VDOT to re-time traffic signals at PWC malls (and others) to help holiday shoppers

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is timing signals to help move motorists through 13 major shopping centers around northern Virginia, including Manassas Mall and Potomac Mills, according to a VDOT news release.

Using traffic data gathered during last year’s holiday season, VDOT developed time- and location-specific signal-timing plans at 208 intersections.

“The goal is to accommodate the changing traffic patterns expected around the shopping centers as efficiently as possible,” said Ling Li, Operations Engineering Manager at VDOT’s Transportation Operations Center.

Engineers will also use tools such as traffic cameras and traffic sensors to monitor conditions and make adjustments in real time, even on holidays, to help keep traffic moving in especially congested areas such as Tysons Corner, which recently saw the opening of the Metro Silver Line and widening of Route 7.

Real-time signal timing adjustments will also occur in such locations as the Virginia Gateway Shopping Center and Fair Oaks mall areas.

Traffic conditions around the Virginia Gateway Shopping Center in Gainesville will also be monitored and, if needed, timing adjustments will be made. However, given the ongoing construction activity on US 29 near the shopping center, the press release from VDOT says, “no special timing plans are being developed.”

Holiday signal timing will be in effect from Nov. 27, 2014 through Jan. 1, 2015 at the following shopping centers:     

·      Tysons and Galleria Shopping Centers
·      Reston Town Center
·      Fair Lakes Shopping Center
·      Fair Oaks Mall
**    Potomac Mills Mall
**    Manassas Mall
·      Springfield Mall
·      Cascades Town Center
·      Potomac Run Center
·      Dulles Town Center
·      Leesburg Outlets
·      Dulles 28 Centre

In addition to timing signals, VDOT offers shoppers the following tips for staying safe and avoiding traffic:

·      Put down the cell phone, especially while exiting/entering a shopping center and angling for a parking space.
·      Avoid multiple trips to the mall. Consider getting shopping done all in one day, with an early start around 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.
·      At Tysons Corner, check out traffic, bus and Metro schedules, and real-time transit information before leaving the mall on any of five TV screens located near the movie theatres, Barnes and Noble and Macy’s.