2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 50 - Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic › Chapter 9A - Department of Transportation › Subchapter I - General › § 50–921.04. Duties

§ 50–921.04. Duties.
(a) The offices of DDOT shall plan, program, operate, manage, control, and maintain systems, processes, and programs to meet transportation needs as follows:
(1) The Project Delivery Administration shall:
(A) Manage and implement transportation improvement plans and projects;
(B) Develop and update the Intermodal State Transportation Plan, corridor management plans, and other traffic studies on a regular basis, focusing on the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and information;
(C) Conduct planning studies on the condition and quality of the District’s transportation system in order to locate areas where future investment is required;
(D) Manage and construct capital projects related to the design and installation of streets, alleys, curbs, gutters, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, streetscapes, and medians;
(E) Review and approve the use of construction materials for capital projects;
(F) Administer the full range of processing required to execute construction contracts for transportation, from initial preparation of bid documents through final construction completion;
(G) Implement managed lane policies, including lane pricing, vehicle eligibility, and access control; provided, that at least one lane of traffic on a street with managed lanes shall be free of charge; provided further, that DDOT shall submit to the Council any policy created pursuant to this subparagraph for approval by act before implementation;
(H) With the consent of the Chief Property Management Officer, acquire real property by purchase, lease, grant, or gift for use by DDOT, and dispose of real property through sale, lease, or other authorized method, and exercise other acquisition and property disposition authority delegated to the Mayor;
(I) Conduct studies;
(J) Develop streetscape standards;
(K) Develop policies and programs to encourage and provide for the safe use of bicycles for recreation and work-related travel, including planning, developing, operating, and regulating a Bicycle Sharing program, and administering the Bicycle Sharing Fund established by § 50-921.16 to fund a Bicycle Sharing program;
(L) Develop and update the District’s various transportation improvement plans, consistent with federal and local requirements;
(M) Plan, manage, and contract for all, or any part of, the design, engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance of any element of the Integrated Premium Transit System;
(N) Develop paratransit systems, water taxis, tour bus support systems, light rail streetcar transit systems, and other transportation services to provide for safe and efficient movement of persons throughout the city;
(O) Operate the District of Columbia School Transit Subsidy Program;
(P) Prepare studies on mass transit needs of District residents, including rail and bus services, review and revise bus routes, review and revise the location of bus shelter locations, support WMATA Board members, and act as a liaison between WMATA and the District government;
(Q) Operate, maintain, and regulate the DC Circulator pursuant to subchapter II of this chapter;
(R) Operate, maintain, and regulate the DC Streetcar pursuant to subchapter IV of this chapter;
(S) Submit to the Transit Rider Advisory Council proposed fare or service adjustments, as that term is defined in § 50-921.35(a-1)(3);
(T) Submit to the Transit Rider Advisory Council strategic or long-term plans to expand and improve local transit service;
(U) Develop and implement transportation safety programs; and
(V) Incorporate transportation safety features in the development, design, and construction of pedestrian, bicycle, motor vehicle, and mass transportation facilities and programs.
(2) The Project Delivery Administration may enter into agreements to allow the private sponsorship of bicycles, equipment, and facilities used in the Bicycle Sharing program, and the placement of a corporate logo, slogan, or other indicia of sponsorship on the bicycles or facilities, and on related websites and social media; provided, that an agreement that would modify the name or design of any part of the Capital Bikeshare system, including equipment or facilities, shall be submitted to the Council for a 30-day period of passive review before execution. The agreement submitted to the Council shall include detailed information about a proposed name or design. All proceeds collected from a private sponsorship agreement shall be deposited into the Bicycle Sharing Fund established by § 50-921.16.
(2A) Not Funded.
(3) The Operations Administration shall:
(A) Maintain a tree inventory system;
(B) Perform routine tree maintenance;
(C) Review transportation related construction plans to ensure the provision of adequate rights-of-way for tree planting;
(D) Plant and maintain trees on public space and on District-owned land, including parks and school property;
(D-i) Remove and trim trees citywide;
(D-ii) Review construction plans for the District of Columbia Public Schools, the Department of General Services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and other District agencies to ensure the tree canopy is protected;
(E) Review, approve, and issue public space permit requests for occupancy, work within, or other use of the public space, including private use and utility work public space requests, and ensure that transportation services are maintained and that the infrastructure is restored after the occupancy, work within, or other use is complete;
(F) Maintain official public space records;
(G) Perform regular inspections of the transportation system infrastructure;
(H) Enter into agreements to allow the placement of advertisements on District property, under the control of DDOT, and collect payments under the agreements, if:
(i) The placement of the advertisement is not in violation of District or federal laws, regulations, or orders; and
(ii) All proceeds collected from the advertising agreement shall be paid into the DDOT Enterprise Fund for Transportation Initiatives, established under § 50-921.13; provided, that proceeds related to advertisements on bicycles, equipment, or facilities used for the purposes of the Bicycle Sharing program shall be deposited into the Bicycle Sharing Fund established by § 50-921.16; provided further, that proceeds relating to private sponsorship of vehicles, equipment, and facilities used in the DC Circulator program shall be deposited into the DC Circulator Fund established by § 50-921.33; provided further, that proceeds relating to private sponsorship of vehicles, equipment, and facilities used in the DC Streetcar program shall be deposited into the DC Streetcar Fund established by § 50-921.73;
(I) Develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive plan that covers the care, maintenance, and upkeep of public space and federal reservations under the control of DDOT;
(J) Ensure that the transportation system is maintained to the highest standards;
(K) Perform routine repair and maintenance activities to maintain a high quality of transportation infrastructure;
(L) Coordinate seasonal snow removal operation on streets throughout the District in conjunction with the Department of Public Works and other District agencies;
(M) Maintain the mechanical and electrical street light systems that support the transportation infrastructure;
(N) Provide a safe transportation system by maintaining a high-quality traffic control system, including traffic signals and street lights;
(O) Maintain the mechanical and electrical systems signal systems that support the transportation infrastructure;
(P) Where necessary to manage the flow of traffic, respond to incidents, or manage special events, concurrent with any other agency’s authority to do so, enforce all violations of statutes, regulations, executive orders, or rules relating to motor vehicle parking offenses and the operation of a motor vehicle, except those violations contained in § 50-2302.02;
(Q) Allocate and regulate on-street parking;
(R) Develop a city-wide parking management program to balance the needs of parking in support of economic development;
(S) Establish citywide parking and curbside management regulations, taking into account input from other District agencies, as necessary;
(T) Install and maintain parking meters and other parking control devices and systems on public rights-of-way and other public spaces in the District; and
(U) Establish policies encouraging energy conservation, the reduction of pollution, including through the use of alternative-fuel vehicles, the reduction of traffic congestion, and an increase in transportation services to persons with disabilities.
(3A) Not Funded.
(4) The Administrative Administration shall develop alternative methods of financing transportation projects and services to achieve financial self-sufficiency.
(5) The Performance Administration shall:
(A) Develop and maintain a performance monitoring system to measure the quality and effectiveness of transportation services; and
(B) Develop and maintain the transportation elements of the Geographic Information System.
(C) Not Funded.
(D) Not Funded.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term:
(1) “DC Streetcar” means a fixed guideway transit network offering rail passenger service operated by the District government or its agent.
(2) “Integrated Premium Transit System” means an integrated transit system composed of any or all of the DC Streetcar, bus service operated or managed by, or on behalf of, the District government consistent with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact, and facilities including buildings, other structures, and parking areas appurtenant to the DC Streetcar and bus service.
(May 21, 2002, D.C. Law 14-137, § 5, 49 DCR 3444; Apr. 13, 2005, D.C. Law 15-354, § 77(b), (c), 52 DCR 2638; Mar. 6, 2007, D.C. Law 16-225, § 3(d), 53 DCR 10232; Sept. 18, 2007, D.C. Law 17-20, § 6032(b), 54 DCR 7052; Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-248, § 2(b), 55 DCR 9203; Sept. 24, 2010, D.C. Law 18-223, § 6052(b), 57 DCR 6242; Mar. 31, 2011, D.C. Law 18-339, § 6(b), 58 DCR 618; Sept. 14, 2011, D.C. Law 19-21, § 6022, 58 DCR 6226; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-171, § 139, 59 DCR 6190; Mar. 19, 2013, D.C. Law 19-234, § 2(a), 59 DCR 14772; Apr. 27, 2013, D.C. Law 19-289, § 8, 60 DCR 2328; Feb. 26, 2015, D.C. Law 20-155, §§ 6012, 6022, 6032(a), 61 DCR 9990; Mar. 11, 2015, D.C. Law 20-207, § 2(b), 61 DCR 12690; June 22, 2016, D.C. Law 21-124, § 101(b), 63 DCR 7076; July 1, 2016, D.C. Law 21-133, § 3, 63 DCR 7134; Dec. 13, 2017, D.C. Law 22-33, § 6072(a), 64 DCR 7652; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 6022, 65 DCR 9388; Dec. 23, 2020, D.C. Law 23-158, § 4(a), 67 DCR 13057.)
Section References
This section is referenced in § 5-401.01, § 50-921.06, and § 50-921.16.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-354 substituted “DDOT” for “DOT”; and, in par. (4)(F), substituted “Chief Property Management Officer” for “Director of the Office of Property Management”.
D.C. Law 16-225, in par. (2)(J) deleted “and” at the end; in par. (2)(K), substituted “travel; and” for “travel;”; and added par. (2)(L).
D.C. Law 17-20, in par. (3), deleted “and” from the end of subpar. (C), added “and” at the end of subpar. (D)(iii), and added subpar. (E).
D.C. Law 17-248, rewrote par. (1)(D); in par. (2)(D), deleted “historic district” following “Develop”; in par. (2)(J), inserted “review and revise the location of bus shelter locations,”; in par. (2)(K), deleted “and” at the end; in par. (2)(L), substituted a semicolon for a period at the end; and added par. (2)(M).
D.C. Law 18-223, in par. (4), deleted “and” from the end of subpar. (E), inserted “and” at the end of subpar. (F), and added subpar. (G).
D.C. Law 18-339, in par. (2), substituted “light rail streetcar transit” for “light rail” in subpar. (H), deleted “and” from the end of subpar. (L), substituted “; and” for a period the end of subpar. (M), and added subpar. (N).
D.C. Law 19-21 rewrote par. (4)(G), which formerly read:
“(G) Enter into agreements to allow the placement of advertisements on parking meters, including the back of receipts printed out by multi-space parking meters, and may collect payments under the agreements.”
The 2012 amendment by D.C. Law 19-171 made a technical correction to D.C. Law 18-339 which did not affect this section as codified.
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-234 rewrote (2)(K).
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-289, applicable only upon a contingency being met, would have rewritten (4)(G)(iii) to read as follows: “(iii) The requirements of §§ 1-303.21 and 1-303.23, and rules issued pursuant to those sections, pertaining to outdoor signs and other forms of exterior advertising in the District of Columbia, shall not apply.”
The 2015 amendment by D.C. Law 20-155 designated the existing text as (a); added (a)(1)(E) and (a)(2)(O) and made related changes; substituted “maintain, and regulate” for “develop, and finance” in (a)(2)(L); substituted “maintain, and regulate” for “develop, regulate, and finance” in (a)(2)(N); added the proviso in a)(4)(G)(iv); added (a)(4A); and added (b).
The 2015 amendment by D.C. Law 20-207 added (3)(D-i) and made related changes; rewrote (4)(A); and would have added (4)(H).
Applicability
Applicability of D.C. Law 23-158: § 14 of D.C. Law 23-158 provided that the change made to this section by § 4(a) of D.C. Law 23-158 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.
Section 7009 of D.C. Law 22-33 removed the applicability restriction of § 12(b) of D.C. Law 20-207 which had already been overwritten by D.C. Law 21-124
Section 7012 of D.C. Law 21-160 repealed § 4(b) of D.C. Law 21-133. Therefore the changes made to this section by D.C. Law 21-133 have been given effect.
Applicability of D.C. Law 21-133: § 4(b) of D.C. Law 21-133 provided that the change made to this section by § 3 of D.C. Law 21-133 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) requirement that the District Department of Transportation publish a report identifying modifications to at least 20 miles of streets in the District, including streets in all 8 wards, that will allow, in the roadway, uses other than for motorized vehicles, such as for bicycles, see § 2 of Connected Transportation Network Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-413, Oct. 14, 2020, 67 DCR 12239).
For temporary (90 days) requirement that the District Department of Transportation publish a report identifying modifications to at least 20 miles of streets in the District, including streets in all 8 wards, that will allow, in the roadway, uses other than for motorized vehicles, such as for bicycles, see § 2 of Connected Transportation Network Emergency Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-331, July 7, 2020, 67 DCR 8607).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6022 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6022 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6072(a) of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6072(a) of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3(c) of District Department of Transportation DC Circulator Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-321, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2557).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Department of Transportation and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Vending Consolidation of Public Space and Licensing Authorities Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-564, December 19, 2006,
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Department of Transportation and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Vending Consolidation of Public Space and Licensing Authorities Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-564, December 19, 2006, 53 DCR 10264).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3(d) of District Department of Transportation DC Circulator Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-3, January 16, 2007, 54 DCR 1439).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 6032(b) of Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-74, July 25, 2007, 54 DCR 7549).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Capitol Hill Historic District Protection Emergency Act OF 2007 (D.C. Act 17-112, August 2, 2007, 54 DCR 8231).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Capitol Hill Historic District Protection Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-142, October 17, 2007, 54 DCR 10743).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2(b) of Department of Transportation Establishment Emergency Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Act 17-308, February 25, 2008, 55 DCR 2522).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 6012 of Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-187, August 26, 2009, 56 DCR 7374).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 6052(b) of Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-463, July 2, 2010, 57 DCR 6542).
