Friday, March 18, 2016

Go Montgomery

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Fy17OpBudget

Leggett Announces Recommended FY17 Operating Budget; Includes Funding to Move Forward on Bus Rapid Transit

On March 15, County Executive Ike Leggett released his recommended fiscal year 2017 budget. A highlight of his announcement was funding for Bus Rapid Transit and improved Ride On service for key corridors. Read more.

EVGarages

MCDOT Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Four More Garages

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management is installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in four more County-owned parking garages that will be available soon. The four locations will each have one station providing service to two parking spaces. Read more.

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MCDOT’s Gary Erenrich Moderates Session at Global Mass Transit Report Conference

MCDOT’s Acting Deputy Director Gary Erenrich moderated a national conference session on policy guidance for transit management and safety issues. Read more.

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MCDOT Accepting Applications for Landscaping and Photography Competitions

MCDOT is accepting applications for its 30th Annual Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green (formerly Keep Montgomery County Beautiful) Landscaping and 25th Annual Amateur Photography competitions. The focus of the Landscape Beautification Contest has changed to emphasize environmentally sensitive plantings that eschew non-native and invasive species, help reduce stormwater runoff, minimize water use, provide wildlife habitat, and keep pesticides and fertilizers out of local streams. Read more.

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New Report Shows Traffic Crashes Cost Employers $47.4 Billion in 2013 (From March 3, 2016 Network of Employers for Traffic Safety Newsletter)

A new report, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, highlights ways businesses can help save lives and money through roadway safety education in the workplace. Read more.

MARCH 18, 2016


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MCDOT Conducts Intensive Effort to Fill Potholes

Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) began conducting an intensive effort to fill the County’s potholes. Since January, the department has filled more than 1,000 potholes reported through MC311 and others crews encountered as they made their rounds. Read more.

newrideonbuses

First of 57 New Ride On Buses Have Arrived

New Ride On buses have begun arriving in the County and as soon as they are checked and approved, are being put into service. By June, riders will see 57 new buses that will be replacing the oldest buses in Ride On’s fleet.

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The Senior Connection Wins National Award; Senior Connection Seeking More Volunteer Drivers

The National Volunteer Transportation Center (NVTC), which recognizes outstanding volunteer transportation programs across the country, selected the Senior Connection as its Grand STAR Award winner. The Senior Connection is the largest provider of free, escorted transportation in Montgomery County and is seeking more volunteer drivers.Read more

Thursday, March 17, 2016

MCDOT Accepting Applications for Landscaping and Photography Competitions





The focus of the Landscape Beautification Contest has changed to emphasize environmentally sensitive plantings that eschew non-native and invasive species, help reduce stormwater runoff, minimize water use, provide wildlife habitat, and keep pesticides and fertilizers out of local streams. The contest is open to community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties in Montgomery County.  Landscaping along County roadsides, medians, or other public locations is also eligible for the award. Applications are due June 2.  


For the Amateur Photography Contest highlights the beauty of Montgomery County. Photos of County locations or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest and relevance of the subject matter, and technique.  Subject categories include Montgomery County by day or by night, County landmarks, people, and persons at work.  There is also an optional Youth category for aspiring photographers age 18 and younger who wish to be judged only against their peers. Applications are due July 1.

MCDOT’s Community Outreach website will post photos of last year’s winning entries for both contests after they are announced at GreenFest on Saturday, April 30.  The Landscaping and Photography contest applications explain the guidelines and judging criteria.

For more information, call Community Outreach at 240-777-7155 or email mcdot.outreach@montgomerycountymd.gov to request a nomination form either by mail or electronically.

