Columbia Pike @ Washington Blvd Crosswalks

[n18]

I believe that a permit is needed to post traffic related signs. Here is VDOT’s FAQ page about signs. Here is a relevant quote:

Can I Purchase a Sign from VDOT?

VDOT does not make signs for sale to the public. There are a number of sign fabrication companies that can supply highway signs. Owning such signs are legal.

However, posting signs on public highways or streets by citizens is against the law, whether they be standard highway or simple cardboard signs.

[mstone]

@n18 191450 wrote:

I believe that a permit is needed to post traffic related signs. Here is VDOT’s FAQ page about signs. Here is a relevant quote:

Yup, the definitely don’t want signs. On the other hand, if you can design a road to facilitate people getting run down by distracted drivers, VDOT has a desk for you!

[Steve O]

@Starduster 191449 wrote:

Short of demanding No Turn On Red designation here,

Why should we not demand this?

[ShawnoftheDread]

“We need to take matters into our own hands and make guerrilla signs because people are getting mowed down.”

“But guerrilla signs are illegal!”

Umm, yes.

[n18]

I haven’t visited the area for over a year I think, would a mirror help? It seems less objectionable.

[Steve O]

@n18 191489 wrote:

I haven’t visited the area for over a year I think, would a mirror help? It seems less objectionable.

No, a mirror is not the solution here. It’s the classic “cars-looking-left-to-turn-right-on-red-and-not-noticing-people-entering-crosswalk-from-the-right” problem.

[n18]

Is it this spot(SteetView)? I remember having a close call when coming from the left, and the traffic boxes obscure cars which try to turn right.

[scoot]

No turn is red is absolutely necessary here but also insufficient.

Even with “no turn on red” signage at these two intersections, I expect a low enough compliance rate that I would still feel safer riding in the street through this mess in spite of the obvious hazards of that. This sidewalk will not be safe to ride until both RTOR is prohibited AND some ancillary traffic calming measure is adopted to support that. Cameras for continuous automated enforcement? How about raising the crosswalks, forcing drivers to navigate a speed bump?

[zsionakides]

@scoot 191517 wrote:

No turn is red is absolutely necessary here but also insufficient.

Even with “no turn on red” signage at these two intersections, I expect a low enough compliance rate that I would still feel safer riding in the street through this mess in spite of the obvious hazards of that. This sidewalk will not be safe to ride until both RTOR is prohibited AND some ancillary traffic calming measure is adopted to support that. Cameras for continuous automated enforcement? How about raising the crosswalks, forcing drivers to navigate a speed bump?

It seems like you’d need railroad crossing gates to prevent cars turning right on red.

[mstone]

@zsionakides 191519 wrote:

It seems like you’d need railroad crossing gates to prevent cars turning right on red.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]20171[/ATTACH]

[Steve O]

I sent this email to the Department of Environmental Services and copied the Arlington County Board:

Hello,
The intersection at the end of the ramp from Washington Blvd to westbound Columbia Pike needs to have “No Right on Red”
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.866135,-77.0744566,3a,75y,147.44h,85.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVgGb9qut5_jCUdQnSrgEdw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I am aware of at least three collisions between cars and people using the crosswalk, the most recent on May 31. I suspect there have been many more than the ones I happen to know about, as well as an unknown number of close calls.
Since the crosswalk here was widened, many eastbound bicycle riders now use this side rather than ride on Columbia Pike itself. With the proliferation of e-scooters and increases in all modes of personal transport, the conflicts here between right-turning drivers and sidewalk users is only going to get worse.

As you know, many drivers who turn right on red do not come to a complete stop. Additionally they often only look to their left to see a clearing in traffic before proceeding. Since a significant number of people are traveling on this sidewalk from the driver’s right, there is high potential for collisions. I believe that most of the collisions that have occurred at this intersection are of that type.

A person on foot or on a bike or on a scooter who sees a “Walk” signal should be able to cross without fear. Unfortunately, they cannot, because too many drivers at this intersection are concerning themselves with their right turn and not paying attention to the people on the sidewalk. Implementing “No Right on Red” here will eliminate this conflict and make it possible for sidewalk users to cross on the “Walk” signal in safety.

I strongly recommend that “No Right on Red” be implemented at this point.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I received an automated confirmation from the County Board.
I received this from DES-TEO

Thanks for reaching out to Transportation Engineering & Operations Bureau through our Customer Care & Communications account. Your request for NTOR at the Washington Blvd. ramp onto Columbia Pike has been received. An investigation task has been assigned to our Signal team. Due to the high volume of requests we receive, evaluation and completion of your request may take up to 4 months. Thank you for your patience. Please feel free to contact this account for further comments and refer to ID# C3T270 regarding this request.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.

Sincerely,

Customer Care & Communications (C3) Team
Transportation Engineering & Operations Bureau
Division of Transportation
Arlington County Department of Environmental Services

[dbb]

I would hope that there are no Right on Red collisions in the next four months. The optics wouldn’t be particularly good if there were additional collisions as the DES staff reflects on the need for an intervention.

[Starduster]

Steve O, thank you.

[mstone]

@dbb 191671 wrote:

I would hope that there are no Right on Red collisions in the next four months. The optics wouldn’t be particularly good if there were additional collisions as the DES staff reflects on the need for an intervention.

I’m sure it will quickly be closed with a “no, because cars”.

[Judd]

My suspicion is that the response will be that the intersection and signaling is operated by VDOT. During previous discussions about this intersection at BAC meetings, the response seemed to be that Arlington was powerless in the face of VDOT control.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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