How to Use 511Virginia During Snowstorms

How you can use www.511virginia.org for road conditions during snowstorms? Watch the below VDOT video to find out.



Visit www.virginiadot.org for more information.

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Metro Board Chair Outlines Vision for the Year

Read the remarks that Metro Board Chair Catherine Hudgins gave during the Metro Board of Directors meeting on Feb. 24.

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Checklist and Tips for Safe Winter Driving

If you like warmer weather, unfortunately it seems like we'll have a bit more winter weather to deal with here in Loudoun County and Northern Virgina before the dog days of summer.

Here's a handy checklist of tips to keep your car in tip-top shape through the remaining days of winter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Among the suggestions:

• Check your battery.
• Check your cooling system.
• Check your windshield wipers and defrosters.
• Inspect your tires.
• Know your car - and pay attention to it. If it acts differently, check it out.
• Plan your travel and route to keep yourself and others safe.
• Stock your vehicle with any supplies you might need in an emergency.
• Learn what to do in a winter emergency.
• Remember to always wear your seat belt.
• Do not text or engage in any other activities that may distract you while driving.

Check out the complete list on this PDF from the SaferCar.gov website.

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Public Info Sessions Next Month on County Government Support Center Site

The Loudoun County Department of Construction and Waste Management and the Office of Transportation Services are holding two public information sessions in March on the proposed amended master plan for the county’s Government Support Center site.

The Government Support Center site is located on an approximately 670-acre parcel located on the east side of Sycolin Road (Route 625), on the north side of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653), and on the south side of the Town of Leesburg. The parcel contains Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park and several existing county facilities.

The public information sessions will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2011, and Thursday, March 3, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of Cool Spring Elementary School, 501 Tavistock Drive, S.E. in Leesburg.

At the information sessions, Loudoun County staff will present an overview of the public facilities proposed for development at the Government Support Center site. Proposed plans for improvements to the segments of Kincaid Boulevard S.E., Crosstrail Boulevard S.E., and Miller Drive S.E., located in the vicinity of the Government Support Center site, also will be discussed. These information sessions will also provide Loudoun County residents an opportunity to review the county’s development proposals and to submit written and verbal comments regarding the amended master plan.

More information about the project is available online at www.loudoun.gov/supportcenter.

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Westbound Algonkian Parkway Closed

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reports that Westbound Algonkian Parkway between Quaterpath Trace Terrace and Cascade Pkwy is closed to traffic for approx 3-4 hours due to water main break.

MetroAccess Fare Changes to Begin Next Week

MetroAccess fares will change on Feb. 27 as part of Metro’s overall fare adjustments that were approved last June for the current fiscal year.

The new MetroAccess fares will be based on the distance and time of day that a customer travels. The MetroAccess fare will be twice the amount of what the fare would cost on the fastest comparable trip if the same trip were taken on fixed-route services (such as Metrobus and Metrorail), up to a maximum fare of $7. All grandfathered trips outside the ADA service area will be charged a supplemental fare, up to the maximum. MetroAccess customers currently pay a base fare of $3, however the actual cost to provide that trip is $40.

Read more at this Metro press release.

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Transit Strike in Loudoun County a Possibility

Local media reported yesterday that there was a transit strike in Loudoun County.

The Loudoun Times reported that "Workers for Veolia Transportation, which manages Loudoun County Transit’s bus fleet, on Feb. 16 marched into the company’s office in Purcellville and demanded a fair contract with better wages and benefits.

"The workers, members of the Teamsters Local 570, based in Baltimore, have been in contract negotiations with Veolia since November 2009. Teamsters Local 570 represents 78 drivers, mechanics and utility workers."

WTOP Radio reported that the Teamsters union representing the bus drivers and mechanics of Loudoun County Transit says the employees want a new contract to replace one that expires March 3 and has already been extended since 2009. A spokesman for the union says if the sides don't reach some kind of deal, a "strike is an option."

"The starting salary for drivers is about $15 per hour with steps up to $17.65. But Union spokesman Sean Cedenio says Veolia is trying to lower that amount in a new contract, even though the county has been steadily increasing its subsidy each year."



