Military Road Safety Improvements

Military Road Safety Improvements 26 th Road North to 31 st Street North SUMMARY OF DATA REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS Prepared for: Department of Environmental Services Traffic Engineering and Operations Bureau 2100 Clarendon Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22201 Prepared by: 13221 Woodland Park Road, Suite 400 Herndon, Virginia 20171 July 2007

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N INTRODUCTION The Traffic Engineering & Operations Bureau (TE&O) of the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services has received significant input from citizens about traffic and safety concerns in the Military Road area. TE&O wishes to quickly implement low-cost improvements for the Military Road corridor to respond to the citizen requests. The County s Arterial Transportation Management (ATM) Study identifies a number of potential modifications to manage vehicle speed and improve pedestrian safety on Military Road. Since that study was completed several modifications have been implemented and include street restriping to accommodate bicycle lanes. The County desires to further improve safety and will implement additional ATM measures on Military Road. This memorandum summarizes citizen comments received, data collection, and traffic signal warrants completed, and provides preliminary recommendations for safety improvements at the Military Road and 26 th Road North intersection, the Military Road and 30 th Street N. intersection, and the Military Road and 31 st Street North intersection. These recommendations will be provided to the citizens for review and comment prior to recommendations being finalized. Crossing Guard at the unsignalized pedestrian crossing at the Military Road Intersections with 26h Street N and 26 th Road N July 2007 2

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N CITIZEN COMMENTS The Donaldson Run and the Bellevue Forest Civic Associations have expressed concern for pedestrian and vehicular safety in general, and at several locations on Military Road. The following summary of concerns and suggestions are based on information provided by Arlington staff and from the public meeting on January 31, 2007. Safety Concerns: Limited sight distance at the Military Road and 26 th Street N intersection Pedestrian safety in the crosswalk on Military Road at 26 th Road N Excessive vehicle speed along Military Road, especially near 30 th Street N Pedestrian crossing safety at the Military Road and 31 st Street N intersection Limited sight distance at the Military Road and 31 st Street N intersection due to parked cars along Military Road Lack of sidewalks and ADA ramps Suggested Improvements: Traffic signal or a four-way stop at 31 st Street Pedestrian crossing improvements at 31 st Street and 26 th Street Sight distance improvements at 26 th Street and Marcey Road High-visibility crosswalks at key locations Traffic signal at the Military Road/Nellie Custis Drive Pedestrian signals at key locations (unspecific) Sidewalks and ADA ramps where none exist Speed humps on Military Road Relocation of pedestrian crossing flashers (further in-advance of crossing) at 26 th Road North Pedestrian actuated crossing flashing signage Speed actuated traffic signals These concerns and suggestions were used as the basis for reviewing data collected and the preliminary safety improvement recommendations. DATA COLLECTION Several data collection efforts have been performed along Military Road. Data includes intersection turning movement traffic and pedestrian counts, speed data, and crash data. This data was used to evaluate citizen comments and suggestions as well as to develop preliminary recommendations. Intersection Turning Movement Counts Intersection turning movement counts were performed at the Military Road and 26 th Road North intersection and the Military Road and 31 st Street intersection on October 21, 2004 and April 18, 2006, respectively. A summary of the traffic counts are provided in Tables 1 and 2 for the Military Road and 26 th Road North intersection and the Military Road and 31 st Street intersection, respectively. Copies of the counts are included in the Appendix. July 2007 3

