Traffic Management

Traffic Management helps residents and visitors move safely and smoothly through Alexandria's streets through traffic signal timing, traffic and wayfinding signage, pavement markings, streetlights, parking meter and traffic signal maintenance, and overseeing the City's Traffic Management Center.
Page updated on September 13, 2024 at 10:24 AM
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Collage of photos of Traffic Ops at work

The Traffic Management division of Transportation & Environmental Services helps residents and visitors move safely and smoothly through Alexandria's streets. The division is responsible for: 

  • Traffic signals: Maintaining traffic signals, school zone flashers, pavement sensors, speed feedback signs, traffic cameras, and other similar tools related to traffic and travel regulation and monitoring.  
  • Traffic signs: Installing, repairing, and replacing the more than 40,000 signs across Alexandria, including street signs, flex-posts, pedestrian paddles, and the 10,000 temporary paper signs issued each year.
  • Wayfinding signage: Installs and maintains wayfinding signage that helps residents and visitors travel around Alexandria and provides them with information related to nearby places of interest and directions. 
  • Pavement markings: Managing and maintaining the system of markings (street striping, bike lanes, crosswalks) that help residents and visitors move through Alexandria. 
  • Streetlights: Working (in conjunction with Dominion Energy) to maintain city streetlights and ensure they are energy-efficient and effective in illuminating City streets and sidewalks.  
  • Parking meters: Maintaining more than 200 multi-space and single-space parking meters throughout the city
  • Construction and inspection: Building, installing, and managing all energized traffic control devices in the city, partnering with developers, utilities, contractors, and other City divisions and departments. 
  • Traffic signal timing: Planning, designing, and implementing signal phasing and timing to optimize safety, traffic flow, and travel time reliability.
  • The Transportation Management Center: Monitoring and managing traffic in Alexandria through the use of traffic cameras, data sources, and other technologies. 
The Traffic Ops team in the Transportation Management Center

Transportation Management Center

The City’s Transportation Management Center monitors traffic signals, intersections, and roadways and proactively deploys traffic management strategies.

LED Streetlights

Streetlights

Street lighting assists both drivers and pedestrians in finding their way in the dark, and ensures the safety and security of Alexandria residents.

Traffic Operations installs wayfinding signage

Wayfinding

Alexandria's wayfinding signage system projects a consistent image for the city, reduces visual clutter; and promotes walking, bicycling, and use of mass transit.

Parking Sign in Old Town

Parking Meters

To report a broken parking meter in the City of Alexandria, use Alex311. For other issues related to meter maintenance, contact the Traffic Operations division at 703.746.4006.

A photo of a countdown signal, which shows pedestrians how much time they have to safely cross a street

Traffic Signals

To report an issue with a traffic signal (burned-out bulbs, pedestrian crossing signal malfunctions, timing concerns, knocked down or leaning traffic signal poles) use Alex311. 

Two Traffic operations employees installing posts and markings

Pavement Markings

To report a pavement marking issue in the City of Alexandria, use Alex311. For other matters related to street markings, contact the Traffic Operations division at 703.746.4006.

Traffic operations installs a traffic sign.

Traffic Signs

To report an issue with a traffic sign in the City of Alexandria, use Alex311.  For other issues related to transportation signage, contact the Traffic Operations division at 703.746.4006.

Google screenshot of traffic signals at Wittier and Duke

Traffic Signal Timing

To report a signal timing issue in the City of Alexandria, use Alex311.  For other issues related to signal timing, contact the Traffic Operations division at 703.746.4006.

Traffic operations inspects a signal box

Construction and Inspection

Visit the Transportation Engineering page to learn more about projects that Traffic Operations supports through construction and inspection work. 

About Traffic Management

Traffic management and operations are essential City functions. The Traffic Operations team ensures that visitors and residents are able to safely, efficiently, and comfortably travel through Alexandria, whether driving, walking, or biking. This division of T&ES strives to meet the multi-modal transportation and mobility requirements of the City. 

Alex 311 Requests

Alex311 logo
 

For all service requests related to the Traffic Operations division's areas of responsibility, please use Alex311.