MCDOT Offers Tips for a Safe Halloween

 

Ensure that trick or treaters have a safe and fun Halloween by sharing these safety tips:

• Always use the crosswalk
• Cross with the “walk” Symbol
• Make eye contact with drivers
• Walk without texting
• Look for cars in all directions before crossing
• Wear BRIGHT at NIGHT

Be SAFE…Be SEEN on Halloween!

Go Montgomery! October 18, 2019

TODAY Until 2:00 p.m. Donate Bicycles and Parts to Aid Low Income Families MCDOT will once again sponsor a bike collection for this year’s Community Service Month celebration. Donate bicycles and parts suitable for all ages from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Council Office Building parking garage at the corner of East Jefferson and Monroe Streets in Rockville. Rockville Bike Hub has partnered with MCDOT and will make any necessary repairs to get donated bikes back into good riding condition. Learn more. MCDOT Partners to Host Youth Safety Lab Monday, Oct.21 MCDOT and the National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS) will host a Youth Safety Lab on Oct. 21 at Glenmont Local Park. High and middle schoolers are encouraged to attend for a fun and interactive way for students to learn about traffic safety and the rules of the road. This event is held during National Teen Safe Driving Week as a culmination of the Vision Zero Youth Ambassador Program, which is a collaboration between MCDOT and NOYS to encourage youth to have an active role in road safety efforts and improvements. Register now! MCDOT Opens First ‘Protected Intersection’, Bicycle Signal and Bikeometer in Silver Spring MCDOT joined the County Executive, councilmembers, and other supporters of bicycle infrastructure to open the first “protected intersection” in the region. The intersection at Spring Street and Second Avenue in Silver Spring connects a new half-mile “cycletrack” with a previously completed section to form a 1.2-mile bikeway. Also, the State’s first bicycle traffic signal provides indication of a safe route for cyclists. A nearby digital "bikeometer" displays a live count of cyclists and scooters passing each day. Learn more about this project. Purple Line Outreach Fair Planned for October 31 The Office of Procurement and the Purple Line Transit Constructors will host a construction outreach and networking event in Silver Spring on October 31 to provide information about procurement opportunities to Montgomery County businesses. Ride On will be one of the exhibitors, sharing information on transit services available to people who live and work in the County. Learn more. MCDOT Asks TMD Residents to Take Transportation Survey MCDOT is conducting a five-minute survey of residents who live in multi-family dwellings in the Bethesda, North Bethesda, Shady Grove and Silver Spring Transportation Management Districts (TMDs) to find ways to improve transportation services in their area. Take the survey and enter a drawing for a $25 gift card. TMDs provide services to encourage the use of transit and other commuting options in Montgomery County's major business districts. Input Sought on Proposed Sidewalks in the Bethesda Bradmoor Community MCDOT invites the public to attend a public hearing on November 6 to provide comments on the proposed construction of a sidewalk that will enhance access for those with disabilities, pedestrians and bicyclists and provide for safer travel to schools and nearby public attractions and facilities. Learn more. MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit Request for Information MCDOT held an Industry Forum on October 14, 2019, for the MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Request for Information (RFI) to introduce the concept design and planning that has been completed to date and provide opportunity for Q&A on the project and the RFI. The purpose of the RFI is to gather knowledge in best practices, emerging technologies, and innovative opportunities for implementing a cost-effective BRT service along MD 355 from Bethesda to Clarksburg. The event included a livestream for remote participants and a tour of the 22-mile corridor under consideration. While the focus of the RFI is on the MD 355 corridor, resulting ideas may have merit for other BRT corridors in the county. Responses to the RFI are due back to MCDOT on December 6, 2019. MCDOT Holds Public Workshop on Proposed Bike Lanes on Amherst Avenue MCDOT hosted a public workshop, last week, for residents to learn about the proposed bike lanes along Amherst Avenue from Arcola Avenue to Windham Lane in