Project Title:   ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA TRANSIT PRIORITY AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE PREEMPTION
     
Project Status:   In Progress
     
Project Type:   Deployment/Integration
     
Project Description:   The principal goal of this project is to improve the capacity and increase operational efficiency of the Transit Priority and Emergency Vehicle Preemption system along Columbia Pike and elsewhere in the County as funding allows. In addition, the project will allow the expansion of SCOOT traffic control along major traffic corridors. By reducing congestion and providing reliable information for travelers to make better travel decisions, effective capacity and efficiency are enhanced and environmental impacts reduced.

A flexible and integrated system is the crucial element of this project. The objective of this project is to ensure the harmony of public transit system along jurisdictions. Columbia Pike corridor links Fairfax County with Arlington County. Public transport will benefit greatly from the integration of systems. Transit agencies can provide faster, convenient, safe and flexible services with this system. Based on a bus performance relative to schedule and the vehicle's planned route, plus the destinations and connection requirements of the passengers, traffic signal timing can accommodate the schedule needs. A special green wave to get the bus back on schedule can be implemented. Using a seamless transit system in the region enhances the mobility and safety of the operation.

Personal mobility and convenience will be enhanced and the new control system will increase transit automation and predictability. The ability to use energy more efficiently and reduce environmental costs through the use of advance technology will be achieved effectively. More efficient system reduces travel times and more efficient administration of the transportation system enables productivity gains across the system.
     
Project Location:   Arlington, Virginia
     
Project Partner(s):   Virginia DOT; Arlington County, VA; Virginia Polytechnic Institute; George Mason University
     
Project Start Date:   September 1999
     
Project End Date:   June 2004
     
Estimated Total ITS Funds:   $593,602
     
Estimated Total Project Cost:   $1,187,204

Project Contacts:    
     
Tom Jennings
FHWA Virginia Division, HDA-VA
(804) 775-3357
Ext.
Tom Bellamy
Arlington County Traffic Engineering Division
(703) 228-3722
Ext.



U.S. Department of Transportation, Intelligent Transportation Systems