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N Hour Table 1 Summary of Approach Volumes Military Road and 26 th Road North (Vehicles or Pedestrian per Hour) Major Street* (Military Road) Maximum of Minor Street** (26 th Road N) Pedestrian (total crossing Military Road) 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM 570 16 4 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM 1,146 15 2 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM 1,002 15 0 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM 438 12 0 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM 501 7 1 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM 832 13 0 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM 902 16 0 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM 1,049 16 3 *Total of both approaches ** 26 th Street was not counted Hour Table 2 Summary of Approach Volumes Military Road and 31 st Street North (Vehicles or Pedestrian per Hour) Major Street* (Military Road) Maximum of Minor Street (31 st Street N.) Pedestrian (total crossing Military Road) 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM 519 55 7 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM 598 56 10 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM 595 73 6 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM 641 90 11 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM 736 97 1 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM 845 107 9 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM 837 100 7 *Total of both approaches Speed Data Speed data was collected to quantify vehicle speeds at several locations on Military Road. This data included 85 th percentile and average speed. 85 th percentile speed is defined as the speed at, or below which 85 percent of the surveyed motor vehicles traveled. The use of 85 th percentile speed as a measure is a traffic engineering industry standard for studying speed along streets. It has been shown that when posted speed limits are within 5 mph of the 85 th percentile speed the crash risk is the lowest. Speed data was collected at the following locations: Military Road between Marcey Road and 26 th Street North Military Road between Marcey Road North and 30 th Street North Military Road between 30 th Street North and 31 st Street North Military Road north of 38 th Street North July 2007 4

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N A summary of the speed data collected is shown in Table 3. Table 3 Military Road Speed Data Summary 85 th Percentile Speed (Average Speed) in Miles per Hour* Location Tues Weds. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Military Road between 26 th Street North and Marcey Road Northbound 39 (32) 34 (28) 31 (27) 31 (26) 31 (27) 32 (27) Southbound 31 (28) 31 (28) 31 (28) 31 (28) 32 (29) 32 (29) Military Road between Marcey Road and 30 th Street North Northbound - - - - - - Southbound 36 (32) 35 (31) 36 (32) 36 (32) 37 (33) 36 (33) Military Road between 30 th Street North and 31 st Street North Northbound 47 (41) 45 (40) 46 (40) 45 (40) 46 (40) 46 (40) Southbound - - - - - - Military Road North of 38 th Street North Northbound 41 (36) - 42 (37) - 42 (37) - Southbound 35 (31) - 35 (31) - 35 (32) - *Posted speed limit of 30mph The speed data summary shows that 85 th percentile speeds in the area near 26 th Street North are generally less than 5 mph above the posted speed limit. The one exception to this was in the northbound direction on the Tuesday measured, the 85 th percentile speed was 39 mph. Between Marcey Road and 30 th Street, the speed data shows that the 85 th percentile is 6-7 mph above the posted speed limit. Between 30 th Street and 31 st Street, the 85 th percentile speed is more than 15 mph above the posted speed limit. It is assumed that this high speed is due to the vertical curve in the roadway which vehicles accelerate down the hill towards the Military Road and 30 th Street intersection. North of 38 th Street, the northbound 85 th percentile speed is more than 10 mph above the posted speed limit while the southbound direction 85 th percentile speed is only 5 mph above the posted speed limit. Based on the speed data shown, the citizens concern that there is excessive speeding near the Military Road and 30 th Street intersection is validated. July 2007 5

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N Crash Data Collision diagrams were provided by Arlington County records and are included in the Appendix. Tables 4 and 5 summarize the crash history at the Military Road and 26 th Street North the intersection and the Military Road and 31 st Street North intersection, respectively. Table 4 Military Road and 26 th Street North Crash Data Summary Crash Type Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Right-angle 0 0 0 0 Right-turn 0 0 0 0 Left-turn 0 0 0 0 Rear-end 0 1 0 1 Side-swipe 0 0 0 0 Head-on 0 0 0 0 Total 0 1 0 0 Table 5 Military Road and 31 st Street North Crash Data Summary Crash Type Year 2004 2005 2006 Total Right-angle 1 0 0 1 Right-turn 0 0 0 0 Left-turn 0 0 0 0 Rear-end 1 0 0 1 Side-swipe 0 0 0 0 Head-on 0 0 0 0 Total 2 0 0 2 Tables 4 and 5 show that the number of crashes reported at the two intersections is minimal. One crash was reported at the Military Street and 26 th Street North intersection and two crashes were reported at the Military Road and 31 st Street North intersection. The reported data does not support the citizen concerns about safety along the corridor. What is not captured in the reported data are near misses and perceived safety, especially for July 2007 6

