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

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