ending reversible lanes along Rock Creek Parkway

[Anonymous]

he National Park Service is exploring eliminating the one-way reversible lanes in place during morning and evening rush hours along Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway in D.C., citing crash data and safety concerns.

In an 81-page Transportation Impact Assessment, completed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the agency reviewed the possible implications of ending the reversible lanes.

For one, reorganizing traffic flow and patterns requires U.S. Park Police time and resources, the report said, and sometimes may put officers in vulnerable positions along the road.

The current one-way reversible lanes “do not conform to modern federal traffic standards,” the report said, and they could sometimes be difficult for drivers to navigate.

https://wtop.com/dc/2024/08/national-park-service-explores-ending-reversible-lanes-along-rock-creek-parkway/

They should have just changed it during the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

If they do this, they really should explore: (1) making the light and left turn signal at Virginia Ave much, much longer, including possibly allowing both lanes to make the left turn, and (2) putting in a traffic light at that choke point after the tunnel where cars have to make the left turn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they do this, they really should explore: (1) making the light and left turn signal at Virginia Ave much, much longer, including possibly allowing both lanes to make the left turn, and (2) putting in a traffic light at that choke point after the tunnel where cars have to make the left turn.

This would create many more problems and pollution in the park. Horrible idea.

[Anonymous]

Agree on adding a light by the calvert st exit

Reversible lanes on rcp are fun as heck to drive and sort of nutty — but so dangerous. Not surprising

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they do this, they really should explore: (1) making the light and left turn signal at Virginia Ave much, much longer, including possibly allowing both lanes to make the left turn, and (2) putting in a traffic light at that choke point after the tunnel where cars have to make the left turn.

This would create many more problems and pollution in the park. Horrible idea.

How would it create more pollution? Having a long line of cars inching up gradually while waiting to make that left turn seems to generate tons of pollution already.

[Anonymous]

I understand the danger associated with them. But as someone who commutes on that road every morning and afternoon I honestly would have to quit my job and find a new one if they got rid of one way traffic. My morning commute could still be somewhat okay. My afternoon commute would be horrible. That road would be backed up so far it would just be ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

The better idea would be to install discrete automatic tolling equipment on RCP which both would discourage the traffic somewhat and provide an important revenue stream for NPS in the National Capital Region. Right now the Park Police and NPS are charged with managing a commuter road, not exactly in their mission, while RCP needs repair, graffiti has proliferated, basic maintenance appears to have stalled, and the park has become a dump in places.

[Anonymous]

Terrible idea. Needs to stay just as it is.

[Anonymous]

What could possibly be safer than one-way traffic? Sounds like BS to me. More from the anti-car lobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What could possibly be safer than one-way traffic? Sounds like BS to me. More from the anti-car lobby.

One way traffic with fewer lanes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand the danger associated with them. But as someone who commutes on that road every morning and afternoon I honestly would have to quit my job and find a new one if they got rid of one way traffic. My morning commute could still be somewhat okay. My afternoon commute would be horrible. That road would be backed up so far it would just be ridiculous.

I always thought they were less helpful in the afternoon because the backup to make the right turn where Calvert Street branches off to the left is horrific, and one way traffic doesn't do anything to help there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The better idea would be to install discrete automatic tolling equipment on RCP which both would discourage the traffic somewhat and provide an important revenue stream for NPS in the National Capital Region. Right now the Park Police and NPS are charged with managing a commuter road, not exactly in their mission, while RCP needs repair, graffiti has proliferated, basic maintenance appears to have stalled, and the park has become a dump in places.

I'd say they should do this, and remove the reversible lane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they do this, they really should explore: (1) making the light and left turn signal at Virginia Ave much, much longer, including possibly allowing both lanes to make the left turn, and (2) putting in a traffic light at that choke point after the tunnel where cars have to make the left turn.

This would create many more problems and pollution in the park. Horrible idea.

How would it create more pollution? Having a long line of cars inching up gradually while waiting to make that left turn seems to generate tons of pollution already.

It wouldn't help anything. There's nothing wrong with that intersection except for people new to the road not realizing that it is not a merge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they do this, they really should explore: (1) making the light and left turn signal at Virginia Ave much, much longer, including possibly allowing both lanes to make the left turn, and (2) putting in a traffic light at that choke point after the tunnel where cars have to make the left turn.

This would create many more problems and pollution in the park. Horrible idea.

How would it create more pollution? Having a long line of cars inching up gradually while waiting to make that left turn seems to generate tons of pollution already.

I think they're talking about the AM rush when cars turning left into VA Ave just use the north oubd lanes and turn left without stopping.

I love the statistic that more crashes happen during the hours that the lanes are reversed ignoring the fact that thats also the time with the most volume and people travelling fastest because it's rush hour.
Don't be surprised when DC council members start suggesting adding a protected bike lane for the 500 bike commuters displacing a portion of the 7500 cars.

[Anonymous]

I've only ever been hit when traffic is two ways. No thanks!