1100 Harvard Street, NW
Thanks to Matt for sending: “VIP Parking at Cesar Rosario School.”
Transit
Photo by PoPville flickr user Paul Sirajuddin
“Dear PoPville,
Last night around 9:30pm I was riding a northbound Yellow line train home and had a frightening experience. When our train came to a stop into Gallery Place we heard 15-20 loud gunshot-like bangs from the car in front of us. As the train doors opened everyone in the station and cars sprinted to an exit or dove under their seats– it was total chaos. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown
From WMATA:
“Starting next week, Metro customers will be able to bring their bikes with them on the train – at any time – as Metro ends a longstanding restriction that prohibited bicycles during rush hours.
The policy change, which takes effect Monday, is expected to make Metrorail a more attractive travel option for reverse commuters (i.e. customers traveling outbound in the morning and inbound in the evening) who want to take their bike to travel between the rail station and their workplace.
Metro reviewed its policy and determined that it could respond to requests from the bicycling community by ending the rush-hour bike restriction without significant negative effects. (more…)
Carter reports:
“How did they even get there? Tough way to start the new year. Between the tow path and capital crescent trail. No more picking on Maryland drivers until one does something worse than this.”
Ed. Note: Virginia plate.
From DDOT:
“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced a major step toward more equitable transportation options with a broad but incremental expansion of the dockless vehicle sharing program for 2019.
In 2019, DDOT plans to issue ten public right-of-way occupancy permits to operators of dockless bicycles or electric scooters. The 10 approved permits will allow up to 6,000 vehicles, which is a 2.5 times the maximum of 2,400 on the street today. (more…)
via WMATA
Cellular, data service and more from WMATA:
“In less than six months, Metro has installed new trackbed lighting systems at 15 underground stations – making them an average of six-times brighter – as part of a multi-year $50 million capital investment in state-of-the-art, energy efficient LED lighting. The new lighting infrastructure improves visibility and enhances safety and security, all while cutting energy use in half and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.
All of Metro’s 48 underground stations will be upgraded to LED systems over the next 30 months.
To date, Metro has installed new LED trackbed lighting at the following 15 stations: Union Station, Court House, Rosslyn, Foggy Bottom, McPherson Square, Farragut West, Federal Triangle, Bethesda, U Street, Columbia Heights, Archives, Waterfront, L’Enfant Plaza (upper level), Metro Center (lower level), and Gallery Place (lower level).
Each of the stations measured 3-to-9 times brighter once the new lights were installed. Installation of new pylon and parapet lighting is ongoing and the platforms are expected to be even brighter once complete.
Three stations – Van Ness, Tenleytown, and Friendship Heights – are 50 percent complete, with new light fixtures installed along the inbound track only. Installation on the outbound track is scheduled for the weekend of January 26, 2019.
Eleven more stations will be upgraded in the first half of 2019: (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish
From DDOT:
“The District Department of Transportation today announced plans to implement new safety improvements at intersections across the District to support Mayor Bowser’s Vision Zero initiative to end all traffic related fatalities and serious injuries.
The safety improvements, prohibiting right turn on red and installing left turn hardening infrastructure, are both focused on improving pedestrian safety in intersections. Mayor Bowser directed DDOT to look for locations to ban right turn on red and implement other safety improvements at a CapSTAT on Vision Zero earlier this fall.
“As we strive to build a safer, stronger DC, we are committed to exploring all options that can protect our residents and visitors,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “These locations were selected using data and recognized best practices to yield the greatest safety improvements.”
Left Turn Hardening
By the end of December, DDOT will complete the installation of new roadway infrastructure designed to reduce motorists’ speed and prevent cutting across crosswalks and lanes of traffic while making left turns at five intersections across the District. DDOT will install similar infrastructure at a total of 85 intersections over the next two years.
The left turn calming pilot infrastructure is being installed at the following locations:
7th Street and T Street, NW
9th Street and M Street, NW
11th Street and I Street, SE
14th Street and Columbia Road, NW
13th Street and I Street, NW
No Turn On Red
Starting in February, DDOT will begin installing no right turn on red signs at approximately 100 signalized intersections across the District. All signs are expected to be installed by the end of July 2019. A complete list of intersections where right turns will be prohibited is available here: (more…)
From an email:
“We wanted to share the partnership between Lyft and Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) to ensure the DC community is not drinking and driving during the holidays. From now through January 1, 2019, DMV residents can get a free ride with Lyft (up to $15) between 8:00 pm and 4:00 am by visiting SoberRide.com.
“New Year’s Eve is a big night for both riders and drivers in DC. We encourage Lyft riders to ride smart and plan ahead for a responsible ride home when ringing in 2019 with friends and family,” said Steve Taylor, General Manager for Lyft Mid-Atlantic. “We’ll also be there all night to support drivers on the road who want to take advantage of this additional earning opportunity.”
Last year, DC came out on top and gave some of the most rides across the country on NYE. While top New Year’s Eve destinations in Washington, D.C. include places like MGM National Harbor, The Anthem, and the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Here are some other highlights from NYE 2017: (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin
Now that we’ve tackled the elephant in the rideshare room…
“Dear PoPville,
Looking for the PoPvillers take on rating and tipping Uber/Lyft drivers.
I give a driver 5 stars unless something significant comes up — noticeably dirty car, clearly unsafe driving, etc. — and then always submit a comment on what I “dinged” the driver for. Those above issues equal 4 stars and only if there’s a serious safety/service issue (very rare) would I give 3 stars.
A coworker says his default rating is 4 stars and that only if the driver is exceptional — super personable/friendly, goes out of their way to be helpful (eg helping with luggage) etc — does he give 5 stars. A dirty car would get 3 stars. Unsafe driving would get 2, and “something egregious” (?) would get 1.
However, (more…)
Ugh. Meghan sends last night from Columbia Heights:
“Heard sirens and honking for a few minutes and went out to find an illegally parked UPS truck blocking an ambulance on Monroe Street. The driver apparently went and did her deliveries while the ambulance and everyone else waited.”