Mobility and Transportation

Reducing congestion and improving mobility is one of the greatest challenges facing the county’s urbanizing community. County residents desire a variety of transportation and mobility options that are easily accessible, affordable, safe, and promote healthy living and environmental stewardship. The strategies in this section seek to improve the condition and capacity of our current transportation systems while also reducing our reliance on single occupancy vehicles. The strategies also seek to reduce the car-centric approach to building communities and transportation infrastructure. There is a greater focus on active transportation options that include pedestrian and bike friendly facilities connected to mass transit. Finally, there are strategies to continue to improve land use planning that incentivizes transit-oriented developments that support fewer car trips, healthier living and more connected and vibrant communities.

It will be important to monitor the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on this priority area, including the expansion of telework and its effect on traffic congestion and revenue.

1. How will we implement and maintain a comprehensive multi-modal transportation network that serves all users equitably while adapting to the projected growth within the county and region?

2. How will we better collaborate with businesses, community organizations, government partners and residents to plan and deliver transportation solutions that reduce demand, promote smart growth and serve the region?

3. How will we construct and maintain transportation options that are financially and environmentally sustainable?

4. How will we incorporate advances in technology to create “smart” transportation alternatives that adapt to changing needs and are accessible to all users?

5. How will we maintain a safe and secure transportation system, reduce the risk of travel-related injuries, and lower the risk of spreading infectious illnesses on public transit?

6. How will we leverage our land use regulations and economic development strategies to improve connectivity and efficiency within our transportation network?

7. How will we monitor and anticipate future trends, including the continued expansion of telework, on traffic congestion, public transit, and reduced revenue?

1. Multi-Modal Transportation Efficiency

2. Infrastructure Condition, Sustainability and Environmental Impact

3. Traveler Safety

4. Accessibility, Affordability and Equity

Indicator: Multi-Modal Transportation Efficiency

Metrics:

• % of residents with a commute of 30 minutes or less

• % of trips in a single-occupancy vehicle

• % of commuters using non-auto travel mode options (e.g., transit, bike, walk)

• # of cars on the road daily per lane mile

• # of vehicle miles traveled per capita

• % of county residents and in-county workers who rate the amount of congestion as good/improving

• % of county residents and county-based employees who work compressed schedules or telework at least 20% of their work week

• % of residents who live within a half-mile of a viable, non-car transportation option transit stop or bike trail

• % of residents who feel they have effective connectedness to community hubs and multi-modal transportation

• # of mode transfers per public transit commuter

• # of smart city initiatives (e.g., autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, smart signalization) incorporated in the county

Indicator: Infrastructure Condition, Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Metrics:

• # of new sidewalk miles with a width of at least 5 feet

• % of road lane miles with a condition of “good” or better

• # of road miles that meet "Complete Street" program criteria

Indicator: Traveler Safety

Metrics:

• # of traffic-related fatalities and injuries by mode per capita

• Crime rate in public transportation facilities

• % of bus stops with a shelter

• % of intersections with adequately marked and/or signaled pedestrian crossings

• # of streets with safe speeds for pedestrian and bicycle travel through implementation of traffic calming techniques, road diets, enforcement, etc.

• % of households living in neighborhoods with walkability scores and bikeability scores above 50 out of 100

• % of children who live close enough to walk or bike to school safely

• % of residents who feel safe while driving, riding, walking or biking within Fairfax County

Indicator: Accessibility, Affordability and Equity

Metrics:

• % of households that spend more than 15% of household income on transportation

• % of residents who feel transit is affordable to them

• % of workers based in Fairfax County who work for employers that provide a transit subsidy

Encourage Sustainable Multi-Modal Transportation

• MT 1. Promote further dense, transit-oriented and mixed-use development within existing urban areas and in other areas of the county, where appropriate, to allow residents and employees more opportunities to walk, bike and use transit and reduce auto dependency to meet their daily needs.
• MT 2. Further develop and expand the multimodal network by a) increasing the number of routes and frequency of service connecting urban hubs and amenities, b) enhancing services on highly traveled corridors to reduce car volume in those corridors and c) improving pedestrian and bicycle access to transit services and activity centers.
• MT 3. Revise the methodology of how transportation impacts are assessed by transitioning from the automobile-focused level of service methodology to a multi- modal approach.
• MT 4. Educate, encourage and incentivize employers to continue to offer telecommuting options to their employees and use other transportation demand management opportunities to reduce peak-hour traffic and auto-dominated travel.
• MT 5. Facilitate more active transportation (walking and biking) by adding, improving and maintaining sidewalks and shared-use paths; enhancing bike facilities throughout the county; addressing “first/last mile” challenges; and educating the community on how to increase their use of active transportation modes safely.
• MT 6. Advocate for and implement policies that motivate people to reduce their use of single-occupancy vehicles, including travel demand management (TDM), reducing minimum parking requirements, managing parking and roadway pricing, and other TDM financial and non-financial programs and policies.

Improve and Modernize Transportation Infrastructure

• MT 7. Explore a transfer of road ownership, design and maintenance responsibilities from the Virginia Department of Transportation to the county, with a corresponding transfer of revenue to accommodate the increased cost to the county.
• MT 8. Prepare now for the gradual incorporation of autonomous vehicles and other innovative transportation technologies into Fairfax’s transportation network and infrastructure, such as smart traffic lights, public transit apps, drop-off/pick-up curb space and changes in parking-related development requirements as a result of reduced parking demand.
• MT 9. Create and retrofit more great places through quality street design that more equitably balances the goals of automobile throughput and the experience and comfort level of pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders.
• MT 10. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of transportation infrastructure costs and economic development impacts as a part of future land use planning efforts.

Improve Traveler Safety

• MT 11. Develop and implement a multi-faceted plan to reduce and ultimately eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries (e.g., Vision Zero) that will include, but not be limited to, pedestrian-oriented street design, traffic-calming techniques, public education and enhanced enforcement.

Enhance Accessibility and Equity

• MT 12. Update the transportation element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan with a strong focus on transit, pedestrian and bicycle connectedness.
• MT 13. Prioritize safe, healthy, accessible transportation options for all with a focus on equitable access for residents facing economic, health, housing and other challenges.