M Street NW at Whitehurst Freeway NW

Speed Limit and Safety Nexus Studies for Automated
Enforcement Locations in the District of Columbia
M Street NW at Whitehurst Freeway NW
Study Area and Location
District
2
PSA
206
Ward
2
ANC
2E
Phase
Planned
Description
M Street Northwest, Westbound at Whitehurst
Freeway Northwest
Georgetown
University
Site 5
KEY:
Planned Camera
Proposed Camera
Bus Stop
Metro Station
Hiker/Biker Trail
School
Other Pedestrian Generator
The planned speed camera will be located in Ward 2 at the intersection of M Street Northwest and Whitehurst
Freeway Northwest in the westbound direction. M Street NW runs between Canal Road NW to the west and
Florida Avenue NE to the east. The posted speed limit is 35 MPH.
W2 - 44
District Department of Transportation
55 M Street, SE, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20003
M Street NW at Whitehurst Freeway NW
Field Assessment Summary
M Street NW is assumed to run in an East-West direction, and in this section of roadway is classified as a
principal arterial. M Street NW has two through lanes westbound and one through lane, one shared throughright lane, and one right turn only lane eastbound. Whitehurst Freeway NW has two left turn lanes and a right
turn lane northbound. Whitehurst Freeway NW ends at M Street NW and a shared right- left turn only lane
for exiting traffic from the Exxon Gas Station and office buildings is the north leg of the intersection. Just
south of the intersection, Whitehurst Freeway NW has two through lanes southbound. This site has the
following characteristics:
This site is located in a commercial area with business entrances on the north leg.
Sidewalks with curb and gutter and drainage inlets are located along the northbound side of the south
leg and on both sides of the east and west legs.
The intersection has a traffic signal as well as crosswalks and pedestrian signals for the north and east
legs.
There is a concrete median on the south leg and a brick median on the west leg.
There is one school in this area: Georgetown University.
The Capital Crescent Trail and the Chesapeake & Ohio National Park Trail are located to the south, on
the other side of the canal.
Looking Westbound
W2 - 45
District Department of Transportation
55 M Street, SE, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20003
M Street NW at Whitehurst Freeway NW
Looking Eastbound
Speed Data Analysis
Posted Speed Limit (MPH)
35
27
Mean Speed (MPH)
32
85th Percentile Speed (MPH)
10 MPH Pace Speed
25-34
ADT
19,942
Both the mean speed and the 85th percentile speed are lower than the posted speed limit. The 85th percentile
speed is 3 MPH lower than the posted speed limit.
Crash Data Analysis
From the Accident Summary Report provided for the dates between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012,
there were a total of 65 crashes at this location. A breakdown of number of crashes by collision type can be
found in the chart below. The most common types of collision at this location were Side Swiped (23 crashes)
and Rear End (12 crashes).The other collision types had six crashes or less each.
W2 - 46
District Department of Transportation
55 M Street, SE, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20003
M Street NW at Whitehurst Freeway NW
Severity
Total
65
Fatal
0
Injury
15
Truck
20
Taxi
9
Weather
0.0%
23.1%
30.8%
13.8%
Clear
Rain
Snow
Surface condition
58
5
0
89.2%
7.7%
0.0%
Dry
Wet
Repairing
50
7
0
Light Condition
76.9%
10.8%
0.0%
Day
Night
35
28
53.8%
43.1%
Number of Crashes by Collision Type
Side Swipe
25
0
Unspecified
Under/Over Ride
Backing
Pedestrian
Ran Off Road
Parked
Head On
Right Turn
5
Left Turn
10
Fixed Object
Rear End
15
Right Angle
Number of Crashes
20
Collision Type
There were an elevated number of speed-related crashes at this location, including rear end and side swipe
crashes. The AASHTO Highway Safety Manual lists “assuming the lead driver will go through a green or yellow
light, but the lead driver stops” and “changing lanes to avoid a slowing or stopped vehicle”1 as two errors
leading to rear-end and sideswipe crashes. Both of these errors can be decreased with a decrease in travel
speed.
This site is located within a half mile radius from one of the Top 20 Hazardous Intersections by Crash
Frequency (Wisconsin Ave at M Street) from 2009 to 2011, according to the report TRAFFIC SAFETY STATISTICS
REPORT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (2009-2011) 2.
1
2
AASHTO Highway Safety Manual, 1st Edition, 2010; Volume 1, page 2-13
DDOT, TRAFFIC SAFETY STATISTICS REPORT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (2009-2011), pg.69.
W2 - 47
District Department of Transportation
55 M Street, SE, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20003
M Street NW at Whitehurst Freeway NW
Safety Nexus
This site presents the following safety considerations which may establish a nexus between the speed camera
and traffic safety:
1. Speed Data – The speed data analysis shows travel speeds being lower than the posted speed limit.
2. Crash Data – There was an elevated number of speed-related crashes at this location, including rear end
and side swipe collisions at this location. There was a high frequency (15 crashes) of injury-related crashes
at this location.
