Traffic Issues on 35th Road and Somerset

Neighborhood Traffic Calming Team Response to Citizen Request for Traffic Calming

July 6, 2001

Dear Citizen:

This is in response to your request for traffic calming measures for 36th Street North, North Somerset Street and 35th Road North in the Williamsburg Civic Association.

The Arlington County Board considers neighborhood traffic calming a major factor in sustaining the quality of Arlington's residential neighborhoods. Therefore, the Department of Public Works Neighborhood Traffic Calming (NTC) team, consisting of transportation planners and engineers, has investigated your request. All requests for traffic calming measures that the NTC staff receives are evaluated, ranked and prioritized based on the severity of problems throughout the County. The County has also appointed a citizen Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee (NTCC) that plays a role in prioritizing and funding NTC projects, as discussed in the enclosed booklet.

Staff investigated records, conducted field site visits and collected speed data on 36th Street North, North Somerset Street and 35th Road North. We found the average speeds were measured at 21 mph for 36th Street North and North Somerset Street and 24 mph for 35th Road North with a traffic volume of 265, 114 and 177 vehicles per day respectively. Further analysis indicated that the 85th percentile speed was measured at 27 mph for 36th Street North and North Somerset Street and 28 mph for 35th Road North, meaning that most (85 percent) motorists traveled at 27 or 28 mph or below, and 15 percent traveled at a higher speed. An 85th percentile speed of 27 and 28 mph does not meet the 30 mph adopted threshold that defines a speeding problem as outlined in the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. As a result, no action will be taken since the thresholds have not been met. This street may be eligible for reevaluation by the NTCC in two years. You may appeal this decision and request that the NTCC place this issue on its agenda for a brief presentation by the proponents at a future meeting. Should you wish to do so, please contact me at (703) 228-3735 within thirty days.

It has been a pleasure to review this matter for you. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me.

Sincerely,

Susan Finotti
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Team

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