The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has announced a new Comprehensive Transportation Analysis (CTA), a tool for developers, transportation industry practitioners and community members to study the impacts of proposed changes to a transportation system or planned land use. 

While Fairfax County’s commuting roots began with helping drivers get from their suburban bedroom communities to their jobs downtown, Fairfax County commuters now may be taking transit downtown, commuting across the county, biking to school, or walking to the library or the store.

“Fairfax County is committed to fulfilling its strategic goals, which include updating the way transportation impacts are assessed from an auto-centric methodology to a more multimodal approach,”  says Gregg Steverson, director of FCDOT. “This strategy will better allow our transportation system to provide great service to people of all ages and abilities, no matter the mode of transportation they choose. The Comprehensive Transportation Analysis looks at how pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers may be impacted by a proposed change so community stakeholders can make informed decisions about Fairfax County’s transportation network.” 

A Comprehensive Transportation Analysis is used to study impacts to transportation along a corridor, or within site-specific or larger areas of the county where a change is proposed to the transportation network and/or land uses. Multimodal metrics, such as transit access, bicycle level of traffic stress, and pedestrian level of comfort are being assessed in many of FCDOT’s planning efforts, such as the Gallows Road Corridor study, and several site specific plan amendments.

The Comprehensive Transportation Analysis is available online from FCDOT, and features an infographic (pictured) User’s Manual and Quick Guide for download. 

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