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Friday, October 30, 2015
Go Montgomery - October 28, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
MCDOT FY14 Annual Report Now Available
The Montgomery County Department
of Transportation’s (MCDOT) fiscal year 2014 annual report is now
available online. The report reflects MCDOT’s focus on delivering a balanced
transportation system that provides travel options for all. MCDOT is striving
to build and maintain a network that keeps the infrastructure in good repair;
reduces traffic congestion; increases mobility; improves pedestrian, bicyclist
and vehicle safety; provides essential transit and alternative transportation
services; and promotes access to our central business districts. Our staff
endeavors to deliver the highest quality service to its customers through
innovative approaches.
Check out the new format that
includes the following sections:
- Awards and Presentations
- What's New
- Improve the Transportation Network with Access for All
- Focus on the Basics
- Reduce Congestion by Promoting Alternatives
- Enhance Environmental Quality
- Use Technology to Improve Services and Cut Costs
- Reaching Out to the Community
- FY 14 By the Numbers
- The MCDOT Organizations
Ride On Installs Real Time Signs and Maps at Nine Bus Shelters
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Ride On bus system has installed real time signs in nine Ride On bus shelters that are similar to transit screens installed earlier this year in the Executive Office Building and the Council Office Building. The signs display customized information showing when the next Ride On and Metro buses will arrive at that location. A unique feature of the signs is a real time map that allows riders to trace their bus’s progress. In addition, the signs continually scroll Ride On’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.
“Expanding the availability of real time travel information is another way that MCDOT is encouraging people to try transit,” said MCDOT Acting Director Al Roshdieh. “MCDOT is innovating with new technology to use our “big data” so that taking Ride On is even easier and more convenient. By providing more information about the available options to driving alone, we’re enhancing our community’s mobility and quality of life.”
In-house Ride On staff created the programming and graphics to make better use of the “big data” it collects on its bus system. Ride On plans to make its data more accessible to the public to enhance their traveling experience and get them the information they need to make taking transit more predictable. Ride On is using beam technology to count passenger boardings and exits at each stop and GPS to track bus locations in real time.
The data feeding the new bus stop signs is accurate to within about one to two minutes. This accuracy will improve in the future if plans to switch from a radio wave based system to a cellular system are realized.
Sign at Powder Mill Road and New Hampshire Avenue. Scroll at top is Ride On Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Ride On selected bus shelters with high ridership and distributed the signs around the County. The locations of the signs and the bus routes serving each one are:
Ride On & Metro Bus Routes
1. Observation Drive at Montgomery College, Southbound 55
2. Monroe Street at Monroe Place, Westbound 44,46,47,54,56,63
3. Bel Pre Road at Grand Pre Road, Eastbound 34,41,49, L8
4. Stewart Lane at Old Columbia Pike, Southbound 10, Z's
5. Rockledge Drive at Democracy Blvd, Eastbound 47,96, J's
6. Clubhouse at Montgomery Village Ave, Southbound 59, 60, 64, 65
7. Rockville Pike at Edson Lane, Southbound 5,46, J5
8. Clopper Rd at Mateny Rd, Eastbound 61,71, 78
9. Powder Mill Rd at New Hampshire Ave., Eastbound 10,20, 22,24
A tenth sign will be installed on Muncaster Mill Road at northbound Woodfield Road.
The signs were funded using a State grant from the Maryland Transit Administration.
More information about Ride On is available online.
In-house Ride On staff created the programming and graphics to make better use of the “big data” it collects on its bus system. Ride On plans to make its data more accessible to the public to enhance their traveling experience and get them the information they need to make taking transit more predictable. Ride On is using beam technology to count passenger boardings and exits at each stop and GPS to track bus locations in real time.
Sign at Powder Mill Road and New Hampshire Avenue. Scroll at top is Ride On Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Ride On selected bus shelters with high ridership and distributed the signs around the County. The locations of the signs and the bus routes serving each one are:
Ride On & Metro Bus Routes
1. Observation Drive at Montgomery College, Southbound 55
2. Monroe Street at Monroe Place, Westbound 44,46,47,54,56,63
3. Bel Pre Road at Grand Pre Road, Eastbound 34,41,49, L8
4. Stewart Lane at Old Columbia Pike, Southbound 10, Z's
5. Rockledge Drive at Democracy Blvd, Eastbound 47,96, J's
6. Clubhouse at Montgomery Village Ave, Southbound 59, 60, 64, 65
7. Rockville Pike at Edson Lane, Southbound 5,46, J5
8. Clopper Rd at Mateny Rd, Eastbound 61,71, 78
9. Powder Mill Rd at New Hampshire Ave., Eastbound 10,20, 22,24
A tenth sign will be installed on Muncaster Mill Road at northbound Woodfield Road.
