RESOURCES
Walkability Studies
MCDOT performs walking area analyses of 15 to 20 schools within the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) District each fiscal year. These evaluations include observation of arrival and dismissal operations of the school, coordination with school staff and crossing guards, as well as a comprehensive inventory and condition assessment of street networks for pedestrian safety and walkability throughout each school walkshed. The walkability studies summarize observations related to existing conditions, identify safety hazards, infrastructure deficiencies, and provide recommendations for improving the safety of those walking and rolling to and from school. Recommendations range from minor signing and pavement marking improvements to the construction of intersection improvements and adding new sidewalk where there is missing sidewalk in the network to provide safe and accessible pathways for all students.The interactive map below provides a comprehensive list of walkability studies. To view the study for a particular school, please zoom to the school location and click on the school icon. The map is in the process of being updated. Thank you for your patience.
Upcoming Community meetings to discuss recently completed Walkability studies
Martin Luther King MS, Lake Seneca ES, and Waters Landing ES
Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
Rosemary Hills ES, and Rock Creek Forest ES
Wheaton Woods ES
Sidewalk Gap Build Out
Each school walkshed is reviewed for sidewalk connectivity and accessibility as part of the safety evaluation process. Key walking routes are prioritized to ensure students walking to school are provided with dedicated space outside of vehicular travel ways along a street segment. Based on feedback received from school officials, observations of travel patterns, road user behaviors, and the layout of the street network relative to the school attendance boundaries, critical gaps in the sidewalk network are identified. Locations where critical sidewalk gaps are identified go through a constructability review to determine potential site constraints such as property lines, drainage patterns, impacts to street trees, and other considerations. Once locations where critical sidewalk gaps have been identified are determined to be constructable, implementation is prioritized as funding becomes available.Pending SRTS sidewalk implementations are listed below.
Forest Knolls ES
- Sidewalk proposed on the West side (Odd numbered home) of Marvin Road from Ordway Drive to Edgewood Avenue
- Sidewalk proposed on the East side (Even numbered home) of Ladson Road from Edgewood Avenue to Ordway Drive
Roscoe Nix ES
Installation of sidewalks along Oakview Drive between MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue) and Dilston Road – Construction Complete,
Joann Leleck ES
Installation of sidewalks along Stateside Drive between Avenel Road and Stateside Court – Approved – Construction Pending Scheduling.
Safety Spot Improvements
The SRTS program also pursues safety improvements based on recommendations from Complete walkability studies and requests from County residents. Safety recommendations that can be Complete through maintenance efforts and minor construction within public rights of way are implemented as funding and resources become available. Equity Emphasis Areas (EEA), Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Areas (BiPPA), Pedestrian Level of Comfort (PLOC),and cost-benefit analyses are all considered when prioritizing SRTS safety improvements.While the SRTS program is a proactive safety initiative, MCDOT is responsible for maintaining or enhancing the safety of roadways throughout the County and often receives requests for safety improvements from residents, civic organizations or public officials. When safety issues are verified by MCDOT staff, mitigation of the hazard(s) is recommended, and adjacent, impacted properties are notified.
Pending and Complete SRTS spot safety improvements are listed below.
Montgomery Blair High School, Pedestrian Safety Improvements -Lexington Drive at Pierce Drive- Status: Complete, Fall 2023
Proposed safety improvements at the intersection of Lexington Drive and Pierce Drive includes the construction of 200 linear feet of concrete sidewalk to connect the intersection to the existing signalized pedestrian crossings at University Parkway East (MD 193) at Lexington Drive, as well as a curb extension, pedestrian ramps, and high visibility crosswalk.
Lexington Drive Concept Plan
Sligo Creek Elementary School, Pedestrian Safety Improvements –Schuyler Road at Greenwich Lane- Status: Complete, Fall 2023
Pedestrian safety, accessibility, and traffic calming improvements along the elementary school frontage include the upgrade of pedestrian ramps to meet ADA guidelines, removal of the midblock crosswalk markings, conversion of Schuyler Rd at Greenwich Ln to an all-way stop controlled intersection, high visibility crosswalks, and tightening of the geometry at the intersection to promote slower turning movements and shorten crosswalk lengths.
Sligo Creek ES Improvement Plan
Herbert Hoover Middle School, Pedestrian Safety Improvements – Tuckerman Lane (From Duryea Drive to Postoak Drive)- Status: Complete, Summer 2024
Proposed safety improvements along Tuckerman Lane from Postoak Road to Duryea Drive include the installation of approximately 500 linear feet of sidewalk along the southern side of Tuckerman Lane. This new sidewalk will provide a pedestrian path leading to the Postoak Road intersection, where a school crossing guard is present for arrival and dismissal. Additionally, a pedestrian refuge island and a crosswalk will be added at Tuckerman Lane and Postoak Road intersections and existing ramps will be rebuilt to be ADA-compliant.