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VA7 Offers Opportunity for Tolling

Toll Road News reports that "this week politicians are vying in the local press to get recognition for moves they made to get the state to fund $10 million of engineering studies, the first step they say in 3rd laning of the 2X2 lanes Virginia Route 7 (VA7), Leesburg Pike between Tysons Corner and Reston."

Actually Virginia State Route 7 (VA7 in our fashioning) was built and operating as a tollroad in its early days. It's common name Leesburg Pike is an abbreviation of Alexandria-Leesburg Turnpike. A local history says:

"…the turnpike was the lifeline between the farmers in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties and the profitable markets for their goods in Georgetown, Alexandria and Washington to the east.

"Originally called the Alexandria-Leesburg Turnpike, the road was built in the early 1800s by private subscribers, as was the custom at that time. Tolls were charged at crossroads on each section of the pike, so the investors could regain their money.

Toll Road News goes on to report that it is "obviously beyond the ken of today's petty politicians scheming with Secretary Sean Connaughton for $10m of state money for engineering preliminaries, but VA is actually a perfect candidate for toll financing once again - at least the portion outside the Beltway."

It has established traffic of around 60k veh/day over much of its length. It is straight, has decent right of way. It goes through established middle and higher income communities. It provides a great straight shot at the commercial centers of Tysons and Alexandria and has excellent connections to I-66 and I-395 going into Arlington and Washington DC.

Its main competitor the Dulles Toll Road (VA267) is built out.

Fair competition with the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Greenway suggest that, like them, it should be toll-financed.

Read the complete Toll Road News report.

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Wolf Wants Audit of Dulles Rail Costs

WTOP Radio reported today that Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., is pushing for additional oversight on one of the region's largest transportation undertakings: the Dulles Rail Project.

Wolf, who has been a strong supporter of the project, is now asking the U.S. Department of Transportation's inspector general to take a close look at the cost of both phases of construction. Wolf says he doesn't want the costs to get out of hand.

Read the complete WTOP Radio article.

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Study Shows Risks for Teen Drivers with ADHD

According to an article from Consumer Reports, teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty concentrating, which can mean trouble when they take the wheels of the family car, says Greg Fabiano, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Buffalo who is conducting ongoing research into ADHD driver safety.

In one study from 2008 on the impact of ADHD on drivers showed that people with ADHD who were sober performed as poorly on simulated driving tests as those motorists without ADHD who were legally drunk. Fabiano is focusing his research on teens, discovering the dangers that ADHD can present and also how parents can best help their kids learn to drive independently.

Fabiano's latest study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, focuses on two groups of teens with learners' permits. The first group receives additional drivers' education, including 3.5 hours in an advanced driving simulator and uses an in-car device that monitors the teen's driving behavior. The second receives the training and monitoring device, plus a contract with their parents that rewards good driving behavior and penalizes poor driving.

The study won't be completed for several more years. But Fabiano already has a couple of interesting findings:

• Teens actually like the driving monitors, because they can demonstrate to their parents that they are following the rules.
• Most of the teens think they can easily text while driving without any negative consequences. Yet, Fabiano says, "Texting while driving impairs driving to the extent where there are deviations in the lane, on the shoulder, people spinning out—they lose control." Any individual can drive as poorly as a drunk driver—or worse—while texting. Such a distraction would be especially hazardous for a person with ADHD.

Read the complete article.

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Sycolin Road/SE Traffic

Leesburg is currently experiencing a power outage in the Sycolin
Road/SE corridor of Town. Crews are currently working to fix the
problem. As a result, some traffic signals are not functioning. Please
use caution and expect delays.

Virginia Senate Passes Bills to Crack Down on Texting While Driving

According to the Washington Post, the Virginia Senate has passed two measures in an attempt to crack down on cell phone use in the car.

One bill would make texting while driving a primary driving violation for which a driver can be pulled over by police. A separate measure would make using a cell phone while driving a primary driving offense for provisional license holders--teenagers with restricted licenses.

And on a vote of 26 to 13, the senate has passed a third measure that would make it illegal to answer or initiate a cell phone call while driving without using a hands-free device. The bill -- similar to proposals killed in previous years in the House -- would allow police to pull drivers over for violating the law.

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VDOT Video - 1-800-FOR-ROAD

Check out this video for information on the VDOT Customer Service Center, which can be reached at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623). This is a one-stop number for contact with the Virginia Department of Transportation. Here you can report road hazards or ask questions about road projects in and around Loudoun County -- and the state.



