Pilot Safety Projects

• Project Description: This pilot works toward Arlington’s Vision Zero goal by testing different speed management tools on arterials and assessing how they impact driver speeds in Arlington. Arlington’s engineering team selected tools based on national guidance and local roadway conditions. All tools will be accompanied with a Vision Zero “Slow Down” sign to create awareness and consistency across the pilot locations in Arlington County.

• Safety Need: This pilot aims to reduce speeds on arterial roads. One out of three critical crashes in Arlington is the result of speeding.  

• Locations: Staff selected locations for the pilot based on two considerations: (1) speeding-related crash histories and (2) locations where data indicate frequent speeding drivers. Additional locations may be added as the pilot progresses. Pilot locations include: 

• Washington Boulevard, Arlington Blvd to N Pershing Dr
• S Eads St, 23rd St S and S Glebe Rd
• 23rd St S, S Arlington Ridge Rd to S Joyce St
• 10th St N, Arlington Blvd to Washington Blvd
• N Lynn St / N Meade St, Fairfax Dr to 14th St N
• S Hayes St, Army Navy Dr to 15th St S
• Wilson Blvd, N Nelson St to Washington Blvd
• S George Mason Dr, 4th St S to Columbia Pike
• S Walter Reed Dr, S Quebec St to S Wakefield St
• Williamsburg Blvd, N Edison St to George Mason Dr
• S Courthouse Rd, 5th St S to 8th St S
• N Carlin Springs Rd, N George Mason Dr to Arlington Blvd*
• N Sycamore St / N Roosevelt St, Washington Blvd to Wilson Blvd*

*Longer timelines due to coordination with ongoing projects.

• Status/Timeline:

• Spring 2025 – Collect “before” data
• Summer 2025 – Install and monitor pilot locations
• Fall 2025 – Collect “after” data
• Winter 2025 – Collect Community Feedback
• Spring 2026 – Identify Next Steps

• Findings/Next Steps: 

• We will assess before/after driver speeds as the primary performance measure for this pilot.
• We will conduct public engagement during the pilot to gather feedback from the community.
• We will publish a summary of data/feedback once available and share next steps for the pilot based on the data and community feedback analysis.

• View the Pilot Infosheet(PDF, 331KB)

 

•  Project Description: This pilot will address potentially high-risk conflict points where a driver can make a right turn across a bicyclist traveling downhill in the bike lane. The pilot will test the use of tactical materials at four locations to slow drivers down before turning across the bike lane and increase awareness of oncoming bicyclists, who have high momentum due to the downhill slope.
• Safety Need: This pilot aims to reduce conflicts between vehicles turning right and bikes riding straight in a bike lane on a downward slope. The pilot locations were chosen because they feature downhill bike lanes, where cyclists may not be able to stop quickly and intersections where cars turn across the bike lane. Three of the locations were identified during the High-Injury Network safety audit of Clarendon Blvd.
• Locations:
• • Clarendon Blvd & 17th St N
  • Clarendon Blvd & N Scott St
  • Clarendon Blvd & Driveway Across from N Troy St
  • Wilson Blvd & N Manchester St
• Status/Timeline: 
• • Spring: Collect Before Data & Install Tactical Devices
  • Summer: Monitor and Collect After Data
  • Fall: Collect Feedback from the Community
  • Winter: Next Steps
• Findings/Next Steps: Staff collected turning speed data before the installation went in and will collect the same data during the pilot. Additionally, staff will actively be monitoring the pilot and will make recommendations or adjustments as needed.
• (PDF, 266KB)V(PDF, 267KB)iew the Pilot Infosheet(PDF, 267KB)

• Project Description: Arlington County is installing temporary safety treatments in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) at the intersection of Route 50 & N/S Highland St using tactical in-street materials (signs, markings, flex posts). These treatments will restrict: left turn movements from Route 50/Arlington Blvd to N/S Highland St, left turn movements from N/S Highland St to Route 50/Arlington Blvd, and through movements between N and S Highland St. 

