Intelligent Transportation Systems
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, Crystal City/Pentagon City Corridor Improvements and Washington Boulevard. 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 Spring 2024 and be complete in Spring 2025.
Langston Boulevard 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:
- Langston Boulevard and North Adams Street (In Construction)
- Langston Boulevard and Spout Run Parkway (In Construction)
- Langston Boulevard and North Daniel Street (In Design)
- Langston Boulevard 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 Spring 2024.
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:
Status: All the intersections currently under construction are anticipated to be completed by Spring 2025.
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 Construction)
- S Glebe Rd. and S. Eads St. (Construction Pending. Estimated Start Date: February 2024)
- Route 1 and 27th Street S. (In Design)
The signal upgrades will be staggered and constructed independently.
Status: All the intersections are either in design or in construction phase. Construction of remaining signal rebuild is anticipated in Summer 2024.
Public Process
This project website will be updated as the project progresses. Since this project focuses on infrastructure and systems integration, the final plans for major construction components will be posted online prior to construction. The community will be notified in advance of construction-related activities.
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