F.C. Bulletin: Smart City Improvements; Falls Church Forward; June 14 'No Kings' Protest in City
Transportation: Mayor Announces $10 Million Smart Cities Grant to Synchronize Broad Street Traffic Lights
Traffic getting you down?
Well, the City of Falls Church is moving a step closer to becoming a Smart City.
"We won a $10M grant from the state to be a testbed for Smart Cities and the implementation is underway," announced City of Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi in her June 6 blog. "Some cool tech will be coming to Falls Church and the first thing we’ll experience is smarter, better [traffic] signal timing on Broad St. this fall – which I know is a common point of frustration during rush hour congestion."
In August, we reported on the City's launch of its 3-phase move toward becoming a Smart City.
What is a Smart City?
According to IBM, it's one which deploys "digital technologies and data to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban operations, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents. A Smart City or local government might also use "information and communication technologies (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT)," for such improvements. By electrifying its energy grid, a Smart City can not only improve traffic flow and safety but mitigate its climate impacts.
Here's our story:
Christopher Jones
Moving Toward Phase III and Becoming a Smart City 'Living Laboratory'
In 2021, the City of Falls Church, partnering with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), received a $10 million “Smart City grant” from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). In collaboration with Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute (VTTI) Division for Technology Implementation, Aug. 12, 2024 marked the City's official kick-off of the first implementation phase of the Smart Cities Program, following a period of in-depth studies and assessments of the City's transportation infrastructure.
According to the City, "the goal of this pilot [Smart Cities] program grant [of $10 million] is to transform the City of Falls Church into a model Smart City by leveraging and deploying advanced technologies to address City and community needs. Through this deployment, the City of Falls Church and VTTI will develop foundational Smart City methods and standards. The City will serve as a Smart City 'living laboratory' as a model for other localities to follow."
In a press release at the time, Mayor Hardi said, "This innovative [Smart City] technology will improve pedestrian safety, reduce conflicts between vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists with cars, improve traffic flow and congestion, reduce energy usage, and lower maintenance costs. Innovations like these come at a pivotal moment for Falls Church as we continue making big investments in a more walkable, bikeable, and safer City.”
The $10 million technology investment for intersection modernization and smart intersection deployment will implement innovative technologies from VTTI and be administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the City.
The grant will be strategically utilized to:
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the City's and community's specific needs;
- Identify and select cutting-edge technologies that can effectively address these needs;
- Implement these technologies in a real-world environment within the City;
- Evaluate the impact of these technologies on the environment, safety, and quality of life from the residents' perspective;
- Develop foundational standards for future Smart City initiatives.
“Being a testbed for Smart Cities technology is an exciting opportunity for the City of Falls Church to gain capabilities like signal timings that change based on real-time roadway conditions, smart intersections that can detect pedestrians, and adaptive street lighting that dims based on twilight hours, environmental conditions, and motion,” the City's Aug., 2024 press release said.
As part of the City's $10 million grant, The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) funded $1 million exclusively for "Smart Intersections," involving some of the "cool tech" described on Friday by the mayor, including "sensors [to] provide presence of vehicle and pedestrians to adjust signal behavior, optimizing flow to reduce potential for delays and vehicle stoppage. Signal status can also be provided to an automated or connected vehicle to allow for safety warnings, conflict detection, and vehicle speed optimization."
"A Smart City provides outcomes that benefit residents by leveraging both real-time and historical information that can be used to make instantaneous decisions or for planning purposes," the City says. "Smart City technologies like smart intersections, connected vehicles, adaptive lighting, smart parking and payment, data exchange, management, and evaluation tools, as well as roadway and infrastructure development, will be deployed to realize Smart City benefits for the residents of the City of Falls Church."
Traffic signaling upgrades are designed to benefit residents by ensuring "increased safety and mobility," and enhancing "conflict and jaywalking detection," "pedestrian alerting," "adaptive signal timing," and "traffic signal priority." For the City, they are also designed to improve traffic flow, provide "remote command, control and communication of traffic signals," to provide "information to support development of optimized timing plans," and allow "vehicle counting and speed-per-lane."
The City also holds that the "Benefits of Being a Smart City include: increased safety, enhanced traffic flow and mobility, preparation for connected and automated vehicles, and cost reductions from improved resource management.
City of Falls Church Posts Conflicting Smart City Phase III Timeframes
Trying to figure out when each phase of program implementation occurs is tricky, however.
According to the City, here's the program's current "Project Status:" "First Phase - Summer 2024: Upgrading traffic signal equipment along the major roadway corridor, Broad Street, to address user safety concerns and optimize traffic flow throughout the City." Then, "Second Phase Fall 2024 to Winter 2025, continued intersection traffic signal upgrades throughout City and inclusion of new intersections at West Broad and Haycock, the adjacent Virginia Tech site, and the WMATA West Falls Church Metro Station as part of the ongoing redevelopment projects."
However, according to a project timeline provided on the City's website, the Third Phase of the project is scheduled to run from the spring to the fall of 2025 (within the Fall 2024 to Winter 2025 timeframe) and is to involve an "upgrade up to 100 percent of all City intersections."
So, it appears that, according to the City, Phase III of the program is now happening during the Phase II timeframe.
Either Falls Church's Smart Cities program has experienced unannounced delays or its Smart Cities web page needs editing.
Nevertheless, let's hope the City stays on track toward its dream of becoming a Smart City and a "model for other localities to follow."
