Is that a camera?

[GreyBear]

On the Mount Vernon Trail where it intersects with Four Mile Run. All week, there’s been a tall tripod with what appears to be a camera.

Topic

[consularrider]

When it was being set up late Monday afternoon, the workers parked their truck blocking most of the connector from the MVT to 4MRT and stood blocking the rest. Seemed clueless that they were doing this during one of the peak times for trail use.

[paulg]

I saw this as well. Can’t tell what it is. There is also some equipment mounted to the bridge handrail just to the south.

I’ll have a closer look on my way through tonight.

[Timbevins]

Howdy- Tim Bevins again with the Park Service.

It is in fact a camera- one used for data collection. It allows for accurate figures on mode split between trail users as well as which directions people are headed.

At my request, VDOT was gracious enough to set up the counters for 24 hour counts at the 4 Mile Run and Crystal City connectors to the MVT. These are congested / potentially dangerous areas and this data will help the NPS develop interventions to alleviate the problems.

The one at Crystal City has already been taken down, and the cameras at 4 Mile Run should be removed from the trail on Friday.

Thanks!
Tim

[KLizotte]

Hi Tim,

Within the last week or so some of the bumps on the MVT near the Crystal City entrance appear to have been “sanded down” making the trail much smoother (thanks NPS!). Any chance the NPS will be doing the same for the rest of the trail any time soon?

Kathy

[Timbevins]

Hi Kathy- Looking into it. I’ll let you know.
Tim

[Timbevins]

Kathy, I asked our trails supervisor what the process for this was- they inspect trails daily, and address issues like these as they identify them.

Tim

[KLizotte]

Thanks for asking. Kathy

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