Bluemont Junction Trail Crossings Improvements

Bluemont Junction Trail Crossings Improvements  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/72TL3NR


 These streets have speed limits of 25 mph. Thus, it is not consistent with state law to have stop signs for trail users at any of these crossings.


Parked cars near trail crossings hinder sight lines.  Please pull the parking farther away from the trail crossings to account for the need for visibility at reasonably slow bike speeds (6-10mph).


From the drawings, it looks like the trail is narrowed at the crossings.  That would make these crossings more dangerous for vulnerable users - people on the trail already have to pay attention to cars coming on the streets, they shouldn't also have to worry about head-on collisions with other trail users as they cross a narrowed trail.


BUCHANAN STREET

- Given the proximity to an elementary school (ATS) "Higher trail usage compared to roadway usage", cars on Buchanan should have a stop sign. This aligns with Board-adopted County policy: MTP Bicycle Element Policy 12c: "Assign right-of-way priority to the more heavily-traveled facility at all intersections of trails and streets. Switch the STOP signs at those intersections where trail traffic regularly exceeds traffic on the street."

- Please raise the crossing to slow cars down at the conflict point.

- If the two actions above are not taken, please shift the trail approaches to make this crossing occur at an angle as close to perpendicular as possible, and ensure that there is no parking near the trail crossing to improve sight lines.

- Please shorten the crossing distance with physical barriers (bollards, planters), not just stripes.  Paint is not protection!


EMERSON STREET

- Thank you for raising this crosswalk, it will help a lot!

- Many trail users use this crossing to transition between the trail and Bluemont Drive (i.e. westbound users exit the trail here, turning left on Emerson and right on Bluemont Drive; eastbound users enter the trail here). These movements are necessary because there are no curb cuts that bikes can use to transition from the trail to Bluemont Drive west of Emerson Street, and because the connection to leave the trail heading south at Illinios St is in very poor shape.  Many people want a connection to the Arlington Forest Club and to Carlin Springs Drive, generally.  Ideally, a curb cut would be added at Greenbrier Street heading south and the connections at Illinios Street hedaing south would be improved.  Also, the design for the trail crossing for Emerson must allow people on bikes to transition to Bluemont Drive.

- Given the proximity to an elementary school (ATS) "Higher trail usage compared to roadway usage", cars on Emerson should have a stop sign. As noted above, this aligns with Board-adopted County policy: MTP Bicycle Element Policy 12c

- Please shorten the crossing distance with physical barriers (bollards, planters), not just stripes.  Paint is not protection!


KENSINGTON STREET

- Thank you for raising this crossing up to trail grade, that will make me feel much safer when crossing!

- Thank you for narrowing the crossing with hardscape, that will be a huge improvement!

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