Traffic Archives | Return to Home Page
March 09, 2010
Speeding Fines to Increase Comments (0)
Vienna Officials Mull Whopping Fines for Residential Speeding
by Brian Trompeter
March 9, 2010
Motorists driving inappropriately through Vienna could be socked with fines of around $400, if town officials authorize additional penalties for speeding in certain residential zones.
Town Council members at their March 8 work session decided to have the town’s Transportation Safety Commission review a proposal that would add a $200 civil penalty for violations occurring in those zones.
Drivers already pay $5 for each mile per hour over which they exceed the speed limit, plus more than $60 in administrative fees.
More bad news: Judges may not waive the extra residential fine unless offenders agree to perform 20 hours’ community service.
The residential-speeding fines could be collected only along minor arterial, collector and local streets, which must be at least 300 feet long to qualify, said Town Attorney Steven Briglia.
A traffic engineer, or that person’s designee, first would have to cite data showing that motorists along those roads regularly go at least 10 mph faster than the posted speed limit.
In their initial proposal, town officials said these streets meet the above criteria: Park Street, S.E., between Kingsley and Tapawingo roads; Courthouse Road, S.W., between Nutley and Locust streets; Kingsley Road, S.W., between Nutley and Cottage streets; Old Courthouse Road, N.E., between Country Club Drive and Westbriar Drive; and Malcolm Road, N.W., between Orchard Street and Lawyers Road.
Young people often speed along that last stretch of road while trying to get to James Madison High School, said Mayor M. Jane Seeman.
Council members George Lovelace and Michael Polychrones said the higher fines would discourage drivers from speeding.
But council member Howard Springsteen urged caution before fining motorists so severely.
Council member Laurie Cole said she wanted to find out from officials in other jurisdictions whether the fines reduced speeding, or produced any unintended consequences.
Some Town Council members said the residential-speeding fees could prompt motorists to speed down other streets not covered by the ordinance.
Town officials agreed higher fines would get the public’s attention.
“I think you’re going to get a lot of feedback,” said Vienna Police Chief Robert Carlisle.
by Brian Trompeter March 9, 2010
Motorists driving inappropriately through Vienna could be socked with fines of around $400, if town officials authorize additional penalties for speeding in certain residential zones.
Town Council members at their March 8 work session decided to have the town’s Transportation Safety Commission review a proposal that would add a $200 civil penalty for violations occurring in those zones.
Drivers already pay $5 for each mile per hour over which they exceed the speed limit, plus more than $60 in administrative fees.
More bad news: Judges may not waive the extra residential fine unless offenders agree to perform 20 hours’ community service.
The residential-speeding fines could be collected only along minor arterial, collector and local streets, which must be at least 300 feet long to qualify, said Town Attorney Steven Briglia.
A traffic engineer, or that person’s designee, first would have to cite data showing that motorists along those roads regularly go at least 10 mph faster than the posted speed limit.
In their initial proposal, town officials said these streets meet the above criteria: Park Street, S.E., between Kingsley and Tapawingo roads; Courthouse Road, S.W., between Nutley and Locust streets; Kingsley Road, S.W., between Nutley and Cottage streets; Old Courthouse Road, N.E., between Country Club Drive and Westbriar Drive; and Malcolm Road, N.W., between Orchard Street and Lawyers Road.
Young people often speed along that last stretch of road while trying to get to James Madison High School, said Mayor M. Jane Seeman.
Council members George Lovelace and Michael Polychrones said the higher fines would discourage drivers from speeding.
But council member Howard Springsteen urged caution before fining motorists so severely.
Council member Laurie Cole said she wanted to find out from officials in other jurisdictions whether the fines reduced speeding, or produced any unintended consequences.
Some Town Council members said the residential-speeding fees could prompt motorists to speed down other streets not covered by the ordinance.
Town officials agreed higher fines would get the public’s attention.
“I think you’re going to get a lot of feedback,” said Vienna Police Chief Robert Carlisle.
December 03, 2009
Will the Town Ever Address this Intersection? Comments (2)
Many of us drive by/through this intersection several times a day and every day there is a near-miss accident to witness.
Lawyers Road at Church Street, NW 09-11695
November 18 4:37 p.m.One vehicle was travelling along Lawyers Road approaching Church Street. A second vehicle pulled out from Church Street and attempted to make a left turn on to Lawyers Road. The second vehicle struck the first.
