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.
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 completed walkability studies and requests from County residents. Safety recommendations that can be completed 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 SRTS spot safety improvements are listed below.
Montgomery Blair High School, Pedestrian Safety Improvements -Lexington Drive at Pierce Drive- Construction 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- Construction 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)
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. The project will also add pedestrian refuse and a crosswalk at Tuckerman Lane and Postoak Road intersections and rebuild existing ramps to be ADA-compliant. The existing crossing across Tuckerman at Duryea Drive will remain, and new bumpouts will be constructed at the eastern edge of the intersection.
Tuckerman – Herbert Hoover Concept Plan
Earl B Wood Middle School, Bauer Drive and Burnside Drive Intersection Improvements
Pedestrian safety, accessibility, and traffic calming improvements along the middle school entrance include the upgrade of pedestrian ramps to meet ADA guidelines, pedestrian refuse 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
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 the upgrade of pedestrian ramps to meet ADA guidelines and high visibility crosswalks.
Sally K. Ride ES Improvement Plan