Wheaton. MCDOT is working to improve the bicycle and pedestrian network to support safe options for commuting, shopping, traveling to school, and recreation. This effort provides safe, convenient, efficient and comfortable movement of cyclists and pedestrians, and aligns with the County’s overall Vision Zero goals. Leadership Montgomery Uses Ride On to Tour Agriculture Reserve The County's Office of Agriculture and MCDOT have been partnering to provide educational tours of the County’s Agriculture Reserve. In September, Leadership Montgomery members visited the Agriculture History Farm Park and three local farms to learn about the importance of and experience the agriculture work taking place in Montgomery County. Montgomery Lawmakers Concerned About Fund Cut for ‘Crucial’ CCT Transit Project An October 10 Maryland Matters article by Bruce DePuyt detailed Montgomery County lawmakers’ “extreme disappointment” with the Maryland Department of Transportation’s decision to remove the Corridor Cities Transitway, a long-planned transit line, from the state’s list of funded priority projects. Metro Riders Encouraged to Use Phones to Report Safety Concerns According to a WTOP’s Kristi King, monitoring social media is one way officials discover something isn’t safe on Metrorail. That’s how a train running with an open door came to light last May. Read more Driving is the Largest Source of Greenhouse Gas A New York Times article presents an interactive map showing how much carbon dioxide emanates from metropolitan areas. Emissions are growing fastest in cities and suburbs — even ones with decent transit, although in cities with poor transit, emissions per capita are higher. Learn more. Improvements Scheduled for Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring WUSA9 reports that the Maryland State Highway Administration announced plans to revamp a one-mile section of Georgia Avenue between Forest Glen Metro and its intersection with 16th Street. Preliminary plans call for dedicated turn lanes, a two-lane bike path, new sidewalks and narrower lanes to even the flow of traffic. Read more. October 18, 2019 MCDOT Sponsors First Learn to Ride e-Scooter Class Nov. 2 Take a test ride, learn safety tips and other basic scooter laws at MCDOT’s Learn to Ride Scooter Class held at Montgomery College Rockville’s front parking lot 13 at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. No registration required, walk ins accepted. MCDOT Cosponsors Adult Learn to Ride Bike Class Nov. 2 If you’re feeling less than confident about hopping on a bike, one of these classes may be for you!  MCDOT and the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) have teamed up to offer a class for adults who never ridden a bike before or have tried to learn and have not been successful. The class is 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Montgomery College Rockville’s front parking lot 13. Learn more. Try the New and Improved ‘Ride On Real Time’ App and Provide Your Feedback to Ride On Ride On’s Real Time app is now web-based, enhancing accuracy and adding many new features. The app is usable on all devices, including computers, tablets and phones; ADA compliant; provides updated bus schedule information every five seconds; and offers a trip planner feature. See for yourself and let Ride On know what you think. Learn more about all the new improvements and upgrades. Wheaton Revitalization Update Starting on or about October 14 and continuing for about 12 weeks, Reedie Drive will temporarily become a one-way street westbound between Georgia Avenue and Grandview Avenue. Triangle Lane will remain open to traffic at all times. The MCDOT project to build a new Town Center, office building for County agencies and departments and underground parking garage is about 76 percent complete. Learn more about the project at www.wheatonproject.com Public Transportation Trips Increase by 11 Million from 2018 An article in Transportation Today reported that during the second quarter of 2019, Americans took more than 2.5 billion passenger trips on public transportation, an 11 million trip increase from 2018. WJLA Reports That Metro Ridership is on the Rise Metro has seen the largest percentage increase in riders in the country compared to other transit agencies. A Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Study Reports Area Commuter Driving Less Fewer commuters are driving alone and increasingly choosing transit or telework.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Go Montgomery! October 2, 2019

