Changing travel patterns, the rise of e-commerce, and new transportation technologies are shifting the demands for limited curbside space. Transit, driving, parking, ride hailing, deliveries, and more are all vying for limited space.
DC has piloted changes such as dynamic parking pricing in Chinatown, new nightime drop-off zones on Connecticut Avenue, innovative freight delivery programs in neighborhoods like Georgetown and around the ballpark, and more. Rosslyn and Arlington County are exploring innovative steps to take there as well.
DCST and its members will work with transportation agencies to help propose, implement, and evaluate pilot programs and permanent changes to better balance curb space for all.
From the Blog
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DC Sustainable Transportation applauds Mayor Bowser’s ReOpen DC transportation agenda and urges rapid implementation
WASHINGTON, DC - DC Sustainable Transportation (DCST), applauds the transportation recommendations of Mayor Bowser’s ReOpen DC Advisory Group, released last week. “We stand ready to assist her in implementing the changes to our transportation systems and infrastructure needed to protect public health and get the District's economy working again,” said Joe Sternlieb, Chair of DCST and CEO of the Georgetown Business Improvement District.
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The ReOpenDC report recommends reallocating street space for walking, restaurants, and buses
"DC should reallocate sidewalks and streets to support physical distancing for residents and greater outdoor capacity for restaurants and other businesses," says one section of a new report, released Thursday by Mayor Muriel Bowser, "as well as reconfigure road lanes to prioritize Lifeline Network bus corridors."
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DC will temporarily widen some sidewalks near grocery stores and other businesses
To help people practice social distancing and stay six feet apart, DC will expand some sidewalks in wards throughout the District near essential businesses such as grocery stores, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Monday.
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DC’s pedestrian council and neighborhood groups suggest ways to improve streets during the coronavirus crisis
Lower speed limits? Longer times to cross? Wider sidewalks? Close spaces like Cleveland Park's service lane? These are some ideas that have been put forth in recent days to improve street space while people "social distance" amid the rising coronavirus infection totals.
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DC, Montgomery, and Alexandria add pick-up/drop-off zones to help restaurants during the coronavirus
Most retail businesses are closed for social distancing during the Covid-19 epidemic, but restaurants are continuing to their business now comes entirely from take-out and delivery. To help with that, some area governments are adding more "pick-up/drop-off zones" near restaurants and other take-out businesses.
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Whose curb is it, anyway?
Nine curbside locations around the District will be available to reserve for commercial deliveries starting August 1, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) recently announced. The three-month pilot gives a company called curbFlow authority to manage the zones.
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DC will build a tunnel from the NoMa Metro, delay the K Street Transitway, replace lead pipes, and fund more affordable housing
A long-awaited moment in budget season comes when DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson releases his package of budget changes, which combine, reconcile, and sometimes reverse things from the individual committees. Here are some of the changes most connected to issues we cover.
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Mary Cheh will fund more bike lanes, raise residential parking fees, study decongestion pricing, and not keep Circulator free
DC would get more public space inspectors, dedicated spaces for dockless scooters, and some progress on a long-delayed bike lane on 6th or 9th streets NW, under a draft budget revision from Councilmember Mary Cheh. Meanwhile, the DC Circulator would no longer be free and people would have to pay more for residential parking permits, especially for cars beyond the first.
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Here’s what DCST thinks about DC’s top transportation priorities
For the last two years, Greater Greater Washington has managed DC Sustainable Transportation, a coalition of business, advocacy, and government entities who work together on shared priorities for transportation. At the DC Council's recent transportation oversight hearing, David Alpert had an opportunity to outline key transportation priorities.
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With Ubers, Amazon deliveries, taxis, and more, “PUDO zones” rebalance how we use our curbs
Cities are constantly responding to new technology and residents' evolving needs, and the curb is one place where big changes are happening. As ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have expanded in the past few years, drivers frequently resort to stopping on the street and in bicycle lanes to pick up and drop off passengers.
