Transportation Goals, Policies, Strategies and Implementation Actions

The City’s long-range transportation planning goals are:

  • Plan and develop an efficient and balanced multi-modal transportation system to reduce congestion and support the City's future growth and development.
  • Plan and implement an advanced traffic management system to optimize the efficiency of traffic flow along City streets.
  • Improve and promote the use of public transit in the City.
  • Improve the City's streets to accommodate existing and projected traffic.
  • Reduce the impact of traffic on residential neighborhoods.
  • Identify and secure sources of revenue for transportation projects and improvements.
  • Reduce the number of vehicle trips with special emphasis on reducing single occupancy trips by car.
  • Develop the City's Airport and Seaport as quality facilities.
  • Increase public awareness and involvement in transportation planning.
  • Improve transportation system maintenance and pedestrian safety.

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation actions for Transportation.

GOAL 1

Plan and develop an efficient and balanced multi-modal transportation system to reduce congestion and support the City's future growth and development.

POLICY 1.1

Plan and develop other forms of public transportation (e.g. local and express buses, carpools and van-pools, sidewalks, park and ride lots, high speed rail, commuter rail, light rail, and telecommuting) to create a multi-modal transportation system and emphasize mass transportation in the overall transportation network.

Strategy 1.1.1: Design and develop a multi-modal transportation system to maintain an average journey to work of 20-30 minutes.

Strategy 1.1.2: Place special emphasis on mass transportation in the overall transportation network.

Strategy 1.1.3: Build a rapid transit system in Newport News including feeder bus service to transit stations. Implement the A3 Alignment as the first phase of the Peninsula Rapid Transit Project.

Strategy 1.1.4: Provide commuter rail service between Newport News, Williamsburg and Richmond in the CSX Corridor with station stops at Bland Boulevard and downtown Newport News. 

Strategy 1.1.5: Create opportunities for high density transit oriented development at transit stations to increase transit ridership.

Strategy 1.1.6: Build a multi-modal terminal providing transfers among buses, rail service and other forms of transportation downtown and near the airport.

Strategy 1.1.7: Develop high speed passenger and/or vehicle ferry service between Newport News, Hampton and Southside Hampton Roads with appropriate support facilities.

Strategy 1.1.8: Design and develop multi-use trails in and between neighborhoods to encourage walking and biking. Explore opportunities for use of golf carts on multi-use trails in residential neighborhoods as appropriate.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.1:

1.1.1: Modify the subdivision and site plan ordinances to include requirements for sidewalks, bikeways, bicycle parking and storage facilities, access for public transit including right-of-way for light rail transit.

1.1.2:  Involve HRT in the City's overall transportation planning, site plan and development review processes.

1.1.3: Advance light rail transit by completing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and proceeding with preliminary engineering on the A3 alignment between CNU and Huntington Pointe.

1.1.4: Develop a strategy and financial plan for protecting the CSX corridor for improved high speed rail, commuter rail, light rail transit, transit stations, parking and access roads in the future.

1.1.5: Acquire sites and develop partnerships to achieve transit oriented development at selected transit stations in accord with the Framework for the Future Land Use Plan.

1.1.6: Support the connection of the Peninsula light rail system with the Norfolk light rail system (the Tide) being developed in Norfolk through the Third Crossing of Hampton Roads.

1.1.7: Provide for passenger transfers between light rail, commuter rail and high speed rail at the Bland Boulevard site near the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and the Amtrak station downtown.

1.1.8: Plan for connections between feeder bus service and the light rail transit system.

1.1.9: Study the feasibility of establishing a high speed ferry system to connect Newport News and the Peninsula to the Southside of Hampton Roads.

1.1.l0: Link the rail transit system and feeder bus service with the airport and tourist attractions on the Peninsula, including Colonial Williamsburg.

POLICY 1.2

Develop and maintain an efficient, inter-modal transportation network in the City that is integrated with the region, state and nation's transportation system.