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N pedestrians. These concerns are difficult to quantify, however measures can be taken to address the citizen concerns. These measures can include reducing the pedestrian crossing distance and minimizing exposure to vehicular traffic as well as enhanced signage and pavement markings. SUMMARY OF PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANT ANALYSES Prior to this study, several traffic signal warrant analyses were performed for intersections along Military Road. Traffic signal warrant analyses were performed in May 2005 at the Military Road and 26 th Road North intersection and the Military Road and 30 th Street intersection. These were performed as a part of the citizen initiated traffic signal project developed by Paul Ferguson, the former Arlington Board chairman. These two locations were selected by the Donaldson Run and the Bellevue Forest civic associations for traffic signalization consideration. The Military Road and 31 st Street intersection was analyzed in September 2006 in response to citizen requests. The results of the analysis showed that none of the three intersections warranted traffic signals. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS As a result of a review of the data and the evaluation of the citizen concerns and suggestions, preliminary recommendations have been developed. The preliminary recommendations are focused on low-cost, near term improvements that can be implemented within existing right-of-way. Capital intensive improvements such as regrading Military Road to improve sight distance was not included due to budgetary limitations. Preliminary recommendations are: 1. Install intersection nubs on Military Road near 26 th Street N and 26 th Road N. Nubs should be installed along Military Road and on both 26 th Street North and 26 th Road North. The nubs will reduce pedestrian crossing distance and will also reduce vehicle speed due to the narrowing effect. Near-term improvement Install low cost materials such as pavement marking with reflectorized markers and/or rubber curbs. A near-term alternative to nubs for existing intersections are providing raised material (concrete or rubber) that maintains drainage and pedestrian access. An example of this is shown below. Long-term improvement Install concrete curb nub with sidewalk and ADA ramps July 2007 7

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N Intersection Nub Alternative 2. Install dynamic signage that shows the speed limit and the vehicle speed (see picture of an example) prior to the downhill segments of Military Road near 30 th Street N. The placement of these signs will need to be closely coordinated with property owners along Military Road in this area. Based on previous experience in Arlington, there has been resistance from property owners for installing this type of signage in residential front yards. Dynamic Speed Limit Signage 3. Install sidewalks and ADA ramps where none exist today. This recommendation may be cost prohibitive in the near-term if right-of-way needs to be acquired. 4. Convert existing crosswalk to ladder style at the Military Road and 31 st Street intersection. 5. Upgrade the existing flashing pedestrian crossing signage at the 26 th Road N intersection to be pedestrian actuated. Consideration should be given to signage further away from the intersection to allow vehicles more time to slow down at the crosswalk. July 2007 8

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N Pedestrian Actuation for Flashing Pedestrian Crossing Signage 6. Install medians along Military Road at the Military Road and 30 th Street N. intersection and the Military Road and 31 st Street N. intersection. The medians will reduce vehicle speed due to the narrowing effect. Installing medians will require the reducing the width of the travel lanes, bike lanes, and/or parking lanes to provide area for the median. Near-term improvement Install low cost materials such as pavement marking and/or rubber curbs. Long-term improvement Install raised concrete median 7. Install in-road yield to pedestrian signage at crosswalks on the centerline for both travel directions. In-road Yield to Pedestrian Signage July 2007 9