For more information, visit VDOT online.

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Teen Driving Instruction

On Sunday, April 30, Consumer Reports will host its first teen car control clinic at its Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. Last summer they sampled the Tire Rack Street Survival Program and were so impressed that Consumer Reports decided to sponsor an event at their testing facilities in partnership with the Street Survival School.

This driving school will not teach the rules of the road and how to parallel park. Here, teens will learn how to control their vehicles in emergency situations in a safe and controlled environment. Most drivers never get the chance to learn what to do if their car slides sideways or if they need to make a last-minute evasive maneuver to avoid an accident until they absolutely need to. In this class, they will.The class is filling up quickly and is open to licensed or permitted drivers aged 15 to 21 years old.

And if you'd prefer to send your teen driver to a school closer to home, there will be a Tire Rack Street Survival® "hands-on" driving class on Saturday, April 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Adesa Car Auctions,  43375 Old Ox Road, Dulles.

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Transportation Updates from Potomac District Supervisor Andrea McGimsey

Here's some transportation/transit updates from Potomac District Supervisor Andrea McGimsey's January e-newsletter. Thanks to the Supervisor for letting us share the news here on Loudoun County Traffic.

A New Vision for Route 28?
At the direction of the majority of the Board of Supervisors on February 3, 2009, Loudoun County began working on a new vision for the Route 28 Corridor. The Planning Commissioners forwarded their recommendation of approval for the plan to the Board of Supervisors earlier this month. You can read all about this new vision here.

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to hear from you on the Route 28 proposal on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 6:00 P.M in the Board Room of the County Government Center. We need to hear from you!

The county’s comprehensive plan envisions the Route 28 Corridor as a major economic and employment center with predominantly commercial development within distinct land development patterns. The Route 28 Corridor includes large portions of the Potomac District, see map below, including many businesses and neighborhoods, such as Orbital, Dominion Station, Old Sterling Gable, and Dulles Town Center. For those of you who live in neighborhoods such as Cascades and CountrySide, these changes would occur nearby. I hope you will get informed and let us know what you think at the public hearing on February 7. I also welcome your feedback at Andrea.McGimsey@loudoun.gov, and you can reach the whole Board of Supervisors at bos@loudoun.gov.


No Increases for Commuter Bus Fares
The Board of Supervisors held a special public input session last week to hear from the public on a proposal to increase commuter bus fares to fund future infrastructure such as additional buses and Park and Ride lots. The feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly on the side of keeping the fares stable.

The DC region now has the dubious distinction of being the most congested region in the nation, according to the Urban Mobility Report 2010 (page 22). People who take public transit are doing all of us who drive a big favor by taking vehicles off the road.

I have worked hard to begin building a stronger multi-modal transportation system that provides transportation choices to our local residents and employees. I do not believe that we should charge more for commuter bus fares. We need to find a more equitable way to fund this important infrastructure – a way that recognizes that people who take transit are helping all of us tackle one of our most difficult challenges, reducing traffic congestion.


Carpooling
With gas prices again on the rise, carpooling is an effective and common ridesharing agreement with various benefits to individuals, the community and the environment. By sharing the ride, carpoolers save money on fuel, insurance, and car maintenance. Moreover, carpooling can reduce travel time, because carpools can use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes throughout Northern Virginia. By carpooling, you are making a conscientious effort to help reduce air pollution, traffic congestion and green house gas emissions. Plus, if you’re not behind the wheel, carpoolers can read, nap or chat during their commute, reducing stress and building community. If you’re interested in carpooling, there are several ways to get started.

Commuter Connections, a network of Washington, D.C.-area transportation organizations coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), offers free ride-matching services. Staff from Loudoun’s Commuter Services Program can assist citizens in Loudoun with this free ride-matching service. Contact them if you wish to form a carpool.

Local phone: 703-771-5665
Toll-free: 800-745-RIDE
e-mail: rideshare@loudoun.gov

Pool Rewards gives Loudoun County commuters a better reason to carpool. This special offer pays new carpoolers $2 per day. You can find details here.

Check out NuRide for information on how you can earn points, similar to frequent flyer miles, for sharing a ride. Learn more here.