Strategy 1.2.1: Support implementation of the Hampton Roads 2030 Regional Transportation Plan, and the six priority projects endorsed by the MPO.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.2:

1.2.1: Continue to work with the Hampton Roads MPO to develop a multi-modal Regional Transportation Plan and programs to improve transportation in the region.

1.2.2: Apply for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program funds (RSTP) to finance improved and expanded transit service, bikeways, signal systems, the wayfinding sign program, and transportation demand management program.

POLICY 1.3

Improve accessibility for pedestrians in public rights-of-ways, at all public street intersections and mid-block crossings in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Strategy 1.3.1: Provide and require sidewalks on collector, arterial, and most local streets.  A sidewalk plan should be maintained by the Department of Engineering identifying priorities for sidewalk construction.

Strategy 1.3.2: Provide handicapped access as required by Federal Law at any intersection where there are sidewalks.

Strategy 1.3.3: Require developers to provide sidewalks in their projects.

Strategy 1.3.4: Provide 10-foot wide crosswalks and pedestrian activated crossing lights at street intersections where a large number of pedestrian crossings occur.

Strategy 1.3.5: Update the citywide Sidewalk Plan to prioritize and guide the installation of sidewalks within existing residential areas along residential and local streets.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.3:

1.3.1: Prepare and adopt a sidewalk/street crosswalk improvement plan.

1.3.2: Amend the subdivision and site plan ordinance to require sidewalks consistent with City plans in new development projects and evaluate and revise design standards as necessary for sidewalks.

1.3.4: Include sidewalk improvements in the City's capital improvements program with all street widening projects.

1.3.5: Continue handicap access ramp construction at intersections.

       1.3.6: Extend and replace sidewalks to fill "gaps" for continuous access.

       1.3.7: Provide pedestrian handrails and warning devices where necessary.

POLICY 1.4

Build bikeways including on-street bicycle lanes and routes and off-street bicycle trails or paths.

Strategy 1.4.1: With new highway construction projects provide bicycle trails in collector and arterial street rights-of-way that are separated from vehicular travel lanes.

Strategy 1.4.2: Require developers to provide sidewalks, bicycle lanes and bicycle trails in their projects when shown on an adopted City plan.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.4:

1.4.1: Expedite the implementation of the adopted bicycle trail plan for on-street bicycle lanes and off-street bicycle trails.

1.4.2: Include bicycle trail improvements in the City's capital improvements program.

1.4.3: Amend the subdivision and site plan ordinance to require bikeways consistent with the City’s plan in new development projects and establish design standards for bikeways.

GOAL 2

Plan and implement a “responsive” Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to optimize the efficiency of traffic flow along City streets.

POLICY 2.1

Develop an ATMS system that can be implemented with a “phased” approach of compatible modular components.

Strategy 2.1.1: Consider alternative procurement processes for ATMS to allow for integration of components.

Strategy 2.1.2: Clearly define and hold firm the requirements that the system is to be maintainable, flexible to accept component modifications, and constructible within funding schedule.

Strategy 2.1.3: The City should use traffic management techniques to reevaluate road improvements and adjust projects in the capital improvements program to direct resources to the roads needing the most improvement.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.1:

2.1.1: Prepare a “Signal System Feasibility Study and an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Master Plan.

POLICY 2.2

Develop a system that is capable of being expanded through the traditional signal system life cycle and can incorporate new technologies.

Strategy 2.2.1: Provide for system expansion with new development and roadway improvement projects including fiber, ITS field devices, signal upgrades, etc.

Strategy 2.2.2: Review current transportation management technologies on a regular basis to determine system benefits of upgrade.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.2:

2.2.1: Facilitate staff evaluation of new hardware and software and field technologies and update the “Signal System Feasibility Study” and ITS Master Plan as needed for phased implementation.

POLICY 2.3

Evaluate reliable communications alternatives and develop an infrastructure capable of linking traffic signal components (field and central) and intelligent transportation systems as integrated components.

Strategy 2.3.1: Develop a comprehensive communications backbone (City-owned not leased) to be accessible by other City departments.

