Mt. Vernon Trail Bicycle Signal

The City of Alexandria installed a bike signal light where the Mt. Vernon Trail meets the intersection of South Washington and South Alfred Street to improve the safety and flow of bike and pedestrian traffic. With peak rates of more than 300 bicycles per hour on this part of the trail, the City made a proactive effort to work with the National Park Service to improve the safety at this section of the trail. Prior to signal installation, bicyclists were required to come to a full stop on a moderate slope as they approached the Porto Vecchio driveway and the evaluation of traffic counts revealed problems at the intersection. In response, the City implemented its first Bicycle Signal with approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Project Summary:

● This bicycle signal is the first in the State of Virginia. Similar signals are being used in Washington, DC, San Francisco, and many European cities.
● In the summer of 2010, the City’s request to the FHWA to use a bicycle signal and evaluate its effectiveness modifying bicyclist and motorist behavior was approved and implemented.  The signal has increase bicyclist compliance with the traffic signals on the Mount Vernon Trail and improves traffic flow and safety for both trail users and motorists.