Mobility and Transportation

As a rapidly urbanizing community, the need to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility is one of the greatest challenges facing Fairfax County. Residents and workers want a variety of ways to move around the community that are easily accessible, affordable, safe, and promote both healthy living and environmental stewardship. In addition, there is a greater focus on active transportation options that prioritize safe pedestrian access and bike-friendly facilities that are connected to mass transit.

The proposed strategies in this section seek to improve the condition and capacity of our current transportation systems, while also reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and moving away from car-centric approaches to building communities and transportation infrastructure.

There are also strategies to continue to improve land-use planning that incentivize transit-oriented developments that support fewer car trips, healthier living and more connected and vibrant communities.

These strategies were formulated based on the comprehensive work of the Countywide Strategic Planning Teams. Please note that the strategies have been reorganized to align with their respective Indicators of Community Success, and some have been revised or combined for clarity. Strategies marked with an asterisk (*) include recommendations from the Chairman's Task Force on Equity and Opportunity. To view the original strategies, visit the archived documents. 

BOLDED strategies have been identified for implementation and will move ahead to action planning.

Efficient and Varied Transportation Options

• 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 transit network by a) provide high-quality service connecting urban hubs and daily destinations, b) enhancing services on highly traveled corridors to reduce single occupancy vehicle volume in those corridors and c) addressing “first/last mile” challenges.
• MT 3. Shift how transportation impacts are assessed by transitioning from the automobile-focused level of service methodology to a multi-modal approach.
• MT 4. Advocate for and implement transportation demand management (TDM) policies and programs that motivate people to reduce their use of single-occupancy vehicles and that reduce peak-hour traffic, such as encouraging telecommuting programs, reducing minimum parking requirements, managing parking and roadway pricing, and other TDM financial and non-financial programs and policies.
• MT 5. Facilitate more active transportation (walking and biking) by adding, improving, maintaining, and enhancing sidewalks, crosswalks and shared-use paths; enhancing bike facilities throughout the county; and educating the community on how to increase their use of active transportation modes safely.

Infrastructure Condition, Sustainability and Environmental Impact

• MT 6. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the transfer of ownership for all, or a portion, of county streets for design and maintenance responsibility, inclusive of revenue to accommodate the increased cost. The analysis may show that street ownership enables the county to exert greater control over design, cost, and process while focusing on County transportation priorities. 
• MT 7. Prepare now for the gradual incorporation of innovative transportation technologies into Fairfax County transportation network and infrastructure, such as smart traffic lights, public transit apps, drop-off/pick-up curb space, autonomous vehicles, and changes in parking-related development requirements as a result of reduced parking demand.
• MT 8. Create and retrofit more great places through quality and context-sensitive street design that more equitably and comfortably balances all transportation modes.   
• MT 9. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of transportation infrastructure costs and economic development impacts as part of future land use planning efforts.
   

Traveler Safety

• MT 10. Develop and implement a proactive multi-faceted plan to reduce and ultimately eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries (Safe Systems approach) that includes, but not limited to, pedestrian-oriented street design, speed reduction techniques, public education and enhanced enforcement.

Increased Accessibility, Affordability and Equity

• MT 11. Update the transportation element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan with a focus on Complete Streets, multi-modal connectivity and safety, sustainability and public health, quality of life and economic development, and equity. 
• MT 12. Prioritize accessible and affordable multimodal transportation options for all, using local, regional, state and federal tools to ensure equitable transportation opportunities and resources.