School Zones

Staff recently finalized Arlington's school zone guidelines(PDF, 749KB), which include specifications for setting speed limits in school zones. Per the Vision Zero Action Plan, staff updated Chapter 14.2 of the County Code to allow for permanent 20mph speed limits on neighborhood streets within 600 feet of a school access point. Over the past three years, we have been working to retrofit all school zones in the County (both public and private) to meet the new guidelines. See below for school slow zone and school zone retrofit updates or view the School Zone Updates StoryMap.

View the School Zone Updates StoryMap 

Phase 1 School Zone Retrofits (Spring 2022)

In Winter/Spring 2022, the County retrofitted and installed 20mph school slow zone demonstrations at 13 schools (Phase 1). The retrofits included reviewing all existing school zone speed limits and ensuring high visibility crossings and school zone signage within the school zone, as well as identifying and installing 20MPH speed limits (at all times of day) on neighborhood streets within 600ft of a school access point. The retrofits/demonstration school slow zones were installed in early 2022.

Phase 1 Demonstration Information & School Zone Maps 

View the 1-page flyer on the school slow zone demonstration (Phase 1) projects: English(PDF, 456KB) | Español(PDF, 457KB) | አማርኛ (PDF, 530KB) | العربية(PDF, 570KB) | Монгол(PDF, 536KB)

Phase 2 School Zone Retrofits (Spring 2023)

In late spring 2022, staff collected community feedback to learn about community experiences and observations during the demonstrations. Community feedback indicated that many people felt safer walking, biking, and driving because of the new school slow zones. Before/after speed data was inconclusive due to data collection errors. New data collection is in progress. View the 2022 Demonstration School Slow Zones Feedback & Program Update(PDF, 289KB) for details. 

In response this community feedback, Arlington enhanced enforcement, signage, and communications in the next round (Phase 2) school slow zones. DES, APS, and Police are continuing to evaluate results and refine the program as the County implements additional school slow zone demonstrations/school zone retrofits in winter and spring 2023, following Board approval of an amendment to Chapter 14.2 of the County Code to adopt the 20mph school slow zone policy.

Phase 2 School Zone Maps(PDF, 3MB)  

View the 2023 (Phase 2) School Slow Zone Flyer(PDF, 442KB)

Tactical Speed Humps in School Zones Pilot (Launched 2023)

Following speed data collection on Phase 1 school slow zone locations, staff launched an initiative that reintroduces speed humps via a limited pilot focused on reducing speeds in school slow zones where data shows the introduction of 20mph speed limits has not lowered speeds. The pilot will use tactical speed humps because they are easy to both install and remove quickly if needed. They are cost effective, tested for durability, and made from 100% recycled material. Locations are focused on Staff collected speed data on segments that were viable candidates for speed humps within the Phase 1 school slow zones and selected the three locations with the highest speeds for the pilot:

• Cardinal Elementary School: 19th St N btw. N Madison St & N Lexington St
• Hoffman Boston Elementary School: S Queen St btw. 12th St S and 13th Rd S
• Gunston Middle School: S Lang St btw. Arlington Ridge Rd and 28th St S

Due to the safety benefits expressed by community members and the significant reductions in speeding recorded via 2024 data and feedback collection, the County will expand the tactical speed hump safety pilot to three additional sites in fall 2024.The County will conduct another round of before/after speed data and community engagement following the pilot expansion. Using this information, we will determine next steps for the pilot locations and general guidelines for speed humps. View the Round 1 Community Engagement & Data Collection Summary. The 2024 pilot expansion (anticipated for summer/fall 2024) will include the following roads: 

• Thomas Jefferson Middle & Alice Fleet Elementary Schools: S Irving St btw. Arlington Blvd and 2nd St S
• Drew Elementary School: 22nd St S btw. S Monroe St and S Kenmore St 
• Claremont Elementary & Wakefield High Schools: S Dinwiddie St btw. S George Mason Dr and S Chesterfield Rd 

View the Vision Zero Pilot Projects page to learn more. 

Phase 3 School Zone Retrofits (Spring 2024) 

Arlington just completed the installation of the third and final phase of school zone retrofits / school slow zones. In 2023, Staff met with faculty at each of the 19 remaining/Phase 3 schools to confirm the school slow zone segments and discussed other school-specific transportation safety concerns. We then inventoried each school zone and finalized signage/marking plans for each retrofit. Phase 3 school zone retrofits were installed in spring/summer 2024. Now that all school zones meet Arlington's school zone guidelines(PDF, 749KB), we will focus on encouraging and enforcing school zone speed limits through the tactical speed humps pilot and the upcoming launch of Arlington’s school zone speed camera program

Phase 3 School Zone Maps(PDF, 5MB)

View the 2024 (Phase 3) School Slow Zone Flyer(PDF, 444KB)

View the School Zone Updates StoryMap