Strategy 2.3.2: Provide supporting resources to troubleshoot and maintain the integrity/reliability of a responsive communication infrastructure.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.3:

2.3.1: Coordinate the resources of Newport News Public Schools and the City’s Department of Information Technology for strategic use of existing fiber infrastructure and expansion routes to minimize deployment costs.

POLICY 2.4

Provide ITS devices at key intersections, along with programmable traffic signal control to allow for monitoring, responding, and information dissemination.

Strategy 2.4.1: Regionally coordinate coverage locations with adjacent transportation management agencies to minimize unnecessary overlap and allow for sharing of information with other agencies.

Strategy 2.4.2: Develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virginia Department of Transportation Smart Traffic Center for regional traffic incident management support.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.4:

2.4.1: Install cameras for remotely monitoring traffic conditions, verification of incidents, and for support of regional incident management strategies.

2.4.2: Procure and deploy portable dynamic message signs for use in alerting motorists to short- and long-term road/lane closures, special event routing, and extended diversion routes.

2.4.3: Develop prioritized deployment list based on locations recommended in the ITS Master Plan. 

2.4.4: Procure and deploy over-height vehicle detection/warning systems, flood detection/warning systems, and other devices to provide safer travel conditions for motorists.

POLICY 2.5

Provide for inter-agency coordination via the ATMS to optimize efficiency and enhance capabilities of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during a major event.

Strategy 2.5.1: Develop data sharing guidelines and MOUs for conveying and receiving emergency situations.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.5:

2.5.1: Identify specific data to share with EOC, and identify events that require implementation plans.

2.5.2: Develop an action plan for responding to data received between EOC and Department of Engineering.

2.5.3: Develop an action plan for automated data sharing associated with emergency information for 511 traveler information.

2.5.4: Develop an action plan to integrate the City’s EOC with the regional evacuation and emergency response systems.

GOAL 3

Improve and promote the use of public transit service in the City.

POLICY 3.1

Increase bus service efficiency, accessibility and convenience to attract more choice riders.

Strategy 3.1.1: Continue to fund late night bus service on weekdays and on Saturdays.

Strategy 3.1.2: Enhance Sunday and holiday bus service.

Strategy 3.1.3: Provide regular bus service on Jefferson Avenue north of Denbigh Boulevard and on Warwick Boulevard north of Ft. Eustis Boulevard to James City County and Williamsburg.

Strategy 3.1.4: Continue to enhance bus service between the Peninsula and Southside Hampton Roads.

Strategy 3.1.5: Increase bus service within neighborhoods.

Strategy 3.1.6: Allow for bus service in site planning for new employment centers, shopping centers, and large industries, by improving circulation patterns and providing heavier pavement, bus ramps or pull offs and bus shelters.

Strategy 3.1.7: Require all new, large-scale development to incorporate transportation demand management (TDM) measures into site and facility design to the extent feasible to reduce the demand for single occupancy vehicles during peak commute periods.

Strategy 3.1.8:  Reduce headway (time separation) between buses during peak hours to ten minutes and during off-peak hours to 30 minutes.

Strategy 3.1.9: Develop east/west feeder bus service on collector streets in the City's residential areas to feed the main HRT north/south bus routes and future commuter rail service on the CSX Corridor.

Strategy 3.1.10: Build or obtain park and ride lots that are strategically placed, safe, well lit and landscaped to support the transit system.

Strategy 3.1.11: Expand HRT's demand responsive Handi-ride program to serve all special needs people who are unable to use regular bus service. Partner with local businesses to establish additional services for special needs people, especially the elderly.

Strategy 3.1.12: Increase the number of bus shelters throughout the city and provide advanced notification systems in heavily used shelters.

IMPLEMENTATION 3.1:

3.1.1: The City should continue funding weekend and evening late night, Sunday and Holiday service for regular bus service north of Denbigh Boulevard.

3.1.2: Conduct market feasibility studies before expanding bus service.