•  Safety Need: Route 50 & Highland St was selected for the pilot because it had the highest left turn/through crash rate for an unsignalized intersection along the Route 50 corridor. The goal of the pilot is to reduce crash risks caused by uncontrolled left turn and through movements over multiple lanes of high-speed traffic on Route 50. The VDOT Arlington Blvd Safety Improvements Project will address unsignalized left turn and through movements along the corridor slated to begin in 2030. This pilot will test the feasibility of an interim safety solution using flex posts at the intersection of Route 50 and N/S Highland St. 

• View the Pilot Infosheet(PDF, 209KB)

•  Status/Timeline:

  • Spring 2025 - Install
  • Summer 2025 - Monitor
  • Fall 2025: Collect Data & Feedback
  • Winter 2025/26: Identify Next Steps 

• Project Description: Arlington had not added new speed humps since the 2010's due to a countywide moratorium. This initiative reintroduced speed humps via a limited pilot focused on reducing speeds in school slow zones where data shows the introduction of 20mph speed limits had not lowered speeds. (A school slow zone is a permanent 20mph speed limit on a neighborhood street within 600ft of a key school access point.) The pilot uses 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. View the pilot info sheet to learn more.(PDF, 488KB)
• Findings/Next Steps: Due to the safety benefits expressed by community members and the significant reductions in speeding recorded along the corridors, 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(PDF, 212KB) and Round 2 Community Engagement & Data Collection Summaries.(PDF, 575KB)
• Locations: Pilot locations include:
  • Cardinal Elementary School: 19th St N btw. N Madison St & N Lexington St (Round 1 - Installed Dec 2023)
  • Hoffman Boston Elementary School: S Queen St btw. 12th St S and 13th Rd S (Round 1 - Installed Nov 2023)
  • Gunston Middle School: S Lang St btw. Arlington Ridge Rd and 28th St S (Round 1 - Installed Nov 2023)
  • Thomas Jefferson Middle & Alice Fleet Elementary Schools: S Irving St btw. Arlington Blvd and 2nd St S (Round 2 -Installed August 2024)
  • Drew Elementary School: 22nd St S btw. S Monroe St and S Kenmore St (Round 2 - Installed August 2024)
  • Claremont Elementary & Wakefield High Schools: S Dinwiddie St btw. S George Mason Dr and S Chesterfield Rd (Round 2 -Installed August 2024)
  • Campbell Elementary: 7th Rd S (Round 3 - Installation Spring/Summer 2025)
  • Tuckahoe Elementary: N Trinidad St (Round 3 - Installation Spring/Summer 2025)
  • Washington-Liberty High: 15th St N (Round 3 - Installation Spring/Summer 2025)
  • Nottingham ES: N Ohio St (Round 3 - Installation Spring/Summer 2025)
  • Randolph Elementary: 16th St S (Round 3 - Installation Spring/Summer 2025)
  • Discovery Elementary/Williamsburg Middle: N Kensington St (Round 3 - Installation Spring/Summer 2025)
  • Arlington Science Focus Elementary: N Lincoln St (Round 3- Installation Spring/Summer 2025)
• Safety Need: Reducing vehicle speeds is fundamental to reducing severe crashes. Staff collected speed data on existing installed school slow zone segments that were viable candidates for speed humps and selected the locations with the highest speeds for the pilot. Additional speed hump sites may be considered in the future based on the results of this pilot.
• Status/Timeline:
  • Fall 2023: Install first round speed humps 
  • Winter 2023: Monitor locations and collect data 
  • Spring 2024: Conduct public engagement to gather community feedback
  • Summer 2024: Publish data and community feedback findings and next steps
  • Fall 2024: Install second round speed humps 
  • Winter 2024/25: Monitor locations and collect data 
  • Spring 2025: Conduct second round public engagement to gather community feedback
  • Summer 2025: Install third round speed humps