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Transportation Project Updates from Catoctin District Supervisor Sally Kurtz

From the January/February Catoctin District Update e-newsletter from Sally Kurtz, Catoctin District Supervisor, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, we get a transportation update.

Project Status
Route 7 – East Market Street to South King Street – After briefing the Leesburg Town Council and Board of Supervisors at a joint meeting in October, the scope of the project has been reduced to include only the Sycolin Road overpass. The consultant has been given direction accordingly.

Route 7 Climbing Lane/West Market Street to Route 9 – Preliminary engineering is proceeding based on the design presented to the adjacent neighborhoods at community meetings held last summer, with modifications to address concerns about emergency access and egress. Once evaluations are completed on the feasibility of improved egress at Roxbury Hall Road and Beacon Hill Drive, work on the NEPA document can begin. The design public hearing is anticipated for late 2011 or early 2012.

Lovettsville Bike Trail – VDOT continues to refine the project plans. Upon completion, work on the NEPA document will begin.

Bridge on Gleedsville Road over Sycolin – The title sheet and supporting documents have been submitted to the VDOT Central Office for signature. ROW acquisition is expected to begin in the January/February timeframe.

Evergreen Mill Road/Ryan Road Intersection Improvements – VDOT has determined that the project qualifies for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding. Location and Design staff members are coordinating to initiate the design process using one of VDOT’s on-call consultants.

Riverside Parkway (County Project – Revenue Sharing) – Notice to proceed was issued to the consultant and a kick-off meeting was held with VDOT on October 8, 2010. The consultant is moving forward to establish design parameters. The first task has been to establish a typical section and evaluate right-of-way impacts.

Gum Spring Road HSIP Project (CAD TBD) – The location survey has been completed and the design is underway. The project is coordinating with Luck Stone Quarry regarding the relocation of Gum Spring Road to the south.

Crosstrails Boulevard and Kincaid Boulevard – Design work is underway. A citizen’s information meeting was held on November 8, 2010 at Heritage High School. Subsequent meetings have been held with citizens from Kincaid Forest, with some residents expressing concerns regarding cut-through traffic. At its December 15th meeting, the Finance Committee approved staff’s request for a change order to complete an archaeological survey on the southernmost segment of the proposed alignment. Staff are working with the appropriate authorities to gain entry to several parcels in that area that to date have been inaccessible.

Allder School Road – (County Project) – Alternatives analysis/design underway. A design waiver (FSM Waiver) has been submitted to B&D for hydrologic issues associated with the bridge. This will need to be approved by the County before VDOT will respond to design waivers submitted to VDOT staff. If this issue can be resolved in a timely manner, a design public hearing may be possible for February or March, 2011.

The Woods Road – A meeting of “The Woods Road Realignment Committee” was held on December 1st. At that meeting, staff conveyed to the Committee its plan to have VDOT take the lead on the project. Committee members in attendance expressed support for VDOT’s involvement and agreed to the preferred study corridor previously developed for the project. This information has been conveyed to VDOT.

Traffic Engineering Items
Multi-Way Stop request at Potomac Station Drive – VDOT has stated that multi-way stop signs can be put at either end of Binkley Circle or at Malloch and Cardston. A speed study was approved by the State Traffic Engineer’s Office for 45 mph on May 10, 2010. Given the results of the speed study, multi-way stop signs cannot be installed under traffic calming criteria. OTS staff will review the project in light of the speed study and will determine whether multi-way stops can be installed under operational criteria.

1-800-FOR-ROAD
If you have concerns about specific roadway conditions, like potholes or dangerous ditches brought on by the latest winter conditions, call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623).

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Board Public Hearing February 7 for Route 28 Keynote Employment Policies

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed Route 28 Keynote Employment Policies Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) at 6 p.m., Monday, February 7, in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E. in Leesburg.

At a January 19, worksession, the Planning Commission voted to forward the current draft of the Route 28 CPAM, as modified at the worksession, to the Board for review, consideration and public hearing.

Background information related to the CPAM is available on the project webpage, www.loudoun.gov/route28. Documents for the public hearing, including the Planning Commission’s draft Route 28 Corridor Plan and related documents are posted on the project website.

The public hearing gives citizens the opportunity to comment on the draft plan amendment.

