What is the Pedestrian, Bicycle & Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and What Do They Do?

The first Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee was created as part of the County's growing concerns about pedestrian safety and improving community walkability.  In June, 2000, then County Executive Douglas Duncan appointed a Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.  The panel, chaired by former Delegate Bill Bronrott, analyzed trends, held field hearings, heard from national experts, took site visits, researched current practices, and examined the areas of aggressive driving, drunk driving, pedestrian safety, road design, intersection safety, engineering and traffic engagement.

The Blue Ribbon Panel issued it's Final Report - Setting Safety in Motion: Recommendations for Creating Walkable Communities in Montgomery County, Maryland  (web page, pdf) on January 28, 2002.  It included 54 recommendations organized into four areas: education, enforcement, and engineering (the Three E's), and legislation.

One of the first recommendations to be implemented was the creation of the first Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee to oversee the implementation of the 54 recommendations in the Blue Ribbon Panel report.  This committee was first authorized by the County Council under Resolution No. 14-1281.

When County Executive Isiah Leggett was elected in December, 2006, he pledged to make improving pedestrian and traffic safety a priority of his administration.  Citing the need to do more to improve pedestrian safety, County Executive Leggett issued his Pedestrian Safety Initiative in December, 2007.  This comprehensive, strategic plan identified seven strategies to fully implement the recommendations made in the original Blue Ribbon Panel report. To assist the County in implementing this seven-strategy initiative, the County Council re-authorized the original advisory committee under County Council Resolution No. 16-192, changing its name to the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (PTSAC.)  The PTSAC's Mission Statement and Work Program can be viewed by clicking on the link.  

The Pedestrian, Bicycle and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meets the first Thursday of every other month at 7:00pm.  Additional meetings are called when needed.  The meeting calendar can be viewed by clicking on the link above on the right.  These are open meetings; anyone interested in this issue is invited to attend.   If you have any questions or concerns please send an email to the Committee Chairman, Erwin Mack, @ Email Erwin.

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