• Project Description: In partnership with Arlington Public Schools (APS), the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is piloting a temporary lane closure along 24th St S between S Ode St and S Nash St, to improve arrival and dismissal operations at Oakridge Elementary School. This temporary street closure will be in effect 30 minutes prior to the start of school (8:30am to 9:00am) and 30 minutes prior to dismissal (3:20pm to 3:50pm). Cones and signage will be used for the temporary closure and to allow easy access for local traffic, emergency vehicles, and school buses.While local traffic is permitted (including access to driveways), drivers can bypass the temp closure using S Pierce St, 23rd Rd S, and S Nash St.  S Ode St is also available as a turn-around for vehicles.
  • View the pilot info sheet.
• Safety Need: DES-Transportation designed this road closure plan based on requests from APS staff, in response to concerns for pedestrian safety and challenges with bus operations. This pilot will help improve safety and access for pedestrians, bikers, and bus riders as they arrive and dismiss from school, as well as enhance the safety and efficiency of school bus operations.
• Status/Timeline:
  • Began August 2022.
  • Collected public input in fall 2022. View the public engagement summary.
  • Staff from APS, Police, and DES-Transportation have monitored safety and usage through fall/winter 2022.
• Preliminary Findings/Next Steps: Due to overall positive impacts in safety, the County will coordinate with staff at Oakridge Elementary to gauge interest and capacity to continue the temporary road closure as part of regular arrival and dismissal protocol at the school. Staff will also review and discuss the possibility of additional pick-up/drop-off operational enhancements.

 

• Project Description: In fall 2024, we separated the pedestrian crosswalk phase from the conflicting southbound turning movements.  
• Safety Need: This intersection was identified in the 2019 crash hot spot analyses and has a history of pedestrian crashes. The safety pilot that launched in 2021 had short term positive impacts. In 2024, a southbound left turn crash pattern prompted review and adjustment to the 2021 pilot condition. 
• Status/Timeline: 
  • Began pilot in August 2021: Initial 2021 project plan.
  • Pilot was reviewed in 2022: View 2022 data collection findings.(PDF, 94KB)
  • Pilot was updated in early 2024 to include additional bollards.
  • Pilot was adjusted in late 2024 to address southbound left turn crashes. See 2024 Project Update.(PDF, 146KB)
  • Long term: We have also planned a capital project to upgrade the traffic signal and improve the curbs in coordination with the Gateway Park Project.
• Findings/Next Steps: Staff are actively monitoring the pilot and will make recommendations or adjustments as needed.

• Project Description: In 2021, we conducted a High-Injury Network (HIN) audit of Glebe Rd from I-66 to Columbia Pike. During the audit various locations were flagged for additional safety treatments, including the intersection of S Glebe Rd & S Old Glebe Rd due to a five-lane uncontrolled crossing and wide intersection geometry. To install a tactical project at this location, we needed a way to provide seamless access to the existing bus stop, which led to the decision to pilot a temporary/tactical bus loading platform. The bus platform will replace the underutilized right turn lane at this intersection, which will slow turning vehicles and reduce the crossing lengths at the intersection. The project will also add a tactical median to remove all left turn conflicts at the intersection. After collaboration with VDOT staff, we finalized a design and are in the process of procuring the materials to launch the pilot in spring 2024. View the pilot info sheet.(PDF, 234KB)
• Safety Need: The intersection was identified for safety improvements due to: (1) pedestrian safety at an uncontrolled, five-lane crossing with no refuge and (2) risk of angle crashes due to intersection geometry, sight lines, and speeds.

• Status/Timeline:
  • Winter/Spring 2024: Install tactical improvements
  • Summer 2024: Monitor site
  • Fall 2024: Collect data and conduct public engagement to gather community feedback. View the public engagement summary(PDF, 259KB). 
  • Winter 2024/25: Identify next steps for the pilot

• Findings/Next Steps: Due to the safety benefits expressed by community members, slight improvements in yield rates, and reductions in speeding, the County will adopt the use of temporary bus loading platforms as a typical tactical quick build tool. To further enhance safety at the S Glebe Rd & S Old Glebe Rd intersection, we will implement the following measures:

  • Permanent Build Out: Given the slower vehicle turn speeds and no negative impacts of removing the right turn lane, we will build out the pilot condition in collaboration with VDOT as a quick-build safety project to a permanent condition.
  • Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs): Given the continued low vehicle yield rate to people crossing the street, we will incorporate RRFBs into the quick-build project design plan to increase pedestrian visibility and driver yield rates.

