Due to an increase in traffic since March 2020, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) this week stated that new traffic count data collection may resume, beginning January 4, 2022, for County-level Operational Analyses (OA).
As FCDOT stated, “Retail and other uses that were previously closed or operating at a limited capacity, are now fully operational with a few exceptions. Schools have been in session since the beginning of Fall 2021 and many commuters have returned to the office on at least a part-time basis.”
FCDOT noted that the new rule does not apply to traffic impact analyses submitted in accordance with Chapter 870 requirements. The Department acknowledged that while traffic volumes today may still be lower than prior to the pandemic, volumes have normalized to the extend that reasonable baselines can be established.
FCDOT summarized the new guidelines as below:
- Traffic Counts may begin January 4, 2022 for OA
- Traffic Counts may occur only when the approved scoping document permits
- This guidance may change as the situation evolves and new information is provided
Please reach out to our team for more information about this development and how it may impact your projects.