About the Program
The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program leverages new technologies to improve traffic operations and monitoring capabilities for all modes of travel throughout the County. The focus of the program will shift from infrastructure construction to better integrating the various systems to improve safety and capacity. County ITS can improve transparency and provide valuable information to partner agencies such as VDOT.
There are three major corridor projects currently active within the ITS program – Glebe Road ITS Improvements, Lee Highway Corridor Improvements and Washington Blvd. Corridor Improvements. All the projects are funded through a regional grant provided by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
Glebe Road ITS Improvements
Project Area: Includes most of the signalized intersections along Glebe Road from the northern end at Chain Bridge to the I-395 ramps to the south.
Background: This project includes several initiatives along the Glebe Road corridor, including new ITS equipment deployment, new reversible lane control and signal infrastructure at Chain Bridge, and transit signal priority for selected areas.
The major construction portion of the project will occur at Chain Bridge. The project will include the replacement of the existing traffic signal at Chain Bridge and improved signage and reversible lane infrastructure to improve safety. Additional improvements to the communications and interagency operating capabilities with the District Department of Transportation are also planned here.
Status: Portions of the Glebe Road project are underway, but the main construction at Chain Bridge is anticipated to begin in Fall 2021 and be complete in Spring 2022.
Lee Highway ITS Improvements
Project Area: Includes most of the signalized intersections along Lee Highway from East Falls Church to Rosslyn.
Background: This project includes several initiatives along the Lee Highway corridor including new ITS equipment deployment, new traffic signal infrastructure at several locations, and a minor streetlighting component. There are signal rebuilds anticipated at the following locations:
- Lee Highway and North Adams Street (In Design)
- Lee Highway and North Daniel Street (In Design)
- Lee Highway and Spout Run Parkway (In Design)
- Lee Highway and Old Dominion Drive (In Design)
The signal upgrades will be staggered and constructed independently. Refer to the original concept schematic for more details on the proposed improvements. There are several signalized intersections along Lee Highway will be upgraded as part of other County projects and are not included as part of this initiative.
Status: ITS equipment deployment is underway. Most of the infrastructure portions of the project are currently in design. Construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2021.
Washington Boulevard ITS Improvements
Project Area: Includes most of the signalized intersections along Washington Blvd. from North Ohio Street to North Pershing Drive
Background: This project will improve the traffic signal infrastructure along Washington Blvd. corridor to upgrade the ITS, implement congestion-reducing adaptive signal optimization, and enable future initiatives such as connected vehicles and transit signal priority. The project will also install additional Bluetooth devices, Count Stations and CCTV cameras to monitor the traffic and safety of all modes.
There are signal rebuilds anticipated at the following locations:
- Washington Blvd. and North Pershing Drive (In Construction)
- Washington Blvd. and North Highland St. (In Construction)
- Washington Blvd. and North Glebe Road (In Design)
- Washington Blvd. and Patrick Henry Drive (In Design)
Status: All the intersections are either in design or in construction. Construction of remaining signal rebuilds are anticipated to begin in Summer 2022.
Crystal City/Pentagon City ITS Improvements
Project Area: Includes the signalized intersections along Crystal City/Pentagon City areas those are not planned for ITS enhancements with other planned CIP project(s) and/or site developments.
Background: This project will improve the traffic signal infrastructures along Crystal City/Pentagon City areas to upgrade the ITS, implement congestion-reducing adaptive signal optimization, and enable future initiatives such as connected vehicles and transit signal priority. The project will also install additional Bluetooth devices, Count Stations and CCTV cameras to monitor the traffic and safety of all modes. Due to significant increase in development in/around Crystal City/Pentagon City area after Amazon’s announcement, most of the signalized intersection are being upgraded by either new development(s) or planned CIP project(s). County is also looking into different options to expand its ITS capabilities along the areas.
There are signal rebuilds anticipated at the following locations:
- 15th Street S. and S. Fern St. (In Design)
- Glebe Rd. and S. Eads St. (In Design)
The signal upgrades will be staggered and constructed independently.
Status: All the intersections are in Design. Construction of signal rebuilds are anticipated to begin in Summer 2022.