
• Residents supported safety improvements at 36th Road N and Marcey Road but there were additional questions on Military Road.
• A 2017-2018 online survey asked residents to provide input on alternatives for Military and Nelly Custis:– Roundabout– Traffic signal– No change
Past Engagement
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Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive: Intersection Alternatives
Roundabout Signalized Intersection
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Completed Safety Improvements• In Fall 2020 Arlington County completed safety
improvements at two intersections:36th Rd N
Marcey Rd
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Past Engagement – Survey Results
Total number of responses during 5-week period = 121
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Project Location
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Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive
Why is DES focusing on this intersection?
• The intersection covers a very large area with just one crosswalk
• Few vehicles yield to pedestrians on Nelly Custis Dr
• Increase the number of pedestrian crossing options at the intersection
• School walk zones have expanded significantly
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Military and Nelly Custis: Existing conditions
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Average Daily Traffic Volumes – 2019
Posted Speed Limit: 30 mph25 mph for school zones
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Social distancing guidelines reduced bus service availability and expanded walk zones for Taylor Elementary School
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As well as Dorothy Hamm Middle School. Both expanded walk zones cover the intersection of Military Road and Nelly Custis
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• In 2017 DES completed signal warrant analysis
• In 2018 and 2019 DES conducted two roundabout analyses for the intersection.
• The findings showed the intersection operating with Level of Service A throughout the day
• The highest volume is experienced in the morning peak southbound on Military Rd
• Most of the vehicle activity is experienced between 2-3 hours of the day
Intersection Analysis
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• Increase driver yield rates• Shorten crossing distances for people
walking through intersection• Provide predictable vehicle turning
movements • Reduce vehicle speeding• The roundabout will increase safety for all
users!
Temporary Roundabout Pilot Project at Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive
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• Why a pilot project?– Temporary materials, rapid installation– Data collection of real-world conditions– Ability to change, adjust as needed, remove if
it doesn’t work– Utilities make permanent change a long-term
process– Part of Vision Zero best practices
Temporary Roundabout Pilot Project at Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive
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Conflicts at Intersection vs. Roundabout
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Conflicts at Intersection vs. Roundabout
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Pedestrian Movements at Roundabouts
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Roundabouts are a Safer Option
• Intersections converted to a roundabout result in a 27% reduction of pedestrian crashes
• Conversion from stop-controlled intersection- 82% reduction in injury crashes
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• Pilot Project Timeline–Install anticipated: Summer 2021–Analysis period: 1 year–Report back: 6 to 8 months
Temporary Roundabout Pilot Project at Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive
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Q&A
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