School Pedestrian Safety Training Underway

MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator recently gave a pedestrian safety presentation to 120 middle school student leaders from 22 County schools.

The Coordinator created an “It’s Academic”-style game to both entertain and educate the students. Questions on pedestrian safety statistics and safe walking tips included, “If a pedestrian is hit by a car traveling 40 mph, what is the chance they will survive?” The team with the most points received wearable blinking lights as a prize. As hoped, the game was engaging, with the students enthusiastically talking amongst themselves about the answers.

Another training activity underway is Train the Trainer sessions, where high school students learn how to teach elementary kids to walk safely. These programs are especially important due to the recent return to daylight savings time. Now, more students are walking in darkness during the early morning hours, so stay alert!

For more information, see the County's press release and visit MCDOT's revamped pedestrian safety website. You can also call our Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Nadji Kirby, at 240.777.7169 or email her.

More Engineering-Based Pedestrian Safety Improvements

MCDOT continues to invest in engineering improvements to enhance pedestrian safety – particularly in high crash areas where collision data shows more pedestrians are being struck.

* In Takoma Park, on Piney Branch Road between Flower Avenue and the County line, pedestrians are safer because of new street lights, wider sidewalks, new pedestrian signals, and soon a new crosswalk with pedestrian-activated warning lights.
* In Wheaton, at Reedie Drive between Veirs Mill Road and Georgia Avenue, a major safety project included refurbished crosswalks, new pedestrian refuge islands, and clearer lane markings.
* On Randolph Road at Veirs Mill, new sidewalks and streetscaping have been installed.
* On Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, Community Affairs is installing streetscape improvements in Fenton Village.
* And in Rockville and Bethesda, segments of MD355 have received new pedestrian signals.

These investments are part of County Executive Leggett’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative. For more information, go to MCDOT's revamped pedestrian safety website.

Safe Routes to School Program completes third grant cycle

MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School program just wrapped up one of its two-year grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. It promotes the 3 E’s – Engineering, Education, and Enforcement – at schools.  Read More

County Executive’s State of the County speech included transportation topics

Speaking before hundreds of County residents at the Silver Spring Civic Building Wednesday night (February 20th), County Executive Ike Leggett said that, “the state of Montgomery County is strong – and growing stronger. We all are fortunate to live in one of the nation’s best places to raise a family, get an education, earn a living and build a business. Most of America would change places with us in a heartbeat.” It was the first time in recent years that the Executive has given a State of the County speech.  Read More

Ripley Street portion of Metropolitan Branch Trail opens in Silver Spring

The extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail at the Silver Spring Metro Station to Ripley Street is now open. Last month, a portion of the trail opened to enhance accessibility around the Transit Center.  Read More

Educational campaigns strive to keep pedestrians safe this winter

The County has launched two education campaigns to improve public safety – both encourage residents to look out for each other during the winter when there is greater hours of darkness.
A new MCDOT pedestrian safety campaign features bus posters showing the eyes of two county students and the slogan, “Hey You, I’m Looking at You.”  The campaign focuses on the most important factors in reducing crashes: visibility of pedestrians, and vigilance by drivers.
County Police also carried out their “Shop with a Cop” campaign this past holiday season. Police officers patrolled retail areas to provide extra security and remind shoppers to drive and walk safe -- especially in parking lots.
The “Eyes” campaign was developed by a group of Blair High School students.  A contest was conducted among students to have their eyes featured in the campaign materials. The winning eyes remind pedestrians to establish eye contact with drivers, be visible, and look both ways before crossing the street.  They also prompt drivers to look out for pedestrians.

http://www.blairwalkproject.com/.

Bus stop improvement program continues to enhance the transit experience



Improved bus stop with curb access, new shelter   -   Photo: Stacy Coletta



 Transit Services’ Bus Stop Improvement Program is in its seventh year of operation, completing upgrades to two-thirds of Ride On’s 5000 bus stops. The program systematically evaluates bus stops by asking a series of questions, such as, “Can passengers wait at the stop without being in danger?” “Is the stop reasonably close to a safe street crossing and can that crossing be made safer?” and “Can passengers get to the stop along an accessible path?”

In planning improvements, staff look beyond the bus stop to consider the walking routes patrons will take to destinations and housing. To date, close to seven million dollars in infrastructure enhancements have been made. The bus stop program often partners with other MCDOT projects to bring about innovative and attractive upgrades. These include the sidewalk construction program, ADA improvements, and traffic calming projects.

For more information, go to Ride On's website. Or call 311 (TTY, call 301-251-4850), Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm