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Cross reference intersections at Queens Chapel/Ager, Hamilton/Ager, Hamilton/Queens Chapel.

Site Description:

Queens Chapel Road is a wide heavily trafficked Maryland State route, and a major commuter route into Washington, DC (it becomes Michigan Ave. at the District line). There are sidewalks to the south in Mt. Rainier, and there is a sidewalk on the west side of Queens Chapel running north from Ager Rd. to Hamilton Street. There are no sidewalks on the east side of Queens Chapel between Hamilton Street and the Northwest Branch trail, nor is there a sidewalk on the west side of Queens Chapel between Ager and the Northwest Branch.

The Northwest Branch Trail is a popular and heavily used regional trail that provides access to the metro station and links with the Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Northeast Branch trail, Anacostia Trail, and Sligo Creek Trail. This section of the Northwest Branch Trail is part of the East Coast Greenway, which goes from Maine to Florida and the American Discovery Trail, which goes from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans.

This intersection provides access to the West Hyattsville metro station, and is popular for weekend recreational users as well as weekday commuters. The trail’s eight-foot width is paved. This section of the trail is heavily used by residents of an apartment complex abutting the trail on Chillum Rd in Mt. Rainier. It is used for pedestrian access to the West Hyattsville metro station and the stores along Queens Chapel Road.

Ager road intersects very near here.

Jamestown Rd is a Hyattsville city road that intersects Queens Chapel on the west side a few feet north of the Northwest Branch. It is primarily used for access to the West Hyattsville metro station and the adjacent shops.

As noted below, there are flashing lights in the pavement of Queens Chapel Road at the intersection with the Northwest Branch trail that are activated as a pedestrian approaches. These are particularly useful in low light, when pedestrians may be difficult to spot. In full daylight, or when there is heavy traffic, however, the lights are not very visible. A serious problem is that while some drivers will stop for pedestrians, others will not, and some drivers, upon finding themselves behind a stopped car, will quickly shift into the other lane and continue into the intersection just as a pedestrian has decided to cross.


History: The trail intersection with Queens Chapel was originally proposed to have a trail bridge, as part of the metro construction. There was new tunneling done for the Northwest Branch under Queens Chapel to increase the flow of water downstream and lower the floodplain in connection with the development of the Metrorail site. No additional flow capacity was added at the next constriction downstream. The current flashing lights in the pavement at the crossing are meant to warn traffic to stop. These flashing lights are a nonstandard device that is being tested at this location. Unfortunately they are largely blocked by the traffic on the road when traffic is heavy, rendering them relatively useless. A pedestrian crossing in Mount Rainier less than a half mile south has an overhead traffic light that is pedestrian activated and turns red to stop traffic. There are rumors that SHA is going to abandon using the inpavement flashing lights, and that when they malfunction, they will not be replaced [needs confirmation].

JURISDICTIONS:
Queens Chapel Rd. (Rte. 500) - Maryland State Highway Administration
Northwest Branch Trail - MNCPPC
Wards - This intersection lies in Hyattsville Ward 5

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Install a traditional red light, activated by pedestrians and timed with the other lights along the road would be a more effective solution than the current experimental traffic warning system. The current system may give trail users an unrealistic expectation of safety. A red light here would also make access to/from Jamestown road easier for cars.
• Add sidewalk on the west side of Queens Chapel between the Northwest Branch and Ager Rd.

ACCIDENTS:

According to Maryland State Highway Administration, ??? from 2001 to 2005, within 0.2 mile of intersection:


Page created by Aimee Condayan and Heather Olsen of the Hyattsville Bike & Pedestrian Safety Committee.