Tuckerman – Herbert Hoover Concept Plan
Earl B Wood Middle School, Bauer Drive and Burnside Drive Intersection Improvements- Status: Complete, Summer 2024
Pedestrian safety, accessibility, and traffic calming improvements at the middle school entrance includes upgrade of pedestrian ramps to meet ADA guidelines, pedestrian refuge island, high visibility crosswalks, and tightening of the geometry at the intersection to promote slower turning movements and shorten crosswalk lengths.
Bauer and Burnside Intersection Improvement Concept Plan
Sally K. Ride Elementary School, Status: Complete, Summer 2024
Pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements at two intersections along Seneca Crossing Drive and they are: Seneca Crossing Drive at Settlers Circle and Seneca Crossing Drive at Virginia Pine Terrace/Seneca Forest Circle. The improvements include upgrading the pedestrian ramps to meet ADA guidelines and new high visibility crosswalks.
Sally K. Ride ES Improvement Plan
Jackson Road Elementary School:
Pedestrian safety, accessibility, and traffic calming improvements along the elementary school frontage includes the conversion of Jackson Road and Renick Road to an all-way stop-controlled intersection with a new pedestrian ramp and a high-visibility crosswalk. Additionally, pedestrian refuge island, high-visibility crosswalks, and tightening of the geometry at the intersection of Jackson and Arbie Road will promote slower turning movements and shorten crosswalk lengths. Concept Plan(Link to the attached Jackson Road Concept)
Jackson Road ES Concept plan
Cold Spring Elementary School
Construct pedestrian safety improvements at the Lamp Post Lane and Falls Chapel Way intersection. The improvements include a new crosswalk and pedestrian refuge island to allow pedestrians to safely cross Falls Chapel Way and access the existing sidewalk leading to Cold Spring Elementary School.
Cold Spring ES Concept Plan
Captain James E. Daly Elementary School
Pedestrian safety, accessibility and traffic calming improvements at the elementary school entrance include a high-visibility crosswalk and a pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of Brandermill Rd. and Bloomingville Ct.
Capt James Daly ES Concept Plan
Counselman Road
Pedestrian safety, accessibility and traffic calming improvements along Counselman Road include the conversion of Glenolden Drive and Counselman Road to an all-way stop controlled intersection. We will also install approximately 350 linear feet of sidewalk along Counselman Road leading to St. Andrews Episcopal School.
Counselman Road Concept Plan
Judith Resnik Elementary School, Status: Complete, Summer 2024
Pedestrian safety and traffic calming improvements along Hardley Farm drive include median extension and flex posts to slow motorists when making the right turn and slightly shorten the pedestrian crossing distance.
Dr Judith Resnik ES Concept Plan
North Bethesda Middle School
Proposed safety improvements along Bradmoor Drive include 600 linear feet of sidewalk and intersection improvement at Bradmoor Drive/Rolston Road and Lindale Drive. MCDOT has developed three design alternatives, and they are:
- The first alternative includes sidewalks along the median, a new roundabout, and crosswalks at Rolston Road, Bradmoor Drive, and Lindale Drive intersections
- The second alternative includes sidewalks along the median, an all-way stop, and crosswalks at Rolston Road/Bradmoor Drive and Lindale Drive intersection
- The third alternative includes a 6’ sidewalk along the southern side of Bradmoor Drive (even number home)
Woodlin Elementary School, Status: In-construction
Pedestrian Safety improvements at Woodlin Elementary School include installation of ramps and Circular Flashing Beacon at Montgomery St. and Brookville Road. These improvements will provide safe crossing space for students and parents walking and biking to school.
Woodlin CFB Plan
Sligo Creek Elementary School, Pedestrian Safety Improvements
The MCDOT Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Program has proposed a pedestrian facility along Windsor Street; this proposed facility will begin at Dartmouth Ave. and connect to the existing sidewalk on Schuyler Road. The proposed pedestrian facility will provide safe access for students traveling to and from Sligo Creek Elementary School. MCDOT has prepared three design alternatives for pedestrian facilities along Windsor Street and is requesting feedback from the community on these alternatives. Concept plans illustrating these three alternatives can be viewed at this link.
Windsor Street Pedestrian Improvements Plan