3. Field Assessment – The following site characteristics suggest a need for a safer travel environment:
a. There is one school in this area: Georgetown University.
b. The Capital Crescent Trail and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park Trail are located
to the south of the intersection, on the other side of the canal.
c. There are multiple bus stops in the area which generate pedestrian activity.
Although the speed data analysis showed the mean and 85th percentile speeds to be lower than the posted
speed limit, due to the elevated number of speed-related crashes, the specific site characteristics and
pedestrian generators, there is a nexus between traffic safety and the speed camera at this location.
W2 - 48
District Department of Transportation
55 M Street, SE, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20003
SAMMAT ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC
1515 RISING RIDGE ROAD
MOUNT AIRY, MD 21771
www.sammateng.com
M St WB at Whitehurst Frwy NW Speed
West Bound
Start
1
Time
15
11/04/13
01:00
02:00
03:00
04:00
05:00
06:00
07:00
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12 PM
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
19:00
20:00
21:00
22:00
23:00
Total
*
*
0
0
3
5
41
52
50
50
44
42
40
61
78
127
175
195
148
83
48
30
22
8
1302
16
20
*
*
0
1
0
0
4
6
1
4
0
4
4
4
20
18
63
103
104
34
3
5
1
1
380
21
25
*
*
10
8
9
36
53
60
80
101
78
110
86
89
146
219
271
437
458
280
115
90
48
22
2806
26
30
*
*
32
18
71
191
381
689
499
505
453
407
483
515
682
642
711
614
640
605
370
307
216
93
9124
31
35
*
*
11
13
47
166
402
380
408
357
307
285
338
338
391
390
260
128
157
200
187
175
144
90
5174
36
40
*
*
6
5
13
59
73
73
73
53
53
49
49
57
52
58
20
15
24
38
39
23
35
22
889
41
45
*
*
0
1
0
6
5
4
3
5
2
3
8
4
7
10
2
0
4
4
4
7
6
5
90
46
50
*
*
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
9
51
55
*
*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
3
56
60
*
*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
61
65
*
*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
66
70
*
*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
71
75
*
*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
76
999
*
*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
*
*
59
46
143
464
959
1264
1114
1075
938
901
1008
1068
1380
1464
1502
1492
1535
1245
768
638
473
242
19778
W2-49
SAMMAT ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC
1515 RISING RIDGE ROAD
MOUNT AIRY, MD 21771
www.sammateng.com
M St WB at Whitehurst Frwy NW Speed
West Bound
Start
1
Time
15
11/05/13
01:00
02:00
03:00
04:00
05:00
06:00
07:00
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12 PM
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
19:00
20:00
21:00
22:00
23:00
Total
6
4
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
10
Grand
Total
1312
Stats
16
20
21
25
26
30
31
35
36
40
41
45
46
50
51
55
56
60
61
65
66
70
71
75
76
999
Total
382
2822
9185
5235
904
93
9
3
0
1
0
0
0
19946
0
2
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
2
12
4
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
16
36
25
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
61
44
17
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
61
7
8
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
15
15th Percentile :
50th Percentile :
85th Percentile :
95th Percentile :
19 MPH
27 MPH
32 MPH
35 MPH
Mean Speed(Average) :
10 MPH Pace Speed :
Number in Pace :
Percent in Pace :
Number of Vehicles > 35 MPH :
Percent of Vehicles > 35 MPH :
27 MPH
25-34 MPH
12719
63.8%
1440
7.2%
3
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
3
0
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
108
60
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
168
W2-50
SAMMAT ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC
1515 RISING RIDGE ROAD
MOUNT AIRY, MD 21771
www.sammateng.com
M Street WB @ Whitehurst Frwy NW Volume
Start
Time
12:00
12:15
12:30
12:45
01:00
01:15
01:30
01:45
02:00
02:15
02:30
02:45
03:00
03:15
03:30
03:45
04:00
04:15
04:30
04:45
05:00
05:15
05:30
05:45
06:00
06:15
06:30
06:45
07:00
07:15
07:30
07:45
08:00
08:15
08:30
08:45
09:00
09:15
09:30
09:45
10:00
10:15
10:30
10:45
11:00
11:15
11:30
11:45
Total
Combined
Total
Peak
Vol.
P.H.F.
ADT
Mon
A.M.
*
*
*
*
*
*
17
10
15
15
11
18
11
11
9
15
16
18
49
60
62
105
135
162
167
225
307
260
325
322
293
324
327
265
254
268
319
299
236
221
231
235
268
204
225
235
209
232
6990
04-Nov-13
P.M.