Falls Church Forward Re-Schedules Crosswalk Rainbow Painting to June 14
Don't worry! Despite all the recent rainy weather, Falls Church Forward (FCF) will still be leading the City's efforts to paint rainbow crosswalks to celebrate Pride Month this June.
"Mother Nature just isn't cooperating so we've again rescheduled the Eden Center crosswalk painting project to Saturday, June 14, 7:00 a.m. - weather permitting," FCF announced. "And we'll also help refresh the rainbow crosswalks at the City Hall campus on Sunday, June 15, 8:00 a.m. in celebration of Pride Month."
"Reply if you'd like to join us in either/both of these fun, hands on projects," FCF said. "For the Eden Center crosswalk project, since we'll be working right next to Wilson/Saigon Blvd., we ask that only adults join us please."
If you're interested in helping celebrate Pride Month with rainbow crosswalk painting, contact: fallschurchforward@gmail.com.
FCF also announced a Happy Hour and "Restaurant Takeover" for June 24, at 5:00 p.m. @ Pop Up District (Eden Center) "We're so excited to welcome the city's first food hall, so here's your chance to check it out with us. We'll meet for a general member happy hour so come meet friends, make new ones, grab a drink/dinner/dessert and a Q&A with the owners to hear about their concept."
FCF will also be hosting their Annual Summer Potluck on August 10. "We love community building over a shared meal, and this year's theme will be about welcoming new members and new residents," the civic group said. "We'll be doing a big push to welcome new neighbors from our new multifamily buildings, so if you live in one – start spreading the word to join us at our summer potluck. More details to come, including a sign up of dishes and supplies to contribute."
Finally, FCF reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the City's housing base among it's key goals of "Housing for All, Community Businesses, People First Places, Climate Resilience, and Welcoming Culture."
"For your awareness, the city has two projects under consideration – a mixed use project at Maple and Annandale intersection (currently an asphalt parking lot) and a 12 townhome project at S. Lee, near the intersection of Broad St.," FCF said. "We won't be taking positions on these specific projects right now, but as a reminder – we do advocate for "housing for all" policies that support a variety of housing options so that neighbors of all ages, incomes, and family sizes can live, work, learn, return, and retire here." If you are interested in learning more, we encourage our members to get informed from unbiased sources linked above. We also would be happy to connect you with resources so you can have informed opinions."
For more info go to Falls Church Forward or contact: fallschurchforward@gmail.com.
And, for our recent profile of FCF, see our article here:
Christopher Jones
New Group, Democracy Falls Church, to Hold Quiet 'No Kings Day Rally' in City June 14
Have you been wondering what you'll be doing this June 14, Flag Day, the U.S. Army's 250th birthday, and the birthday of President Trump?
Our thanks to Sally Ekfelt, former president of the Falls Church School Board and of the Citizens for a Better City (CBC), for giving us a key news tip: a June 14 protest by the "non-partisan" and "non-violent" group Democracy Falls Church (DFC) will be held in the City.
"As you document the goings-on in Falls Church, I wanted to alert you to an event planned for Saturday, June 14 as a counterpoint to the events happening downtown," Ekfelt wrote. "In brief, we plan a citizens demonstration 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., beginning at the Falls Church Episcopal and parading on both sides of Broad Street. No speeches but a steady demonstration of citizens protesting the many violations of our Constitutions, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence."
"The following is the body of a note from Democracy Falls Church, our sponsoring organization, [which they are] sending to Falls Church civic organizations," Ekfelt said.
Democracy Falls Church's Announcement of a 'No Kings' Rally
A Falls Church City: “No Kings” Rally is being held on Saturday, June 14, Flag Day, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on both sides of East Broad Street. Our rendezvous point is the parking lot of Falls Church Episcopal Church at 166 East Broad Street.
The “No Kings Day” Rally is a counterpoint to the President’s planned Birthday Parade on Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C., to be held on the same day. The Rally is a response in protest of the authoritarian excesses of the President and his administration.
Our Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, was predicated on Americans' 27 grievances leveled against the unjust rule of King George III. Once again we Americans are so aggrieved, and once again we decry the rule of a would-be king.
To quote Mark Twain, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."
This Rally is being organized by Democracy Falls Church. Democracy Falls Church is a group of local citizens who've been meeting regularly since February of this year, brought together by deeply felt shared concerns about the actions of the President and his administration. We see these actions as tantamount to attacks on democracy. This group includes long-time civic leaders, newer residents, and first-time activists.
In DFC meetings, members share thoughts, ideas, and experiences regarding the tumultuous events and happenings since January 20th, with emphasis on how we can respond effectively and how we can energize civic participation within our community.
Democracy Falls Church is non-partisan and strictly adheres to non-violence.
Democracy Falls Church’s sponsorship of the No Kings Day Rally will encourage greater collaboration, communication, and unity among Fall Church civil society and give hope that democracy can be strengthened. We welcome the support and participation of you and your members.
Make no mistake, Democracy Falls Church proudly celebrates the 250th Birthday of the United States Army, the American Flag and the freedoms it has stood for since our inception.
We’ll start gathering at 11:00 a.m. to line Broad Street, waving protest signs and American flags. Come Join Us!
Have questions or want more information? Shoot us an email at democracyfallschurch@protonmail.com
According to nokings.org, here's a graphic of sites of 'No King' rallies in North America to be held June 14:
By Christopher Jones
Member discussion