Subject:
Title
7:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Request approval of Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) motion for Glyndon Street, SE, and Tapawingo Road, SE, Safety Improvements.
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Date(s) of Prior Council Consideration of this Issue:
N/A
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
From the Oct. 30, 2023, Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) meeting regarding the traffic conditions of Glyndon Street and Tapawingo Road, SE:
Department of Public Works (DPW) Transportation Engineer Andrew Jinks shared that DPW analyzed the intersection for safety considerations including sight distance. After the review, DPW recommended no parking along both the Glyndon and Tapawingo frontages of the mixed-use development at 901 Glyndon St., SE. DPW also recommended adding crosswalk pavement marking and crosswalk signage for the Tapawingo Road crossing at the corner of the mixed-use development.
After hearing from DPW and residents, the TSC discussed the recommendations. At the request of TSC Chair Beth Eachus, Commissioner Loginn Kapitan made a motion that the TSC approve the addition of a crosswalk and signage at the intersection of Tapawingo Road and Glyndon Street and the addition of no parking signs along the frontage of 901 Glyndon St., SE. Commissioner Angela Sorrell seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-1.
From the Nov. 28, 2023 TSC meeting regarding a review of volumes/speeds at of Glyndon Street and Tapawingo Road, SE:
DPW Traffic Engineer Andrew Jinks shared that in response to the request, DPW studied the volumes of both Tapawingo Road and Glyndon Street, SE, at the intersection of the two roadways from Thursday Nov. 9, 2023, to Thursday Nov. 16, 2023. The traffic volume does not meet the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) warrants for an all-way stop. The hourly volume averages for the busiest 8-hour stretch were fewer than 100 vehicles for both roadways. All-way stop standards call for a 300 hourly volume average for the main roadway and a 200 hourly volume average for the side street and these standards are not met. The speeds were also studied, and traffic calming is not warranted along Tapawingo Road or Glyndon Street. The 85th percentile speed for that date range was 26 and 27 MPH. The threshold for physical/vertical traffic calming (or speed tables) is 31 MPH or higher. DPW had no additional recommendations at this time for this intersection.
Sergeant Patrick Kiley reviewed the data and shared that there was only one reported accident at this intersection per Commonwealth of Virginia accident data. Officers utilizing unmarked vehicles have been and will continue to be at the intersection and have written summons for violations. After hearing from DPW, Sergeant Kiley and the residents, the TSC discussed possible traffic calming measures due to the unique logistics of this intersection.
Vice Chairman Angela Sorrell made a motion to have a four-way crosswalk (adding a crosswalk along all four legs of the intersection) and associated pavement markings and signage installed at the intersection of Tapawingo Road, SE, and Glyndon Street, SE. Commissioner Charlie Strunk seconded the motion, which carried 6 - 1.
Next Steps: If approved by Council, DPW will develop a work order to install the no parking signs along the frontage of the mixed-use development at 901 Glyndon St., SE, and appropriate crosswalk signage. DPW will also request the Town’s on-call pavement marking contractor to install the proposed pavement markings (Crosswalks).
Expected Completion Time Frame: The signage will be installed within a month of Council’s approval. The pavement markings will be completed once the weather is consistently warmer in the spring (April/May).
Strategic Plan Initiative: Vienna is a mobile and safe community.
Departmental Recommendation: Recommend approval.
Finance Recommendation: N/A
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town may install traffic safety and calming street improvements in the discretion of the Town Council.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council approve the TSC motion, as presented.
Cost and Financing: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Decision Needed by This date: March 4, 2024
Prior Funding Approval: N/A
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
“I move to approve the TSC’s motion for Glyndon St SE and Tapawingo Rd SE Safety Improvements.”
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.