The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is conducting a pilot study to measure the impacts of reduced speed limits on various roadways throughout the county. The study, conducted on selected roadways, will include a reduction in the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph and will not include any additional physical changes to the roads.  Traffic speed, volume data and public feedback will be collected before and after implementation as part of the pilot evaluation process. The proposed evaluation period is anticipated to run from Summer 2026 to early 2027.

Pilot roads were identified by FCDOT in coordination with the Board of Supervisors (BOS) district offices by considering several factors, with the goal of including a variety of contexts for pilot evaluation. Factors considered include pedestrian activity, presence of sidewalks, marked crosswalks and transit stops, the presence of schools and other community uses, along with the Fairfax County Vulnerability Index, which takes into account data such as occupation, education, language, income, transportation, health insurance and housing.

In May 2024, the Virginia General Assembly granted authority to local jurisdictions to reduce speed limits on roads within business or residential districts that have a current speed limit of 25 miles per hour. This authority allows local jurisdictions the ability to implement slower speeds in targeted areas to create a safer environment for walking, biking, riding and driving. FCDOT is undertaking the 20 mph Pilot Study at the direction of the Board Transportation Committee on Oct. 29, 2024.

Pilot Study Timeline:

• Survey and data collection - December 2025
• Submit the sign plan permit application to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) - Early 2026
• First four pilot zones installed - Summer 2026 (estimated)
• Evaluation Period - January 2027

The pilot is starting in the Dranesville, Hunter Mill, Mason and Providence districts and will be expanded to additional districts after the first four are implemented.