MCDOT Celebrates Walk to School Day at Arcola ES MCDOT has once again organized a focus event for National Walk to School Day to encourage everyone in the school community to walk, bike or roll to school. The event focuses on pedestrian and bike safety and supports the County’s commitment to Vision Zero to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on its roads. Learn more. Next Week MCDOT to Open First Protected Intersection in the Mid-Atlantic County Executive Marc Elrich will join MCDOT and other County officials on Monday, October 7 to celebrate the opening of the County’s first protected intersection at Second Avenue and Spring Street in Silver Spring. The intersection is part of a new, one-half mile bike lane that connects to the Spring and Cedar streets bike lanes, creating 1.2 miles of separated lanes in the heart of downtown Silver Spring and connecting to Metro and the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center. Innovative features also include the County’s first bike traffic signal. See project progress. Ride On Announces Long-Term Bus Route Modifications Ride On regularly assesses the need for service improvements and adjustments and makes changes when needed.  Due to construction activities, Routes 7, 8, 9, 18, 31, 39, 73, 79 and 129 have been modified to address long-term detours. Read more. Davis Mill Road Now Open to Traffic Pending Repairs After a two-week closure between two intersections with Wildcat Road, Davis Mill Road in Germantown has partially re-opened to traffic. This bypass will remain in effect until the road can be repaired. MCDOT continues to work on a permanent design solution for this stretch of Davis Mill Road.  Learn more. First in the Nation All-Electric Service Station Opens in Takoma Park A service station for electric vehicles became the country’s first fully converted gas-to-electric refueling station. Read more in Transportation Today. (Photo by Bill O’Leary) Montgomery County Celebrates Active Aging Week October 1-7 Dozens of free activities are planned to celebrate Montgomery County's Active Aging Week. MCDOT supports senior transportation in many ways. Seniors (age 65 and older) can travel free or at a discount on Metrobus, Metrorail and Ride On by purchasing a Senior SmarTrip® card at MCDOT’s Mobile Commuter store, all County libraries, the Silver Spring TRIPs store or the Montgomery County Division of Treasury - Rockville. Learn about other transportation services offered to seniors. What to do with E-Scooters Found on County Sidewalks MCDOT’s agreement with e-bike and e-scooter companies states that these vehicles cannot be parked in the right-of-way and cannot interfere with pedestrian or traffic operations, or access to driveways,  crosswalks, ADA ramps, pedestrian walkways, bus stops, fire hydrants, private property or businesses. Residents are free to move inappropriately parked vehicles out of the way. Or, contact the vendor directly (labels with a phone and website are on each vehicle) or call County 311. MCDOT Sponsored Fourth Annual PARK(ing) Day Celebration in Silver Spring and Bethesda Beautiful spaces bloomed under the Montgomery County sun. Check out photos of the fun parks that were created.  MCDOT Seeks Innovators for MD 355 FLASH Learn about MCDOT’s Request for Information from firms that can help support cost-effective Bus Rapid Transit on MD Route 355 in Montgomery County. New Maryland Laws Became Effective October 1 Hundreds of new laws took effect including a pedestrian safety bill that increases the maximum fine for drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians from $500 to $1,000 and a bill that increases the severity of penalties for drunk and drugged driving offenses. Learn more about these and many of the other new laws. Bethesda Residents Asked to Take MCDOT Transportation Survey MCDOT is conducting a five-minute survey of Bethesda-area residents who live in multi-family dwellings that will help the department improve transportation services. Take the survey and enter a drawing for a $25 gift card.  MCDOT Attends Spread the Green Expo MCDOT’s Commuter Services helped provide information on some of its green initiatives at the Spread the Green Expo, an event for County employees who wanted to learn more about County efforts to green operations and improve sustainability. Among the programs promoted by Commuter Services were the October 18 Bike Drive; Guaranteed Ride Home and Ride Share programs; Bikeshare; and other transit options to support commuters.  Elrich to Hold First of Five FY21 Operating Budget Forums on October 7 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is holding the first of five budget forums to seek input from residents about Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget priorities. Learn more. Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department's Open House Oct. 13 MCDOT is pulling out all the stops with the Street Smart Virtual Reality Challenge at this year's Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department's open house in Silver Spring. WABA will be on site giving safe bicycling instructions and look for the shiny Camaro with the virtual reality challenge, an interactive, virtual reality experience that lets participants encounter multiple traffic scenarios and learn ways to reduce injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists. Celebrating October as ‘Energy Action Month’ Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection will spend more than four weeks spreading its messages to help protect the environment and lower energy costs in October for Energy Action Month. Attend one of the Energy Roadshows that help answer all types of question on how to lower energy usage and save money. Learn more. October 2, 2019 On October 18, Celebrate Community Service Month Bike Drive with MCDOT Have a bike that’s no longer needed? On Friday, October 18, MCDOT will once again sponsor a bike collection during this year’s Community Service month celebration. Donate child and adult bicycles, helmets and bicycle parts to low income families outside the Council Office Building parking garage in Rockville. Learn more. MCDOT Sponsors Adult Learn to Ride Cycle Class on October 5 If you’re feeling less than confident about hopping on a bike, this class is for you!  MCDOT and WABA have teamed up to offer adult classes this fall for all skill levels. The cost is $10 per person and free to Capital Bikeshare and WABA members. Resister for the October 5 class in Chevy Chase today. Leadership Montgomery Uses Ride On to Tour Agriculture Reserve The County’s Office of Agriculture and MCDOT have been partnering to provide educational tours of the County’s Agriculture Reserve. In September, Leadership Montgomery members visited the Agriculture History Farm Park and three local farms to experience the importance and beauty of agriculture in Montgomery County. MCDOT Spreads the Word on Kids Ride Free The MCDOT Ride On team attended the Montgomery County Council of PTA Presidents fall training session September 14, to provide information about the Kids Ride Free program. All K-12 student residents can ride free any time of day and any day of the week on Ride On buses or Metrobus in Montgomery County by showing a school ID or Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card to the bus operator. MCDOT Promotes Alternative Transportation on Car Free Day On September 22, MCDOT staff took to the streets to encourage County residents to leave their car at home on Sunday. Ride On Shuttle Links Montgomery Friendship Picnic and Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival On Sunday, September 22, Ride On provided shuttle service between two popular County events. Ride On regularly supports events that promote a stronger and more connected community. Wheaton Revitalization Update Reedie Drive will be one-way westbound between Georgia Avenue and Grandview Avenue for 12 weeks. The MCDOT project to build a new Town Center, office building for County agencies and departments and underground parking garage is about 75 percent complete. Learn more about the project at www.wheatonproject.com

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.