Update on Selected Capital Projects Involving Pedestrian or Bicycle Infrastructure

Several new construction projects by the Division of Transportation Engineering will provide improvements to the pedestrian or bicycle infrastructure and increase walkability in Montgomery County.
Dale Drive Sidewalk from Mansfield Road to Hartford Avenue
The purpose of this project is to design and construct a new sidewalk with curb and gutter. Construction started in the fall of 2012 and contractors have recently finished relocating utilities. The projected completion date is the fall of 2013.
Greentree Road Sidewalk The purpose of this project is to construct approximately 64,000 linear feet of concrete sidewalk with curb and gutter, residential sidewalk ramps, and extend the existing storm drain system along the north side of Greentree Road. Construction started in the fall of 2012. The projected completion date is the fall of 2013.
MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway Improvement – Segment 2
The purpose of this project is to develop final construction plans for improvements along 13,800 linear feet of MacArthur Boulevard from I-495 to Oberlin Avenue. Construction is scheduled to begin in late February 2013. The projected completion date is the fall of 2014.
Montrose Trail
The purpose of this project is to design and construct a hiker-biker trail in the former Rockville Facility from Tildenwood Drive to Old Farm Creek. This will connect to the hiker-biker trail constructed in association with the Montrose Parkway West project. Construction ended in the fall of 2012.
Shady Grove Metro Access Bike Path The purpose of this project is to provide a new bikepath from Shady Grove Road along the east side of the WMATA Metro Access Road, a bikeway ramp from the new path to the existing bikeway at Crabbs Branch Way, and a signalized at-grade pedestrian/bikeway crossing on the WMATA Metro Access. Construction began in the spring of 2012. The projected completion date is the spring of 2013.
For more information on road, sidewalk, bikeway, or storm drainage projects throughout the county, visit the Division of Transportation Engineering's website or call 240.777.7223

Leggett Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary of His Pedestrian Safety Initiative; Efforts are Reducing Collisions and Saving Lives

On December 17, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett celebrated the five-year anniversary of his December 2007 Pedestrian Safety Initiative, which for the first time provided a blueprint for action to improve pedestrian safety based on measurable strategies. Since 2009, pedestrian collisions have decreased 12 percent and the most severe collisions, those where pedestrians are incapacitated or killed, has declined 21 percent.

“In 2007, we charted a course to dramatically improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in Montgomery County – a course that is proving to be successful,” said Leggett. “We are seeing significant reductions in pedestrian collisions in areas where we have taken a comprehensive and targeted approach. Every resident deserves a truly walkable community where pedestrians can safely cross the street. Our challenge in the future is to continually reassess what we are doing, keep what’s working well and find new and creative ways to significantly expand our pedestrian safety efforts.”

The Initiative outlined an approach to pedestrian and traffic safety that focused on three essential components: education, engineering and enforcement. The Initiative significantly enhanced the County’s investment in educating motorists and pedestrians, keeping enforcement efforts visible and intensive and aggressively applying the most innovative and pedestrian-friendly road engineering designs.

To fulfill Leggett’s vision for increased pedestrian mobility and safety, the Initiative established goals to:
• Reduce pedestrian-related crashes, injuries, fatalities, and their associated social and economic costs; and
• Ensure that all areas of the County provide safe and convenient travel options for pedestrians.

Some of the achievements of the Initiative include:
• Reducing pedestrian fatalities from a high of 19 fatalities in 2008 to 11 last year and six so far this year.
• Reducing pedestrian collisions 12 percent since 2009.
• Reducing the most severe collisions that incapacitate or kill pedestrians 21 percent since 2009.
• Reducing collisions 35 percent in areas where traffic calming measures have been installed.
• Reducing collisions by 45 percent In High Incidence Areas (HIAs), locations with the highest concentrations of collisions.
• Reducing collisions by 72 percent within a quarter mile of schools targeted for engineering, education and enforcement activities under the Safe Routes to Schools program.
 
Mr. Leggett was joined at the event by County Councilmember Valerie Ervin, County Councilmember Hans Riemer, Department of Transportation Director Arthur Holmes, Police Chief Thomas Manger, Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Scott Graham, and PBTSAC Chair Erwin Mack. 
Click here for the press release, including additional statistics on the results of the initiative.  Click here to view the Transportation Update on the event. 
For articles about the event, please click below:
WJLA
The Gazette
WTOP
Bethesda Now

County Releases PRSA Report for Colesville Road High Incidence Area

In November 2011, MCDOT led a team of transportation and enforcement professionals from Montgomery County, the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA), and the Maryland Highway Safety Office in a two-day pedestrian road safety audit along Colesville Road in the “heart” of the Silver Spring Central Business District (CBD). This segment of Colesville Road was particularly notable because of the density of unique “traffic generators”, including entertainment (i.e., Fillmore Music Hall, movie theater), dining, and shopping, bisected by a major regional corridor

The study area is an approximately 0.3-mile segment of Colesville Road located in a relatively densely developed, urban corridor between Fenton Street and North Noyes Drive. This stretch of Colesville Road was identified as one of Montgomery County’s High Incidence Areas (HIA) for pedestrian collisions. Based on collision data provided by Montgomery County and the Maryland State Highway Administration, 29 pedestrian collisions occurred in the study area from January 2004 through February 2011.

