The objective of the Traffic Improvements Program is to mitigate traffic congestion, improve pedestrian safety, and improve traffic flow on the County's roadway network through congestion mitigation projects, intersection improvements, Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) technologies, and efficient traffic signal operation. These ongoing projects increase the ability to safely and efficiently move people and goods throughout Montgomery County and may help defer the need to expand existing infrastructure.Two projects in the Traffic Improvements Capital Program, Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Streetlighting, began as components of Renew Montgomery, a comprehensive program to improve the infrastructure of older neighborhoods to...
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Traffic Improvements Program is to mitigate traffic congestion, improve pedestrian safety, and improve traffic flow on the County's roadway network through congestion mitigation projects, intersection improvements, Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) technologies, and efficient traffic signal operation. These ongoing projects increase the ability to safely and efficiently move people and goods throughout Montgomery County and may help defer the need to expand existing infrastructure.
Two projects in the Traffic Improvements Capital Program, Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Streetlighting, began as components of Renew Montgomery, a comprehensive program to improve the infrastructure of older neighborhoods to assure effective, safe, and attractive vehicular and pedestrian access. These projects have now evolved to provide associated improvements Countywide.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Significantly increase funding in the Pedestrian Safety Program, by over $9.3 million, to support the Vision Zero initiative, which includes the construction of physical structures and/or installation of traffic control devices which include, but are not limited to: new crosswalks; High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) signals; pedestrian refuge islands; sidewalks; bus pull-off areas; fencing to channel pedestrians to safer crossing locations; bicycle signings and markings; relocating, adding, or eliminating bus stops; accessible pedestrian signals (countdown) or warning beacons; and improving signage.
- Increase funding in the Intersection and Spot Improvements program to fund the reconstruction of various existing intersections in the County to enhance pedestrian safety and support the Vision Zero initiative.
- Continue efforts to modernize the central traffic signal control system to provide additional capabilities and tools to optimize traffic flow.
- Continue efforts to install and upgrade streetlights Countywide to help improve pedestrian safety and reduce crime.
- Support the Vision Zero initiative with the continued design, construction, and maintenance of vehicular and pedestrian traffic signals to increase vehicular and pedestrian safety to reduce injuries and fatalities on all roads.
PROGRAM CONTACTS
Contact Michael Paylor of the Department of Transportation at 240.777.8790 or Alison Dollar of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2769 for more information regarding this department's capital budget.
CAPITAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Recommended FY21-26 Traffic Improvements Capital Program includes 11 ongoing projects totaling $103.5 million in the six-year period. This represents an increase of $363,000 or 0.4 percent from the $103.2 million included in the FY19-24 amended program. The significant increases in the Pedestrian Safety Program and Intersection Spot Improvement Program are offset by the completion of the replacement of approximately 25,000 streetlight fixtures to light-emitting diode (LED) within the Streetlighting program.
VISION ZERO
The initial Two-Year Vision Zero Action Plan primarily focused on identifying projects along County and State roads that reduce serious injury and fatal crashes. The County has maintained focus on County roads while working with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration to identify and implement projects on State roads as well. While the engineering action items in the Two-Year plan are completed or on-schedule and on-going, the County Executive plans to release a One-Year Vision Zero plan in early 2020 that will expand upon those items and introduce new goals. The Pedestrian Facilities/Bikeways Program will continue on with the work in the One-Year plan. The Ten-Year plan for eliminating serious injury and fatal crashes by 2030 is still anticipated after the interim One-Year plan.
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