Dates	Number of Participants (unique individuals)
May 5-19, 2025	418

 

The following needs have been identified for this study. Do you agree with these needs?
Safety improvement	84%
Capacity preservation (keep traffic flowing smoothly)	80%
Transportation demand management (TDM)	37%
Transit access	16%
Bicycle access	10%

 

Rank the following needs in order of importance to you along the study area.
Corridor safety / intersection safety	80%
Reducing traffic congestion	82%
Speeding / aggressive driving	80%
Proper pavement marking and signage	71%
Pedestrian safety and accessibility	54%
Public transit access and service	54%
Bicycle safety and accessibility	49%

 

Which of the following safety issues concern you?
Speeding / aggressive driving	69%
Sudden stopping / rear-end crashes	53%
Difficulty weaving / merging	31%
Inadequate pavement marking and signage	30%
Running red lights	29%
Side-impact crashes	29%
Inadequate lighting	26%
Closely spaced driveways	10%
Lack of sidewalks / missing sidewalks	9%
Other	9%
Insufficient / missing crosswalks and pedestrian signal timing	7%
Inadequate bicycle facilities	6%
Inadequate transit / bus stops	6%
Lack of ADA ramps and accessibility	4%

 

What mobility issues do you typically experience when using the study area?
Lack of turn lanes	62%
Difficulty making left turns	47%
Poor signal coordination	34%
Difficulty accessing businesses	16%
Vehicles blocking entrances	14%
Other	8%
Difficulty when riding a bicycle	7%
Difficulty when walking	4%

 

What mode(s) of travel do you use when traveling along the study area?
Personal vehicle	97%
Truck or commercial vehicle	15%
Cycling	3%
Walking	2%
Other	2%
Carpool / Vanpool	1%
Taxi / Uber / Lyft	1%
Metro bus, local bus, or commuter bus	1%

 

ST-25-04 Phase 1 Executive Summary - PDF, 1.2MB

The Phase 2 survey regarding proposed alternatives for the U.S. Route 522 (North Frederick Pike) corridor between Red Oak Road and Echo Lane west of Route 37 in Frederick County was completed in November 2025. 

Dates	Number of Participants (unique individuals)
November 12-26, 2025	459

Alternatives

1. Cross Junction Drive to Gainesboro School Road 

Need: U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) between Cross Junction Drive and Gainesboro School Road experiences crashes related to drivers running off the road and speeding. A total of 23 off-road crashes occurred along this stretch during the study’s five-year analysis period (2020 through 2024). This portion of the U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) corridor has steep grades and frequent curves. 

Description of Alternative: The proposed alternative includes installing warning signs and widening the shoulder. The warning signs will improve safety by informing drivers of curves ahead and providing advisory speeds as drivers navigate the curves. Shoulder widening provides more space for drivers who leave their lane to safely return onto the road. 

The following improvements are proposed as part of this alternative: 

• Chevrons at the hotspot curves where off-road crashes have occurred; 
• Curve warning signs with advisory speed plaques prior to the hotspot curves where off-road crashes have occurred; 
• Deer warning signs with distance plaques in both directions; 
• Paved shoulder widening to four feet on the left side of the roadway and eight feet on the right side of the roadway; and 
• Edge line rumble strips. 

Please rate the proposed improvements between Cross Junction Road and Gainesboro School Road on a scale of 1 to 5. (411 responses)

	1. Strongly oppose	2. Somewhat oppose	3. Neutral	4. Somewhat support	5. Strongly support
Installing chevrons, curve warning signs with advisory speed plaques, and deer warning signs with distance plaques	4%	2%	17%	21%	56%
Widening the left shoulder to four feet and the right shoulder to eight feet and installing edge line rumble strips	3%	3%	9%	20%	65%

 

2. U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Siler Road/Siler Lane  

Need: The intersection of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Siler Road/Siler Lane experiences the highest number of intersection related crashes within the study corridor. There were 15 crashes at the intersection during the five-year analysis period (2020 through 2024). Of these crashes, 10 were angle crashes related to traffic turning from U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike), Siler Road, or Siler Lane crossing the median and colliding with high speed through traffic on U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike). There was one (1) fatal head-on collision due to a wrong-way driver on northbound U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike). Please rate the following three alternatives being considered to mitigate turning related crashes at this intersection. Unless otherwise noted, these alternatives are not mutually exclusive and could be implemented together. 