Residents interested in speaking at the Board’s public hearing are encouraged to call in advance to sign up, and may contact the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors at 703-771-5072 or 703-777-0200. Advanced sign-ups will be taken until noon the day of the meeting, and citizens may sign up to speak at the meeting itself. Citizens may submit comments on the CPAM via e-mail at route28@loudoun.gov. The public hearing will be webcast and may be viewed that evening at www.loudoun.gov/webcast.

Questions on the draft plan may be sent to the project’s e-mail address at route28@loudoun.gov, or by calling the Department of Planning at 703-777-0246.

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2011 Telework Exchange Tele-Vision Awards

It's time to nominate an organization for the 2011 Telework Exchange Tele-Vision Awards.

The awards recognize excellence in government telework programs and their accomplishments in seven categories. Application submissions are due by Thursday, March 17, and the winners will be announced at a reception on Wednesday, June 8.

* Only government programs, higher education institutions, or employees qualify for nomination. Representatives of the private sector are encouraged to nominate public-sector programs, higher education institutions, and leaders for consideration by the Selection Committee.

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Drive Safely if You Must be On the Roads This Morning

If you have to hit the road this morning, be careful, and remember these driving safety tips:

• Slow down, and keep a five-second distance or more behind other vehicles. Do no pass trucks applying chemicals unless absolutely necessary.
• Be aware of areas prone to freezing such as ramps and bridges.
• When driving on ice, do not slam on brakes. Turn gently and slowly.
• Always wear your seatbelt and turn on headlights.

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More Ice Expected Overnight -- Take Caution in the Morning

According to a Virginia Department of Transportation press release, crews rested, refueled and repaired today, but will be back on the roads tonight as forecasts again call for rain, sleet and freezing temperatures lingering through the a.m. rush tomorrow.

Meanwhile, VDOT urges motorists to be alert to changing road conditions overnight and to postpone or limit travel in the early morning.

VDOT reports that by 6 p.m. today, about 1,600 trucks will begin staging along interstates and major roads throughout Loudoun, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties. Crews will apply salt and sand, concentrating on areas prone to icy patches such as bridges, overpasses, ramps, hills and curves.

Before traveling, be sure to check the current weather, road conditions and traffic cameras visiting www.511Virginia.org or by calling 511.

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Zig-Zag Pavement Markings are Effective

Those unusual but eye-catching pavement markings installed on two roads that intersect with the W&OD Trail in Loudoun County are helping to slow motorists and bicyclists, that according to an experiment conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its research arm, the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research (VCTIR).

Zig-zag pavement markings were installed on Belmont Ridge Road and Sterling Boulevard in 2009 to test their effectiveness in improving safety at trail crossings. The 45-mile W&OD trail has more than 70 highway crossings through Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, creating the potential for serious crashes between vehicles and bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Before the study, we thought the zig-zag pavement markings would have an immediate impact on motorist awareness, but over time would lessen,” said Lance E. Dougald, Research Scientist at VCTIR. “It was interesting to see that the markings actually had a sustained positive impact on speed reduction even after the markings had been in place for one year. One possible explanation for this is that markings installed within the roadway, especially unique markings, are more visible than signage and are less likely to blend into the roadside environment.”

The one-year study found that the markings installed in advance of the two crossings heightened the awareness of approaching motorists. This was evidenced by reduced mean vehicle speeds within the marking zones. Further, a majority of survey respondents indicated an increase in awareness, a change in driving behavior, and a higher tendency to yield than before.

Motorist awareness was assessed by before and after speed studies. Motorist attitudinal changes were assessed through a survey targeting motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists familiar with the markings. The survey was distributed via links posted on the Loudoun County government office website and electronic newsletters distributed by the Broad Run and Sterling District supervisors’ offices. Links were also distributed to bicycle clubs operating throughout the northern Virginia area. Motorist understanding was assessed through a hand-out survey in a different region of the state that targeted motorists unfamiliar with the zig-zag markings in Loudoun County.

The study recommends that VDOT continue to re-mark and maintain the zig-zag pavement markings at both test locations and monitor and collect data on crashes at both locations for three years.

The zig-zag pavement markings are a low-cost alternative to other safety improvements at mid-block locations. The pavement markings come in two different styles, and were approved for this test by the Federal Highway Administration after seeing the successful use of these markings in the United Kingdom and Australia.

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