3.1.3: HRT and the City should evaluate annually the placement of routes, bus stops and route schedules and change routes based on usage.

3.1.4:  Involve HRT in the site plan reviews of large development projects to advise on transit service to the development.

3.1.5: Approach VDOT to determine the feasibility of building park and ride lots in the HRT and TRAFFIX service area with placement accessible by car, van, light rail or at multi-modal transportation centers.

3.1.6: Through long-range transportation planning, reduce the number of transfers required by bus riders during long trips.

3.1.7:  Adopt a transportation demand management (TDM) policy consistent with S.B. 527, that identifies measures that should be incorporated into site and facility design for all new large developments.

3.1.8: Provide a security system to improve passenger safety on buses.

3.1.9: Obtain CMAQ funding for bus shelters and new bus routes.

POLICY 3.2

Improve public information and marketing to increase bus ridership.

Strategy 3.2.1: Obtain CMAQ funding to build bus shelters and provide advanced notification systems at major transfer points.

Strategy 3.2.2: Bus schedules and route maps should be modified to be more user friendly and included in bus shelters.

Strategy 3.2.3: HRT should improve the marketing of public transportation with increased advertising on television, radio and in newspapers.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.2:

3.2.1: HRT should continue to evaluate transit industry practice and develop proposals for weekly and/or monthly passes for employers to provide for their employees.

3.2.2: HRT should continue to review transit industry standards for public timetable presentations.

3.2.3: HRT should increase funding for advertising on television, radio, and in the newspapers.

3.2.5: Provide high school students with free bus passes to help them develop the habit of using public transportation.

GOAL 4.1

Improve the City's streets to accommodate existing and projected traffic.

POLICY 4.1

Complete the construction of the east-west connectors in the City, and interchanges with I-64 where they are needed.

Strategy 4.1.1:  Build the Middle Ground Boulevard extension from Jefferson Avenue to Warwick Boulevard, and extend Atkinson Boulevard from Warwick Boulevard to Jefferson Avenue and Ft. Eustis Boulevard.

Strategy 4.1.2:  Improve the Ft. Eustis Boulevard and Yorktown Road/Jefferson Avenue/I-64 interchanges.

Strategy 4.1.3: Build new interchanges at I-64 with Bland Boulevard and Atkinson Boulevard.

Strategy 4.1.4: Fund, design and build the Route 60 Relocated and the southern bypass to improve traffic in the Lee Hall area.

Strategy 4.1.5: Support the widening of I-64 to Route 199 in James City County.

Strategy 4.1.6: Support the construction of the Third Crossing of Hampton Roads.

IMPLEMENTATION 4.1:

4.1.1: Include these projects in the long range, financially constrained Regional Transportation Plan and the VDOT 6-Year Transportation Improvement Plan.

4.1.2: Obtain funding for the interchanges at I-64 with Bland Boulevard and Atkinson Boulevard.

4.1.3 : Consider using urban allocation funding to expand the City’s transportation engineering staff and address street improvement projects in the urban program.

4.1.4:  Consider using urban allocation funding to develop a transportation planning staff who will use the latest techniques in traffic analyses and computer simulation, and provide technical assistance to employers developing traffic management plans and administer road congestion management.

POLICY 4.2

Limit the amount of street widening that will occur on major arterial streets in the City.

Strategy 4.2.1: Widen I-64 to eight through lanes (six SOV lanes and two HOV lanes) from Jefferson Avenue to Route 199 in James City County.

Strategy 4.2.2: Widen Warwick Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue to no more than six through lanes.

IMPLEMENTATION 4.2:

4.2.1: Obtain funds to complete the design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction of the widening of I-64 between Jefferson Avenue and Williamsburg in accord with the adopted locally preferred alternative of the I-64 Major Investment Study.

4.2.2: Because of wider right-of-way and pavement requirements and massive tree destruction, carefully evaluate and question the desirability of collector/distributor roads (C/D Roads) with I-64 construction.

POLICY 4.3

Make the maximum use possible of the capacity now existing on the City's streets.

