TO: VDoT, FDoT. CC: Cathy Hudgins, Paul Davis FROM: RA. RE: Critical intersections surrounding the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station

Transcription

1 TO: VDoT, FDoT CC: Cathy Hudgins, Paul Davis FROM: RA RE: Critical intersections surrounding the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station As the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station nears operation, Reston Association (RA) would like to direct attention to certain infrastructure issues that affect pedestrian and cyclist access and safety. Based on input from RA members, the RA board has compiled a list of specific infrastructure-related recommendations. We expect that addressing these concerns now will assist in the smooth and safe integration of the metro station into the Reston community. The first group of issues all concern the multi-use trail that runs from Sunrise Valley to Sunset Hills on Wiehle over the toll road. This is a major bicycle commuter route to the station and on past the station to the W&OD the I-66 of bicycling. RA expects significantly increased pedestrian and cycling levels along Wiehle Ave as a result of the station opening. Failing to address these concerns ahead of the station s opening is inviting a tragedy. The following intersections run from south to north: Intersection #1 Wiehle Avenue & Sunrise Valley. The new crosswalk beg button on the refuge island at Wiehle and Sunrise Valley is located so far from the curb cut area that a bicyclist must dismount to use it. This is terribly inconvenient and does not promote use. Recommendation 1: Relocate the button. Recommendation 2: Set the pedestrian signal related to crossing Wiehle Ave to rest-in-walk at least between weekday hours of 6 AM-9:30 AM and 4:30 PM 7:30 PM, if not at all times. Intersection #2 -- The north/south multi use path crosses the eastbound exit ramp from the toll road. Although there is a huge NO TURN ON RED sign at the top of the ramp, many ignore it. Recommendation 1: remove the blue sign pointing the way to food and services. (Food and services are actually located in both directions, as they have been for many years.) Recommendation 2: Set the pedestrian signal to rest-in-walk at all times. (See photo top of the ramp)

2 Intersection #3 Wiehle Avenue entrance to the Metro The wide turn radii will encourage high speed right turns that exacerbate the safety problem inherent in the tendency of motorists to ignore the requirement to come to a stop before crosswalks prior to turning right on red. The wide turn radii also increase the crossing distance for pedestrians and cyclists attempting to cross Reston Station Dr. Recommendation 1: Ideally from a pedestrian and cyclist perspective, turn radii would be reduced. Recommendation 2: If it isn't already in place, add a red right turn arrow (or a no right turn on red sign) for motorists turning right onto Wiehle from Reston Station Dr. Recommendation 3: Consider setting the pedestrian signal to rest-in-walk at least between weekday hours of 6 AM-9:30 AM and 4:30 PM 7:30 PM. (See photos below standing north of the Wiehle Avenue metro entrance, looking south towards Sunrise Valley and standing on Reston Station Blvd looking east towards Wiehle.) Intersection #4 -- Wiehle Avenue & Sunset Hills. This is a heavily used intersection that has been notorious for violations of the requirement to stop before turning right on red. RA appreciates the improved pedestrian/activated signaling and improved visibility at this intersection. Recommendation : Set the pedestrian signal to rest-in-walk at least between weekday hours of 6 AM-9:30 AM and 4:30 PM 7:30 PM. Our second area of concern is the entrance to the station area from Sunset Hills where cyclists will be crossing from the W&OD at Isaac Newton Drive. RA is recommending that cyclists use this crossing in order to avoid the busier, wider crossing at Wiehle Ave. This intersection has two flaws. First, the curb cuts on the southeast corner are done in a way that makes it very difficult for any wheeled conveyances to negotiate them easily bicycles or wheelchairs. (See photo.) The other three corners are fine. Second, the roadway for going straight across to the station from where the current commuter lot should have a bike sensor such as the one in the bike lanes at South Lakes Drive and Soapstone to allow cyclists to move safely with the traffic, leaving the crosswalk area for the many pedestrians

3 who will be crossing here. Likewise, the sensor underneath Metro Center Dr should be able to detect cyclists waiting to cross Sunset Hills Dr. There are no dedicated cycling facilities (bike lanes) along Reston Station Dr or Metro Center Dr, and the lanes are too narrow for a motorist to safely pass a cyclist who is using the regular travel lane, without crossing over the double yellow line. Recommendation: add sharrows and/or bikes may use full lane signs at or near the locations photographed below (Metro Center Dr facing south near Sunset Hills, Metro Center Dr facing north near Reston Station Dr, Reston Station Dr facing east near Metro Center Dr, Reston Station Dr facing west near Wiehle Ave.)

4 The lips on the driveways from the parking garage out to Reston Station Ave are relatively sharp or abrupt, such that they are liable to give an unpleasant jolt to a cyclist navigating the turn from Reston Station onto a driveway surface, which could potentially cause the cyclist to lose control or perhaps, in some circumstances, puncture a tire. Recommendation: Smooth out these lips. Visibility to the right for motorists exiting the parking garage at all exits is very poor. Fortunately, at most if not all exits, there are no right turns on red allowed. Enforcement of this signage and the prevention of creeping into the sidewalk/crosswalk areas will be important.

5 RA looks forward to the opening of the Wiehle Reston East Metro station. We prefer to have these concerns addressed in the very near term in order to minimize safety problems when the station is operational. RA Board