The signs were funded using a State grant from the Maryland Transit Administration.
More information about Ride On is available online.
"Smart" Parking Meters that Accept Credit Card Payment to be Installed in Silver Spring Starting Next Week
Beginning the week of November 2, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Parking Management Division will begin replacing more than 1,100 on-street parking meters in Silver Spring with new "smart" parking meter heads that expand payment options. The smart meters accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards in addition to coins or pay-by-cell phone. The changeover is expected to take about two weeks, weather permitting. Last year, MCDOT switched Bethesda’s on-street meters.
The changeover to new meters
reuses existing meter poles and the lower part of the meter head. The display
portion of the meter and its internal workings will be replaced with the new
technology.
The parking meters use a
solar-powered battery system with a highly visible expiration time indicator.
The meters have real-time communication capabilities, which allow web-based
identification of broken meters and instant processing of credit card transactions
that use the highest level of security. Information in the meter window
displays parking rates, hours and days when payment is required, and notes
parking restrictions.
MCDOT expects to eventually
replace all on-street meters in the County’s other two parking districts in
Wheaton and Montgomery Hills. MCDOT is also assessing the best options for
upgrading meters in lots and parking garages.
More information about parking in
Montgomery County is available on the Division of Parking's website.
Leaf Vacuum Collection Begins November 9
On November 9,
the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will kick-off
its annual leaf vacuum collection program, which is managed by the Division of
Highway Services (DHS). Collections will take about six to eight weeks to
complete depending on weather conditions and how quickly the leaves fall. DHS
will make two collections in each neighborhood that in the Leaf Collection
District (see map).
DHS has assigned each Leaf Collection Area a number to help residents track
their collection dates.
MCDOT leafing crews will post
yellow or green leaf collection signs in a neighborhood several days before
DHS’ first anticipated leaf pick up. The signs will be posted far enough in
advance to give residents a weekend to rake leaves to the edge of the road
before the vacuum trucks arrive. Residents should regularly check DHS’
website as collection
schedules will be regularly updated based on weather and other conditions.
Crews will remove the Leaf Collection signs once they have completed a street.
The second and final collection will begin shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday. Once again, residents should look for the leaf collection signs and check online for the most accurate collection schedule.
You can help DHS collection crews by:
- Keeping leaves out of the street;
- Raking leaves to the road edge or placing leaves in paper yard waste bags;
- Removing sticks, trash or other items that cannot be collected by the vacuum trucks; and
- Keeping parked vehicles away from leaf piles to allow crews easy access.
MCDOT asks
residents to avoid raking leaves into the street; instead, pile them near the
edge of the property nearest the road. Leaves stored this way will not damage a
lawn. Placing leaf piles in the street can cause many problems by:
- Disrupting traffic - Many neighborhoods have narrow streets and on-street parking. Leaf piles extending into the roadway limit parking and the ability of vehicles, especially school buses, to safely negotiate the streets.
- Disrupting surface drainage - Storm drains may clog when rain washes leaves into them.
- Hampering snow removal operations - Snow covered leaf piles can become extremely heavy and freeze to the roadway surface.
- Creating hazardous and very slippery conditions that could lead to accidents - When leaves get wet, they create a slick surface that makes it difficult for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists to stop, start or change direction.
Residents who
believe their leaves may have been missed can contact the MC311 Call Center by
dialing 311 or 240-777-0311. Watch a short video about the
leafing program filmed during last year’s collection.
MCDOT Prepares for Winter Storm Season with Mock Snow Day and Snow Summit; Leggett to Attend Snow Summit
On Wednesday, November 4, the
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Division of Highway Services will conduct an all-day exercise to test the preparedness of the
County’s snow plans and fleet. Snow plow operators will run snow routes on more
than 5,200 lane miles of County-maintained roads. Staff will handle a simulated
six-inch snow storm.
The next day, Thursday, November
5, MCDOT will hold its annual Snow Summit and Montgomery County Executive Isiah
Leggett will address officials from all County agencies with snow removal
responsibilities. The summit is an opportunity to assess the County’s readiness
for winter storms and discuss new initiatives. MCDOT chiefs from the Transit Services,
Parking Management, Traffic Engineering and Operations and Highway Services
divisions will discuss how they prepare for snow and winter storms.
 |
| At the FY14 Snow Summit, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett thanked staff and contractors for their dedication and commitment to keeping the county's road network clear during snow storms. |
Fall Street Smart Campaign Begins this Week
Law enforcement patrols will increase throughout the metropolitan Washington area and will be ticketing drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists who are not complying with traffic safety laws. Residents may also notice street teams of “walking billboards” to raise awareness and reduce traffic crashes.
As daylight hours decrease, local
safety officials remind motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists to be extra
vigilant. The message is especially urgent with Halloween approaching this
weekend, putting more pedestrians on area streets, including many children in
costumes that reduce visibility. In 2013, 72 percent of pedestrian
fatalities in the U.S. occurred during hours of darkness.
Pedestrian Safety Audit Planned for Lockwood Drive
On October 29, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will meet
with residents and other stakeholders to review information and get input prior
to conducting a Pedestrian Road Safety Audit on Lockwood Drive. Road safety
audits are a formal, data-driven process used by MCDOT to identify safety
issues and potential improvements in a specific roadway corridor. Field
reviews over several days will provide information on how MCDOT can make the
roadway safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The meeting will be held at the third District Police Station, 1002 Milestone Drive, Silver Spring, at 6 p.m.
At the meeting, roadway users and agency representatives will review pedestrian
crash data in the area and provide input to the field review process. Once
the audit is completed, MCDOT will develop recommendations to improve the
roadway’s safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Ride On Seeks Student Videos to Promote its Special Youth Fares
Ride On is looking for middle and
high school students who want to create fun and educational videos that spread
the word about Ride On’s free and discounted kids programs: the Youth Cruiser
SmarTrip Card, the Youth Monthly Pass, and the Youth Summer Pass. The deadline
for entries is November 15.
The Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card
allows those 18 years of age or younger to ride free on Ride On weekdays from 2
to 8 p.m. The Youth Monthly pass provides kids unlimited rides for only $11 a
calendar month. The Youth Summer Pass provides unlimited rides from June 1
through August 31 for $18.
Contact Jennifer Davis at
Montgomery County Transit at jennifer.davis2@montgomerycountymd.gov
for more information.
MCDOT Promotes More Visible Zombies in Silver Spring
This month, MCDOT’s Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations has organized teams to spread the word about pedestrian safety at many events in Bethesda and Silver Spring. The most recent was the Silver Spring Zombie Walk that was held on October 24. Team members with billboard backpacks interacted with pedestrians, handed out glow sticks and promoted pedestrian safety and increased visibility. They encouraged safe practices, such as wearing bright or reflective clothing at night, using the crosswalk at all times and looking both ways before crossing the street.
Law enforcement officers made sure that people were using crosswalks and following traffic safety laws.
MCDOT Sponsors Peer Group Discussions for Older Drivers Who May be Considering Giving Up their License
MCDOT’s Division of Transit Services in partnership with the Jewish Council for the Aging is holding small,
support group discussions for older adults who are considering the changes that
take place with aging that may affect one’s ability to drive safely. These free
sessions are sponsored by MCDOT’s Connect-A-Ride program.
Small groups of older adults meet once a week
for three weeks. Each 90-minute session is led by a facilitator. At the last
meeting, a Certified Mobility Specialist from Connect-A-Ride will share
information about transportation options that can help older adults stay mobile
when they stop driving.
For more information or to
register, contact Connect-A-Ride
online or by calling 301-738-3252, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Leave a message at other times.)
Leggett Seeks Applicants for Rustic Roads Advisory Committee
County Executive Ike Leggett is
seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee
for an individual who represents a civic association located in the
agricultural reserve, and an individual with knowledge of roadway engineering
through practical experience and training. The incumbent who represents a civic
association is eligible to apply for reappointment. All members must be Montgomery
County residents. The deadline for applying is November 16.
The Rustic Roads Advisory
Committee consists of seven voting members. Its duties include promoting public
awareness of the Rustic Roads Program, and reviewing and commenting on the
classification of rustic roads, development proposals that affect rustic roads,
and executive regulations and policies that may affect the program.
Members serve three-year terms
without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and
dependent care for meetings attended. The committee meets at least six times
per year; usually the fourth Tuesday evening of each month at 6 p.m. in the
Executive Office Building in Rockville.
Applicants of diverse
backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are
encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may
not serve on more than one such group at a time. Leggett’s appointments are
subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected
for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process. Apply online.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Go Montgomery - October 23, 2015
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