A raised intersection may be coming to a Donaldson Run intersection in response to resident concerns about speeding vehicles that don’t yield to pedestrians.
Arlington County is currently collecting feedback on a concept design for upgrades to the intersection of Vacation Lane and Lorcom Lane.
This is on a commonly used route for students going to and from Dorothy Hamm Middle School and Zachary Taylor Elementary School. However, a feedback form notes that options for improving safety at this location are somewhat limited.
The crossing doesn’t meet established criteria for a full traffic signal, a pedestrian hybrid beacon or all-way stop signs, and it ranks low on the county’s priorities for installing rectangular rapid flashing beacons.
The concept plan calls for adding directional crosswalks, bollards and a “detectable warning surface” at all four corners of the intersection.
“The concept design features a raised intersection, which functions similarly to a speed hump or speed cushion by bringing the level of the asphalt through the intersection up to the same level as the sidewalk,” the feedback form says.
This is expected to reduce vehicle speeds, improve rates of drivers yielding to pedestrians and increase the height of pedestrians in drivers’ fields of vision.
The online feedback form will be open through June 9.
