Residential Traffic Administration Program

The Residential Traffic Administration Program (R-TAP) assists communities in controlling traffic and parking in area neighborhoods. The R-TAP program utilizes the following tools to achieve these controls:

• Traffic Calming
• Cut-Through Restrictions
• $200 Fine for Speeding Signs
• Multi-Way Stop (MWS) Signs
• Watch for Children (WFC) Signs
• Through Truck Restrictions
• Community Parking Districts
• Residential Permit Parking Districts

View or print the R-TAP Quick Reference Chart (in Adobe PDF format) for brief descriptions of, as well as the qualifications and procedures for, the various program options.

• R-TAP Quick Reference Chart (40K, PDF)

(note: Acrobat Reader is required to view the Quick Reference chart. A free copy of the Acrobat Reader can be obtained from the Adobe Web site.)

 

Traffic Calming

Traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use. Various types of devices can be used including speed humps (not bumps), speed tables, raised pedestrian crosswalks, chokers, traffic circles, median islands, etc. To qualify for the installation of traffic calming measures a road must meet the following criteria:

• Local residential or collector road with a posted speed limit of 25 miles-per-hour (mph)
• Traffic volume of 600 to 4000 vehicles per day
• 85th percentile speed of vehicles ≥ 10 mph over the posted limit

The procedures for requesting traffic calming are:

1. A request is made to the district supervisor by the Home Owners Association (HOA)
2. The district supervisor forwards the request to Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT)
3. A traffic count and speed survey of the road is conducted by FCDOT
4. If the road qualifies FCDOT issues the petitions and the petition impacted area map to the HOA
5. The community gathers signatures verifying ≥75% support for forming community task force to develop a traffic calming plan
6. FCDOT notifies Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) of road qualification and community support
7. A task force is formed to develop a traffic-calming plan
8. A community meeting is help to provide information on the proposed traffic calming plan
9. A vote via ballot is taken by residences in the petition (not impacted) area to approve the traffic calming plan
10. The Board of Supervisors approves the traffic-calming plan
11. FCDOT notifies VDOT requesting installation of devices signs

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Cut-Through Restrictions

Cut-through restrictions utilize access restrictions (turn prohibitions, diverters, or other traffic calming measures) to reduce the volume of traffic in a designated area. The qualifications for cut-through restrictions are:

• Local residential or collector road with a posted speed limit of 25 mph
• ≥ 150 peak hour cut-thru vehicles, one direction, that account for ≥ 40% of peak hour traffic
• On collector roads no access restrictions are allowed and there exists ≥ 12 dwellings per 1000 feet of roadway

The procedures for cut-through restrictions are:

1. A request is made to the district supervisor is made by HOA
2. The district supervisor forwards the request to FCDOT
3. FCDOT issues the primary use area map and petitions to the HOA
4. The community gathers signatures verifying ≥75% support for the cut-through study to be performed
5. FCDOT conducts comprehensive traffic volume counts of neighborhood roadway(s), along with a detailed trip generation analysis of neighborhood traffic patterns
6. If all qualifications are met, the Board of Supervisors approves resolution requesting VDOT to provide cut-through measures on the road
7. A task force is formed to develop a cut-through plan
8. A community meeting is held to provide information on the cut-through plan
9. A vote via ballot is taken by residences in the primary use area to approve the cut-through plan
10. The Board of Supervisors conducts a joint public hearing with VDOT to approve the cut-through plan
11. FCDOT notifies VDOT, requesting installation of devices and signs
    

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$200 Fine for Speeding Signs

A fine of up to $200 over and above the normal fine for speeding in designated zones. $200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs are installed below every regulatory speed limit sign posted in the designated district. The qualifications for $200 Additional Fine For Speeding signs are:

• Residential local or collector, or minor arterial road with a posted speed limit of ≤ 35 mph
• Traffic volume of ≥ 600 vehicles per day
• 85th percentile speed of vehicles ≥ 10 mph over the posted limit

The procedures for $200 Additional Fine For Speeding signs are:

1. A request is made to district supervisor by the HOA
2. The district supervisor forwards the request to FCDOT
3. Traffic count and speed survey of road are conducted by FCDOT
4. If the road qualifies, the district supervisor confirms community support for “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs
5. The Board of Supervisors approves resolution for “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs
6. FCDOT notifies VDOT requesting installation of “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs

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Multi-Way Stop (MWS) Signs

“Stop” sign installed on all approaches to an intersection. Stop bars and "Stop Ahead" signs are installed on major approaches. The qualifications for Multi-Way Stop signs are:

• Local residential or collector road with a posted speed limit of 25 mph
• Cross-street can not be a dead-end street
• No steep grade or blind curve on approach
• Maximum of 2 Multi-Way Stops on any 1/2 mile of road; otherwise traffic-calming study required

The procedures for Multi-Way Stop signs are:

