Friday, March 6, 2015
Clearing snow from trails - Reston Association and NVRPA - Update
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| Lake Thoreau trail in Reston on Friday, March 6 at 8am |
RA has 4 small Bombardier snow plows. Staff are usually plowing trails shortly after snow ends. A year ago almost to the day we interviewed Brian Murphy of Reston Association about RA's process for plowing the Reston trails. Brian noted that even though RA uses plows, damage to the trail from plowing is rare.
The trail at the right is at Lake Thoreau, a very popular trail leading to South Lakes Village Center. Because of the recent heavy snowfall and ice from the earlier snow, there is still some snow and ice on the trail but that will melt fairly quickly once the air temperature rises. Usually the Reston trails are completely clear of snow and ice after the plows move through.
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| W&OD Trail on Friday, March 6 at noon |
As you can see from the photo taken this morning, the blower hadn't yet made it to Reston behind the YMCA although lots of people have already been walking there. You can see that there's also plenty of room for the lone cross country skier who had just passed, not to mention the unpaved side path that can also be used for skiing.
Last year at this time, Paul Gilbert, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, wrote the blog entry Snow on the W&OD Trail and outlined NVRPA's policy on clearing snow on the trail:
Because the Regional Park Authority does not have the resources to rebuild the trail after every snowy winter, our preferred snow removal technology is blowing the snow. While blowers have an impact, it is less than the plows. In 2009 NVRPA invested in significant pavement markings to improve safety. These markings include rumble strips prior to every intersection, "Stop Ahead" lettering and other markings. In 2012/13 we added a highly reflective center stripe, again to enhance safety. With a ten foot wide, and 45 mile long paved trail, we are re-paving areas of the trail, and placing the markings in the re-paved areas every year as part of our ongoing maintenance, to keep it as the premium trail in the region. This maintenance investment means that every inch of the trail is rebuilt about every ten years.
For significant snow fall of more than a few inches, and when the weather forecast calls for below freezing temperatures for a number of days, NVRPA will start in Arlington and clear the trail of snow with its snow blower moving west. If it is a very minor snow with a forecast for warm temperature and sunshine within a day or two, we will likely let mother nature clear the trail.
Update, Sunday, March 8: By yesterday afternoon the NVRPA snow blower had made a pass along the W&OD Trail and by Sunday it looked
like most sections of the trail were passable.For significant snow fall of more than a few inches, and when the weather forecast calls for below freezing temperatures for a number of days, NVRPA will start in Arlington and clear the trail of snow with its snow blower moving west. If it is a very minor snow with a forecast for warm temperature and sunshine within a day or two, we will likely let mother nature clear the trail.
Labels: bombardier, NVRPA, reston association, snow
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Take the W&OD Trail Safety Survey
There are also questions regarding what physical and cultural strategies should be used to improve safety. Physical strategies include signage, separation of pedestrians and cyclists, asphalt treatments, intersection treatments, and improving the surrounding bike infrastructure so that the W&OD trail is not the only option for cyclists.
Cultural strategies include safety signage and pamphlets, working with groups and clubs to spread the safety message, targeted enforcement, education about existing laws, safety events, working with leaders of charity rides to encourage appropriate trail behavior from their participants, and others. We encourage all trail users to complete the survey.
Labels: bicycle safety, NVRPA, W and OD Trail
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Supervisor Hudgins asks for forum on sidewalk snow removal
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| W&OD Trail after snow clearing |
This will be a good opportunity to discuss ways to clear the most important walkways and bikeways of snow, especially those leading to activity and transit centers.
Some progress is being made in Fairfax. For the first time this year NVRPA staff removed snow on the W&OD Trail, and Reston Association regularly clears their trails of snow.
Below is the text of the Board Matter. Thanks to Supervisor Hudgins for taking the lead on this issue. When more information is available about the forum we'll pass it on:
BOARD MATTER
Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins
Hunter Mill District
February 25, 2014
Sidewalk Snow Removal
Background:
As Fairfax County continues to clean up from the latest winter storm, once again the issue of snow removal on sidewalks has been brought up in the Hunter Mill District. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has directed County staff to work on a sidewalk snow removal policy five different times in the past from 2003 to the present. In the past, we had discussions on whether to regulate snow removal with an ordinance and we have even had coordinated community snow removal volunteer efforts. However, these measures continue to miss the mark without an ordinance or the structure of a coordinated agreement. The lack of pedestrian access during snow events causes safety issues for school children and transit users throughout the entire community. As portions of Fairfax County began to urbanize, the inability of pedestrian travel during snow events causes an unnecessary hindrance to our constituents. It is time to revisit this matter.
Proposed Action:
Madam Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive and the Office of Public Affairs to provide a forum for discussion of sidewalk snow removal. The forum should include the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), and community organizations. The goal of the forum is better coordination between these agencies to help provide safe access for school children, pedestrians, and transit customers.
