Washington, D.C

Washington, D.C., Suburb Starts Traffic Signal Modernization

Published

1 hour ago

August 27, 2024

Washington, D.C., Suburb Starts Traffic Signal Modernization

Transportation will be the launching point for the smart city journey in Falls Church, Va.

This small city of just more than 2 square miles near Washington, D.C., is beginning the first phase of a smart city initiative with Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute (VTTI) Division of Technology Implementation and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The project will involve traffic management technology modernization and signal upgrades.

“We are introducing modern signal controllers equipped with software designed to meet both current and future roadway needs,” Cindy L. Mester, Falls Church community relations and legislative affairs director, said via email. “These controllers will not only address today’s challenges, but also support the integration of connected and automated vehicles, ensuring that Falls Church is prepared for the transportation technologies of tomorrow.”

The “smart intersection” modernization is the project’s first component, and will update all of the signals on Broad and Washington streets — two major corridors. It will be completed in the fall of 2025. Other project phases include adaptive street lighting, smart parking, and tools to gather and analyze data. The project, to be completed in 2028, is being funded in part by a $10 million state grant managed by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The grant will fund the selection and deployment of a variety of technologies, in a set of categories.

VTTI will serve as “the technology implementer” while also conducting research.

Falls Church “prides itself on being kind of a pedestrian and biking community,” said Mike Mollenhauer, VTTI division director of technology implementation, who will serve as the university’s project lead.

“But they have roadways that have high traffic levels and congestion at various parts of the day,” Mollenhauer said, outlining some of the transportation challenges the city faces. “You want to move vehicles through the system. But you also want to make sure it’s a walkable and bikeable and livable community. And you have to try and strike a balance there, to make sure you aren’t overemphasizing one mechanism over another.”

VTTI will serve as a third-party evaluator for the technologies and assist the city in the design of the urban tech systems, which will then be handed over to the city for its technology officials to manage.

Beyond smart intersections, the project will also explore the deployment of intelligent parking and curb management, adaptive street lighting, community engagement and use of a data dashboard that brings multiple operations into one platform. This, Mollenhauer said, will make system management and operation easier for officials.

One focus will be deploying the technologies in a redevelopment area where new streets and other infrastructure are planned.

“However, as we think about deploying technology for the city, we don’t want them to end up with a patchwork, where you have one technology from a vendor that’s in one part of the city, and then a different technology somewhere else,” he said.

Some of the most “near-term needs” lie in the traffic system, which will get upgrades to traffic signal controllers “so they can interface with some of the smarter technologies that’s coming along,” Mollenhauer said.

“Our central signal management system will empower city staff with innovative tools that allow them to work smarter, not harder,” Mester said. “This system provides centralized command and control capabilities, with real-time alerts prompting staff of issues while providing information on the current health of intersection equipment.”

The new signal technology will be designed and deployed to create a coordinated transportation ecosystem, improving the flow of traffic with adaptive intersections and giving transportation officials new insights for better traffic management and improved safety.

“With smart intersection data, we will have the tools to understand the factors that precipitate conflicts between vulnerable road users and vehicles,” Mester said. “Empowered with this data, we can make informed design decisions to implement countermeasures that result in safer intersections for everyone.”

Skip Descant writes about smart cities, the Internet of Things, transportation and other areas. He spent more than 12 years reporting for daily newspapers in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and California. He lives in downtown Yreka, Calif.

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Washington, D.C

DC Code Orange air quality alert Tuesday as heat, humidity return; afternoon thunderstorms possible

Published

11 hours ago

August 27, 2024

Press Room

DC Code Orange air quality alert Tuesday as heat, humidity return; afternoon thunderstorms possible

WASHINGTON – The heat and humidity have returned to the Washington, D.C. region, bringing above average temperatures back to the area even as autumn approaches.

FOX 5 Weather forecast for Tuesday, August 27

Taylor Grenda has the FOX 5 Weather forecast for Tuesday, August 27

FOX 5’s Taylor Grenda says a Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for the nation’s capital Tuesday with highs in the low-90s expected across the region. The alert means air pollution concentrations in the area may become unhealthy for sensitive groups including children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease, other lung diseases, and the elderly. The National Weather Service advises to avoid strenuous activity and outdoor exercise while the alert is in effect.

The area should remain dry for most of the day with a brief afternoon thunderstorm possible, Grenda says.

FOX 5’s Tucker Barnes says the hot and humid conditions will peak Wednesday with 100-degree temperatures possible and heat index values that will likely be in the triple digits.

“The good news is that the heat will be short-lived,” Barnes said. The region will slowly begin to cool off into Thursday as highs drop to near 90 degrees. Friday, temperatures will cool down to nearly 80 degrees.

There will be a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday night and again over the weekend.

