Hillsdale Drive Traffic Safety Study

Final Draft Report

Study Purpose

This project was initiated at the request of area seniors’ organizations to investigate design options to improve safety and walkability on Hillsdale Drive. New development in the area and a potential, future connection to Hydraulic Road will create an increase in vehicular traffic. Residents are concerned that Hillsdale Drive will become more difficult to cross and pedestrian safety will diminish. This is especially an issue given the large concentration of the area population is senior citizens. Proposed improvements should allow all users of the road to feel equally welcome and safe, whether walking, riding a bicycle, driving a car or using transit.

Focus Area

Hillsdale Drive connects a number of residential and commercial service areas that have developed along the east side of Route 29 in suburban Albemarle County. Currently, it extends between Rio Road and Greenbrier Drive, however there are plans to extend Hillsdale to Hydraulic Road. Land uses in the corridor include multi-family apartments, retirement communities, Fashion Square Mall, Food Lion, Church of the Incarnation, Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), the Senior Center, and physical rehabilitation centers. Hillsdale Drive is a two-lane road with a center turn lane, carries 6200-7500 vehicles per day and has a speed limit of 35mph. It also contains bicycle lanes and some sidewalks.

Community Input

Citizens were strongly encouraged to attend public workshops, held at the Senior Center, to discuss values, make comments, identify target spots, and offer suggestions for improvements to Hillsdale Drive. Valuable feedback was received and was used for consideration when evaluating proposed improvements. Agency staff met regularly to review the ideas and draft plans for the targeted areas. Walking audits of the corridor helped to identify issues, mark improvement areas, and develop possible solutions.

Needs

The residents, customers, property owners, and guests who live, work, shop, and play along Hillsdale Drive want a livable, healthy street. In order to create that environment, the community desires:

• Reduced vehicular traffic speed and turning controls.

• Safe, convenient pedestrian crossings and walkways, including trail connections.

• Improved transit access.

• Lighting and visibility.

A number of improvements were identified and include both short and long-term solutions. A summary of those follows:

Short-Term Improvements:

• Median crosswalks at Senior Center, Food Lion, and Squire Hill

• Re-stripe travel lanes to reduce vehicle speed

• Sidewalks between Branchlands Boulevard and Mall Drive

• Combine entryways of Our Lady of Peace and Church of the Incarnation

• Roundabout at Greenbrier Drive and Mall Drive

• Trail along southeast Hillsdale, at stormwater ponds, and to the mall from JABA

• Lighting in medians and along walkways for nighttime and rainy day safety

• Increased enforcement of vehicular traffic laws

• Litter clean up and trash receptacles

Long-Term Improvements:

• Raised median crosswalks at JABA, Squire Hill and on Branchlands Blvd.

• Complete sidewalk and trail network along both sides of Hillsdale and side streets.

• Roundabout at Hillsdale and Greenbrier (coordinated with Hillsdale Dr. extension)