Infrastructure Repairs in Arlington

[dasgeh]

We had a short discussion at last night’s ABAC meeting about getting a list together of “small” fixes to infrastructure and signage in Arlington that would make cycling safer/better. We’re talking things like no turn on red signs and curb cuts, not the Spout Run cycletrack.

The idea was to start a list here, which will be compiled* and hopefully tracked over time (we’ll have to figure out how do add projects going forward).

Please be as specific as possible about what the issue/fix is and where, including maps and pictures if possible.

Topic

[consularrider]

Since I don’t use that version of the detour heading east, I just use the Porsche dealer driveway entrance when heading west. Of couse that means dealing with car trying to get out of the parking lot at times, but at least they see you which is less likely if you are on the sidewalk there.

[bobco85]

@consularrider 86422 wrote:

Since I don’t use that version of the detour heading east, I just use the Porsche dealer driveway entrance when heading west. Of couse that means dealing with car trying to get out of the parking lot at times, but at least they see you which is less likely if you are on the sidewalk there.

I do the same when heading west. The curb cut is so poorly placed at the corner that in order to navigate onto the sidewalk, you have to almost salmon against the flow of right turning cars, an uncomfortable and dangerous choice since they likely are almost on top of the crosswalk at that point (perish the thought they would leave any room in front of them). I have found turning onto the street and using the driveway to be a much better option.

[Arlingtonrider]

I take the street there sometimes too, but was also thinking about peds with strollers, people in wheelchairs, etc.

[dasgeh]

@Arlingtonrider 86378 wrote:

This reminds me – an additional curb cut is needed on the southwest corner of the intersection of South Glebe and Jefferson Davis Hwy for those crossing Jeff Davis. Right now there’s only a curb cut designed to help the crossing S. Glebe. The awkwardness of that has become very noticeable lately with the trail detour.

Have you reported that to the powers that be in ArlCo (one of the Daves)?

[brendan]

I keep thinking this thread is about Fixies in Arlington. First IPAs, then Beards, now Fixies? Come summer, they’ll be nary a brown flip-flop in sight!

B

[dcv]

@brendan 86484 wrote:

I keep thinking this thread is about Fixies in Arlington. First IPAs, then Beards, now Fixies? Come summer, they’ll be nary a brown flip-flop in sight!

B

Seriously, Tim can you please rename this thread “Infrastructure repairs in Arlington”

[elbows]

@VikingMariner 86360 wrote:

I’m okay with no bike detection. Gives me time to check my grocery list, look at attractive women (is being interested in women sexist?), look at the clouds for patterns, heck and maybe even enjoying the day. So what if I lose 60 seconds of my life to the County. I’m generous like that. :0)

Now a bridge over or a tunnel under the Intersection of Doom? That would be the good fight.

As a note, it can be a lot more than 60 seconds. At Irving and 50, as an experiment, I sat there like a law-abiding cyclist fool, and it was over 5 minutes before a vehicle showed up and the light changed.

[elbows]

While I’m pointing out lights that I think are not triggered by cyclists, here is another. Heading east on Columbia Pike at the Sheraton, there is a new light with a left turn arrow. It does not seem like the left arrow is triggered by cyclists.

Personally, that light has made my commute on the Pike even less pleasant. I guess it was necessary for others.

[consularrider]

@elbows 87063 wrote:

As a note, it can be a lot more than 60 seconds. At Irving and 50, as an experiment, I sat there like a law-abiding cyclist fool, and it was over 5 minutes before a vehicle showed up and the light changed.

Since you say experiment, does that mean you didn’t push the [poorly located] pedestrian light button? Also, that’s an intersection where the Virginia law allowing you to cross against the light after you have waited two minutes won’t help since there is almost never a big enough gap in the traffic on Rte 50 to safely cross without the light.

[dcv]

Thanks Tim

[sjclaeys]

@dcv 86548 wrote:

Seriously, Tim can you please rename this thread “Infrastructure repairs in Arlington”

Wait, now where to I go for fixies in Arlington?

[consularrider]

Ask dcv or 1/8.

[elbows]

I’m not sure I was correct about this, by the way. Sometimes, I’ve gotten the arrow and sometimes I haven’t.

[elbows]

@consularrider 87072 wrote:

Since you say experiment, does that mean you didn’t push the [poorly located] pedestrian light button? Also, that’s an intersection where the Virginia law allowing you to cross against the light after you have waited two minutes won’t help since there is almost never a big enough gap in the traffic on Rte 50 to safely cross without the light.

That is correct. I did not push the poorly located button. I was very dedicated to my experiment.

[Steve O]

I was hoping that once the construction at the intersection of Columbia Pike on the W&OD was completed, that the County would also include a bike traffic signal (I even suggested this to staff). Here’s a quick quiz to demonstrate the problem.

For eastbound cyclists, who cannot see the traffic signal for Four Mile Run:

1. If the walk signal shows a white pedestrian, what color is the traffic signal?
A) Green
Yellow
C) Red

2. If the walk signal shows a blinking orange hand, what color is the traffic signal?
A) Green
Yellow
C) Red

3. If the walk signal shows a steady orange hand, what color is the traffic signal?
A) Green
Yellow
C) Red

Answers:
1. A) Green

2. A) Green or Yellow

3. D) No frickin’ clue (trick answer!)

---

If I am approaching this intersection from the west, I can try to deduce what is happening at the intersection by watching the cars, but if the cars on Four Mile Run are moving, I have no idea if the light is green or yellow or how much time I may have. Just this week I reached this intersection traveling westbound and stopped for the light. A cyclist was waiting to come the other way. When the light changed to green, the walk signal stayed in “Don’t Walk” mode. I have seen cyclists who are unfamiliar with this intersection get flummoxed by that and not know what to do. They see the bikers crossing toward them but are simultaneously confronted with a “Don’t Walk” signal. What should they do?
In one case I watched the flummoxed cyclists wait and finally start across, but by the time they did so the light had changed to yellow. If they had waited just 2 more seconds, they would have started crossing as the Columbia Pike traffic got the green, creating a dangerous situation.

The easy solution is to install a bike traffic signal like the ones on the Rosslyn luge.

[Author]

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