Description of Alternatives: 

Alternative 1 

The proposed alternative will increase safety by improving driver expectations by installing signs and pavement markings that clearly identify locations where drivers need to stop or yield to crossing traffic. A fatal head-on crash occurred at this intersection during dark conditions. This alternative provides signage to warn drivers that they are traveling the wrong way. The following improvements are proposed as part of Alternative 1: 

• Intersection warning signs on U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike); 
• Divided Highway sign at Siler Lane; 
• Yield signs, One Way signs, yield markings, and double yellow centerline within the crossover (Note: Alternatives 2 and 3 exclude the proposed signing and marking installation within the crossover); 
• Do Not Enter and Wrong Way signage; and 
• Stop bars at Siler Road and Siler Lane. 

Alternative 2 

The proposed alternative is to install a dedicated turn lane on southbound U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) for the left turn to Siler Road. The proposed turn lane will improve safety by giving drivers space to decelerate prior to performing the left turn. 

Alternative 3 

The proposed alternative will modify the existing intersection to an unsignalized Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI). 

What is an RCI? 

• Intersection design where all side street movements begin with a right turn 
• Side street left-turn and through vehicles turn right and make a U-turn at a dedicated downstream median opening to complete the desired movement 
• Main intersection and median U-turns can be designed as signalized, stop controlled or yield controlled 

The benefits of an RCI include: 

• Improved safety: The RCI concept reduces the number of locations within the intersection where vehicles cross paths. Performance studies at locations similar to the Siler Road/Siler Lane where this modification has been implemented show a decrease in injury crashes by 70 percent after implementation. A fatal head-on crash occurred at this intersection during dark conditions. This alternative channelizes traffic which will reduce the potential for head-on crashes. 
• Shorter wait times: Allowing only right turns from side streets means drivers entering U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) from Siler Road or Siler Lane will need to wait less. 

For more information regarding RCIs (also referred to as Restricted Crossing U-Turns) visit: Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) - Intersection | Virginia Department of Transportation 

Please rate the proposed alternatives for the intersection of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Siler Road/Siler Lane on a scale of 1 to 5. (339 responses)

	1. Strongly oppose	2. Somewhat oppose	3. Neutral	4. Somewhat support	5. Strongly support
Alternative 1: Installing intersection warning signs, Divided Highway signs, Yield signs, One Way signs, Do Not Enter signs, Wrong Way signs, yield markings, and double yellow centerline	5%	6%	21%	23%	45%
Alternative 2: Installing a dedicated left-turn lane on U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) southbound to Siler Road	6%	2%	7%	18%	67%
Alternative 3: Converting the existing intersection to an unsignalized Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI)	29%	10%	18%	12%	31%

 

3. Silver Lake Lane to Spring Valley Drive

Need: U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) between Silver Lake Lane and Spring Valley Drive experiences crashes related to drivers running off the road. During the study’s five-year analysis period (2020 through 2024), there were 14 crashes on the segment. Of these 14 crashes, 11 were off-road crashes that resulted in one (1) serious injury, four (4) minor injuries, and one (1) non-visible injury. Four (4) of these off-road incidents were related to speeding. 

Description of Alternative: The proposed alternative is the installation of warning signs and shoulder widening. The signs will improve safety by informing drivers of curves ahead and providing advisory speeds as drivers navigate the curves. Shoulder widening provides more space for drivers who leave their lane to safely return onto the road. 

The following improvements are proposed as part of this alternative: 

• Chevrons at the curve; 
• Curve warning signs with advisory speed plaques prior to the curve; 
• Paved shoulder widening to four feet on the left side of the roadway and eight feet on the right side of the roadway; and 
• Shoulder rumble strips. 