Strategy 4.3.1:  Because multiple curb cuts interfere with traffic flow, reduce the number of entrances on arterial and collector streets.

Strategy 4.3.2: Build medians and eliminate uncontrolled left turn movements on the City's arterial streets, with exceptions for neo-traditional development projects.

Strategy 4.3.3: Use level of service C stable flow conditions, as the threshold that, if exceeded on collector or arterial streets, will trigger a City requirement for traffic impact studies, development impact fees and traffic management plans for new development.

Strategy 4.3.4: The Department of Engineering should annually evaluate City streets with the most accidents and report to the City Council its recommendations for safety improvements at locations having the highest number of accidents.

IMPLEMENTATION 4.3:

4.3.1:  Include traffic signalization projects in the City's capital improvements program.

4.3.2:  Implement Senate Bill 527 in plans, plan amendments, rezonings, conditional use permits, site plans and subdivision reviews.

4.3.3: Develop and adopt standards limiting local access curb cuts to arterial streets.

4.3.4: Encourage shared access between properties being developed to minimize new entrances on arterial streets.

GOAL 5

Reduce the impact of traffic on residential neighborhoods.

POLICY 5.1

Minimize traffic noise in residential neighborhoods.

Strategy 5.1.1: Require wider rights of way on major thoroughfares where feasible for additional landscaping to achieve noise abatement.

Strategy 5.1.2: Landscape existing major thoroughfares which have no sound walls or natural barriers.

Strategy 5.1.3:  Require landscaped buffers from developers when a new subdivision will abut a major thoroughfare.

IMPLEMENTATION 5.1:

5.1.1: Continue to implement the City's noise policy and require developers to provide noise barriers for new residential projects where the lots are affected by noise from a major thoroughfare.

5.1.2: Review and revise major thoroughfare designs for noise reduction.

5.1.3: Carefully evaluate the feasibility and desirability of noise barrier walls when they are requested by a neighborhood that is affected by noise from an adjoining major thoroughfare.

POLICY 5.2

Reduce speeding and cut through traffic in residential neighborhoods.

Strategy 5.2.1: Develop and implement techniques other than police enforcement to reduce speeding.

Strategy 5.2.2:  Divert through traffic away from neighborhoods and residential areas.

Strategy 5.2.3: Limit points of access to residential neighborhoods to maintain community integrity, privacy, quiet, safety and security.

Strategy 5.2.4: Use traffic calming methods (e.g. multiple stop signs, narrower street widths, traffic circles, channelization, intersection approach islands, speed tables, curb extensions, atypical street ends, street closures, etc. ) to reduce speeding in neighborhoods where speeding problems exist.   Implement devices that become neighborhood assets.

IMPLEMENTATION 5.2:

5.2.1: Amend the City's transportation plan to include the streets identified on revised Map 4-1 and Table 4-3 of the Framework for the Future Update.

5.2.2: Encourage innovative neighborhood designs that provide limited vehicular interconnection to other neighborhoods and maintain safe, secure environments for residents that provide adequate access for emergency vehicles.

5.2.3: Work with developers, police and fire officials and adjoining neighborhood residents to establish the number and location of entrances to a new subdivision.

5.2.4: Apply new urbanism standards recommended by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) for streets in neo-traditional projects.

5.2.5:  Establish higher fine areas in neighborhoods that experience high volume speeding and cut-through traffic.

GOAL 6

Identify and secure sources of revenue for transportation projects and improvements.

POLICY 6.1

Develop and institute new methods to pay for roads and public transit.

Strategy 6.1.2: Institute special tax districts and use tolls to finance road improvements.

Strategy 6.1.3:  Require off-site transportation improvements from developers.

Strategy 6.1.4:  Create an impact fee program.

Strategy 6.1.5: Seek share of state funds to replace the personal property tax as it is eliminated.

Strategy 6.1.6: Develop and adopt guidelines and procedures to use Public Private Partnerships to finance new road improvements.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.1:

6.1: The City Council should include recommendations in its legislative package and request that its delegates to the General Assembly support approval of needed authorizing legislation.

