Arlington County has recently adopted a new vision statement affirming its commitment to supporting a variety of transportation modes beyond the use of cars. The County Board members, who endorsed the statement at a meeting on Saturday, defended its language as both aspirational and realistic, reflecting the current state of transit in the area.
However, some advocates argue that the new statement does not adequately support a significant shift away from reliance on private vehicles.
This new vision and its associated goals are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the transportation segment of Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan, which aims to replace the 2007 Master Transportation Plan by 2026.
The revised vision statement articulates: “People of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can move safely, comfortably and seamlessly in Arlington. Everyone can rely on a variety of high-quality, sustainable transportation options to get them where they want to go, when they need to be there, with desirable choices beyond using a car. Arlington focuses on making travel an enjoyable experience for people, connecting them with nature, friends, family, and opportunities.”
While this language seeks to encourage alternatives to private vehicles, it stops short of suggesting that cars and trucks are unwelcome in Arlington. County Board member Maureen Coffey described the goal as fostering a supportive environment for gradual, sustained change.
“Our approach is to ‘carrot’ folks into adopting these changes rather than using a ‘stick’ approach,” Coffey said.
This strategy aims to create a less alienating environment for the public, she added. Coffey stressed the importance of creating choices that make people want to use public transit, rather than feeling coerced into doing so. “I want to have good choices that have people take transit because they want to take transit, not because they have to,” she explained.
Chris Slatt, who leads the Arlington Transportation Future initiative’s working group, expressed concern that some individuals involved in the process feel the vision statement lacks ambition.
“There’s a strong sentiment that this vision isn’t ambitious enough and resembles too closely the vision we already have,” Slatt told Board members.
He attempted to persuade Board members to reinstate a phrase that had been removed during revisions, which suggested a transportation system that the public could use “without having to depend on a car.”
Adam Theo, who is part of the Transportation Commission yet spoke personally, lamented that the initial concept had been diluted as it progressed through public review. “What began as a clear, bold, and ambitious statement has become watered down,” Theo remarked before the vote. He emphasized the need for the vision statement to serve as a “moral compass” for the county.
Joan McIntyre, speaking for the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Commission, concurred that the vision statement should strongly promote a departure from a car-centric transportation design. However, she noted that the necessary infrastructure is currently lacking.
Coffey echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the existence of options but stating she wouldn’t classify them as genuine alternatives.
She compared travel between Clarendon and Crystal City, stating that using public transit can sometimes take 45 minutes, which is significantly longer than driving a private vehicle. “I would not call that a real choice,” Coffey remarked.
Embedded within the proposal are several goals approved by Board members on July 19, which focus on creating a transportation system that embodies a set of core values.
These include:
1. Equitable and inclusive: This entails developing a welcoming, affordable, and accessible transportation system that caters to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, while aiming to eliminate historical disparities in transportation policy and investment.
2. Livable: The objective is to create a system that showcases enjoyable spaces and enhances quality of life, economic vitality, and community well-being.
3. Reliable: The vision calls for an interconnected transportation network that is dependable and well-maintained, allowing people and goods to reach their destinations seamlessly.
4. Safe: Prioritizing safety is essential to ensure a comfortable travel experience for all, aspiring to eliminate transportation-related deaths and serious injuries.
5. Sustainable: The development of a transportation system that supports a greener environment and moves more people with less traffic is a critical goal.
6. Transparent and accountable: The vision emphasizes prioritizing and communicating demands within the transportation network while managing public resources responsibly.
With these goals in place, Arlington County is set to engage in a new round of community outreach this fall, with potential action on a final plan expected to take place next year.
In a related development, Arlington County plans to utilize approximately $400,000 in external funding to hire a new epidemiologist to tackle opioid issues in the region.
During Saturday’s meeting, County Board members approved the use of funds from the state’s Opioid Settlement Direct Distribution Fund to support this new position, which will cost $134,921 annually for three years.
This additional staff role is expected to bolster the growth and maintenance of the Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative.
Board Chair Takis Karantonis emphasized that this funding will enhance ongoing efforts in opioid education and prevention.
In response to concerns raised by Board member Julius “JD” Spain Sr., County Manager Mark Schwartz clarified that the funding would cover the position without drawing from taxpayer dollars. He noted that future employment for the individual hired would not be guaranteed beyond the three-year term and that the county would evaluate next steps in the second and third years of employment.
The Opioid Abatement Authority, established by the General Assembly in 2021, oversees distributions from opioid manufacturers and other parties that reach legal settlements with the commonwealth.
Approximately one-third of all settlement funds go directly to localities, with Arlington receiving its first allocation during the fiscal year 2022.
image source from：arlnow