For temporary (90 day) addition of sections, see §§ 6062, 6063 of Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-383, June 19, 2012, 59 DCR 7764).
For temporary (90 day) addition of sections, see §§ 6062, 6063 of Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-413, July 25, 2012, 59 DCR 9290).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2(a) of District Department of Transportation Bicycle Sharing Fund Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-424, July 27, 2012, 59 DCR 9375).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see §§ 6022, 6032 and 6042(a) of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2014 (D.C. Act 20-377, July 14, 2014, 61 DCR 7598, 20 STAT 3696).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see §§ 6012, 6022 and 6032(a) of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2014 (D.C. Act 20-449, October 10, 2014, 61 DCR 10915, 20 STAT 4188).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see §§ 6012, 6022 and 6032(a) of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Support Second Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2014 (D.C. Act 20-566, January 9, 2015, 62 DCR 884, 21 STAT 541).
Temporary Legislation
For temporary (225 days) requirement that the District Department of Transportation publish a report identifying modifications to at least 20 miles of streets in the District, including streets in all 8 wards, that will allow, in the roadway, uses other than for motorized vehicles, such as for bicycles, see § 2 of Connected Transportation Network Temporary Act of 2020 [Effective from October 20, 2020] (D.C. Law 23-137, Oct. 20, 2020, 67 DCR 9400).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 3(c) of District Department of Transportation DC Circulator Temporary Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Law 16-134, June 16, 2006, law notification 53 DCR 5762).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Department of Transportation and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Vending Consolidation of Public Space and Licensing Authorities Temporary Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Law 16-252, March 8, 2007, law notification 54 DCR 3037).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2(b) of Department of Transportation Establishment Temporary Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Law 17-159, May 13, 2008, law notification 55 DCR 5893).
For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 2 of Capitol Hill District Protection Temporary Act of 2007 (D.C. Law 17-49, November 24, 2007, law notification 55 DCR 8).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of (2)(K), see § 2(a) of the District Department of Transportation Bicycle Sharing Fund Temporary Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Law 19-198, Dec. 11, 2012, 59 DCR 12083).
Short Title
Short title: Section 6021 of D.C. Law 19-21 provided that subtitle C of title VI of the act may be cited as “District Department of Transportation Advertisement Amendment Act of 2011”.
Editor's Notes
Section 6062 of D.C. Law 19-168 provided that on or before September 30, 2013, the District Department of Transportation shall prepare a policy compendium listing all of the agency’s policies and procedures that affect the management of the transportation network and public space; and that the District Department of Transportation shall make the policy compendium available online.
Section 6063 of D.C. Law 19-168 provided that on or before October 1, 2012, January 1, 2013, April 1, 2013, and July 1, 2013, the District Department of Transportation shall submit a report to the Council on the status of the policy compendium, the progress made in the preceding quarter, and the projected timeline for completion.
Section 9 of D.C. Law 19-289 provided: “Any order, rule, or regulation in effect under a law replaced by this act shall remain in effect until repealed, amended, or superseded.”
Applicability of D.C. Law 19-289, § 8: Section 10 of D.C. Law 19-289 provided that sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the act shall not apply until the Mayor’s issuance of a comprehensive final rulemaking governing signs on public space and private property pursuant to section 2 of the act. Section 2 of D.C. Law 19-289 rewrote §§ 1-303.21 and 1-303.23, and repealed § 1-303.22.
Applicability of D.C. Law 20-207: Section 12(a) of D.C. Law 20-207 provided that §§ 2(a), 2(b)(1), 2(b)(2)(A), 2(b)(2)(B), 2(b)(2)(C), 2(c), 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 shall apply as of March 11, 2015.
Section 12(b) of D.C. Law 20-207 provided that § 2(b)(2)(D) of the act shall apply upon the inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, as certified by the Chief Financial Officer to the Budget Director of the Council in a certification published by the Council in the District of Columbia Register.
Delegation of Authority
Delegation of Authority to Capitol Hill Historic District Protection Emergency Act of 2007, see Mayor’s Order 2007-185, August 9, 2007 ( 54 DCR 11621).