1. A request is made to the district supervisor the HOA
2. The district supervisor forwards the request to VDOT with a copy to FCDOT
3. A review of the intersection is conducted by VDOT
4. VDOT sends notification to FCDOT with results of review
5. If the intersection qualifies, the district supervisor confirms community support for MWS installation
6. The Board of Supervisors approves resolution for MWS signs
7. FCDOT notifies VDOT, requesting installation of MWS signs
   

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"Watch for Children" (WFC) Signs

“Watch For Children” signs installed at the entrance to a community or other location with an extremely high concentration of young children relative to the area. The qualifications for "Watch For Children" signs are:

• High concentration areas limited to playgrounds, day care, or community centers
• No further signs posted on interior roads in community
  

The procedures for "Watch for Children" signs are:

1. A request is made to district supervisor by the HOA
2. The district supervisor forwards the request to VDOT with copy to FCDOT
3. A review of acceptable WFC sign locations is conducted by VDOT
4. VDOT sends notification to FCDOT with results of review
5. If acceptable WFC sign locations are found, the district supervisor confirms community support for WFC signs
6. The Board of Supervisors approves resolution for WFC signs
7. FCDOT notifies VDOT, requesting installation of WFC signs

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Through Truck Restriction

Through truck restrictions prohibit trucks (except pick-up or panel trucks) and any combination of truck, tractor truck, trailer or semitrailer on designated roads where "Through Trucks Prohibited" signs are installed. The qualifications for through truck restrictions are:

• Residential local or collector road, or residential arterial or primary road, with ≥ 12 dwellings per 1000 feet of roadway
• Safety issues or accident history indicate need for restriction
• Suitable alternate route available

The procedures for through truck restriction are:

1. A request is made to the district supervisor by the HOA
2. The district supervisor forwards the request to FCDOT
3. A preliminary analysis of the road is conducted by FCDOT
4. The Board of Supervisors conducts a public hearing to approve a resolution for the through truck restriction
5. Resolution forwarded to VDOT requesting a through truck restriction
6. Comprehensive engineering review of road is performed by VDOT
7. VDOT publishes notice of proposed restriction for additional public comment
8. If road qualifies for through truck restriction, VDOT installs “Through Trucks Prohibited” signs

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Community Parking Districts (CPD)

Community Parking Districts (CPD) prohibit the parking of watercraft, motor homes, campers, trailers, vehicles ≥ 3 axles, vehicles with a GVWR ≥ 12,000 lbs., and vehicles transporting ≥ 16 passengers (except school buses) on public streets in residentially zoned areas.

A CPD can be established by a large area application or by petition.

A large area application is initiated by a district supervisor. Contact your particular supervisor for additional information.

The petition process is used for smaller areas and has the following qualifications and procedures:

• Residentially-zoned area
• Minimum size 5 block face OR 2000 linear feet

1. A request is made to the district supervisor by the HOA
2. The district supervisor forwards the request to FCDOT
3. FCDOT issues the petition and petition area maps
4. The community gathers signatures verifying ≥60% support for the proposed district and >50% support along each block
5. A fee of $10 per petitioning address is remitted with the returned petitions
6. The district supervisor forwards the petitions to FCDOT
7. The Board of Supervisors conducts a public hearing to approve the proposed parking district
8. FCDOT installs “Community Parking District” signs listing prohibitions at strategic locations

Exemptions include: vehicles used by federal, state or local public agencies to provide services; commercial vehicles discharging passengers, performing work or providing services; vehicles temporarily parked, for up to 48 hours, for the purpose of loading, unloading or preparing for a trip. See the Code of the County of Fairfax, Chapter 82, Article 5B for more on the program and exemptions. For additional information contact us via our e-mail contact form.

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Residential Permit Parking Districts (RPPD)

Residential Permit Parking Districts are established in designated blocks to prohibit parking by non-residents. Districts are normally created in areas near schools or metro stations where the availability of parking for residents is affected by non-resident parking. The qualifications for establishing an Residential Permit Parking District are:

• Residential road within 2000 ft. of high school or metro station pedestrian entrance; OR
• Other residential streets where 75% of the parking spaces are occupied by vehicles and of those parked vehicles at least 50% are non-resident.

In all cases, a minimum of 100 contiguous spaces are needed to establish a new district. This minimum does not pertain to an expansion.

The procedures for establishing a Residential Parking Permit District are:

1. A request is made to the district supervisor by the resident(s)
2. Petition forms are issued by FCDOT or the district supervisor’s office
3. The community gathers signatures verifying ≥60% support for proposed block and ≥50% support along each block face
4. Fee of $10 per petitioning address is remitted with the returned petitions
5. The district supervisor forwards the petitions to FCDOT
6. FCDOT conducts a review and documents the eligibility of road(s) for restriction
7. The Board of Supervisors conducts a public hearing and approves proposed parking district
8. FCDOT installs “No Parking Except by Permit” signs every 200 feet on all affected roads

For more information on RPPDs or to obtain a decal, visit the RPPD Program Page.

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NOTE: Homeowner's Association (HOA) implies civic association, as applicable. In lieu of any association, a letter signed by ten residents may be submitted to the local supervisor for consideration of R-TAP measures.