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Transportation

The BID’s transportation efforts aim to sustain what works, fix what does not and introduce new services. Transportation it is the platform upon which all other Downtown activities are built. and plays a pivotal role in Washington and Downtown’s economic prosperity and sustainability. By ensuring a flexible and well-managed transportation environment, the BID supports a vibrant and growing city.Tht BID works with the public and private sectors to improve Downtown's accessibility help initiate plans that address street and sidewalk repair; improve signage; alleviate congestion; discourage gridlock; and manage Downtown streets. New bus and streetcar lines are part of a movement to re-imagine the way people move in and through Downtown, to connect 25 million National Mall visitors to Downtown and to enhance the "sense of place" that makes this a remarkable city.

The BID contributes to large initiatives such as long-range DC metropolitan area  transit plans like the DC Circulator system and the DC streetcar; the K Street Plans; and smart parking.  Details such as zoning and enforcement standards, support for traffic control officers and pedestrian countdown signals, and facilitating better bicycle parking are all part of a master program to mitigate congestion, and efficiently move people, goods and services in and around Downtown.

The BID continues to provide leadership on Downtown’s transportation future through research and dialog with the community, public officials and urban transportation experts. More

Key Initiatives

Transit

The DowntownDC BID is a leader in the city's continual efforts to improve mass transit. We have managed a DowntownDC BID demonstration project for bus shelters, championed extended Metro hours, partnered with DC Surface Transit, Inc. and DDOT to help launch the DC Circulator, been an advocate for a DC streetcar system and more.   GET DETAILS

DC Circulator

Circulator buses are unlike any other public transit in town. They feature low floors, big windows and multiple doors for easy on-and-off service. The five Circulator routes link cultural, entertainment and business destinations within the city's central core. Best of all, it's only a buck, seniors and disabled ride for 50 cents, DC students with a DC Student Travel Card and kids under 5 ride free. SmarTrip card holders automatically receive discounted fares when transferring. LEARN MORE

Mitigating Downtown Congestion

More people than ever are living, working and visiting Downtown DC. Moving people, goods and services to and through the Downtown safely, comfortably and efficiently is essential to the long-term health of the city center. The Downtown, Golden Triangle, Georgetown and Capitol Hill BIDs work in collaboration with DDOT to implement congestion relief measures in greater Downtown DC.

A report on K Street congestion management improvements appeared in the
MAY 2009 ISSUE OF THE ITE JOURNAL
ite.pdf  - 214 KB

K Street Transitway

DDOT and Downtown stakeholders are discussing ways to make K Street a great street by re-designing the corridor to enhance the public realm by improving pedestrian spaces and transit options and managing congestion.

To facilitate an informed dialogue about plans for the K Street corridor, the DowntownDC BID is providing our colleagues and other interested parties with a collection of publicly available studies

Smart Parking

The DowntownDC BID works to make Downtown DC accessible and inviting by promoting smart transportation. Shorthand for systems that provide off-street parking location and availability information using multiple means of communication, Smart Parking is part of the DowntownDC BID's vision for a convenient, innovative and environmentally sustainable transportation system.   MORE

Bicycles

Bicycling is a healthy and sustainable way to get around Downtown, and it helps to mitigate traffic congestion. The DowntownDC BID and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) work to provide safe and convenient bicycle access throughout Downtown by installing bicycle lanes, separated cycle tracks, bicycle racks, and Capital Bikeshare stations.   MORE

Traffic Control Officers

Since 2004, Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) have helped to manage critical intersections in the Central Business District. By moving vehicles through intersections and preventing intersection gridlock, the TCOs promote the kind of mobility necessary for a robust economy in the city and help to reduce air pollution for a healthier environment.

TCO's are deployed during the morning and afternoon rush hours, Monday through Friday. When they are not directing traffic, TCOs are Parking Control Officers. Their assigned intersections vary from day to day and week to week.

Pedestrian Countdown Signals

Everyone who comes Downtown is a pedestrian for some part of their trip. The DowntownDC BID and the District Department of Transportation collaborated on installing important safety devices in Downtown - pedestrian countdown signals. Almost every signalized intersection in the District had pedestrian countdown signals by the end of 2005.

The pedestrian countdown signals indicate how many seconds are available for pedestrians to cross an intersection. These devices also provide a signal to motorists that they should anticipate and yield to pedestrians in the intersection during the time indicated on the signal. The result is more predictability for everyone in the intersection and a safer environment.