Go Montgomery! April 3, 2020

Please note our new website that is constantly updated with the latest transportation information during the COVID-19 health crisis: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT/covid19.html Governor Issues Stay at Home Order  Earlier this week, Governor Larry Hogan issued a Stay at Home order to protect public health and safety. The order states that no Maryland resident should leave their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes. Read more.  County Executive Elrich Holds Virtual Community Briefing to Answer Your Questions About COVID-19 Montgomery County’s top leaders answered questions Thursday night from residents, business owners and first responders at the County’s first COVID-19 Virtual Community Briefing.  The live event featured County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith, County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles and Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Dr. Earl Stoddard who answered questions ranging from testing to distance learning and help for small businesses. Watch Briefing COVID-19 Information   The COVID-19 Outbreak is a constantly evolving situation, and Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services, working with the Maryland Department of Health, will provide updates as they become available at montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19.  Using Ride On During the Covid-19 Health Crisis Ride On Continues to Operate Essential Bus Service   Under Governor Hogan’s stay at home order, residents are advised to travel only for essential purposes. Ride On continues to operate 35 critical routes routes seven days a week for essential trips, and all service is free. See detailed service information: Essential Service Plan and Map of Routes and Locations of Essential Services. Map Shows How Operating Bus Routes Align with Essential Services  Need to take Ride On to an essential service, including healthcare facilities, dialysis providers, pharmacies near hospitals, grocery stores near hospitals, banks near hospitals, Montgomery County Public Schools food distribution sites and operating Metro Stations? Use this online map to see how operating bus routes align with these destinations:  essential services map. Where's My Bus?  With regular Ride On service schedules disrupted, note that Ride On Real Time Information only shows bus location. This allows passengers to see when a bus is approaching a bus stop, but does not provide the estimated time of arrival. View the map at rideon.app/busmap. Please note that trip planning apps such as Google Maps, do not reflect current schedule information. Keeping Riders Safe  All Ride On bus interiors are cleaned nightly with hospital grade disinfectant. Bus filters and ventilation systems are also treated each night with a disinfectant.  Ride On Providing Free Rides  Buses have implemented rear door boarding and are not charging any fare to ride any Ride On bus. Unless you need ramp assistance, board through the rear door. Update on County Street, Garage and Lot Parking MCDOT Establishes “Curbside Food Pickup” Zones for Restaurants   MCDOT continues to expand temporary curbside food pick up zones in Silver Spring, Wheaton, Bethesda and  North Bethesda The zones prevent long-term parking in spots in front of carry-out restaurants and essential services while allowing temporary “standing parking” of 15 minutes or less. Find out which local restaurants are open at MoCo EATS To-Go Guide and help support our local businesses if you can. MCDOT Relaxes Some Parking Restrictions  * Parking meter enforcement has been relaxed in areas where businesses remain open for quick pickups— such as restaurants, pharmacies and food stores.  * FREE PARKING is available at the Bonifant/Dixon Garage 55 in Silver Spring and the Auburn/Del Ray Garage 36 in Bethesda.  * Parking enforcement in Residential Parking Permit areas has been suspended.  MCDOT Offering PCS Permit Refunds  While Maryland's stay-at-home order is in effect, MCDOT parking customers with PCS (Parking Convenience Stickers) permits may request refunds in-person at the Parking Store in Bethesda or Silver Spring, by phone or by mail. Learn more.  Status of Commuter Services Mobile Commuter Services Store is Closed For Now  As the County continues its efforts to keep the community safe, MCDOT’s Mobile Commuter Store operations have been temporarily suspended.  Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store Has New Hours   The TRIPS Commuter Store is open Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The store is located on the 2nd level of the Silver Spring Transit Center, 8404 Colesville Road. Essential workers can get transit and trip planning assistance and information. Other Ways to Get Around Metrorail and Metrobus Still Providing Some Service for Essential Travel Only  Metrorail: Many stations are closed. Beginning April 6, service will end at 9 p.m.  View the live train map and special COVID-19 rail system map.  Metrobus: Metro releases schedule information every week. Beginning April 6, service will end at 11 p.m. Passengers should board through the rear-door, except for customers requesting the use of the ramp. Fare collection is temporarily suspended.   Stay updated on Metro services and alerts at www.wmata.com/service/status/#main-content.   County's Bike Map Available Online  Montgomery County offers nearly 100 miles of bike lanes, bike-friendly shoulders, and separated bike lanes (cycle tracks) countywide. Learn more and visit the interactive map online at bikemap.montgomerycountymd.gov.   *Follow Us on Social Media: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot/social-media.html *COVID-19 County Information: montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/RightNav/Coronavirus.html *COVID-19 Closures and Service Updates: montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19-closures. April 3, 2020 Follow MCDOT on Twitter at twitter.com/MCDOTNow, subscribe to MCDOT NEWS releases and/or visit montgomerycountymd.gov.dot. FOLLOW RIDE ON  @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Ride On MCT on Facebook, or visit RideOnBus.com . FREE Trips for Essential Workers on Capital Bikeshare and Lyft E-Scooters Essential workers can enroll for a free 30-day Capital Bikeshare membership or a free 30-day combined membership that includes Capital Bikeshare and Lyft electric scooters. Bikeshare single trip fee reduced from $2 to $1. Learn more.  MCDOT Invites Employers to Teleworking Webinar April 7 From 3 to 4 p.m. Many employers have had to implement telework programs in the past few weeks with little to no preparation. Attend this free webinar to ask questions and hear telework experts discuss: best practices for quick-starting and ramping up a telework program, tips for management controls and productivity, low-cost technical solutions and more. Email your questions in advance by noon on April 6. Register now. MCDOT Postpones April 6 Public Hearing About Proposed Abandonment of a Portion of Kensington Boulevard in Wheaton In light of the COVID-19 health crisis and out of an abundance of caution, the public forum will be rescheduled. Learn more. Resources and Volunteer Opportunities Volunteering and Being a Good Neighbor During COVID-19:  English | Español Volunteers Needed  Looking for ways to help? The Montgomery County Volunteer Center lists opportunities for individuals and organizations to provide services during this critical time, including the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps. Learn more.   Montgomery County Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donations Needed During these challenging times, one of the most critical needs is for personal protective equipment (PPE) for our healthcare workers on the front lines. Donate gloves, N95 masks, disposable gowns, face shields and hand made masks. Montgomery County Food Council Provides Information for Those in Need  Get information about food assistance resources, and opportunities for individuals and organizations to support community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  COVID-19: Recursos y sistemas locales de alimentos y comida  Greater DC Diaper Bank Supports Community  This resource supports the health and well-being of families with diapers, formula, period products and other essentials. Donations are needed. Get help or provide support.   Have questions or need assistance within Montgomery County? Call 311 or visit montgomerycountymd.gov/311 Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Crosswalk Zebra Helps Kids at Argyle Middle School Learn How to Use New Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and their Crosswalk Zebra joined by Argyle Middle School Principal James Allrich educated local pedestrians and students on crossing the road safety using the newly installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs).