The driver of the second vehicle was charged with Failure to Pay Full Time and Attention.
Source: Vienna Crime Reports online
November 10, 2009
Another Day, Another Survey. Comments (1)
Does the Mayor and Town Council understand that a survey cannot actually fix a problem? We're not sure if they do.
Vienna Seeks Ways to Prevent Bike-Vehicle Crashes
by Brian Trompeter November 10, 2009Bicyclists plying sidewalks along heavily trafficked Maple Avenue are by far the likeliest to collide with vehicles, Vienna police officials told the Vienna Town Council at its Nov. 9 work session.
Police studied all bicycle crashes within the town limits during the last four years. Nearly all of those accidents involved collisions with vehicles.
There were seven bike accidents - including a cyclist fatality - in 2006, five crashes in 2007 and nine in 2008. Vienna police said they were concerned because in the first 10 months of 2009, there already have been 11 bike accidents.
Most of the collisions resulted from cars striking cyclists while motorists were trying to make right-hand turns. In many cases, drivers were turning right at a red light and their attention was focused on vehicular traffic coming from the left, police said.
Town police recently conducted a survey that asked Vienna residents to identify bicycle and pedestrian dangers and recommend solutions.
The survey received 104 responses, including some asking for a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over, or a tunnel under, Maple Avenue, said Master Police Officer William Murray.
The Town Council rejected the bridge idea in the mid-1990s and settled instead on a stoplight at the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.
Many survey respondents said the town’s signs and markings were sufficient for bicycle and pedestrian crossings and recommended town police enforce laws regarding the behavior of cyclists and pedestrians, as well as motorists.
Many respondents desired bicycle lanes on roadways, but town officials said this would be hard to accomplish along Maple Avenue.
Other residents suggested banning right turns on red along Maple Avenue. This would solve many of the bicycle crashes, but likely lead to sizable traffic backups, said Vienna Police Chief Robert Carlisle.
The 2006 fatality occurred at the non-signalized intersection of Maple Avenue and Mill Street.
Police this year unveiled “Eye to Eye,” a program originated in Portland, Ore., that recommends pedestrians and bicyclists make firm eye contact with drivers before proceeding across intersections.
Town police have highlighted the program in Vienna’s monthly newsletter and provided literature about Eye to Eye to two local bicycle shops. In an effort to reach more people, police may give presentations at local schools and reserve space on a banner across Maple Avenue near the W&OD Trail.
While bicycling on town sidewalks generally is allowed for young children and adults accompanying them, cyclists of all ages may ride on sidewalks in heavily congested traffic areas.
Legally, bicycles are considered vehicles when traveling on roads, but as pedestrians when on sidewalks, Carlisle said.
Council member Laurie Cole urged town police to call their programs “traffic-safety” efforts, instead of aiming them mostly at cyclists and pedestrians.
“It’s everybody’s responsibility,” she said.
October 01, 2009
"Entertained?" Comments (1)
A stop sign is needed at this intersection and has for years:
Entertained a request by northwest Vienna resident Michele Dandrea Lowell to place a four-way stop sign at Lewis and West streets. That neighborhood has many four-way stops, but there is a two-way stop at that intersection that often befuddles drivers, she said.More than 75 percent (the required amount) of neighborhood residents have signed a petition favoring the sign, Lowell said. The council agreed to forward the stop-sign request to the Transportation Safety Commission.
“Now is the time,” said Council member George Lovelace. Safety at the intersection “gets worse and worse every year,” he said.
Source: Sun Gazette
August 06, 2009
Traffic Gripes? Come to Town Hall (Not!). Comments (1)
Or, people could just lay out their concerns here in a public online forum and encourage the TSC members to read them. No need to spend hours at Town Hall and not have your concerns addressed.
Concerned About Traffic Conditions in Your Neighborhood?The Vienna Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) will be holding public hearings over the next few months to listen to citizen concerns and suggestions relating to traffic safety for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Residents are encouraged to attend the hearings scheduled for each quadrant of town:
September 29
Northeast quadrantOctober 27
Northwest quadrantNovember 24
Southeast quadrantJanuary 26
Southwest quadrantAll meetings will begin at 8 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Town Hall. Residents may also send written comments to TSC Chairman Steve Kenney in care of Town Hall or e-mail tsc@viennava.gov.
March 22, 2009
Traffic Flow: A Novel Idea in Vienna Comments (20)
In Va., Vision of Suburbia at a Crossroads
Targeting Cul-de-Sacs, Rules Now Require Through Streets in New Subdivisions
By Eric M. Weiss
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 22, 2009; A01
Virginia is taking aim at one of the most enduring symbols of suburbia: the cul-de-sac.
The state has decided that all new subdivisions must have through streets linking them with neighboring subdivisions, schools and shopping areas. State officials say the new regulations will improve safety and accessibility and save money: No more single entrances and exits onto clogged secondary roads. Quicker responses by emergency vehicles. Lower road maintenance costs for governments.
Although cul-de-sacs will remain part of the suburban landscape for years to come, the Virginia regulations attack what the cul-de-sac has come to represent: quasi-private standalone developments around the country that are missing only a fence and a sign that says "Keep Out."
Homeowners choose cul-de-sacs because, they say, they offer safety, security and a sense of community.
"Cul-de-sacs are the safest places in America to live," said Mike Toalson, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Virginia, which opposes the new rules. "The first lots sold are often on the cul-de-sacs because they are safe." As for developments with single entrances and exits, Toalson said, such configurations ensure that all traffic is local, neighbors watch out for each other and speeds are kept down. "Crooks look for multiple exits."
Prince William County residents Brian and Donna Goff chose to raise their children in a cul-de-sac life. They live on Vixen Court, one of seven cul-de-sacs in Bridlewood Manor, a subdivision in Bristow. "You've got a family atmosphere. It stays quiet here," said Brian Goff, 42. The couple, who have two young children, have lived in the cul-de-sac for nine years.
The changes come as cash-strapped states and localities can no longer afford the inexorable widening of secondary roads that are overburdened with traffic from the subdivisions, strip malls, schools and office buildings that feed into them. The system forces drivers to enter these traffic-choked roads to go even 50 yards or so to the neighborhood coffeehouse or elementary school. North Carolina and Portland, Ore., are moving on similar fronts.
"When you have 350 to 400 miles a year of new roads you have to maintain forever, it's a budgetary problem," said Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), who pushed the new regulations through the Commonwealth Transportation Board last month. Virginia has had to cut more than $2.2 billion from its six-year transportation spending plan. "But it's not just about the money. It's about connecting land-use and transportation planning and restricting wasteful and unplanned development."
To buy a gallon of milk, the Goffs have to drive onto Linton Hall Road, one of the busiest streets in the region, and go a mile to Safeway. Goff said that it would be easier if there were back roads that connected to the Safeway but that it wouldn't be worth the increase in through traffic.
"There are kids in all these subdivisions. You put more traffic in subdivisions, it's a recipe for disaster," he said.
By Eric M. Weiss
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 22, 2009; A01
Virginia is taking aim at one of the most enduring symbols of suburbia: the cul-de-sac.
The state has decided that all new subdivisions must have through streets linking them with neighboring subdivisions, schools and shopping areas. State officials say the new regulations will improve safety and accessibility and save money: No more single entrances and exits onto clogged secondary roads. Quicker responses by emergency vehicles. Lower road maintenance costs for governments.
Although cul-de-sacs will remain part of the suburban landscape for years to come, the Virginia regulations attack what the cul-de-sac has come to represent: quasi-private standalone developments around the country that are missing only a fence and a sign that says "Keep Out."
Homeowners choose cul-de-sacs because, they say, they offer safety, security and a sense of community.
"Cul-de-sacs are the safest places in America to live," said Mike Toalson, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Virginia, which opposes the new rules. "The first lots sold are often on the cul-de-sacs because they are safe." As for developments with single entrances and exits, Toalson said, such configurations ensure that all traffic is local, neighbors watch out for each other and speeds are kept down. "Crooks look for multiple exits."
Prince William County residents Brian and Donna Goff chose to raise their children in a cul-de-sac life. They live on Vixen Court, one of seven cul-de-sacs in Bridlewood Manor, a subdivision in Bristow. "You've got a family atmosphere. It stays quiet here," said Brian Goff, 42. The couple, who have two young children, have lived in the cul-de-sac for nine years.
The changes come as cash-strapped states and localities can no longer afford the inexorable widening of secondary roads that are overburdened with traffic from the subdivisions, strip malls, schools and office buildings that feed into them. The system forces drivers to enter these traffic-choked roads to go even 50 yards or so to the neighborhood coffeehouse or elementary school. North Carolina and Portland, Ore., are moving on similar fronts.
"When you have 350 to 400 miles a year of new roads you have to maintain forever, it's a budgetary problem," said Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), who pushed the new regulations through the Commonwealth Transportation Board last month. Virginia has had to cut more than $2.2 billion from its six-year transportation spending plan. "But it's not just about the money. It's about connecting land-use and transportation planning and restricting wasteful and unplanned development."
To buy a gallon of milk, the Goffs have to drive onto Linton Hall Road, one of the busiest streets in the region, and go a mile to Safeway. Goff said that it would be easier if there were back roads that connected to the Safeway but that it wouldn't be worth the increase in through traffic.
"There are kids in all these subdivisions. You put more traffic in subdivisions, it's a recipe for disaster," he said.
October 02, 2008
NE Vienna Traffic Problems in the News. Comments (4)
Old Courthouse Road Residents Debate Calming Measures
by BRIAN TROMPETER
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Vienna resident Morgan Hanzlik remembers the day one of her children accidently let a basketball roll onto Old Courthouse Road.
She and her son were preparing to retrieve the ball when a silver minivan zoomed by and flattened it.
The driver “never hit the brakes,” Hanzlik said. “She didn't even see [the ball]. It was totally a learning lesson for our family.”
Northeast Vienna residents, upset by vehicle accidents and speeding in their cut-through neighborhoods, pressed local officials on Sept. 30 for traffic-calming measures on Old Courthouse and Creek Crossing roads.
Cris Janoski, a committee leader with Citizens for Traffic Calming on Old Courthouse Road, said the community is united in its desire to make that street and Creek Crossing Road safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The neighborhood has seen much population turnover in recent years, its older residents being replaced by families with children, she said.
Traffic on Old Courthouse Road has gone up about fourfold since Edson Leigh Tennyson conducted a traffic study in Vienna in the mid-1990s, Janoski said. The street has had 13 accidents since August 2007, including two in the town of Vienna, she said.
by BRIAN TROMPETER
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Vienna resident Morgan Hanzlik remembers the day one of her children accidently let a basketball roll onto Old Courthouse Road.
She and her son were preparing to retrieve the ball when a silver minivan zoomed by and flattened it.
The driver “never hit the brakes,” Hanzlik said. “She didn't even see [the ball]. It was totally a learning lesson for our family.”
Northeast Vienna residents, upset by vehicle accidents and speeding in their cut-through neighborhoods, pressed local officials on Sept. 30 for traffic-calming measures on Old Courthouse and Creek Crossing roads.
Cris Janoski, a committee leader with Citizens for Traffic Calming on Old Courthouse Road, said the community is united in its desire to make that street and Creek Crossing Road safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The neighborhood has seen much population turnover in recent years, its older residents being replaced by families with children, she said.
Traffic on Old Courthouse Road has gone up about fourfold since Edson Leigh Tennyson conducted a traffic study in Vienna in the mid-1990s, Janoski said. The street has had 13 accidents since August 2007, including two in the town of Vienna, she said.
Continue reading "NE Vienna Traffic Problems in the News." »
August 09, 2008
Church Street Hubbub. Comments (6)
There was quite an array of ambulances and fire engines at 5:30pm on Church Street. Does anyone know what happened?
July 18, 2008
Could Even A Partial Tunnel Work? Comments (5)
A comment from regular poster, Wyltn, regarding opening up Abbotsford:
Tearing houses down and realigning roads is just the price the town, county and the state have to pay for their mistakes. I am surprised we haven't been offered a better idea other than tunneling under the length of Maple Avenue.
A idea was floated years ago to build a partial tunnel from about Center Street to Park Street. This would create a walking plaza across Maple Avenue near the public library, bike trail and, now, the Town Green. This would definitely solve the Maple Avenue and bike trail mess and improve the safety/sound on the Town Green.
July 07, 2008
Can We Really Call This Traffic Calming if Nothing is Ever Calmed? Comments (53)
How about the "Committee for Never, Ever Implementing One Good Idea to Help Vienna's Traffic."
Here are a few of our ideas:
- Get rid of all "Do Not Enter" signs for town residents. If a Town of Vienna resident wants to drive on Country Club Drive at 4:30pm on Wednesday afternoon, they should absolutely be allowed. This dumbness has gone on long enough.
- Open Abbotsford, at the very least , from Lawyers Road to Route 7. Life would be better for every one.
- Open up Cherry Street by the Community Center to Spring Street - why is this street blocked?
- Make some of the turn lanes in the middle of Maple Avenue islands. People just whiz down the turning lanes for blocks.
- Actually use the police to enforce blocked intersections on Maple Avenue during rush hour. Stop having police just sit at Courthouse/Locust to check for expired stickers.
About UsThe Transportation Safety Commission provides criteria, a program, and a procedure in considering, evaluating, and implementing requests for the installation of traffic calming measures on residential streets in the Town of Vienna. The Town has complete responsibility for traffic management activities for all streets within the Town limits. The five program goals seek to address the following:
1. Enhance and preserve the quality of life and neighborhood livability.
2. Create a safe and attractive street system by enhancing the safety and efficiency of streets within the Town of Vienna.
3. Promote pedestrian, cycle, and transit use.
4. Incorporate the preferences and requirements of the people using the area (residing, working, or playing) along the street or at intersections.
5. Help reduce the negative effects of motor vehicles on the environment.
Objectives include the following:
1. Achieve slower speeds for motor vehicles.
2. Reduce collision frequency and severity.
3. Improve the safety and the perception of safety for non-motorized users of the streets.
4. Reduce cut-through motor vehicle traffic. (HV note: Actually this idea is being challenged by many communities. Keeping all traffic clogged on one main artery is stupid. Eliminating cul-de-sacs and building communities with streets that connect helps keep people on side roads who do not ordinarily need to be stuck on the main drag. i.e. driving to a friend's house across town)
5. Reduce need for police enforcement.
Principles of the plan:
1. Traffic calming planning will be community based and supported, by the Town administration and staff.
2. Traffic calming measures must directly affect driver behavior and improve the safety of all users of the street (e.g., children, elderly, handicapped, pedestrians, and cyclists).
3. Traffic calming measures will be considered when ever petitioned by Town residents as specified in the full Citizen's Guide to Traffic Calming in Vienna (click this link), available here in Adobe Acrobat.
4. Traffic calming measures will be considered on new streets and/or when existing streets are considered for major reconstruction or repair.
June 29, 2008
Aw, Man, the Town is "Disheartened" Comments (2)
HistoricVienna.com is very disheartened to know that the Mayor and Town Council are very disheartened. Do you think Supervisor Hudgins is very disheartened, too?! How will anyone sleep tonight with such heavy hearts. Sigh ....
July 2008 Newsletter: Study Needed on Impact of Tysons Traffic
The Town Council has asked Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a comprehensive traffic study of specific intersections in Vienna that will be affected by the redevelopment of Tysons Corner.
Council is encouraged that money has been identified for this purpose but is very disheartened to know the actual study will not be completed until after the Tysons Land Use Task Force makes its recommendations.
In order for such a massive and dense plan to work, transportation in the surrounding areas must be an integral part of the entire plan. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Board of Supervisors and ask
them to address the impact on Vienna.
June 25, 2008
Vienna's Streets are Deadly. We All Know It and Nothing Is Being Done. Comments (14)
Cars striking pedestrians and bikers are now commonplace in Vienna. Vienna residents must not stand for this blatant disregard of safety. Town of Vienna politicians better start listening. No serious measures are being proposed. Everything is a silly, cosmetic, feel-good stop gap ("More speedbumps! Wheeeeee!")
Bicyclist hit crossing Church StreetVienna - Oakton
Source: Fairfax County Times
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 2008A car struck a bicyclist trying to cross Church Street, N.E., in Vienna on the morning of June 23. According to Vienna Police, the cyclist was traveling on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Traffic in both directions on Church Street had come to a stop where it intersects with the trail, and the cyclist began to cross the street in a crosswalk. A car traveling eastbound on Church Street passed a stopped vehicle on the right side, then struck the cyclist, police said. The bicyclist was thrown from his bike onto the hood of the striking vehicle but was not seriously injured, police said. The driver, Edward Fitzgerald, 43, of Leafcrest Lane in Fairfax, was charged with failure to yield the right of way.
June 18, 2008
Church Street on LSD Comments (2)
Has anyone seen the traffic calming measures now in place on Church Street between East Street and Beulah Road? Can someone take some pictures? It is quite possibly the craziest thing ever done in this Town. It looks like a curvy racetrack for Formula One racing. It is off the wall in terms of function and appearance.