• Project Description: Hardened centerlines are a proven safety tool used to reduce turning speeds and increase visibility of pedestrians for turning motorists at intersections. We piloted in-street centerline hardening devices in five locations in 2024, collecting data on turning speeds and vehicle positioning to determine effectiveness and next steps for the safety tool:
  • Clarendon at Rhodes (south side) 
  • Fairfax at Randolph (north and south side)  
  • Columbia at Dinwiddie (east and west sides) 
  • Columbia at Four Mile Run (west and north sides) 
  • Kenmore at 24th (all sides)  

  View the pilot info sheet.

• Safety Need: The five pilot intersections were identified due to left turn crash patterns observed through crash hot spot reviews and other crash analysis).
• Status/Timeline:
  • Spring 2024: Installed centerline hardening devices / collect data
  • Summer 2024: Monitored site / collected feedback
  • Fall/Winter 2024: Summarized community feedback and before/after data(PDF, 251KB) and identified next steps for the pilot 

• Findings/Next Steps: Due to the safety benefits expressed by community members, reductions in speeding, and improvements in vehicle positioning, the County will expand the use of hardened centerlines as a typical quick-build safety tool to address left turn-related crash risks. To track further use of hardened centerlines in Arlington, view the Vision Zero Program Dashboard.

   

• Project Description: The County is piloting temporary barriers on N Oak Street between Clarendon Boulevard and 17th Street N to provide a walking path for pedestrians where there is currently no sidewalk. The pedestrian pathway was created by adding a barrier between the travel lane and the curb. This slightly narrowed the southbound lane, but retained access for vehicles, including the driveway to the coffee shop. Click here for the project plan.
• Safety Need: This project creates a safer path for people walking and biking on the west side of N Oak Street in this dense, high-volume area of Rosslyn. The need for a walking path is elevated due to a history of seven crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists between 2017 and 2021.  
• Status / Timeline:  
  • Began pilot in spring 2021 
  • Monitored pilot with at least one data collection/observational checkpoint - Click here for the project info sheet
  • Gathered community feedback on the pilot toward the end of summer 2021 - Click here for the public engagement summary.(PDF, 165KB)
• Findings/Next Steps: Because this project improved safety metrics and increased feelings of safety among respondents, the County will evaluate the possibility of a sidewalk construction project as part of the FY25/26 Capital Improvement Plan budgeting process. In addition, the County will collaborate with the Rosslyn BID to identify options for improving the aesthetics of the barriers in the short term.

• Project Description: This pilot project added new school crossing signage, speed signage, and pavement markings intended to (1) reduce vehicle speed traveling on Patrick Henry Dr and (2) increase visibility and awareness of people crossing at 18th St N. Click here to see the project plan / Click here to see the project info sheet. This is a unique location where an uncontrolled school pedestrian crossing over an arterial (higher volume) roadway. The objective is to test the additional signage and SLOW SCHOOL XING marking treatments at this location and determine their impact on vehicle speeds and driver yielding behavior to crossing pedestrians - and thus determine whether this treatment should be considered at similar uncontrolled arterial pedestrian crosswalks near schools throughout the County.
• Safety Need: This intersection was identified in coordination with Arlington Public Schools in 2021 when Cardinal Elementary, a new neighborhood school, opened and generated more pedestrian activity across Patrick Henry Dr. Data collection on Patrick Henry Dr. confirmed speeding concerns cited by the community and led to this pilot project. 
• Status/Timeline:
  • Collected "before" condition data collected on vehicle speeds and driver yield rates to people crossing in the crosswalk in March 2022
  • Began pilot in April 2022 with an anticipated minimum six-month evaluation period
  • Actively monitored field conditions throughout the pilot with at least one data collection period to assess "after" conditions for vehicle speeds and driver yield rates to people crossing in the crosswalk
    • Vehicle speed and driver yield rates will be the performance measures for this analysis
    • Click here to see the before/after data breakdown
  • Collected input from the community in fall 2022. View the public engagement summary and next steps.(PDF, 193KB)
• Findings/Next Steps: 
  • Due to positive impacts on driver-to-pedestrian yield rates and some positive community feedback, the County will apply SLOW SCHOOL XING markings at similar uncontrolled arterial school crossings in the County.
  • Given the constructive feedback and desire to reduce speeds on Patrick Henry Dr (observed at ~30mph in a 25mph speed limit), the County will install permanent speed feedback indicator signs as an additional treatment to slow drivers down as they approach the intersection. Check the Vision Zero quick-build project page for updates on this project.

