Subject:
Title
Annual TSC Presentation.
Body
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
Each commission is providing an annual presentation to Town Council, and this Work Session will include a summary from the Transportation Safety Commission.
OVERVIEW:
In 2024, the Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) met in January, February, twice in April, May, June, July and September. We have upcoming meetings scheduled for October and November. In 2024, the TSC held public hearings on petitions for vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements in the Town of Vienna. Among the motions that were approved and sent to Town Council were actions related to:
• Recommendation that the Town Council consider the concerns that the TSC has regarding the traffic disruption and safety issues that the potential Tyson’s Corner casino would cause the Town of Vienna.
• Recommendation that Town Council support capacity and safety improvements to the W&OD Trail within the Town of Vienna including a dual trial for both pedestrians and cyclists and ask the Town of Vienna partner with NOVA Parks to achieve these upgrades.
• Recommendation that the Planning Commission accept the Town of Vienna Street Classification system with changes to include Pleasant Street, Marshall Road, Tapawingo Road to the W&OD Trail and Echols Street to Niblick Drive.
• Recommendation that the Town of Vienna continue to support the use of the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Guidelines to evaluate stop sign utilization, with engineering judgement as needed.
• Recommendation that the Town of Vienna move forward with the replacement of the asphalt path sections on Park Street SE between Battle Court and Fardale Street with concrete sidewalk to enhance pedestrian safety and sidewalk connectivity.
Public Hearings:
The TSC held a public hearing on the following petition:
• Traffic Calming on 200 block Ayr Hill Avenue NE
A traffic and engineering study will take place in September or early October and the results and analysis will be discussed at an upcoming 2024 meeting.
The TSC also held a public hearing on the following:
• W&OD Trail - Clark to Idylwood Pedestrian and Bicycle Detour
Dominion Energy is upgrading the electrical lines along the W&OD multipurpose trail in certain sections within the Town. The W&OD trail within the Town will be closed for approximately 10 days in November. A trail detour will be set-up within the Town. The TSC hosted a public hearing in conjunction with Dominion Energy to present more details on this closure and proposed detour and received public comment.
The TSC also received public comment on a review of Traffic Calming and Safety measures put in place at Cottage Street and Plum Street SW. A second traffic study and review will take place in September and be discussed at an upcoming meeting in 2024.
The TSC formally requested confirmation from Town Council that the Town’s Pedestrian Master Plan, Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan should inform and guide the decisions of the TSC and the Town of Vienna including those related to sidewalks.
The TSC provided feedback on the Town of Vienna Street Classification system during a work session with Town engineers, John Jay Sergent and Andrew Jinks. A resulting motion was proposed and made (listed above).
The TSC also provided feedback on the Town of Vienna Comprehensive Plan.
At every meeting, the TSC discusses initiatives and projects related to vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements in the Town of Vienna and the broader community with the Department of Public Works (DPW) traffic engineer. These projects include the Church Street and East Street NE Roundabout, the traffic signal project on Maple Ave, the Robinson Trust Sidewalk Projects, the installation of RRFBs (flashing pedestrian signs) at Church St and Lawyers Rd NE intersection, and the Transportation Safety Study (are bounded by Courthouse Rd, Nutley St, and Maple Ave SW).
The TSC and the Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) have been diligent in supporting the Robinson Trust Sidewalk Projects.
The members of the TSC would like to commend the Town staff who dedicate so much time, effort and expertise to the improvement of transportation, pedestrian and bicycle safety in Vienna, specifically Andrew Jinks, Jennifer Sigler, and Sergeant Tracey. Members of the TSC, the BAC and PAC also would appreciate additional support and partnership with Town staff to support future efforts and initiatives.
The Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) and Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), operating under the TSC, are doing very positive work as described below.
The BAC and PAC held a joint meeting to discuss upgrades to the W&OD with a NOVA Parks representative in early 2024. The discussed enhancements would positively impact both pedestrians and cyclists.
The BAC and the PAC reviewed and provided feedback on the Town of Vienna Comprehensive Plan.
The BAC and PAC held a joint meeting in July with Leslie Herman, Parks and Recreation Director as well as department staff regarding feedback on their strategic visioning initiative. Additionally, members of the TSC, BAC, and PAC participated in the Community Stakeholder Focus Groups held by the Parks and Recreation Department this Fall to review the results of the Community Survey.
The BAC submitted an award application and the Town of Vienna was recognized in 2021 as a Bicycle Friendly Community by The League of American Bicyclists. The feedback provided by The League of American Bicyclists has and will continue to inform the work of the BAC. The BAC also organized a “Pit Stop” on the Town Green for National Bike to Work Day in May and also hosts Community Bike Rides. Bike to Work Day had almost 300 participants registered for and participate in the event. The May Community Bike Ride had over 50 participants of all ages. The BAC provided updates to the current Town of Vienna bike map to be included in GIS.
The PAC have continued to remain close to the Maud Robinson Trust sidewalk implementation, as well as other high priority sidewalks needs in town. The PAC recommended that the Town continue to provide citizens as much information as possible about where new sidewalks are being considered and are being constructed, including individual sidewalk segments in front of new homes. The PAC launched last year a pedestrian safety campaign called ‘Eye to Eye’ - intended to encourage pedestrians to make eye contact with vehicle operators before crossing streets. The PAC continues to champion and expand the Eye-to-Eye Pedestrian Safety Advisory Campaign which received positive feedback from the community and the extensive media coverage in the DC Metro area.
FY 24-25 Initiatives
Transportation Safety Commission - The TSC will continue to review all petitions for transportation safety improvements and will place extensive emphasis on enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety in the Town of Vienna. The TSC with support from the BAC and PAC also plan to host Community Bicycle Rides, Bike to Work Day Pit Stop, and “walkabouts” as well as education and safety advisory campaigns in 2024.
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
RECOMMENDATION: