The State of Virginia has commissioned a new study of traffic over the American Legion Bridge, set to commence as early as September.
The study will obtain data to “assist regional decision makers in evaluating opportunities for economic development or the need for transportation improvements.”
Information collected could be used to justify a Techway. The draft background states that the data will be used to help assess the need for “any additional Potomac River auto and/or rail crossing.”
“Right now, Virginia is taking the lead,” said Tom Farley, district administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
The draft of the study, estimated to cost Virginia $75,000-$140,000, calls for video cameras to capture the license plate numbers of vehicles crossing the American Legion Bridge during the morning rush hour.
Other cameras set up at key locations in Maryland and Virginia will record the plates exiting the Beltway. The degree to which Maryland will assist in the study has yet to be determined.
“We’ll cooperate to the degree necessary,” said Jack Cahalan, Spokesman for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
While some amount of financial assistance from Maryland would be involved, at least in payroll hours, Cahalan states that there is not yet a determination of how much. “We don’t break it down that way,” he said.
VDOT will use motor vehicle records to assess the origin of a given trip by zip code, and compare these results to the point of departure for the vehicles.
“They’re going to record license plates and then run them through the DMV,” said Joan Morris, spokesperson for VDOT.
Cahalan stated that MDOT will work to protect the privacy of Maryland residents and will not be providing address information. “The only information that would be made available from Maryland is zip code information,” he said.
The plan calls for studying traffic patterns only during the mid-week — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The data can only be collected during daylight hours. Since summer data is not as reliable due to the area residents who vacation during those months, the data will be collected in the fall or spring. The draft recommends dates of Sept. 9-11 or 16-18.
While the draft mentions the possibility of sending out postcard surveys to motorists identified crossing the bridge, Farley says that is unlikely.
“[Maryland] specifically did not want postcards sent out,” he said.
Cahalan agreed. “What’s paramount is that we maintain the privacy of Maryland residents,” he said.