Fairfax County Trails

Bruce Wright

Chairman, Fairfax County Non-Motorized Transportation Committee (NMTC)

Outline

• Non-Motorized Transportation Committee
• Trails Plan
• Other Trail and Sidewalk Requirements
• Funding
• Safety

Non-Motorized Trans. Comm.

• Comprised of citizens and government staff
• Supervisors appoint representatives
• Interest groups appoint representatives
• Clifton Horse Society, Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations, Fairfax County Park Authority, Northern Virginia Builders Association, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Washington Area Bicyclists Association
• Meet monthly, second Wednesday, Government Center
• Web site: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nmtc

Trails in Fairfax County

• Surface: Paved (asphalt, concrete, pavers), stone dust, natural surface, social
• Different users, runoff characteristics, maintenance properties
• 1400 miles of trails and sidewalks
• Mapped by Fairfax County Dept. of Planning and Zoning using GIS
• Map of Existing Trails
• Existing Trails: North and South, each with East and West sides

Trail and Sidewalk Requirements

• Trails Plan
• Designates trail surface, width, and location
• Part of County Comprehensive Plan
• Zoning Ordinance
• Subdivision requirements in Public Facilities Manual
• Includes sidewalk requirements for developments within specified radius of school

Trail Plan

• Trail Designation:
  • Major Regional - Cross County, W&OD, Fairfax County Parkway, Potomac Heritage, Mt. Vernon, Rt. 1 Bikeway
  • Onroad Bike Route - New in 2002 Plan
  • Major Paved - 8 to 10 feet
  • Minor Paved - 4 to 7 feet 11 inches
  • Natural Surface
  • Stone Dust
  • Stream Valley - Various surfaces

Trail Plan (Cont.)

• Changes require Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor Public Hearings
• Major update in 2002
• Plan guides trail construction for new developments
• Waiver/Modification process
• NMTC recommendation
• Approval, denial, modification, escrow

Subdivision requirements in PFM

• Lots averaging 13,000 sq ft or less
• A sidewalk shall be constructed on both sides of all streets, except in some cul-de-sacs
• Lots averaging 13,000 sq ft or greater
  • Sidewalks shall be constructed on one side of a street except in some cul-de-sacs
• Review of requirements underway based on In-Fill Study recommendations

School Requirements

• A sidewalk shall be constructed on all streets of the subdivision boundary where a subdivision is within
• 1 mile (1.6 km) of an elementary school
• 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of an intermediate or high school.
• Separate school waiver process

Funding Mechanisms

• General funds allocated to Districts by Board of Supervisors
• 1998-2001 between $1-2.6M/year
• Divided between 9 Districts and 1 At-Large allocation
• 2002 & 2003 no funds. 2004, $500K carryover
• 2004 Transportation Bond
• Trail and sidewalk projects
• Pedestrian improvements near bus stops
• Park Authority
• Bonds in 1998 and 2004
• Board funds for CCT
• Federal funds for CCT
• State Recreational Trails Funds for CCT

Funding (Continued)

• Federal
• SAFETEA (TEA-21, ISTEA)
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality and Surface Transportation Program
• State administers most Federal funds
• State
• Recreational Trails Fund
• Private
• Rails to Trails database: http://www.enhancements.org/trailfunding.htm
• Proffers and waiver escrow

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

• MWCOG Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Campaign
• Pedestrian Task Force
• Traffic Safety Division of Fairfax County Police
• Map and stats of ped/bike crashes
• Priority safety improvement locations
• Bus stop inventory and pedestrian improvements

Conclusions

• We've figured out how to connect our roads, we should be able to do the same for our trails and sidewalks
• NMTC and Pedestrian task force will make recommendations for a 10 year funding plan and identify critical needs for trails and sidewalks
• Board of Supervisors is sympathetic but have severe fiscal constraints
• Support from the community is needed at public hearings