Leggett Announces Recommended FY17 Operating Budget; Includes Funding to Move Forward on Bus Rapid Transit


On March 15, County Executive Ike Leggett released his recommended fiscal year 2017 budget. A highlight of his announcement was funding for Bus Rapid Transit and improved Ride On service for key corridors. In the memorandum that transmitted Leggett’s budget to the County Council, he explained the critical role that providing more transit will play in enhancing the County’s economic future:

“The future economic vitality of our County depends on increased transportation investment to accommodate more residents and to encourage job growth. One of my highest priorities is to provide world class transportation options to our residents who live and work throughout the County. While we continue to work with the State to plan for longer-term solutions, I am committed to putting practical, cost-effective transit options on the ground in the near-term.

“On Maryland Route 355, I am programming $5 million in my Capital Budget and calling upon the State to match my commitment to move the MD355 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study to the next stage. In addition, I am recommending the peak period express Ride On bus service from Clarksburg to the Shady Grove Metrorail Station to begin Spring 2017 and funding for bus acquisition for Ride On Plus priority service from the Lakeforest Transit Center to the Medical Center Metrorail Station. On US29, I am recommending $6.5 million in my Capital Budget for the planning and design of a high-quality BRT with the intent of getting this route up and running in less than four years.”

Other transportation highlights include:
  • Continue to roll out the Parking Guidance System that uses dynamic signage to direct visitors to the Capital Crescent and Bethesda/Elm Garages. The signs will be installed at key locations in downtown Bethesda and will display real-time space availability and hourly rates.
  • Enhance the Call-n-Ride program, a subsidized taxi service for low income seniors, by reducing age eligibility from 67 to 65 to add 445 participants to the program.
  • Respond to 13 storms totaling 52.5 inches of snow in FY16.
  • Work with the Maryland Congressional Delegation to secure $100 million in federal transportation funding towards construction of the Purple Line.
  • Install new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in garages and lots in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton.
  • Convert single space parking meters to multi-space pay machines at the NOAA and Kennett Street garages and the Bonifant and Easley parking lot in Silver Spring. These new machines allow payment using coins, credit cards and pay-by-cell phone; provide receipts; and allow real-time communications, web-based management and secure wireless alarming.
  • For the Call-n-Ride program, reduce average trip costs from $23 in 2012 to $16. The savings resulted from the introduction of a new swipe card system. With these savings, participants can take about three more trips per month.
  • Implement a load testing program on bridges where heavy vehicles are restricted to provide more accurate calculations that could allow restrictions to be lifted and eliminate costly rehabilitation projects.
  • Convert five new diesel Ride On buses to CNG using a petroleum reduction initiatives grant of $550,000 to reduce fuel usage by more than 825,000 gallons over the next 12 years, saving the County more than $1 million in future fuel costs.
  • Complete construction of two new compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, one of which is open to public use. The CNG will replace more than one million gallons of diesel fuel a year, saving the County $2.2 million in operational and maintenance costs over the next 10 years.

 View the press release, highlights and full budget online.

First of 57 New Ride On Buses Have Arrived



New Ride On buses have begun arriving in the County and as soon as they are checked and approved, are being put into service. By June, riders will see 57 new buses that will be replacing the oldest buses in Ride On’s fleet.

MCDOT’s Gary Erenrich Moderates Session at Global Mass Transit Report Conference


On March 8, Gary Erenrich, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) acting Deputy Director for the Office of Transportation Policy, moderated a national conference session on policy guidance for transit management and safety issues. The fourth annual Transit State of Good Repair conference was hosted by the Global Mass Transit Report in Washington, D.C. The conference's focus was to explore the implications of new transportation legislation, The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which is the first long-term transportation bill passed by Congress in 10 years.

The conference program is available online.

 https://custom.cvent.com/317112D1D0744F7EA3023ABBB8F800E2/files/37409c741e504e779cb93c51eba9d88f.pdf

New Report Shows Traffic Crashes Cost Employers $47.4 Billion in 2013 (From March 3, 2016 Network of Employers for Traffic Safety Newsletter)

 http://www.nhtsa.gov/

A new report, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), highlights ways businesses can help save lives and money through roadway safety education in the workplace. 

Protecting employees from motor vehicles crashes could be a profitable investment for U.S. businesses, according to a new report released today by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS). In 2013, U.S. traffic crashes cost employers $47.4 billion in direct crash-related expenses, which includes medical care, liability, lost productivity and property damage. The study showed that employers could control costs by promoting safe driving habits, including seat belt usage and the elimination of speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving, whether or not employees are on the clock.

The study was funded by the U.S. DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and updates a 2002 study, titled the Economic Burden of Traffic Crashes on Employers.

“The consequences of traffic crashes are far reaching. It’s a domino effect that negatively impacts individuals, families, communities and businesses,” said Dr. Mark Rosekind, NHTSA Administrator. “It is critical that individuals make safe choices. Driving behavior change in traffic safety is something NHTSA is exploring through a series of regional summits. We hope employers will join us and look at this report as a motivator to help save lives and prevent injuries on our roads.”

The report shows that more than 1.6 million work days were lost due to traffic crashes, with nearly 90 percent of those days attributed to crashes that occurred off the job, involving employees and/or their dependents. The report details the costs to employers of traffic crashes occurring on and off the job associated with driver behavior.

 http://trafficsafety.org/cost-of-crashes-to-employers http://trafficsafety.org/cost-of-crashes-to-employers

Speeding resulted in $8.4 billion in crash-related expenses, with distracted driving close behind, at $8.2 billion. Driving under the influence of alcohol resulted in $6.0 billion in losses and not wearing a seat belt added $4.9 billion to the total. In addition, the report finds that medical costs paid by employers per employee injured in a crash were nearly double in on-the-job crashes where the employee was not wearing a seat belt and increased by a third for off-the-job crashes. Click here for an Infographic of the findings.

Dr. Mark Rosekind, NHTSA Administrator
"The consequences of traffic crashes are far reaching. It's a domino effect that negatively impacts individuals, families, communities and businesses...We hope employers will join us and look at this report as a motivator to help save lives and prevent injuries on our roads." says Dr. Mark Rosekind, NHTSA Administrator

"When people think of the human and financial impact of traffic crashes on the workplace, they think about company car drivers," said Jack Hanley, Executive Director of NETS. "This new report is an eye-opener. It shows that employers bear the crash costs of all their employees, not just their company drivers. Investing in road safety is good business and today's report provides employers with a blueprint for developing business cases in support of employee road safety."

In tandem with the new report, NETS is introducing a free toolkit to help employers encourage employees to wear a seat belt. The toolkit was piloted by Coca-Cola Refreshments at its Bismarck ND site, where observed seat belt usage increased from a baseline 54 percent to 84 percent over a 6-week period. Coca-Cola Refreshments is a unit of The Coca-Cola Company, a NETS board member. All the materials used are available in the toolkit and require minimal time and cost to conduct an all-employee site-wide seat belt usage improvement campaign. The free toolkit is available at 2seconds2click.org. NETS also offers at no charge The Comprehensive Guide to Road Safety™ for employers with occupational drivers—available via its website at trafficsafety.org.

 http://trafficsafety.org/cost-of-crashes-to-employers



The Senior Connection Wins National Award; Senior Connection Seeking More Volunteer Drivers

The National Volunteer Transportation Center

The National Volunteer Transportation Center (NVTC), which recognizes outstanding volunteer transportation programs across the country, selected the Senior Connection as its Grand STAR Award winner. The Senior Connection is the largest provider of free, escorted transportation in Montgomery County and is seeking more volunteer drivers. It is supported in part by a contract with the Montgomery County Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability.

The Senior Connection relies on volunteers and is looking for more volunteer drivers to escort senior clients to medical and other appointments.  Training and liability coverage are provided, and volunteers have flexibility to create their own schedules.



The trainings are held at the Senior Connection office located in the Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring. Sign up for a volunteer training session on one of the dates listed below:
  • Wednesday, March 23 from 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 13 from 10-11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, April 27 from 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 11 from 10-11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 25 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Get a volunteer application online or contact volunteer@seniorconnectionmc.org for more information.




