Frequently
Asked Questions
Traffic
Calming for Virginia’s Rural Route 50 Corridor What
is traffic calming? Traffic calming
is the physical alteration of the design and role of streets to encourage
motorists to comply with posted speed limits and to enhance the viability
and character of the community. Traffic
calming measures produce a safe environment for pedestrians and facilitate
the safe movement of motorists. Where
is traffic calming in use? Traffic calming
began about 30 years ago in The Netherlands and has been implemented
in many places including Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Great
Britain, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, it has become an accepted
transportation tool with a growing number of jurisdictions establishing
their own traffic calming departments. Although traffic calming in a rural setting such as the Route 50
corridor is unique in this country, its application has been highly
successful in Europe. Where
is the rural Route 50 corridor? The focus of this
project is the stretch of Route 50 from just west of Lenah to just east
of Paris, a distance of about 20 miles.
This part of Route 50 lies half in Fauquier and half in Loudoun
County and includes the villages of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville. What
is the character of the area? The Route 50 corridor
bisects the John Singleton Mosby Heritage Area of the Virginia Piedmont,
which contains historical structures dating from the 1600s in a scenic
and largely undisturbed landscape.
The history and the singular environment attract visitors from
all over the world. This tourism, along with the agricultural economy,
contributes significantly to local and state revenues. What
are the transportation issues? The overwhelming
concern about traffic in the corridor is that of excessive speed within
and between the villages and the problems of pedestrian safety in the
villages. Pedestrians, particularly
children and seniors, frequently have difficulty crossing the main street
of their community. Route 50
is not just a commuter route – it is a multi-purpose historic facility
of key importance to the local communities, farmers and tourists as
well as through traffic. What
are the benefits to the villages on Route 50? Within the villages,
traffic calming will improve the safety and mobility of pedestrians
and will produce a safer environment for drivers.
All this improves local business and quality of life. Such measures also enhance the character of
the villages and add to the scenic and historic qualities of the area,
thereby increasing its economic potential. How
was the traffic calming concept developed for Route 50? Local residents
came together in support of the development of the traffic calming plan
in order to regain control over the future of their community. They drafted a vision statement for the rural Route 50 corridor,
stating that the area is to remain “a scenic, unique, rural community
in an historical, agricultural, quiet and natural setting,” with the
intent that all proposals for change be judged by this standard. Community workshops were held where citizens learned about the concepts,
and the types of measures possible, and adjusted them to fit the local
situation. This pilot project
is thus rooted in the local community and reflects citizen involvement
in every phase. Continued public
participation will be required as the plan is refined and as engineering
design, materials, and structural details are worked out. What
specific traffic calming measures will be used? In general, the
plan calls for entrance features at the borders of the Mosby Heritage
Area and at the boundaries of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville. These will be clear indications to drivers that they should be more
alert and respect the community through which they are driving. Within the villages, measures include raised
intersections and pedestrian crosswalks, tree planted medians, small
traffic circles, cobblestone or paving stone strips that signal changes
in the speed limit, various paving materials to indicate parking, walking
and driving areas, strategically placed greenery along the streets,
and safer pedestrian walkways which are badly needed in each village.
Speed limits would be posted at 25 mph in the villages and 50
mph outside, with 35 mph transition zones.
No additional traffic lights or stop signs are proposed and there
are no speed bumps planned for Route 50. How
does traffic calming affect safety? In traffic calmed
settings around the world, collisions and pedestrian accidents have
decreased greatly and severe injuries have decreased as much as 80 percent. Along Route 50 and in the villages, where the
traffic calming features are proposed, the slower pace of traffic will
result in a safer environment for motorists, drivers of farm equipment
and pedestrians alike. Aldie
and Upperville residents suffer especially from high-speed through traffic. How
will the traffic calming plan affect emergency vehicles? The traffic calming
plan features specific provisions to facilitate the movement of emergency
vehicles. For the villages,
these include carefully designed turn radii, mountable curbs, and clear
identification of entrances to fire and rescue stations. Between the villages, the plan calls for a
50 mph speed limit, safer shoulders, and pullouts so motorists can permit
emergency vehicles to pass. How
will traffic calming affect driving time? Volunteer
drivers conducted timed test runs through the Route 50 corridor at various
hours, including the most and least busy times of the day. Driving the full 20 miles of the corridor,
the difference between traveling at the current speed limits and the
speed limits proposed in the traffic calming plan was less than four
minutes. The difference driving through the village
of Upperville was 30 seconds. How
long will it take to implement the traffic calming plan? It
is estimated that once the traffic calming plan is in final form, detailed
drawings, specifications and cost estimates are obtained, funding is
secured, and various permits and approvals obtained, the actual work
on the entire 20 mile section could be accomplished within two years. Before and after studies will be conducted to monitor the success
of the project, so that the results can be shared with communities throughout
the nation. About the Coalition | What
is Traffic Calming? |