Some of our most passionate calls from residents revolve around neighbor speeding. A good first step to addressing this is to build awareness within your community, through HOA meetings and publications, and speaking with neighbors directly since changing driving behaviors is ultimately the most effective solution.
After connecting with neighbors, the next step is to request a speed study from the Prince William County Department of Transportation (PWCDOT): transportation@pwcgov.org or 703-792-6825. This study documents the average speed and traffic count over a 48-hour period and is the threshold for determining whether a road may be elibiligible for the Residential Traffic Calming Program. Other criteria, which are set by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), include:
- Documented average speed of 30+mph in 25 mph zone
- Two lane roadway (one lane in each direction)
- Average traffic volume of 600-4,000 vehicles per day
- Petition/community support for traffic calming plan
Should a roadway qualify, PWCDOT will develop a traffic calming plan that may include signage, speed tables, increased fines, crosswalks and pole-mounted speed displays, based on what VDOT allows. PWCDOT, often in conjunction with the Supervisor’s office, will then hold community meetings to gain input. Then, community members must collect signatures to demonstrate a majority of impacted residents support the plan. Once this is accomplished, PWCDOT will submits its community-supported Traffic Calming Plan to VDOT for review. If approved, the plan would be implemented as funding becomes available.
Submitting Requests Online
The Occoquan District Supervisor Office has an online form that uploads directly into our Help Desk, where we track and work through constituent cases. Next time a concern arises outside of office hours, no need to wait until we are open—submit it online and our team will start looking into it the next day. Occoq.org/Help