   

 

• Pilot Description: The County piloted a temporary roundabout to enhance safety for pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive. The goals of the project were to increase driver yield rates, shorten crossing distances for people walking through the intersection, provide predictable vehicle turning movements, and reduce vehicle speeding. View the project summary. The results of this pilot installation were intended to inform last phase of the Military Road Safety Improvements Project.
• Safety Need: The motivation for this project was to provide people who walk and cycle a safe environment to navigate a very large intersection with low yield rates to pedestrians. The roundabout provides additional crosswalks and predictable turning movements for vehicles entering the intersection.

• Findings & Next Steps: Due to positive safety impacts, the temporary roundabout pilot condition will remain in place as the “interim condition” before the construction of the permanent roundabout capital project. The temporary roundabout will be enhanced in the spring 2023.

• Timeline:
  • Pilot installed October 2021
  • Monitored pilot over 1 year with multiple data collection points
    • View Summer 2022 Project Information and Data Collection Summary
  • Gathered community feedback on the pilot during the 1-year period
    • View the Summer 2022 Public Engagement Summary
  Additional Notes: At a community meeting held on June 10, 2021, attendees heard about completed construction along Military Road at Marcey Road and 36th Street North, and learned about the feedback received and studies performed for pilot safety treatments to the intersection of Military Road and Nelly Custis Drive. Staff gave a short presentation on the project, followed by a question and answer session. You also can view the meeting recording.

Comments? Questions? Please reach out to the project team

Email the project team

 

• Project Description: The County, in partnership with Arlington Public Schools, piloted a buffered walking path in the existing parking lane on Lorcom Lane between N Oakland Street and N Quebec Street for pedestrians - especially kids walking to and from the nearby middle school. Due to positive community feedback and significant usage, the recommendations from the pilot period were to (1) assess options to fund a permanent sidewalk where the current buffer area exists and (2) maintain the buffered area in the interim time before the permanent sidewalk condition is built.  
• Safety Need: The primary motivation for this project was to create a safer walking path for students accessing Dorothy Hamm Middle School. The need for a walking path was elevated due to COVID-19 and transportation challenges for school children as walking to school is now encouraged to limit the number of students on buses. 
• Status / Timeline:  
  • Installed - March 2021 - See the project info sheet
  • Collected Community Feedback - Summer 2021 – See the summary of community feedback
  • Collected Usage Data - Fall 2021 - See the data analysis summary
• Findings/Next Steps:

• The sidewalk project is programmed into the County’s CIP. Click here for project details and timeline.
•  The buffers will remain in place as an interim condition until the sidewalk project is constructed due to the observed benefits from separating cars, bikes, and pedestrians.

 

• Project Description: The northbound right travel lane of S Carlin Springs Rd from 8th Place S heading north to 5th Road S was temporarily closed using bollards, wheel stops, barriers, and traffic barrels. The goal of the pilot was to create a safer walking path for students accessing Campbell Elementary School, Carlin Springs Elementary School, and Kenmore Middle School. This area has narrow sidewalks, little or no pedestrian buffer, and a history of crashes. The additional buffer for pedestrians was intended to improve walking and biking conditions for those along the corridor. Since travel changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic volumes are much lower along S Carlin Springs Road, which allowed for the temporary lane closure.  
• Safety Need: Identified through the 2017 hot spots program (S Carlin Springs Road from 7th Road S to County line) and through collaboration and coordination with Arlington Public Schools in 2017 (S Carlin Springs Road from 7th Road S to Arlington Blvd/US-50).  
• Status / Timeline:  
  • Began pilot in March 2021
  • Monitored pilot through summer 2021 with a data collection checkpoint and multiple observational checkpoints
    • See the summary of pilot impacts on the corridor (View in Spanish or Amharic)
  • Gathered community feedback on the pilot in June/July 2021
    • See the summary of community feedback (View in Spanish or Amharic)
  • Barriers removed / pilot closed in late July 2021
• Findings / Next Steps: Staff will continue to assess options for enhancing sidewalks and access along the corridor, including connectivity options when the County redevelops the Virginia Hospital Center site.