DC Code Orange air quality alert Tuesday as heat, humidity return; afternoon thunderstorms possible

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Washington, D.C

Large pack of ATVs causes commotion in Rosslyn

Published

22 hours ago

August 26, 2024

Press Room

Large pack of ATVs causes commotion in Rosslyn

Dozens — maybe hundreds — of ATVs and motorbikes took a long ride from D.C. to Arlington and back, causing quite a commotion Sunday night.

Traffic camera video shows the pack flooding the streets of Arlington, including Wilson Boulevard and North Oak Street. Some of them are seen running a red light in Rosslyn as pedestrians crossed the street.

At one point, Arlington County police arrived to redirect the group. Police said they monitored the motorbikes and ATVs for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. No injuries or property damage was reported.

Riding the ATVs on public streets is illegal. Police said their investigation is ongoing.

Arlington County police say anyone who sees ATVs on the street should report them.

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Washington, D.C

List: What to do in the Washington DC area through Labor Day weekend

Published

1 day ago

August 26, 2024

Press Room

List: What to do in the Washington DC area through Labor Day weekend

We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!

Monday is Labor Day, which means a long day for many. It might also be your last chance to hit up pools and water parks!

FYI: The Smithsonian museums are open on Labor Day, and many will offer free tours.

Here’s what to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.

What to do in Washington, D.C.

Last chance – Pixar Putt: Through Mon., The Wharf, $30 for adult tickets

Nationals vs. Yankees: Mon., Tues., Weds., Nationals Park

Buju Banton: The Overcomer Tour: Tues., 8 p.m., Capital One Arena, $55+

Live Music Thursdays at Hi-Lawn: Thurs., 7-9 p.m., Union Market, free

DC JazzFest: Weds. through Sun., various venues and The Wharf, tickets start at $25

Free shows happening with DC JazzFest include:

Stand-up comedy at Room 808: Weds. to Sun., Petworth, prices vary but several shows are free

Underground Comedy at Hotbed: Weds. to Sun., Adams Morgan, prices vary but several shows are free

Childish Gambino: Thurs., Capital One Arena, $125+

Sunset Cinema: “Soul”: Thurs., The Wharf, free

Nationals vs. Cubs: Fri., Sat., Sun., Nationals Park, $18+

Extraordinary Cinema: “Chocolat”: Fri., movie set to begin at dusk (about 8:15 p.m.), The Kennedy Center REACH Lawn, free

DC Festival of Magic: Fri. to Sun., Capital Hilton (Northwest D.C.), $99 for a weekend pass, individual shows start at $15

Joy of African Movement: Sat., 9-10 a.m., Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, free

DC Afro Latino Fest: Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Franklin Park, free

Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun: Sat., 3 p.m., Entertainment and Sports Arena, $31+

Late Skate: Sat., until 10 p.m., Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, free

NSO Labor Day Concert: Sun., 8 p.m., West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, free

Labor Day: Yoga + Sound Experience: Mon., 9-10 a.m., National Building Museum, $30

What to do in Maryland

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival: Fri. to Mon., free entry, ride wristbands $20

A Night With The Legendary Comedian Earthquake: Fri. and Sat., MGM National Harbor, $98+

Capital House Music Festival: Sat., 11 a.m. to 9 a.m., Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Silver Spring, free

Paint the Town Labor Day Show: Sat. to Mon., Kensington, free

Maryland State Fair: Aug. 29-Sept. 2 and Sept. 5-8, Lutherville-Timonium, $11-$16

Maryland Renaissance Festival: Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 20, plus Labor Day, Annapolis, Maryland, $26+ for adult tickets through Sept. 8

Seniors age 62 and up can go for free on Monday, Sept. 2

Labor Day Art Show: Sat. to Mon., Glen Echo Park, free entry

Frederick Arts & Crafts End of Summer Celebration: Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Frederick, free

Summers Farm Sunflower Festival: Sat. to Mon., plus Sept. 7-8, Middletown, $16.50 online, $20.50 at the gate

Kensington Labor Day Parade and Festival: Mon., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free

What to do in Virginia

Jason Aldean: Highway Desperado Tour: Fri., 7:30 p.m., Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, $68+

Comedy: Guy Branum: Fri., Sat. and Sun., Arlington Cinema Drafthouse, $20-$25

Yoga in the Galleries at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington: Sat., 11 a.m., 3550 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, $10-$20 suggested donation

Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits: Sat., 7 p.m., Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, $118+

Virginia Scottish Games: Sat. and Sun., The Plains, $20 (one-day pass)

Dog-friendly tour of Mount Vernon: Sat. and Sun., Mount Vernon, $10 in addition to general admission

LoCo Kid’s Fest: Mon., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Segra Field Parking Lots in Leesburg, free

Fairfax City Restaurant Week: Sept. 2-8

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

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