6.2: The City should seek and encourage opportunities to form Public Private Partnerships to implement needed infrastructure and transit projects, e.g. Middle Ground Boulevard and the light rail transit projects.

GOAL 7

Reduce the number of vehicle trips with special emphasis on reducing single occupancy trips by car.

POLICY 7.1

Support TRAFFIX and encourage alternative forms of transportation by providing the public with information on how they can under take ride sharing programs.

Strategy 7.1.1: Develop parking management programs at employment centers experiencing high levels of traffic congestion and require large employers to prepare and implement traffic management plans.

Strategy 7.1.2: The City should require large employers to prepare and implement traffic management plans by using flex time, staggered work hours, van pools, car pools, ride share programs, bicycles and walking in their commute to work to reduce peak hour traffic on streets.

POLICY 7.2

Coordinate long-range land use planning projects and transportation planning.

Strategy 7.2.1: Establish a transportation planner position in the Department of Planning to coordinate long-range planning and transportation projects.

Strategy 7.2.3:  Require developers to provide traffic impact studies and traffic management plans with requests for rezoning, site plan and subdivision approvals on major development projects for review by city staff, and by VDOT as required by State law.

GOAL 8

Develop the City's Airport and Seaport as quality facilities.

POLICY 8.1

Support the planned expansion of Newport News Williamsburg/International Airport.

Strategy 8.1.1: Carry out the recommendations of the airport master plan.

Strategy 8.1.2: Update the Zoning Ordinance to fully protect airspace from potential hazards and obstructions and ensure the continued safe development of the airport.

Strategy 8.1.3:  Attractively landscape the airport terminal with seasonal vegetation and sculpture.

Strategy 8.1.4: Provide direct access to the airport from I-64 with an interchange at Bland Boulevard.

Strategy 8.1.5: Prevent further residential development close to the airport by not permitting additional rezoning for residential uses.

Strategy 8.1.6: Develop a noise abatement program around the airport to include planning non-residential uses for areas in noise zones, noise abatement for incompatible land uses in noise zones, aviation easements for nearby residential developments and encouraging use of quieter aircraft.

IMPLEMENTATION 8.1:

8.1.1: The City's high technology image should be integrated into the architecture and interior design of the airport terminal.

8.1.2:  Construct the interchange of Bland Boulevard with I-64 and program National Highway System funds to construct the interchange.

8.1.3: The City Planning Commission should plan and zone for land uses that will be compatible with the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport upon its full expansion.

8.1.4: Amend the Building Code to require noise attenuation for residential and other sensitive land uses in 65 db LDN noise zones surrounding Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport and Langley Air Force Base.

8.1.5: The Peninsula Airport Commission should develop an aviation related commercial park.

POLICY 8.2

Support the continued viability of the Newport News Marine Terminal as the premier steel and project cargo handling facility on the East Coast.

Strategy 8.2.1: The City should take an aggressive role in developing Newport News' seaport.

Strategy 8.2.2: Protect the seaport from encroachment by incompatible development.

Strategy 8.2.3: Support the expansion of Craney Island in Portsmouth and the Third Crossing to provide expanded capacity for all Hampton Roads ports.

IMPLEMENTATION 8.2:

8.2.1: The City and Virginia Port Authority should aggressively market and promote the Newport News Marine Terminal.

8.2.2: The City should seek funds from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to improve road access to the port.

8.2.3: A plan should be prepared and the zoning in the vicinity of the seaport should be evaluated and revised to insure development occurs, which is compatible with the Port of Newport News and its operations.

GOAL 9

Increase public awareness and involvement in transportation planning.

POLICY 9.1

Actively involve citizens early and throughout transportation planning and decision making and make transportation planning as simple and informative as possible.

Strategy 9.1.1: Hold public hearings on the transportation plan and amendments in each planning district.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.1:

9.1.1: Prior to adoption, highlight the major proposed transportation projects in public hearing notices, advertising the transportation plan and amendments to the plan.