MCDOT Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Four More Garages


MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management is installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in four more County-owned parking garages that will be available soon. The four locations will each have one station providing service to two parking spaces.

The new locations are: Wayne Avenue (Garage 60), Town Square (Garage 61) and Bonifant-Dixon (Garage 5) garages in Silver Spring; and the Auburn-Del Ray (Garage 36) Garage in Bethesda.

This brings the number of County parking garages with EV charging stations to 10, providing charging spaces for 24 vehicles. The other garages are: Bethesda Capital Crescent (Garage 31), Woodmont Corner (Garage 11) and Waverly (Garage 47) garages in Bethesda; the Cameron/Second Street Garage (Garage 7) and Kennett Street garages (Garage 9) in Silver Spring; and the Amherst Garage (Garage 45) in Wheaton.

All the stations are connected to the nationwide ChargePoint Network of searchable charging stations, are Chargepoint Level 2, and accept payment using a ChargePoint Network card or RFID enabled credit card.






MCDOT Conducts Intensive Effort to Fill Potholes


Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) began conducting an intensive effort to fill the County’s potholes. Since January, the department has filled more than 1,000 potholes reported through MC311 and others crews encountered as they made their rounds. MCDOT has been focusing on pothole repair by adding extra equipment and staff from all seven of MCDOT’s regional depots. MCDOT repairs potholes every day of the year except during rain and snow – and this year has been no exception. However, “Snowzilla” and the wide fluctuations in temperature over the last couple months have accelerated the creation of potholes, so crews will be out in force to aggressively respond.

“This has been a winter of extremes in temperature, which exacerbate formation of potholes on our County roads,” said Leggett. “That’s why our Division of Highway Services crews are out in full force to ensure that our roads are in decent shape. I want to thank our staff for their tireless efforts to keep the roads clear of ice and snow and for all they do to repair and maintain our transportation infrastructure.”

MCDOT relies on residents to report potholes through MC 311’s online system or by calling the MC311 Call Center at 311 or 240-777-0311, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers are asked to be cautious and patient when encountering crews filling potholes.

MCDOT maintains over 5,200 lane miles of roads in Montgomery County. The Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) fills potholes, plows snow and maintains numbered routes in the County, such as Maryland routes 355 or 97. MSHA can be reached at 301-513-7300 or online. In addition, municipalities, such as the cities of Rockville or Gaithersburg, handle their own repairs. 

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Go Montgomery - March 3, 2016

Go Montgomery

mcdot3linelogoCEBRTPress

Leggett Announces Plans to Have BRT Operating in County Within Four Years

On March 2, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett outlined his plan to significantly improve transit options in the County and launch BRT service on US 29 within the next four years. Read more.


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Jewish Council for the Aging to Present Awards to MCDOT’s Sam Oji and Jeff Dunckel

On March 11, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) staff Sam Oji and Jeff Dunckel will be recognized by the Jewish Council on Aging (JCA) for their work in improving transportation options in Montgomery County for seniors and persons with disabilities. Read more.

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 Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett to be Keynote Speaker at the Transforming Communities Trash-Free Summit

On March 22, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett will be a keynote lunch speaker at the Transforming Communities Trash-Free Solutions for Healthy Lives, Clean Land, Safe Water Summit sponsored by the Alice Ferguson Foundation. The summit will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Maryland College Park’s Riggs Alumni Center. Read more.

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Ride On Holds Customer Appreciation Day at the Medical Center Metrorail Station 

Staff from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Commuter Services section distributed transit maps and reusable bags to customers in appreciation of their commitment to alternative transportation options. 

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MCDOT’s Division of Transportation Engineering Expects to Finish Installing Sidewalk along Needwood Road this Summer

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering is installing pervious concrete sidewalk along Needwood Road. The project to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety in Rockville should be completed this summer. Read more.