The audit team noted the role of the existing character of Colesville Road, vehicle speeds, the unsignalized mid-block crosswalk, and the reversible lane configurations, as potentially contributing to pedestrian safety issues. Based on the team’s field observations and an examination of available data, the team developed various suggestions to address these issues. Moving forward, there will be an ongoing vetting of the audit suggestions with collaboration among agencies and stakeholders to implement short and intermediate-term recommendations and assess the feasibility and constructability of long-term projects.

Pedestrian Safety Volunteers March in Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade

Montgomery County’s Pedestrian Safety Volunteers – the “Protectores del Camino” and “SWAG Team” – joined forces with Montgomery County Fire Rescue at the Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade on November 17 to keep pedestrians safe.  The County is working to improve pedestrian safety and the walkability of our communities.  400 pedestrians are struck by vehicles each year in Montgomery County, and this time of year is the most dangerous for pedestrians since there are so many dark hours per day.  For this reason, volunteers handed out reflective zipper pulls to the crowd - as a reminder to wear bright or reflective clothing during dark hours so drivers can see you.  When accidents occur in Silver Spring, Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department rescue vehicles, like the one driven in the parade by Firefighter/EMT Darian Unger, rush to help.  Banners were posted on the ambulance warning parade goers, "Let's not meet by accident.  Keep Pedestrians Safe.  Be Safe.  Be Seen."  It's far better to have careful drivers and thoughtful pedestrians to help avoid collisions in the first place.  Slow down...share the road...think about pedestrians...save a life. 

Leggett, Manger, Bowers Announce Campaigns to Keep Residents Safe This Holiday Season

“Eyes” Campaign and “Shop With a Cop” Promote Safety for Pedestrians, Drivers and Shoppers



On November 20, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, and Fire Chief Richard Bowers launched two public education campaigns to improve public safety – both focused on looking out for each other during the busy holiday shopping season. 

The seasonal change back to standard time is typically associated with an uptick in pedestrian collisions.   A new Montgomery County Department of Transportation pedestrian safety campaign focuses attention on one of the most important factors in reducing crashes – visibility – by featuring ads that show the eyes of two County students with the slogan, “Hey You, I’m Looking at You.”  

Police also announced their annual “Shop With a Cop” promotion, where officers in all six of Montgomery County’s police districts patrol retail areas during the height of the shopping season to provide extra security and remind shoppers to drive and walk safe -- especially in parking lots.

Joining Leggett, Manger, and Bowers were Montgomery Blair High School Principal Renay Johnson and the parents of John Parsley, whose eyes are featured in one of the ads. Parsley graduated from Montgomery Blair High School last year.

For additional articles on the event, please click the links below:

http://colesville.patch.com/articles/blair-high-students-spread-safety-message-heres-looking-at-you#photo-12270836

http://www.wtop.com/52/3127949/Md-teens-model-for-awareness-campaign

http://wamu.org/news/12/11/20/rideon_ads_urge_pedestrian_safety_for_holidays

MCDOT Urges Caution as Halloween and Time Change Ushers in "Scary Season" for Pedestrians and Drivers



County Launches "Eyes" Campaign to Reinforce "See and Be Seen" Message



This week, Halloween and the change back to standard time mark the start of the “scary season” for pedestrians and drivers, when an uptick in pedestrian collisions is typical.   According to a recent report released by State Farm, children are more than twice as likely to be fatally injured by a vehicle on Halloween.

The County has launched a new pedestrian safety public education campaign picturing eyes and the slogan, "Hey You, I'm Looking at You."  The education campaign focuses attention on one of the most important factors in reducing crashes – visibility.  The campaign was developed by Montgomery Blair High School students participating in the Blair Walk Project in an effort to reduce pedestrian collisions.  The new "Eyes" posters will be appearing on Ride On buses throughout the County in the coming weeks. 

Walk to School Day 2012

Montgomery County Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and Craig Rice; Department of Transportation Director Art Holmes, Fire Chief Richard Bowers, local officials and other dignitaries joined Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School students, staff and parents celebrating International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 3^rd.  Over 40 other schools across the county celebrated the day with various activities.

Also joining the walkers at Dr. Charles Drew were Montgomery County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent for the Office of Teaching, Learning and Programs Dr. Kimberly A. Statham; Principal Gail Scott-Parizer and Assistant Principal Emmanuel Jean-Philippe.

Following the walk, AAA Mid-Atlantic sponsored two assemblies featuring the robot Otto the Auto, who taught children safe walking tips.

Walk to School Day is expected to include 5,000 schools throughout the United States and 40 countries around the world. Walking to school helps promote:
• Healthier students            
• Safer streets 
• Stronger communities      
• A cleaner environment

Sponsors of this year’s event at Drew Elementary School include Safe Kids Montgomery County, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Foundation for Safety and Education, Federal Express, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Montgomery County Police, Maryland Safe Routes Network, Maryland Highway Safety Office, Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Clif Kid.