Labels: NVRPA, reston, snow, supervisor hudgins, W and OD Trail
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
W&OD Trail partially cleared in Herndon and Reston: Update 28 Feb 2014 & 10 Mar 2014
Today Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority staff (NVRPA owns the W&OD Trail) used their snow blower to clear about a 4-5 foot wide section of the trail through Herndon and Reston up to Old Reston Ave. We didn't travel further west but we assume the clearing began at trail headquarters at Smith Switch Station just east of Ashburn. We're hoping park staff continue tomorrow from Reston to Vienna and Falls Church.To our knowledge this is one of the first times that major sections of the trail have been cleared by NVRPA. The trail is a major commuter and recreational route for cyclists. Thanks NVRPA!
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| W&OD Trail at Old Reston Ave looking east. |
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| At Old Reston Ave looking west. |
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| At Van Buren St looking east. |
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| At Crestview Dr looking east. |
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| At Crestview Dr looking west. |
Update 28 Feb 2014: See Reston Parcb article about draft letter from Reston Association Board of Directors regarding plowing the W&OD Trail in Reston.
Update 7 Mar 2014: See the Regional Parks blog entry Snow on the W&OD Trail about NVRPA's current philosophy about clearing snow on the trail.
Update 7 Mar 2014: See the Regional Parks blog entry Snow on the W&OD Trail about NVRPA's current philosophy about clearing snow on the trail.
Labels: NVRPA, W and OD Trail
Friday, March 1, 2013
W&OD Trail use at night - UPDATE
Signs have begun appearing along the W&OD Trail listing "Extended Hours of Use Requirements." The trail is now open from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. rather than from dawn to dusk.
This is good news for bike commuters and other night trail users. Most commuters currently ride on the trail after dark because there are often few safe alternative routes. I've been stopped twice by Vienna police when riding after dark. They told me to get off the trail.There will still be problems for some commuters. 9:00 p.m. is an arbitrary time for closing the trail. How is that time different than 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Last night I rode home from a meeting at WABA and returned after 9 p.m. According to the new regulations, I'm breaking the rules.
The regulations require that cyclists "wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear." How will this be enforced? Cyclists are currently not required to use reflective clothing when riding on the road. Cyclists are also required to have a flashing taillight, which under Viriginia code is only required when riding on a road with a speed of 35mph or greater. Both of these "regulations" are good suggestions, but it's unfortunate that a cyclist who can ride legally at night on the road would be breaking the trail rules under certain conditions.
Trail users on foot are also required to have reflective clothing front and rear and they "must carry a light or wear a flashing light." This requirement will be difficult to enforce but should be welcomed by most cyclists. It's disconcerting to come upon an unlit pedestrian at night wearing dark clothing.
FABB will be out on the trail over the next several weeks offering free lights to trail users.
It would have been nice had NVRPA asked trail users to weigh in on the regulations. It's a step in the right direction and thanks to NVRPA for making the change.
Here are the new requirements:
- Extended hours of use will be from sunset until 9:00pm and from 5:00am to sunrise. Use of the trail outside of these hours is not permitted.
- Bicyclists are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear. All bicycles shall be equipped with at least one white headlight that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible from 600 feet to the rear. Additionally, bicycles must be equipped with a taillight visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. This taillight may be affixed to the bicycle or rider and may be steady blinking.
- Trail users on foot are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear and must carry a light or wear a flashing light.
W&OD Trail Announces Extended Hours
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is excited to announce that for the very first time, cyclists and pedestrians will now have access to the W&OD Trail beyond normal daylight hours. This extended hours program goes into affect as of today, March 1, 2013.
The new W&OD Trail hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Shirlington in Arlington County, all the way to the western town limit of Herndon in Fairfax County. Previously, the trail was considered off limits once the sun set.
“I am happy to see that NVRPA sees the W&OD as the premiere bike route in the region,” said Allen Muchnick, a board member at the Virginia Bicycling Federation.
“This pilot program will help many cyclists that want to use their bikes for transportation and not just recreation.”
NVRPA has accordingly created a few new rules to ensure that the extended hours are as safe as possible for its users. For cyclists, riders are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear. All bicycles must be equipped with at least one white headlight light that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible from 600 feet to the rear. Additionally bicycles must be equipped with a taillight visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. This taillight may be affixed to the bicycle or rider and may be steady or blinking. Pedestrians, are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear and must carry a light or wear a flashing light.
In addition, NVRPA notes that exceptional care should be taken when crossing highways including obeying all laws and posted signage. Trail users are also required to follow all existing rules and regulations governing the use the trail.
“As we all look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and improve both our health and environment, cycling to work is one great option. We want to be part of the solution, and help make this kind of healthy choice an option,” said NVPRA Executive Director Paul Gilbert. “Making the W&OD available during commuting hours is a significant step in the movement to encourage more non-motorized transportation.”
NVRPA has posted nearly a dozen signs along the extended hours route to help make riders and pedestrians aware of the rules governing the new hours.