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Nominations Sought for 2016 Golden Shovel Awards

County Council President Nancy Floreen is calling for nominations for this year's SAFE (Sidewalks Are For Everyone) Golden Shovel awards to recognize residents who went above and beyond in helping clear ice and snow from sidewalks. Nominees must be County residents and recommended by another person. The awards will be presented at a County Council session in Rockville on Tuesday, April 19. Read more.

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The Division of Highway Services Hosts Delegation from Cheongju City, South Korea

The Division of Highway Services hosted a delegation of their counterparts from Cheongju City, South Korea to discuss snow removal tactics and emergency operations. International groups from all across the globe have visited MCDOT’s world class facilities to learn more about the County's transportation system.

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Community Workshops Planned in March on Plans for Areas Near the MARC Rail Train Stations in Boyds and Germantown

The Montgomery County Planning Department will be holding workshops to obtain community input on future plans for the areas around the Boyds and Germantown MARC train stations. Read more.

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Ride On Routes 34 and 70 are Detoured Due to Construction on Woodmont Avenue

A construction project along Woodmont Avenue has required Ride On to change the location of two bus stops – one northbound and one southbound -- serving Ride On routes 34 and 70. The southbound bus stop near the intersection near Woodmont Avenue and Battery Lane was moved to Battery Lane. The northbound stop on Woodmont Avenue near Battery Lane was also moved to Battery Lane. These changes will be in effect until September 2017.

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MARCH 3, 2016


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New Bikeshare Station Installed at Medical Center Metrorail Station

A new Bikeshare station – the County’s 54th -- was installed on February 23 at Medical Center between the Metro station and the Kiss and Ride parking lot. The station features 10 bikes, with room for 19 bikes to dock. Read more.

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Written Comments Still Being Accepted on Proposal to Widen Goshen Road

The public still has an opportunity to comment on a proposal to widen 3.5 miles of Goshen Road, from Girard Avenue to north of Warfield Road, from two lanes to four lanes, creating a divided highway that would include a five-foot sidewalk, an eight-foot hiker/biker path and on-road bike lanes. Read more.

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Monthly Parking Permits Available Online

Monthly Parking Convenience Stickers (PCS permits) and the AM/PM monthly permits can be purchased online. Read more.

Leggett Announces Plans to Have BRT Operating in County Within Four Years

From Left to Right: Councilmember Berliner, Councilmember Elrich, Couty Executive Isiah Leggett,
MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh and Councilmember Navarro
On March 2, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett outlined his plan to significantly improve transit options in the County by:

Implementing BRT on US 29 within the next four years;
  • Starting Ride On Plus priority service on MD 355 from the Lakeforest Transit Center to the Medical Center Metrorail Station in less than two years;
  • Adding peak period express Ride On bus service on MD 355 from Clarkburg to the Shady Grove Metrorail Station to begin spring 2017;
  • Programming funding to advance the MD 355 BRT study to a Locally Preferred Alternative stage;
  • Requesting that the State fund the annual WMATA operating cost necessary to begin peak-period, MetroExtra service on Veirs Mill Road;
  • Evaluating options for design and construction of BRT on Veirs Mill Road once the State-led BRT planning study has determined a Locally Preferred Alternative in FY 2017; and
  • Continuing to fully support the State’s plan to seek Federal funding for the Corridor Cities Transitway and actively explore with the State opportunities to implement the system in phases to lower the initial cost.
Leggett sent a letter to Council President Nancy Floreen requesting the County Council’s support. Read the full letter letter online


New Bikeshare Station Installed at Medical Center Metrorail Station


A new Bikeshare station – the County’s 54th -- was installed on February 23 at Medical Center between the Metro station and the Kiss and Ride parking lot. The station features 10 bikes, with room for 19 bikes to dock.

Montgomery County’s Capital Bikeshare program was launched in September 2013 in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville, Shady Grove and the Life Sciences Center area. Bikeshare ridership helps reduce the number of people driving alone, improves air quality and maximizes the County’s investment in transit infrastructure like Ride On.

More information about Capital Bikeshare is available online.

 Bikeshare Map