OLD COURTHOUSE ROAD
TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL
The Traffic Calming Task Force consisting of members of our community will host a Community Meeting. Click the link for the Community Meeting Minutes.
The purpose of this meeting is to explain the proposal, receive feedback, and answer any questions or concerns. Representatives of the Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s Office and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation will attend and answer all community questions.
The Traffic Calming Task Force worked with Fairfax County to develop these solutions to reduce speed on Old Courthouse Road. The location of the 4 speed tables are as follows, see below or click on Speed Table Device Placement Map:
1) 414 and
2) 602 Old Courthouse Rd and 1729 Larkmeade Dr.
3) 8910,
4) 9015 and 9018 Old Courthouse Rd.
You do not need to attend the meeting in order to vote on the proposal. Ballots will be distributed to residences at a later time to vote on the final proposal. If you live in the shaded area of the Ballot Area Map, you will be receiving a ballot. Click to see a sample Completed Ballot.
If you are not able to attend the meeting, but have questions, please email ctcocr@verizon.net for the Task Force Member in your community.
Thank you, Traffic Calming Task Force
This video was suppose to document the first day of kindergarten for one of the students at Westbriar Elementary School. What they also capture is motorists disregarding the Crossing Guard's whistle, scream, and signal to stop for crossing children to Westbriar ES putting the Crossing Guard, children and community at risk. This is one of the reasons why traffic calming on Old Courthouse Road is crucial for the community's safety.
TRAFFIC CALMING UPDATE - October 2011
(Fairfax County and Town of Vienna residents)
What is Traffic Calming?
Traffic Calming measures like a speed table are aimed at reducing speed and regulating traffic and to improve both traffic and pedestrian safety.
Why is traffic calming important for Old Courthouse Road?
Our community is a residential, 25mph, school zone. Having speed tables will help in lowering the speeding problems on Old Courthouse Road. Decreasing the speed will benefit --
How will a speed table benefit our community?
According to the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE), "Traffic Calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users." In essence, traffic calming is an approach that communities can undertake in neighborhoods to:
1) Slow down motor vehicle traffic.
2) Reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.
3) Increase both the actual safety and the perception of safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
4) Reduce the need for police enforcement.
5) Enhance the street environment.
6) Increase access for all modes of transportation (especially bicyclists and pedestrians).
7) Reduce cut-through motor vehicle traffic.
The RTAP Benefits Chart is attached shows a chart of why a speed table is effective for traffic calming.
What is a speed table?
Speed Tables are not intended to cause back-ups as they are designed to allow traffic to flow over them at the posted speed limit. They are different from stop lights and all-way stops as these devices are used for traffic control from a minor to a major highway.
What does a speed table look like?
Speed Tables (same dimensions as the two already installed on the 300 block of Old Courthouse Rd) are approved by affected homeowners on OCR by signing all Affected Residences Notification forms. Click on Speed Table Dimension page if you want to find out about specifications.
All pictures taken at Ox Hill by Fair Oaks Hospital. These are the same specifications as the two speed tables on the 300 block of Old Courthouse Road.
Will motorists cut through the streets intersecting Old Courthouse Road to avoid the speed tables?
First, 80% cutting through this community is non-resident, mostly coming from the west like Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn etc. They are cutting through to pursue the most direct, quickest way/route to their destination. If you look at the map of our community, cutting through to Pine Valley to Higdon to Irvin will add more than 15mins to the trip maneuvering around the community because of its length as well as other traffic controls such as 2/3 stop signs. On the other side of the road, cutting through is also a task and can be costly. It is rare for motorist to take a scenic route to get from point A to B.
Where will the speed table be located?
Old Courthouse Road is about a 2.5 mile stretch of winding, shoulderless back road with sharp turns and blind bends. Traffic calming is needed to reduce speed BECAUSE of Westbriar Elementary School with 30% walkers on one side and Epiphany Pre-school and Cardinal Hill Swim Club on the other.
There are four proposed for Old Courthouse Road, click on the Speed Table Device Placement Map on noted below:
How does the process work?
1. In 2008, a study was compiled with cooperation with Town of Vienna on traffic patterns on Old Courthouse Road, see The Facts. Task Force members were selected from the community representing all areas/subdivisions to work with FCDOT on the traffic calming proposal.
2. 27 October 2011 is the Community Meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to answer questions from our community about traffic calming. Fairfax County Department of Transportation Engineers as well as a Representative from Hunter Mill Supervisor's Office will be in attendance. Plan to attend if you have questions.
3. Once meetings are complete, ballots will be sent to residents of the community. If your home is in the shaded area, you will receive a ballot, click on the Ballot Area Map.
4. The county requires 50% of the ballots to be returned. In order to pass the traffic calming project, 60% of the respondents have to say they are for the proposal installation of speed tables. Read Fairfax County's Procedures for traffic calming.
5. Click on the link to see a sample Completed Ballot or look at the picture below.
How do we know if they really will decrease speeding on our road so our families and children are safe crossing the streets?
To demonstrate the effectiveness of speed tables, the chart below shows how speed tables decreased speeding on the 300 block of Old Courthouse Road, the numbers reflect before and after installation.
For Northbound - before the speed table, only 427 vehicles were travelling the speed limit of 25mph; after the speed table, the number of vehicles travelling at speed limit increased by 800%. At the same time, cars travelling OCR above 30mph decreased from 3105 vehicles to 351 vehicles, 700% change.
For Southbound - before the speed table, only 520 vehicles were travelling the speed limit of 25mph; after the speed table, the number of vehicles travelling at speed limit increased by 500%. At the same time, cars travelling OCR above 30mph decreased from 2327 vehicles to 348 vehicles, 500% change.
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300 Block Old Courthouse Road (measured on a 24hr period) |
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|
|
| |
|
Northbound |
|
Before Speed Table |
After Speed Table |
|
|
|
9/13/2005 |
5/5/2008 |
|
</=25mph |
|
427 |
4011 |
|
>30mph |
|
3105 |
351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southbound |
|
Before Speed Table |
After Speed Table |
|
|
|
9/13/2005 |
5/5/2008 |
|
</=25mph |
|
520 |
3408 |
|
>30mph |
|
2327 |
384 |
If you have any questions, email at ctcocr@verizon.net for your Task Force Member in your communit.