MCDOT has installed RRFBs at three locations along Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill and a fourth location in Bethesda. When activated by a pedestrian, the RRFB begins flashing, signaling to motorists that a pedestrian is waiting to cross or actively crossing the road.

RRFBs supplement warning signs at unsignalized intersections or mid-block crosswalks. When a pedestrian pushes the button located on the pole, he/she will hear an audible ticking sound as well as a voice message alerting the pedestrian that “yellow lights are flashing.” The pedestrian should wait to cross until the LED amber warning lights start flashing, and after ensuring that motorists have come to a full stop and it is safe to do so. The flashing lights are visible to both drivers and pedestrians. The RRFB lights are set to flash long enough to give pedestrians adequate time to cross the roadway.

The RRFBs were installed at:

• Bel Pre Road near Tynewick Drive
• Bel Pre Road near Homecrest Road
• Bel Pre Road near Astrodome Drive
• Westlake Drive near Lakeview Drive

Bel Pre Road was selected as one of the locations for RRFBs because of its designation as a High Incidence Area, i.e., sites with a higher concentration of pedestrian collisions. As there is considerable distance between traffic signals on this road, the RRFBs enhance convenience for pedestrians while providing an additional warning to make unsignalized crossings safer.  The RRFB near Montgomery Mall was installed because there is heavy pedestrian traffic using the unsignalized location to access the shopping center.

RRFBs have been shown to enhance safety by increasing driver awareness of people who cross the street at a crosswalk; they are more effective than standard warning signs and pavement markings that are generally installed at unsignalized crosswalks.

To ensure that residents understand how to use the RRFBs, MCDOT is planning an education campaign. Key points to safely using the RRFBs include:

• Pedestrians must press the button on the pole to activate the flashing signal.
• Pedestrians should never step in front of a vehicle unless they are sure the driver has seen them and the vehicle has completely stopped.

MCDOT’s education efforts will include:

• Creating a postcard that will be mailed to residents living near the RRFBs and handed out during crosswalk events. The postcard outlines five simple steps for pedestrians to follow:

1. Pedestrians activate flashing lights by pressing the button.
2. Pedestrians will hear a ticking sound and voice message that says “yellow lights are flashing.”
3. Flashing lights alert drivers that pedestrians are waiting to across.  Pedestrians may safely cross after ensuring that motorists have stopped.
4. Lights are set to flash long enough to give pedestrians adequate time to cross.
5. Pedestrians finish crossing. Flashing lights turn off after the set time has elapsed.