Labels: night riding, NVRPA, W and OD Trail
Friday, October 26, 2012
Proposed changes to the W&OD Trail
From the announcement: "In March of 2011, the Park Authority commissioned an evaluation of the existing physical and operational conditions at six of the busiest individual roadway crossings across the region. Today, the recommendations created by these evaluations are beginning to be implemented." Below the recommendations for the six intersections:
Belmont Ridge Road
• Relocate or eliminate parking area on the northwest and northeast corners. This work has been completed.
• Add actuated rectangular rapid flash beacons to alert motorists to the presence of a trail user.
• Trim vegetation to improve sight lines. Work completed by NVRPA and VDOT
• Consider construction of a 12 foot wide crossing island to create a refuge and to traffic calm the crossing.
• Consider in the long term grade separation as the ideal improvement.
• Relocate or eliminate parking area on the northwest and northeast corners. This work has been completed.
• Add actuated rectangular rapid flash beacons to alert motorists to the presence of a trail user.
• Trim vegetation to improve sight lines. Work completed by NVRPA and VDOT
• Consider construction of a 12 foot wide crossing island to create a refuge and to traffic calm the crossing.
• Consider in the long term grade separation as the ideal improvement.
Sterling Boulevard
• NVRPA and VDOT are working together to consider reducing the length of the northbound deceleration/left turn lane on Sterling Boulevard to expand median refuge.
• Consider the addition of actuated rectangular rapid flash beacons to alert motorists to the presence of a trail user, based on results from Belmont Ridge Road.
• NVRPA to work with VDOT and Loudoun County to expand the sidewalk network along Sterling Boulevard.
• NVRPA and VDOT are working together to consider reducing the length of the northbound deceleration/left turn lane on Sterling Boulevard to expand median refuge.
• Consider the addition of actuated rectangular rapid flash beacons to alert motorists to the presence of a trail user, based on results from Belmont Ridge Road.
• NVRPA to work with VDOT and Loudoun County to expand the sidewalk network along Sterling Boulevard.
Wiehle Avenue
• NVRPA and Fairfax County to work together to identify short term improvements to include: improved roadway markings, additional signage and potential lane width improvements.
• Consideration to widen the median refuge.
• Consider alternate signal timing to reduce conflict with trail crossing.
• NVRPA and Fairfax County to work together to identify short term improvements to include: improved roadway markings, additional signage and potential lane width improvements.
• Consideration to widen the median refuge.
• Consider alternate signal timing to reduce conflict with trail crossing.
Hunter Mill Road
• NVRPA and VDOT to address vegetation and terrain issues that affect sight line distance.
• Consider replacing advanced trail crossing flashing beacon with Actuated Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons.
• NVRPA and VDOT to address vegetation and terrain issues that affect sight line distance.
• Consider replacing advanced trail crossing flashing beacon with Actuated Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons.
Lee Highway (Route 29)
• NVRPA to realign trail approaches to orient better to the crossing for trail users and motorists.
• NVRPA to work with Arlington County to consider adjusting signal timing and phasing.
• NVRPA to work with Arlington County to consider turn lane options, such as relocating or adding additional signage.
• NVRPA to realign trail approaches to orient better to the crossing for trail users and motorists.
• NVRPA to work with Arlington County to consider adjusting signal timing and phasing.
• NVRPA to work with Arlington County to consider turn lane options, such as relocating or adding additional signage.
Columbia Pike:
• The trail approaches will be realigned to intersect at a better angle to the roadway.
• NVRPA to work with Arlington County to consider adjusting signal timing and phasing.
• The trail approaches will be realigned to intersect at a better angle to the roadway.
• NVRPA to work with Arlington County to consider adjusting signal timing and phasing.
Labels: NVRPA, W and OD Trail
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
W&OD Trail news
Two items of interest regarding the W&OD Trail:Repaving from Reston to Hunter Mill Rd starting November 30 - Starting today "the trail will be repaved starting in the Isaac Newton/Private Drive section of Reston and heading east to Hunter Mill Road. Total time for this project will be approximately two weeks (assuming no weather issues). The trail will be detoured onto the horse trail and signs deployed alerting trail users."
Open season December 2 - Fairfax County police will be conducting a "deer culling" operation adjacent to the W&OD Trail at Clarks Crossing Road where the soccer fields are located. According to signs posted there, the trail will be closed on December 2 from 5pm to 5am. As we all know, the trail is officially closed after dark but many people use it in the Fall and Winter for traveling between Reston and Vienna.
For more information about the W&OD Trail see the W&OD Trail Report, the Friend of the W&OD Trail site or the NVRPA W&OD Trail page.
Update - 12:30pm Nov. 30: I just spoke with a county wildlife biologist who stated that the trail will be closed at 5pm on Dec. 2 and that police will be using rifles to shoot deer in the area. Cyclists will not be able to get through, from approximate Clarks Crossing Rd to Hunter Mill Rd. See the Fairfax County bike map for alternate routes.
Labels: NVRPA, W and OD Trail