9.1.2: Directly notify residents who will be the most impacted by a transportation decision.

POLICY 9.2

Provide useful and timely public information on transportation plans and projects.

Strategy 9.2.1: A hot-line for the City should be instituted to allow a greater amount of informal citizen input.

Strategy 9.2.2: Public meetings should be televised on the Newport News City cable channels with sufficient advance advertisement of the broadcast.

Strategy 9.2.3: Develop a forum for businesses, industries, institutions and local governments to discuss transportation issues.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.2:

9.2.1: The City should annually brief professional organizations and the general public on transportation improvements recommended on the City's transportation plan.

POLICY 9.3

Once the transportation plan is adopted, the City Council and City Planning Commission should not alter it for a few persons when the plan benefits the public at large and contributes to the overall good of the City.

POLICY 9.4

Enhance the City's transportation planning with transportation engineering, and land use planning working in close consultation.

Strategy 9.4.1: Design attractive streets that are sensitive to the context of the surrounding environment, and that consider the needs of pedestrians, the visual impact of the street and its relationship to adjoining buildings and spaces.

GOAL 10

Improve transportation system maintenance and pedestrian safety.

POLICY 10.1

Facilitate continuous upgrading of computerized traffic control system maintenance projects.

Strategy 10.1.1:  Prioritize traffic control maintenance programs as follows: (1) traffic control signals, (2) warning, regulatory, construction zone and guide signs, (3) pavement markings (4) and parking designations for on-street usage and demand surveys.

Strategy 10.1.2: Evaluate existing traffic control and develop an upgrade program to convert span wires to underground cable service to mast arm structures, improve phasing and sequence operations and provide for pedestrian provisions for improved safety and accessibility.

POLICY 10.2

Provide quality and timely street reconstruction and maintenance.

Strategy 10.2.1: Instead of a reactive approach based on citizen complaints, proactively improve pothole maintenance and resurfacing streets throughout the City.

Strategy 10.2.2: Undertake street maintenance programs on a timely basis.

Strategy 10.2.3: Ensure that newly constructed or reconstructed private and public roads are built to construction standards that ensure that water does not stand on them.

Strategy 10.2.4:  Continue to post street sweeping schedules and sweep at the posted time.

Strategy 10.2.5: Survey citizens on the success of street maintenance.

Strategy 10.2.6: When evaluating roads make sure that tonnage calculations and speed calibrations are accurate.

Strategy 10.2.7: Install pedestrian signals at critical locations with significant pedestrian activity.

Strategy 10.2.8: Create a quality control assurance program for contractors on City projects.

Strategy 10.2.9: Enforce dust suppression on City road and utility construction projects.

POLICY 10.3

Promote projects and programs that improve the coverage, timely installation and maintenance of the City's street lights.

Strategy10.3.1:  Encourage Dominion Virginia Power to proactively maintain the sensors, which turn on the street lights so less electricity is wasted.

Strategy 10.3.2: Missing or broken street lights should be replaced with energy efficient full cut-off Dark Sky fixtures.

Strategy 10.3.3: Develop a program to replace the standard "Cobra Head" streetlight fixture with full cut-off lighting consistent with those recommended by the International Dark Sky Assoc (IDA).

Strategy 10.3.4: Develop a program to replace old inefficient residential street lights with energy efficient residential style fixtures.

IMPLEMENTATION 10.3:

10.3.1: Continue to implement the City program, which evaluates standards for the street light system and a review schedule of existing street lights to determine the location of under and over served areas of the City.

10.3.2:  Require Dominion Virginia Power to quickly replace missing and broken street lights.

10.3.3: Continue to use Capital Improvement Program funds and other available State and Federal funds, for future street light improvement projects.

10.3.4: Adopt a "pilot program" to install improved lighting in areas where high violent and drug related crime statistics are reported.

10.3.5: Future street light installations should utilize best modern available technology.


Bikeways_4_3.pdf
Map 4-3 Bikeways (Popup full image)