Please rate the proposed improvements for the segment of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) between Silver Lake Lane and Spring Valley Drive on a scale of 1 to 5. (292 responses) 

	1. Strongly oppose	2. Somewhat oppose	3. Neutral	4. Somewhat support	5. Strongly support
Installing chevrons and curve warning signs with advisory speed plaques	3%	3%	19%	21%	53%
Widening the left shoulder to four feet and the right shoulder to eight feet and installing shoulder rumble strips	4%	3%	11%	16%	65%

 

4. U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Marple Road/Cedar Grove Road

Need: There were 15 crashes at the intersection of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Marple Road/Cedar Grove Road during a five-year period (2020 through 2024). Of these crashes, 12 were rear-end crashes at the traffic signal. Five (5) of the crashes were caused by failure to stop at the signal. There was one (1) fatal rear-end crash caused by failure to stop at the signal on U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) in the northbound direction. 

In the future, longer wait times at the signal are expected with increases in traffic volumes. By 2045, delays for U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) eastbound are estimated to average about 100 seconds per vehicle during the morning rush hour. Delays for U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) westbound are estimated at about 60 seconds per vehicle during the evening rush hour. 

Please rate the following alternative under consideration to reduce crashes and decrease delays at this intersection. 

Description of Alternative: 

The proposed alternative will convert U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Marple Road/Cedar Grove Road from a signalized intersection to an unsignalized Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI).  

What is an RCI? 

• Intersection design where all side street movements begin with a right turn 
• Side street left-turn and through vehicles turn right and make a U-turn at a dedicated downstream median opening to complete the desired movement 
• Main intersection and median U-turns can be designed as signalized, stop controlled or yield controlled 

The removal of the traffic signal will improve safety by reducing the chance of rear-end crashes on U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike). Removing the signal and constructing the RCI will also improve wait times. By 2045, the modification is expected to reduce the average delay on U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) eastbound from 100 seconds per vehicle to two (2) seconds per vehicle in the morning rush, and reduce the average delay on U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) westbound from 60 seconds per vehicle to one (1) second per vehicle in the evening rush. 

The benefits of an RCI include: 

• Improved safety: The capacity improvements provided by the RCI allow for the removal of the traffic signal without introducing long wait times for drivers entering U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) from Marple Road or Cedar Grove Road. Removing the traffic signal will reduce the likelihood that rear-end crashes will occur at this intersection. 
• Shorter wait times: Allowing only right turns from the side streets means less wait times for all drivers using the intersection. 
• Cost-effective: For intersections where drivers experience delays, an RCI can be more cost effective than adding lanes to improve capacity. 

For more information regarding RCIs (also referred to as Restricted Crossing U-Turns) visit: Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) - Intersection | Virginia Department of Transportation

Please rate the proposed alternative at the intersection of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Marple Road/Cedar Grove Road on a scale of 1 to 5. (323 responses) 

	1. Strongly oppose	2. Somewhat oppose	3. Neutral	4. Somewhat support	5. Strongly support
Convert the conventional signalized intersection to an unsignalized Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI)	37%	11%	12%	13%	26%

 

5. U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Indian Hollow Road 

Need: There were 11 crashes at the intersection of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Indian Hollow Road during a five-year analysis period (2020 through 2024). Of these crashes, eight (8) were rear-end crashes, of which four (4) were caused by failure to stop at the signal. In total, there were four (4) minor injury crashes and two (2) serious injury crashes. 

Description of Alternative: The proposed alternative is the installation of Signal Ahead warning signs on the left and right side of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) southbound 600 feet before the intersection at Indian Hollow Road. The signs will improve safety by warning drivers of the signal at Indian Hollow Road in advance. 

Please rate the proposed improvement at the intersection of U.S. Route 522 (N. Frederick Pike) and Indian Hollow Road on a scale of 1 to 5. (284 responses)

	1. Strongly oppose	2. Somewhat oppose	3. Neutral	4. Somewhat support	5. Strongly support
Installation of Signal Ahead warning signs 600 feet before the intersection	2%	3%	17%	21%	57%