Military Road Safety Improvements - 26 th Street N to 31 st Street N 8. Restrict on-street parking along Military Road near the 31 st Street intersection to increase sight distance for vehicles turning onto Military Road. 9. Create a Neighborhood Speed Watch Program Figures 1 through 4 show the Military Road corridor and the preliminary recommendations, respectively. RESPONSE TO OTHER CITIZEN SUGGESTIONS In response to other citizen suggestions that were not included in the preliminary recommendations, the following is a summary of the remaining suggestions and a brief discussion of their applicability to Military Road. Four-Way Stops Four-way stops are not recommended along Military Road. Four-way stops operate most efficiently when the traffic volumes from all approach are relatively balanced; this is not the case along the Military Road intersections. In practice, four-way stops have the potential to increase mid-block vehice speeds when they are placed in inappropriate locations. Drivers tend to increase speed between stops to make up for lost time. The Manual on Uniform Control Devices (MUTCD), the national standard for signage and traffic control, states that stop signs should not be used as speed control. Speed Humps Speed humps are not recommended on Military Road. Speed humps are typically used on residential and other local streets, but are not an appropriate measure on arterial streets. The installation of speed humps can lead to unintended new issues such as increases in mid-block vehicle speeds and additional traffic noise. NEXT STEPS The preliminary recommendations will be provided to the citizens for review and comment. A second citizen meeting will be held to compile the citizen feedback and develop final recommendations for implementation. July 2007 10

ST. 36T H ST. 37 TH B E RD. IE. LL DR NE TIS S CU 25T HP MILITARY ROAD STUDY CORRIDOR L. D. HR RD. AD RO Y R ITA MIL 26 T ST. 27T H N. GL E. ST B RD. H ST. 36TH RD. ST. ST. CE Y T 26 30T H ST. CY QUIN 35T H 31 ST. RD ST P OLLA D O O W. CH IR EE C 25TH PL. 38T H MA R PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS 1

CONVERT EXISTING CROSSWALK TO LADDER STYLE AND INSTALL YIELD-TO-PEDESTRIANS SIGN (R1-6) RESTRICT ON-STREET PARKING NEAR INTERSECTION MILITARY ROAD RESTRICT ON-STREET PARKING NEAR INTERSECTION INSTALL MEDIAN 31ST STREET N MILITARY ROAD AND 31ST STREET N SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS R1-6 2

N 30TH STREET N INSTALL YIELD-TO-PEDESTRIANS SIGN (R1-6) INSTALL DYNAMIC SPEED LIMIT SIGN BEECHWOOD CIRCLE MILITARY ROAD INSTALL DYNAMIC SPEED LIMIT SIGN INSTALL MEDIAN DYNAMIC SPEED LIMIT SIGN R1-6 MILITARY ROAD AND 30TH STREET N SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS 3

26TH STREET N INSTALL YIELD-TO-PEDESTRIANS SIGN (R6-1) INSTALL NUBS MILITARY ROAD 26T OAD HR INSTALL STRIPED MEDIAN N INSTALL NUBS PEDESTRIAN-ACTUATED SIGNAL *UPGRADE THE EXISTING FLASHING PEDESTRIAN SIGNAGE FOR THE SCHOOL ZONE TO BE PEDESTRIAN ACTUATED R1-6 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS MILITARY ROAD AND 26TH STREET N AND 26TH ROAD N SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS INSTALL MEDIAN 4

APPENDIX

Collision Diagram At: Military Rd And: 26th St N Right-angle Right-turn Left-turn Rear-end Side-swipe Head-on N page 1 of 1 04/22/2005 R. W. 1752 Fr 050422062 W W Re or Auto Truck Motorcycle or bicycle Fatal Fixed obj Backing Legend: Pedestrian Bus Injury Other Parked veh Out-of-control MILITARY RD 26TH ST N No. of Accidents: 1 Plotted Accidents: 1

Collision Diagram At: 31st St N And: Military Rd Right-angle or Auto Truck Motorcycle or bicycle Fatal Fixed obj Backing Legend: Rear-end Side-swipe Head-on Pedestrian Right-turn Left-turn Bus Injury Other Parked veh Out-of-control 12/13/2006 C. D. 1503 We 061213038 N N Rear end 08/19/2003 C. D. 0848 Tu 030819-013 S S Rear end 02/07/2004 C. D. 1310 Sa 040207-032 W S Angle 31ST ST N N page 1 of 1 MILITARY RD No. of Accidents: 3 Plotted Accidents: 3