SUV on the W&OD

[btj]

Came upon this person driving on the W&OD today (Monday June 13, 2016 W&OD in Vienna, VA between Branch Rd SE and Electric Ave around 2:50pm). Not sure where this person got on or eventually got off of the trail but when I caught up to her you can see a kind pedestrian leading her out…

[video=youtube_share;ovH7BbvlRmQ]https://youtu.be/ovH7BbvlRmQ[/video]

Topic

[Steve O]

@Vicegrip 141567 wrote:

The only way to stop cars is to install hard barriers.

It probably goes without saying that I am opposed to this. As is FHWA (and vicegrip). They state that bollards or other barriers should only be used as a last resort, after all other efforts have been tried and failed. Not the default option to be used first, which is typical in most places. NVRPA removed all the bollards on the W&OD 20 years ago because they determined that the rare vehicle encroachment posed less danger than the 24/7 existence of dangerous/hard barriers. I agree with them.

Bigger, more noticeable signage would be a start. Although paint can be slippery, something like a No Cars symbol or the like (rather than paint on the entire surface) might be a reasonable compromise–accompanied with signage. There are also design changes and surface materials (not slippery ones) that can signal to drivers that they are not entering a road.

I truly think it would be worthwhile to talk to this motorist (we have the license plate) to find out what happened. Where did he/she enter? What was the confusion? Answers to those questions will help inform us how to reduce the risk. At this point I don’t see a need to give out a ticket (unless we learn that it was intentional trespassing I suppose).

[bentbike33]

I think the solution is a repurposing of the traffic light sensors that pick up cars and not bikes.

(1) Senors would alert police to a possible incursion, (2) police would check with NVRPA on whether or not a maintenance vehicle was supposed to be in the area, (3) if not, dispatch squad car to nearest likely exit.

[mstone]

@bentbike33 141594 wrote:

I think the solution is a repurposing of the traffic light sensors that pick up cars and not bikes.

(1) Senors would alert police to a possible incursion, (2) police would check with NVRPA on whether or not a maintenance vehicle was supposed to be in the area, (3) if not, dispatch squad car to nearest likely exit.

I think service vehicles are too common for that to be practicable. A sensor + camera could be used for after-the-fact investigation, if there were any signs of interest in investigating.

[dasgeh]

Why not just a plain old “Do Not Enter Except Bicycles” sign?

[Author]

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