255
239
274
240
248
258
276
286
331
328
383
338
352
394
343
375
363
386
372
381
361
370
367
394
361
384
386
404
363
369
279
234
234
186
185
163
165
162
174
137
138
147
96
92
70
56
54
62
12815
19805
07:15
1266
0.968
06:15
1537
0.951
ADT 19,942
Tue
A.M.
05-Nov-13
P.M.
41
26
19
22
17
12
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
137
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
137
12:00
108
0.659
AADT 19,942
Wed
A.M.
06-Nov-13
P.M.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0
0
Daily Average
A.M.
P.M.
41
26
19
22
17
12
17
10
15
15
11
18
11
11
9
15
16
18
49
60
62
105
135
162
167
225
307
260
325
322
293
324
327
265
254
268
319
299
236
221
231
235
268
204
225
235
209
232
7127
255
239
274
240
248
258
276
286
331
328
383
338
352
394
343
375
363
386
372
381
361
370
367
394
361
384
386
404
363
369
279
234
234
186
185
163
165
162
174
137
138
147
96
92
70
56
54
62
12815
19942
07:15
1266
0.968
06:15
1537
0.951
W2-51
DC Department of Transportation - Traffic Accident Reporting and Analysis System
Accident Summary Report (R-8)
Corridor:
M ST,NW,NE From THIRTY FIFTH ST,NW TO CANAL RD,NW
Time Period Covered:
From 01/01/2010 To 12/31/2012
Total Number of Accident:
Total Number of Fatalities:
Total Number of Injuries:
Total Number of Disabling Injuries:
Total Number of NonDisabling Injuries:
Total Number of Pedestrians Involved:
Total Number of Bicycles Involved:
Total Number of Motorcycles Involved:
Time of Day
65
0
21
2
7
0
3
1
Prepared By: Rahul Jain
Collision Type
Right Angle:
Left Turn:
Right Turn:
Rear End:
Side Swiped:
Head On:
Parked:
#ACC
2
6
6
12
23
1
1
%
3.1%
9.2%
9.2%
18.5%
35.4%
1.5%
1.5%
Prepared Date:
Collision Type
Fixed Object:
Ran Off Road:
Ped. Involved:
Backing:
Non Collision:
Under/Over Ride:
Unspecified:
10/6/2013
#ACC
5
2
1
1
0
1
4
%
7.7%
3.1%
1.5%
1.5%
0.0%
1.5%
6.2%
16:00 ~18:30:
18:30 ~ 07:30:
Unspecified:
#ACC
4
7
4
6
12
32
0
%
6.2%
10.8%
6.2%
9.2%
18.5%
49.2%
0.0%
Day o fweek
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
#ACC
9
5
9
10
12
11
9
%
13.8%
7.7%
13.8%
15.4%
18.5%
16.9%
13.8%
Weather Condition
Clear:
Rain:
Snow:
Sleet/Hail:
Fog/Mist:
Crosswind/Blowing Sand:
Unspecified:
#ACC
58
5
0
0
0
0
2
%
89.2%
7.7%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
3.1%
Surface Condition
Dry:
Wet:
Snow/Ice:
Slush:
Water/Sand:
Repairing:
Unspecified:
#ACC
50
7
1
0
0
0
7
%
76.9%
10.8%
1.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
10.8%
Type of Vehicle
Passenger Car:
Bus:
Truck:
Taxi:
Minivan:
Police/Emergency Vehicle:
Motorcycle/Moped:
Bicycle:
Fixed Object:
Unspecified:
#VEH
80
2
20
9
0
0
1
3
0
11
%
63.5%
1.6%
15.9%
7.1%
0.0%
0.0%
0.8%
2.4%
0.0%
8.7%
Accident Severity Type
Fatal Collision:
Injury Collision:
PDO Collision:
#ACC
0
15
50
%
0.0%
23.1%
76.9%
Light Condition
Daylight:
Dawn/Dusk:
Dark(Lighted):
Dark(Not Lighted):
Dark(Unknown Lighting):
Unspecified:
#ACC
35
1
28
0
0
1
%
53.8%
1.5%
43.1%
0.0%
0.0%
1.5%
Contributing Factor
Driver: Speed:
Driver: Alcohol/Drug:
Driver: Electronic Device:
Driver: Others:
Vehicle:
Roadway:
Unspecified:
#VEH
4
2
0
19
0
1
100
%
3.2%
1.6%
0.0%
15.1%
0.0%
0.8%
79.4%
Pedestrian Actions
In Crosswalk with Signal:
In Crosswalk against Signal:
In Crosswalk no Signal:
In Unmarked Crosswalk:
Not in Crosswalk:
From Between Parked Cars:
Unspecified:
#ACC
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
07:30 ~ 09:30:
09:30 ~ 11:30:
11:30 ~ 13:30:
13:30 ~ 16:00:
46 Records are not approved as of 10/6/2013 12:05:58 PM
W2-52