County of Fairfax, Virginia Board Transportation Committee Updates on Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services in Fairfax County Discussion of Converting the Fairfax County Parkway and Franconia / Springfield Parkway from a Secondary Road to Primary Road 9/20/11

County of Fairfax, Virginia Updates on Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services in Fairfax County

County of Fairfax, Virginia Alternatives for Improving Roadway Services Thru Truck Studies on Secondary Roads No Parking Requests Advanced Street Name Signs Bus Shelters Traffic Signal Construction Funding Mowing

County of Fairfax, Virginia Thru Truck Studies on Secondary Roads Approximately six requests processed a year. Current process time up to one year Process requires Fairfax County to conduct a public hearing and VDOT to either conduct a public hearing or collect public comments Would require a Code Change for Fairfax County to take responsibility for the process VDOT recommends a phased / interim approach before supporting a Code Change

County of Fairfax, Virginia Thru Truck Studies on Secondary Roads – Process Timelines Existing Process – 52 ½ weeks Interim Process – 27 weeks Full County Responsibility after Code Change – 17 weeks

County of Fairfax, Virginia Thru Truck StudiesThru Truck Studies on Secondary Roads Advantages Reduced process time from 12 + months to 4 to 5 months Stream line process would only require one public hearing / public comment period Local jurisdiction adopts restriction by resolution Consequences Requires additional manpower resources – 0.15 FTE Requires funding for studies and associated traffic signs - $40,000 Requires VA Code Change for County responsibility of program

County of Fairfax, Virginia Staff Recommendations FCDOT should assume a phased in / interim approach for the responsibility of conducting the necessary evaluation / study for restricting through trucks on the secondary system. Once VDOTs interim conditions are satisfied, County should pursue General Assembly action to shift authority for approving through truck restrictions on the secondary system to the County.

County of Fairfax, Virginia No Parking Requests Existing No Parking programs include FCDOT residential permit parking and community parking district programs VDOT reviews 350 requests per year. VDOTs program concentrates on restrictive zones for safety and capacity. Approximately 20% of requests result in the installation of No Parking signs. Once initiated, VDOT review time per request averages four hours Total VDOT processing time varies depending on backlog of requests

County of Fairfax, Virginia No Parking Requests Advantages Eliminates confusion by the public on who establishes the different No Parking programs Places all parking programs under one jurisdictions responsibility Better coordination with enforcement agency

County of Fairfax, Virginia No Parking Requests Consequences Requires additional manpower resources – 1 FTE Requires additional funding resources for signs - $10,000 Requires that the Board conduct a public hearing and adopt a resolution prior to placing restrictions – resulting in extended process timeline – a resolution is not required for VDOT process No time savings in overall process Fairfax County would have to follow adopted standards and guidelines for the establishment of No Parking restrictions

County of Fairfax, Virginia Staff Recommendation Existing No Parking Programs remain in place. Current Code of Virginia allows for the County to regulate parking on the secondary system after an public hearing and Board resolution. Because of public hearing requirement and current VDOT backlog, unlikely that the County could improve upon current VDOT processing time.

County of Fairfax, Virginia Advanced Street Name Sign Program VDOT has in place an advanced street name signing program for selected intersections with traffic signals Field observations concluded that there is some inconsistency in the application of VDOTs program VDOT does not provide advance street name signs for streets with significant amounts of cross street traffic that are un-signalized Program guidelines need to be developed if the County assumes this program

County of Fairfax, Virginia Advanced Street Name Sign Program Advantages Provides a benefit to those motorists who are unfamiliar with the area and street system Improves traffic safety by allowing drivers to plan which turn lane to get into prior to approaching the intersection thus avoiding last minute lane changing Consequences Requires additional manpower resources -.61 FTE Requires funding for installation of the associated traffic signs - $100,000

County of Fairfax, Virginia Staff Recommendation The County assume responsibility for development of this program, and the installation of new guide signs should funding become available. Agreement with VDOT, noting that VDOT would be responsible for the maintenance of the signs once they are installed.

County of Fairfax, Virginia Traffic Signal Construction C & I funding could be used to fund the construction of new or the modification of existing traffic signals As of 9/1/2011 – VDOT has indicated that there are no approved traffic signals in their queue Signal installation largely dependent upon availability of right- of-way for signal equipment. County assumption of this activity would not eliminate this requirement No time savings for the County to assume study, design and construction of traffic signals.

County of Fairfax, Virginia Bus Shelters Fairfax County recently entered into an agreement with an advertisement agency, that allows for advertisements on bus shelters. The advertisement agency is responsible for the maintenance and construction of all bus shelters in Fairfax County at no cost to the County. A memo of understanding with VDOT and WMATA to be executed which will allow the advertisement agency to advertise on VDOT and WMATA shelters and allow for the advertisement agency to maintain and fund new bus shelter installations.

County of Fairfax, Virginia Staff Recommendation Pursue the MOU between Fairfax County, VDOT, WMATA and the advertisement agency, that allows for advertisements on bus shelters with the advertisement agency responsible for maintenance and installation of future shelters at no cost to Fairfax County

County of Fairfax, Virginia Mowing Most VDOT Primary and Secondary mowing done by contractors. Interstate mowing excluded Current Contract: 3 mowing cycles / season (May – July – Sept. / Oct.) Approx. 30 days required for complete cycle Includes litter removal Approx. $160,000 - $200,000 per cycle Excludes P-R lots, VDOT maintenance yards, miscellaneous ad- hoc mowing by state forces 2012 is 3rd year of 3-year contract Additional cycle(s) could be added relatively easily. Need contractor agreement

County of Fairfax, Virginia Advantages Improved appearance of Primary and Secondary roadsides Potential improvement in sight distances / safety etc. Consequences Requires approx. $160,000 - $200,000 per mowing cycle Mowing

County of Fairfax, Virginia Summary of Manpower and Funding Needs

County of Fairfax, Virginia Questions

County of Fairfax, Virginia Discussion of Converting the Fairfax County Parkway and Franconia / Springfield Parkway from a Secondary Road to Primary Road

County of Fairfax, Virginia VDOT Criteria for Transferring Secondary System Roads to the Primary System Fairfax County Franconia/Springfield Parkway Parkway --- The Road Serves as a link between interstate or intrastate highways, or both; Serves a site of historical or scenic interest; Connects county seats; Has a minimum traffic volume of 2,000 vehicles per day; indirect connection

County of Fairfax, Virginia Fairfax County Franconia/Springfield Parkway Parkway --- The Road Carries a minimum of: 7 percent out-of-state-vehicles; 20 percent light and medium trucks; 2 percent tractor-trailers and buses. 20 percent of traffic is on trips of 25 miles or more; Was Not Studied Was Not Studied 5 percent of traffic is on trips of 100 miles or more. Was Not Studied Was Not Studied Degree of The degree of conformance with each of the criteria should be considered. Conformance Those roads suited for additions to the Primary System should fully conform to a majority of the criteria. Reference Code of Virginia, § and Commonwealth Transportation Board Minutes, 12/17/98 VDOT Criteria for Transferring Secondary Roads to the Primary System

County of Fairfax, Virginia Staff Recommendations Request VDOT to transfer the Fairfax County Parkway route 7100 and Franconia/Springfield Parkway route 7900 from the secondary system to the primary system

County of Fairfax, Virginia Questions