• Conducting education at crosswalks with newly installed RRFBs. Pedestrian safety volunteers will spend one to two hours at the crosswalks during afternoon peak usage times and hand out educational post cards.
• Creating a mini-version of the postcard and distributing it to every student at nearby Argyle Middle School. 

More information about pedestrian safety in Montgomery County is available at: montgomerycountymd.gov/walk.

Four Simple Rules When Approaching a Stopped School Bus

Montgomery County Police are aggressively enforcing traffic laws that require drivers to stop for school buses. Check these diagrams and simple rules to avoid getting a ticket. Read more.

Go Montgomery - December 2, 2015

Public Safety Chiefs Urge Public to “Be Safer this Holiday Season;” Be Safe, Be Seen, Be Responsible Police Chief Tom Manger and Fire Chief Scott Goldstein urged community members to “Be Safer this Holiday Season,” and to “Be Seen, Be Alert, and Be Responsible.” As of November 24, there have been 33 fatal traffic collisions in Montgomery County in which 34 people lost their lives. Read more. Leggett Announces County Priorities for 2016 Legislative Session that Includes Funding for Transportation Projects Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett released his list of County priorities for the 2016 legislative session that begins in January. He identified transportation as one of the County’s critical needs.   Read more. Department of Liquor Control Promotes Local Designated Driving Program “Be My Designated Driver” In an effort to help prevent drunk driving in Montgomery County, the Department of Liquor Control (DLC) is partnering with a local transportation service to offer $20 gift cards towards a designated driver this holiday season. Read more. Leggett Announces January Forums to Get Public Input on FY17 County Operating Budget Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has announced the dates, times, and places of five budget forums to be held throughout the County in January. The forums, held every year by Leggett to get public feedback on the upcoming County operating budget, are free and open to all.  Input from the forums informs development of the County’s operating budget. The County Executive will release his Recommended Operating Budget on March 15 for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2016.  Read more. Pedestrian Road Safety Audit Planned for East County The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), the East County Regional Service Center and Montgomery County Police hosted a community stakeholder meeting to discuss plans for a Pedestrian Road Safety Audit/Study in the North White Oak/Burnt Mills area along Longwood Drive, from Oak Leaf to Stewart Lane. Read more. MDOT/SHA Continues Project on MD 650 to Improve Safety and Resurface the Road The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration continues work on a $3 million,one-mile safety and resurfacing project on MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue) from north of Merrimac Drive to Metzerott Road. Read more. WSSC Begins Further Repairs on Water Main that Ruptured Last Month along MD 355 Beginning December 1, (weather permitting), the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) began comprehensive repairs to a water main along MD 355 (Rockville Pike) between the ramps to I-495 (Capital Beltway) and the MD 355 Cedar Lane/West Cedar Lane intersection. Read more. www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot December 2, 2015 Montgomery County’s New Towing Law in Effect Montgomery County’s new towing law, Bill 17-15, passed unanimously by the County Council on July 21 and signed into law by the County Executive, took effect on November 30. The new law is designed to address overly aggressive and predatory towing practices and restore regulatory balance in commercial and residential parking lots. Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) typically receives more towing complaints each month than any other single category of complaint. These unfair practices can be detrimental to businesses and residents’ quality of life.  Read more. Ride On Real Time Web Address Has Changed Users of Ride On Real Time should be aware that the website address has changed from http:// to https://, so bookmarks and website settings may need to be updated. Ride On Real Time uses GPS technology to track buses and estimate when they will arrive at a bus stop. Apps are available for IOS and Android phones. Get more information about Ride On Real Time online.  Metro Phasing Out Paper Fare Cards (From Better Ways to Work, November 2015) By January, Metro is upgrading its fare vending machines to dispense SmarTrip cards rather than paper farecards. Read more. Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation. Update your subscriptions, modify or stop subscriptions at any time on Subscriber Preferences Page. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by Department of Transportation of Montgomery County MD.  Visit Go Montgomery to view more news.

MCDOT, MCPD and MCPS Brief the County Council on the County’s Youth Pedestrian Safety Programs

On November 17, the County Council invited County agencies responsible for youth pedestrian safety and school transportation to present an update on their activities. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) presented information about its successful Safe Routes to School program and YOLO campaign for high school students; Montgomery County Police (MCPD) presented information on the work of its School Safety Section and Crossing Guard Program; and Montgomery CountyPublic Schools (MCPS) discussed its transportation programs to get students safely to and from school. 

View the presentation below: