5333 Connecticut Avenue

5333 Connecticut Avenue
Traffic Operations, Parking, and Safety
Review

Dear Councilmember Cheh:
Pursuant to your request, we have conducted a Traffic Operations, Parking, and Safety review of the proposed
development at 5333 Connecticut Ave. NW. This review is based on many assumptions and is not a substitution
for a detailed Traffic Impact Study.
This review provides some background information and future conditions surrounding the planned 5333
Connecticut Avenue NW development. The proposed development would include 263 units – 83% of which will be
one-bedroom or studio apartments. It also suggests ways in which the potential impact of increased traffic and
parking can be mitigated.
SUMMARY OF REVIEW
• Methodology - DDOT reviewed this development based on the information that was provided by the
developer and assessed the information about the proposed development in the context of other known
approved developments and their locations, as well as their contribution to the local roadway network.
• Site Access and Alley Operations – Documents submitted to DDOT indicate that there was a request to
provide access to the site from a driveway on Military Road and or an Easement on the property line
adjacent to the site on Military Road (known as the Alley). The existing east-west portion of the alley is
narrow (approximately 10 feet wide) and should be restricted to one way traffic. DDOT can work with
abutting residents to identify how the Alley should operate.
• Loading - The Applicant is requesting loading access for the site from the Alley. DDOT believes this is
appropriate if it cannot be accommodated within the garage.
• Pedestrian Facilities – DDOT does not have particular pedestrian safety concerns, but the developer will
be responsible for refurbishing the sidewalks along Kanawha St., Connecticut Ave. and Military Rd. and
will be required to meet the DDOT minimum widths as well as ADA and DDOT streetscape standards.
• Bicycle Facilities - DDOT believes that the inclusion of bicycle parking could significantly increase the
number of trips made by bicycle to local destinations and believes that this should be included within the
development. Also, new Capital Bikeshare stations can be purchased/installed by private property
owners at approximately $80,000.00 each.
• Transit - The site is well served by transit with the L2 Metrobus line running approximately every 20
minutes on Connecticut with additional peak-period service and with the Friendship Heights Metrorail
station approximately 0.75 miles away.
• Parking - The development is planned to have 173 parking spaces. This number exceeds the minimum
required per zoning.
• Curbside management – While the property is not currently eligible for the Residential Parking Permit
program (RPP), it could be eligible in the future if petitioned by the property owner or future residents.
The property owner could request that this site be removed from the RPP program in order to discourage
curbside parking in the surrounding neighborhood, but DDOT is not able to unilaterally block the address.
5333 Conn. Ave. Traffic Operations, Parking and Safety Review
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February 2013

• Transportation Demand Management (TDM) - DDOT believes that this location would be an excellent
candidate for Zip Car or Hertz, who could locate one or more vehicle(s) in the garage to provide access to
residents. Other available TDM measures for the developer include providing Smart Trip cards, Capital
Bikeshare memberships, or other inducements to reduce single-occupancy trips.
• Traffic Operations - DDOT’s observations and analysis indicate that the development will not impact the
major intersection of Military Road and Connecticut Ave., nor will it substantially increase traffic along
Military Rd. and Chevy Chase Pkwy. The study area intersections are projected to operate with
acceptable Levels of Service (LOS) during the morning and afternoon peak hours under the existing and
future traffic conditions (with or without the trips generated by the subject development). However,
DDOT believes that all traffic accessing Military Road to and from the Alley should be required to make
right-in/right-out maneuvers. This configuration is reflected in Figure 1, attached.
• Safety - DDOT reviewed the accident data and determined that there are a number of crashes that have
occurred along Military Road during the last three years. Geometric restrictions, such as right-in/right-out
access and potential improvement of site distances by restricting curbside parking are recommended to
reduce additional vehicular conflicts, as well as bike and pedestrian conflicts.
Traffic Information: DDOT conducted traffic counts at Connecticut and Military Road in November of 2011.
These are the most recent counts available for the intersection. Average Daily Traffic, est. (2006): 35,150 on
Connecticut and 14,000 on Military Road.
The following summarizes the traffic count information.
(Connecticut Ave.) AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
Connecticut Northbound 596 1,407
Connecticut Southbound 1,880 644
(Military Road) AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
Military Road Eastbound 412 419
Military Road Westbound 610 379
Documents submitted in the Environmental Impact Screen Form (EISF) application indicate that the proposed
development will generate trips at the following rates. Note: most of these units in this urban development will be
either one-bedroom or studio apartments, which reduces the normal trip generations rates. DDOT believes these
projections adequately represent the Developer’s project.
Project-generated traffic (per
EISF)
Total
5333 Conn. Ave. Traffic Operations, Parking and Safety Review
AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
In
18
91
Out
78
In
73
112
Out
39
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February 2013

Level of Service: DDOT staff performed level of service analysis for existing and future traffic volumes at the
signalized intersection of Military Road and Connecticut Avenue for both AM and PM peak periods. Level of Service
(LOS) is a quality measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream, generally in terms of such
service measures as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, and comfort and
convenience.
The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000 has defined six levels of service for each type of facility that has analysis
procedures available. Letters designate each level, from A to F, with LOS A representing the best operating
conditions and LOS F the worst. The analytical methods in the HCM 2000 have assigned range of control delay per
vehicle to each of the five service levels. The average control delay per vehicle is estimated for each lane group and
aggregated for each approach and for the intersection as a whole. LOS is directly related to the control delay
value. The criteria are listed in the following table.
The proposed right-in/right-out connection would prohibit development traffic from making a left-turn maneuver
at the site access. The proposed right-in/right-out connection on Military Road would prohibit development traffic
from making left-turn maneuver at the site access. Trip distribution assumes following travel patterns for entering
site traffic at the proposed right-in/right-out access:
Vehicles coming from North
Vehicles coming from north of Connecticut Avenue would make southbound left-turn at Connecticut
Avenue/Military Road intersection and then eastbound right-turn at right-in/right-out access.
Vehicles coming from South
Vehicles coming from south of Connecticut Avenue would make northbound right-turn at Connecticut
Avenue/Military Road intersection and then eastbound right-turn at right-in/right-out access.
Vehicles coming from West
Vehicles coming from west of Military Road would make eastbound right-turn at right-in/right-out access.
Vehicles coming from East
Vehicles coming from east of Military Road cannot make westbound left-turn at right-in/right-out access. It is
expected majority of the vehicles are expected to travel along Legation Street to access Connecticut Avenue.
Vehicles would make southbound left-turn from Connecticut Avenue to Military Road and then eastbound rightturn
from Military Road to proposed right-in/right-out access.
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The level of service analysis for existing traffic volumes shows signalized intersections operates at LOS D during the
AM peak-hour and LOS C during the PM peak-hour. The addition of development traffic at the proposed rightin/right-out
access causes minor change in vehicle control delays; however, the signalized intersection continues to
operate at the existing LOS D during the AM peak-hour and LOS C during the PM peak-hour. The level of service is
summarized below:
Intersection Time Period
Existing Conditions
LOS Delay
Future Conditions
LOS Delay
Military Road at
AM peak hour D 36.6 sec D 39.9 sec
Connecticut Avenue,
NW
5333 Conn. Ave. Traffic Operations, Parking and Safety Review
PM peak hour C 28.3 sec C 26.7 sec
Parking: The Developer proposes to provide 173 parking spaces on site. There is currently Residential Parking
Permit (RPP) parking on blocks surrounding the development. The 5300 block of Connecticut is not currently in the
RPP system, but would be eligible for inclusion if petitioned by residents.
BLOCK RPP
5300 block of Connecticut Avenue NW Address Only RPP for 5324 Conn Ave NW
3700 – 3800 blocks of Kanawha Street NW Both blocks on both sides of the street
3700 – 3800 Military Road NW Both blocks on both sides of the street
Parking on Connecticut Avenue is restricted during rush hour in the peak direction. One concern consistently raised
by the surrounding neighborhood has been the potential for spillover parking in the surrounding neighborhood if
the 5300 block of Connecticut is added to the RPP Program. The Developer can request that this site be excluded
from the RPP Program, but DDOT is unable to unilaterally act to block it.
Crash Data: DDOT has obtained 3-year crash reports at (a) Intersection of Military Road at Connecticut Avenue,
NW; and (b) Military Road corridor between Connecticut Avenue and Chevy Chase Pkwy, NW
Location Type 2009 2010 2011 2012
Military Rd at Connecticut Ave, NW Accidents N.A 29 (3-year total)
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February 2013

