Section 10-A416. T-3.3 GOODS MOVEMENT

 

416.1Trucks

 

In addition to moving customers and employees to the District’s businesses, the transportation system moves goods to and from many of these same businesses. Trucks constitute about five percent of total vehicle traffic in the District. This is small compared to the 10 to 15 percent of traffic represented by trucks in most major cities in the United States. Truck traffic bound for the District originates primarily in Maryland east of the District. Many trucks enter the District via New York Avenue, where a majority of industrial activity and goods warehousing is concentrated. 416.1

 

416.2Trucks

 

Small trucks such as courier vans and pickup trucks dominate truck traffic in the District. Almost 90 percent of the truck traffic in the downtown area consists of these smaller trucks. The most significant problem with these vehicles is the lack of parking spaces for loading and unloading. Large tractor-trailers constitute approximately 10 percent of truck traffic on the corridors with significant truck traffic. They constitute only about five percent of truck traffic in the downtown area. 416.2

 

416.3Trucks

 

Construction-related truck traffic has become an increasing concern for city residents. Construction vehicles frequently have to travel through residential neighborhoods to get to and from construction sites, creating air pollution, noise, and vibration on these streets. While there are no officially designated truck routes in the city, there are many de facto truck routes because of roadway geometry, traffic conditions, and location relative to trip origins and destinations. Passenger vehicles are also heavy users of these same routes, leading to congestion for both passenger vehicles and trucks. 416.3

 

Large tractor trailers constitute approximately 10 percent of the traffic on the corridors with significant truck traffic. They constitute only above five percent of truck traffic in the downtown area.

 

416.4Trucks

 

In 2004, DDOT prepared a Motor Carrier Management and Threat Assessment Study to address truck-related concerns, including truck traffic on residential streets, congestion associated with truck loading and unloading, information and services for truck operators, and security issues. Two major recommendations were made: first, to create a single, exclusive DDOT office to coordinate motor-carrier transactions; and second, to develop a set of designated truck routes. 416.4

 

416.5Freight Rail

 

There are several freight rail lines traversing the city. CSX Transportation operates about 40 trains daily running north and south using the combination of its Capital and Landover lines to get through the District. Other activity on the Landover line includes several coal trains per day. Approximately 30 freight trains per day operate on the Metropolitan line, as well as 20 MARC trains and two Amtrak trains. There are also approximately 30 freight trains per day on the Capital line. 416.5

 

416.6Freight Rail

 

The Virginia Avenue railroad tunnel provides freight access into the District and is also owned by CSX Transportation. Although there have been proposals to remove this railroad line from freight usage, no plans have been formally adopted to do so. One recent study, the Mid-Atlantic Rail Operations Study (see text box), assumes its continued use. The study, which was sponsored by a coalition of five states and three railroads, recommended a public-private program that would expand and upgrade the CSX line. The proposed improvements include reconstructing the Virginia Avenue tunnel and adding railroad capacity by either adding additional tracks and/or increasing the height of the tunnel to allow for double-stacked containers. Such plans need to be carefully coordinated with ongoing plans by the District, as they may not be entirely consistent with the city’s plans to redesign the I-395 freeway and relocate the CSX line. 416.6

 

416.7The Mid-Atlantic Rail Operations Study

 

The Mid-Atlantic Rail Operations (MAROP) Study is an initiative of the I-95 Corridor Coalition to examine the deteriorating performance of the Mid-Atlantic’s highway, aviation and rail systems. A consortium of five states and three railroads undertook this study: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Amtrak, CSX and Norfolk Southern. The study identifies opportunities to improve the region’s existing rail assets, formulates a program of system wide rail investments in all five states; and recommends a public-private partnership to fund and implement the improvements. The study identifies necessary improvements totaling $6.2 billion across these five states over the next 20 years to relieve various choke points, requiring a cooperative effort among all levels of government and the railroads to plan, finance and deliver projects that alleviate rail system choke points.

 

Source: Cross Harbor Freight Movement Project

 

416.8Policy T-3.3.1: Balancing Good Delivery Needs

 

Balance the need for goods delivery with concerns about roadway congestion, hazardous materials exposure, quality of life, and security. 416.8

 

416.9Policy T-3.3.2: Freight Safety

 

Continue to work with the federal government and the rail owners and operators to protect the city’s residents and workforce by working to eliminate the rail shipment of hazardous materials through the District of Columbia. 416.9

 

416.10Policy T-3.3.3: Rail as an Alternative to Trucking

 

Encourage the use of rail rather than trucks for the movement of goods as a means of reducing the amount of truck traffic and the size of trucks in the district. 416.10

 

416.11Policy T-3.3.4: Truck Management

 

Manage truck circulation in the city to avoid negative impacts on residential streets and reduce the volume of truck traffic on major commuter routes during peak travel hours. 416.11

 

416.12Action T-3.3.A: New Office for Trucking and Goods Movement

 

Create a single, exclusive office within the Department of Transportation to coordinate motor vehicle transactions, as well as coordination with trucking companies and other stakeholders. This office should also work with other District agencies, to enhance curbside management policies and ensure that delivery regulations serve the needs of customers and the general public. 416.12

 

416.13Action T-3.3.B: Tiered Truck Route System

 

Develop a tiered truck route system to serve the delivery and movement of goods while protecting residential areas and other sensitive land uses. 416.13

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.