The intersection of Lorcom Lane and Vacation Lane, near Dorothy Hamm Middle School, is a problematic intersection with drivers often failing to yield to pedestrians and drivers regularly exceed the speed limit. In response to many resident concerns, the County look at possible solutions.  With several options off the table due to failing to meet federal warrants and local guidelines (4-way stop, traffic signal, HAWK signal, RRFB), the county dug deeper into its toolbox and is proposing a tabletop intersection.  When properly implemented, this safety intervention raises the entire intersection to sidewalk level, so cars must slow down as if they go through the intersection, similar to how cars have to slow down when crossing the sidewalk to enter a driveway because of the vertical angle of the driveway apron. This is a great treatment when properly implemented.  We support the project but have concerns about implementation.

There have been several raised crosswalks built in Arlington in recent years that were NOT properly implemented.  While the crossing area is at the same level as the sidewalk, the incline for cars to get up to and down from the crosswalk level is so gradual that it's nearly imperceptible.  Two examples that immediately come to mind are crossing Kenmore Street between Drew Park and John Robinson Jr Town Square, and crossing the slip lane on Arlington Mill Drive at Walter Reed Drive. These crossings fail to slow cars via vertical deflection and instead place pedestrians in MORE danger by not having a curb to protect them while they are on the sidewalk. This tabletop intersection must not repeat these mistakes; it should be more like crossing N Emerson St on the Bluemont Junction Trail, where cars are forced to slow down.