Military Rd between Connecticut Ave and
Chevy Chase Pkwy, NW
Intersection of Military Road at Connecticut Avenue, NW
5333 Conn. Ave. Traffic Operations, Parking and Safety Review
Injuries 15 (3-year total)
Accidents 14 11 14
Injuries 8 6 8
• The 3-year accident report (2010-2012) shows total 29 crashes and 15 injuries
• Rear end collisions – 24%
• Right angle collisions – 17%
• Left angle collisions – 17%
• Side swipe collisions – 14%
• Right turn collisions – 3%
• Most frequent time for crashes is from 5:00-7:30 pm
Military Road NW corridor between Connecticut Avenue and Chevy Chase Pkwy
• The 3-year accident report (2009-2011) shows total 39 crashes and 22 injuries
• Rear end collisions – 26%
• Right angle collisions – 23%
• Left angle collisions – 13%
• Side swipe collisions – 10%
• Right turn collisions – 5%
• Most frequent time for crashes is from 4:00-7:30 pm
The 3-year accident reports show pedestrian related crashes at the intersection of Military Road and Connecticut
Avenue and on Military Road corridor between Connecticut Avenue and Chevy Chase Pkwy. The accident report
also shows:
• 15 injuries at the intersection of Military Road and Connecticut Avenue
• 22 injuries on the Military Road corridor between Connecticut Avenue and Chevy Chase Pkwy
This level of traffic accidents is consistent with the overall volumes at the intersection, and does not suggest any
deficiencies on the part of the design or operation of the surrounding streets. However, this level of accidents
does suggest some access limitations to the site may be necessary, with potential for right-in/right-out operations
that would minimize the potential safety impacts. Our review also identified that the pavement markings at the
study intersection are either faded or completely missing. Hence the pavement markings for travel lanes and
pedestrian crosswalks should be restriped to increase safety and visibility of motorists and pedestrians. Traffic
signs for parking restriction should be installed to prohibit on-street parking to assist with sight distance and to
provide a deceleration lane to the site access to help mitigate conflicts with through vehicles on Military Rd.
(separating these traffic movements). Again, this is reflected in Figure 1, attached.
Pedestrian concerns: DDOT does not have any particular pedestrian concerns with the intersection of
Connecticut and Military Road. Nor does it anticipate new concerns with the proposed development. If, however,
pedestrian issues arise based on unanticipated traffic patterns, they can be addressed as per normal DDOT
N.A.
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February 2013

procedures. Prior DDOT Plans and Studies: DDOT has conducted several planning efforts in the vicinity, and
DDOT continues to work to implement these recommendations.
- The Rock Creek West II Livability Study (2011) made recommendations for neighborhood traffic calming
and livability improvements. There were no specific comments made about improvements to the
Connecticut / Military Road intersection.
- The Military Road / Missouri Avenue Traffic Study (2004) made recommendations for minor signal timing
and lane marking adjustments, but did not make recommendations for capital improvements with future
land use and traffic projections.
- Existing request for left-turn phase at Connecticut and Military to address the Kanawha One-Way issue.
Recommended Actions:
1. Alley Operations
• The existing 10’ wide east-west portion of the alley should be reconfigured to be one way either
eastbound or westbound.
• The 20’ wide north-south portion of the alley should be modified to be right-in/right-out only
from Military Road.
2. Site Deliveries and Services
• The alley should be used for all delivery/service vehicles accessing the 5333 Connecticut site. The
loading/delivery area should be designed to minimize the need for the use of the east-west
portion of the alley.
3. Parking Access
• DDOT’s preference is that all parking access utilize the alley to reduce conflict points, however
the parking garage entrance should be designed to channel traffic to and from Military Road and
minimize the need for the use of the east-west portion of the alley.
• Approximately 40 feet of parking (2 spaces) could be removed from Military Road to provide a
deceleration lane and reduce impacts on Military Road through traffic, while also improving sight
lines.
• If there are not ways to accommodate design solutions using the alley, the building could have a
driveway directly from Military Road. This would potentially increase safety concerns by
introducing a new access point. This would also necessitate the removal of approximately 100
feet of parking (5 spaces) from Military Road.
4. Neighborhood Parking
• If Developer requests that this site be blocked from the Resident Parking Permit program, DDOT
will accommodate the request.
5. Pedestrian Environment
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• The developer will be required to refurbish sidewalks and curb ramps along Kanawha St.,
Connecticut Ave. and Military Rd. to meet the DDOT minimum width and ADA and DDOT
standards.
6. Transportation Demand Management
• Implementation of TDM measures (such as reserved spaces for car-sharing vehicles as well as
other TDM measures including SmartTrip cards, Transit Kiosks, Capital Bikeshare memberships,
or other inducements to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips) will reduce the overall
transportation-related impacts of the project.
• Inclusion of bicycle parking on site and/or the provision of a new Capital Bikeshare station, which
can be purchased/installed by private property owners at approximately $80,000.00 each
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Connecticut Ave NW
Parking Area
Conceptual Plan for Driveway Operations
5333 Connecticut Ave. NW
Site
40’ - 60’
Military Rd NW
Aley/ Easement
Kanawha St NW
FIGURE #1
Alley
Pkwy NW
Chevy Chase
N