The
winning entries recognize initiatives that work to enhance the local community
and improve government services and processes.
“An efficient transportation network is the backbone of a thriving, climate-resilient community and helps drive economic mobility,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “When we optimize our internal systems and collaborate with the community we serve, we advance public transit in a more meaningful way. We are saving people time and cutting emissions, which helps everyone. We are enhancing the daily quality of life for all residents.”
MCDOT’s five awards were for the following programs under three separate categories: Transportation, Information Technology, and County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability.
Awards received under the Transportation category:
Launched
February 2, 2026, Flex Zone 918 is a strategic response to the discontinuation
of Metrobus Z2 along the New Hampshire Avenue corridor. This zero-fare,
peak-period, on-demand service operates within a defined service area including
Ednor, Sandy Spring, Norwood, Cloverly, and New Hampshire Avenue between Route
108 and the White Oak Transit Center, providing seamless connections to Ride
On, Flash Bus Rapid Transit, Metrobus, and Metrorail. Riders reserve trips via
mobile app or a call center, with real-time vehicle tracking and accessible
curbside service for riders with disabilities.
Flex
918 reflects Montgomery County’s commitment to restoring equitable transit
access while modernizing service delivery through innovative, fiscally
responsible transportation solutions.
· Transit Advisory Group (TAG)
The
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Transit Advisory Group
(TAG) is a community-centered advisory body that strengthens transparency,
equity, and public engagement in local transit planning. TAG brings together
residents, community advocates, and transit stakeholders to provide structured
input on Ride On bus service, Flex on-demand zones, Flash BRT corridors, and
system-wide policy decisions. The program was created to ensure that transit
planning reflects the lived experiences of riders; particularly seniors, people
with disabilities, low-income residents, and historically underserved
communities.
Through
quarterly meetings, data sharing, service updates, and direct engagement with
leadership, TAG has improved communication between government and riders,
influenced service adjustments, and enhanced public trust. Outcomes include
stronger equity-based decision-making, increased awareness of service changes,
and actionable feedback integrated into service planning and communication
strategies.
Starting
June 29, 2025, Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system implemented zero fare.
The policy impacts all Ride On buses including Ride On, Ride On extRa,
Ride On Flex, and Flash buses.
Ride
On’s zero-fare transit policy removes passenger fares from all public
transportation services, allowing riders to access buses at no direct cost. The
core objective of this policy is to improve mobility access, particularly for
low-income and transit-dependent populations, while advancing broader goals
such as social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic
participation. By eliminating fares, we aim to reduce financial barriers that
limit ridership and discourage public transportation use.
Beyond affordability, Ride On’s zero fare policy removes fare collection, which reduces boarding times and eliminates fare enforcement-related conflicts. The policy is often framed as both a social justice measure and a climate strategy, encouraging a shift away from private vehicle use and contributing to reduced traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Award received under the Information Technology category:
· Precise
3D Survey and Engineering of Transportation Infrastructure Pilot
The Precise 3D Survey and Engineering of Transportation Infrastructure (P3DSETI) Pilot modernizes how MCDOT documents, analyzes, and shares transportation infrastructure data by replacing time-‑intensive site surveys with high-accuracy 3D digital scans. This advanced digital approach enhances planning, safety, legal documentation, and interagency collaboration while significantly reducing delays, time, and errors. Supported by federal incentives and an upcoming $1 million FHWA grant, the system empowers engineers with fast, secure, survey‑-‑grade data accessible across devices. The scalable, agency-owned platform uniquely delivers end‑-to‑-‑end data control, operational efficiency, and strengthens project delivery processes.
MMCDOT GIS HubSite - Information Technology
MCDOT GIS HubSite is an internal ArcGIS Enterprise site that serves as a one-stop, searchable “common operating picture” for Montgomery County Department of Transportation staff. The HubSite currently consolidates 73 authoritative datasets (services) and 33 applications and maps, with plans to continuously expand, consolidating previously scattered content across different platforms and data sources, improving the discovery of trusted information, and reducing duplication in publishing and maintenance. Developed collaboratively by MCDOT and Montgomery County’s central GIS team (TEBS GIS), the site supports both technical and nontechnical users with curated content pages, application galleries, and clear pathways to authoritative information and tools. The program required no new funding and leveraged existing County staff expertise and Esri capabilities already available through the County’s Enterprise License Agreement. HubSite also lays the foundation for future modernizations, including more asset management and workflow integrations.
AuAward received under the County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energey, and Sustainability category:
AuAuth Lane Pedestrian Bridge Project
The MCDOT-constructed Auth Lane Pedestrian Bridge in the Kemp Mill neighborhood replaced a hazardous stream crossing with a safe, accessible fiber-reinforced polymer bridge. The former steep, erosion-prone path frequently flooded, limiting access for older adults and families. MCDOT delivered a community-supported, low-cost bridge design using inhouse construction, completing the project for a fraction of the cost and time associated with typical bridge construction. With broad public support, the new bridge now offers a durable year-round connection to nearby homes, parks, shops, and places of worship.
· “Transportation is about building safe, interconnected communities where every resident can travel confidently and can be part of the solution,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “By continually optimizing our internal processes and prioritizing resident safety and connectivity, we are not just moving people. We are working harder for every member of our community to further equitable, safe, and reliable access to jobs, education, and each other."
Montgomery
County earned a total of 39 NACo Achievement Awards in 2026.
The
list of all national winners can be seen at the National Association of
Counties NACo Achievement Award Winners website.
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