Subject
title
Vision Zero Progress Update
end
Department
PW - Traffic & Transportation
Recommendation
City staff recommends the Mayor and Council receive a progress update briefing on the implementation of the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan, and Bikeway Master Plan.
Discussion
Vision Zero Action Plan
The Vision Zero Action Plan was adopted by the Mayor and Council in July 2020. It includes 30 action items organized into four categories - Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Policy - to eliminate all serious injury and fatal crashes by 2030. Updates for all action items are included in the Vision Zero Action Item Progress Report (Attachment 1).
2024 Serious Injury and Fatal Crashes
In 2024, there was one fatal crash and fifteen serious injury crashes. All crashes involved at least one motorist; the fatal crash involved a pedestrian, which took place on Hungerford Drive (MD 355) in September 2024. Among the serious injury crashes, five crashes involved pedestrians or bicyclists and the remaining ten crashes involved only motor vehicles.
Among the serious injury and fatal crashes, nine of the sixteen crashes occurred on state-owned and maintained roadways, six crashes occurred on city owned and maintained roads, and one crash occurred in a parking lot.
While there were three more serious injury crashes in Rockville in 2024 than in 2023, there were two fewer fatal crashes. The following chart shows the number of fatal and serious injury crashes in Rockville during the period between 2015 and 2024.
Location of Ongoing or Initiated Vision Zero projects
Vision Zero projects include a variety of transportation safety projects and programs. The Vision Zero projects map (Attachment 2) shows the location of infrastructure projects in Rockville, which are also summarized in the table below. The projects on the map are cumulative and include projects initiated and completed since the plan’s approval. Projects are categorized by intersection safety audits and improvements; leading pedestrian intervals; sidewalk studies, design, and construction; speed limit reductions; and complete streets studies and improvements, which include traffic calming, bicycle facilities, and road diets.
|
Project Type |
West of I-270 |
Between I-270 and MD 355 |
East of MD 355 |
|
Intersection Safety Audit and Improvement* |
3 |
22 |
36 |
|
Leading Pedestrian Intervals |
2 |
9 |
1 |
|
Sidewalk Study, Design, and Construction |
0 |
9 |
17 |
|
Speed Limit Reduction |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Complete Streets |
2 |
12 |
2 |
|
Total |
11 |
54 |
59 |
* There are 20 intersections included in the intersection safety audits along MD 355, and they are divided between the second and third column, 10 each.
The Vision Zero crash analysis evaluates locations in Rockville where crashes have occurred, which influences the selection of intersections and roadway segments for Vision Zero projects. Additionally, the Sidewalk Prioritization Policy identifies roadway with missing sidewalk segments and the priority with which they should be evaluated and constructed, if feasible. Lastly, some projects are funded through specific grants which can influence the location of the project. For instance, the City was recently awarded an Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment grant for the study and design of a shared-use path connecting Maryvale Park, Maryvale Elementary School, and Redgate Park. This project was supported by the community and will improve access and mobility in a designated Equity Emphasis Area in Rockville.
Outreach
Starting last year, city staff has made themselves available to attend community group meetings to discuss the Vision Zero program. Residents can request staff attend a regularly scheduled community association meeting by emailing staff. This opportunity is also listed on the City’s Vision Zero webpage. If a group is not part of a formal neighborhood or civic association, they may also request a Vision Zero presentation and staff will coordinate with nearby recreation centers or other facilities to host the meeting.
City staff also provides updates related to the Vision Zero program to the Rockville Transportation and Mobility Commission (TMC), the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee (RPAC), and the Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee (RBAC) during their regularly scheduled public meetings, which are open to the public.
Speed Limit Reduction
Department of Public Works staff requested the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) reduce the posted speed limit along First Street (MD 28) between Baltimore Road and Veirs Mill Road (MD 586) from 40 MPH to 35 MPH. The speed limit on either side of this segment is 35 MPH or below. While MDOT SHA initially rejected this request, city staff continued to advocate for the reduction and requested a second study and evaluation. In December 2024, MDOT SHA approved the speed limit reduction. Staff anticipates the new speed limit signs will be posted in the next few weeks. Once these signs are posted, the speed limit along MD 28 between I-270 and Avery Road will be 35 MPH or below.
Grants
City staff regularly applies for grants at the regional, state, and federal levels to supplement the existing city budget for Vision Zero activities. The table below lists the grant status for various ongoing multimodal transportation projects.
|
Program |
Project |
Amount Awarded (Requested Amount) |
|
FY 20 Transportation Alternatives Program |
N. Stonestreet Avenue Corridor Complete Streets Design |
$280,000 |
|
FY 23 Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program |
Maryvale Park to Redgate Park Shared Use Path Study and Design |
$216,000 |
|
FY 23 Neighborhood Access and Equity (Reconnecting Communities) |
Twinbrook Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge Study |
$568,000 |
|
FY 23 Safe Streets and Roads for All |
Vision Zero Intersection Safety Audits |
$320,000 |
|
FY 24 Kim Lamphier Maryland Bikeways Network Program |
E. Jefferson Street and Halpine Road Bicycle Facility Study and Design |
$88,000 |
|
FY 24 Transportation Alternatives |
Fleet and Monroe Shared Use Path Design |
$224,000 |
|
FY 23-26 Maryland Transportation Department Carbon Reduction Program |
Twinbrook Area Bikeshare Stations |
$371,200 |
|
FY 25 MWCOG Transportation Land Use Connections Program |
Congressional Lane Complete Streets Study |
$80,000 |
|
FY 25 Transportation Alternatives |
Scott-Veirs Drive Shared Use Path Design |
$200,000 |
|
Total Awarded |
9 Ongoing Grant Funded Projects |
$2,347,200 |
The fiscal year listed for the above grant programs represents the fiscal year of the funding from the grantor and does not necessarily reflect when the project was added to the City’s capital improvement program or when the City initiated work on the project.
City staff will continue to seek external funding to leverage existing resources and advance the Vision Zero program. Staff anticipates submitting project applications to the following upcoming funding programs:
• MWCOG Transportation and Land Use Connections Program/Regional Roadway Safety Program
• MDOT Carbon Reduction Program
• Kim Lamphier Maryland Bikeways Network Program
• Transportation Alternatives Program
Bikeway Master Plan
The Bikeway Master Plan was approved in April 2017. The plan highlights bicycle related policies and proposes different bicycle facilities throughout the City to improve bicycling for riders of all ages and abilities. While this plan does not include specific “action items” like the Vision Zero Action Plan or Pedestrian Master Plan, it provides recommended facilities in Rockville.
City staff continues to implement the recommended facilities from the Bikeway Master Plan and seeks grants or other external funding opportunities to help advance bicycle projects. While many shared roadway projects require only signage or pavement markings, bicycle lanes, shared-use paths, and cycle tracks (also known as separated or protected bicycle lanes) often require comprehensive feasibility studies, repurposing a motor vehicle travel lane, and detailed engineering designs before construction can be carried out. The following table includes the total distance of recommended bicycle facilities and the percentage of facilities constructed since plan adoption.
|
Facility Type |
Constructed (miles) |
Total Recommended (miles) |
Percentage Complete |
|
Bicycle Lanes |
1.75 |
8.53 |
20.52% |
|
Shared Roadways |
6.69 |
17.34 |
38.58% |
|
Climbing Lanes |
0.37 |
2.77 |
13.36% |
|
Shared-Use Paths |
1.33 |
5.40 |
24.63% |
|
Cycle Tracks |
0.77 |
5.98 |
12.88% |
|
Total |
10.91 |
40.02 |
27.26% |
There are two bicycle facilities that will be constructed in 2025 as part of the city’s asphalt and concrete improvement program. Shared roadway markings and bicycle lanes will be added to Martins Lane and Mannakee Street. These streets were studied in 2024.
Congressional Lane
DPW staff is also working to evaluate complete streets improvements for Congressional Lane between Rollins Avenue and Rockville Pike (MD 355). This project is funded through the FY 25 MWCOG Transportation Land Use Connections Program. Complete streets improvements include roadway improvements to help all roadway users, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users, more safely navigate the roadway and intersections and include improvements such as bicycle lanes, pavement markings, and traffic calming. A virtual public meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2025, to present the options to the public and receive their feedback. This evaluation project is expected to be completed in June 2025.
E. Jefferson Street and Halpine Road
DPW staff is currently working to study feasible bicycle facility options for E. Jefferson Street between Rollins Avenue and Congressional Lane and along Halpine Road between E. Jefferson Street and Rockville Pike (MD 355). This project is funded through the FY 24 Kim Lamphier Maryland Bikeways Network Program. A virtual public meeting is scheduled for April 30, 2025, to present the options to the public and receive their feedback. Once a preferred alternative is identified, a preliminary design will be prepared. This feasibility study is expected to be completed by September 2025.
Upcoming Bicycle Facility Study and Design Projects
The City received a Transportation Alternatives Program grant to prepare the 100% engineering design for the shared-use path along Fleet Street between Maryland Avenue and Richard Montgomery High School and along Monroe Street between Fleet Street and E. Middle Lane. Staff has coordinated with MDOT SHA to prepare a scope of services and determine the percentage of disadvantaged business enterprise participation. It is expected that a request for proposals will be advertised in spring 2025.
The City was also awarded a Transportation Alternatives Program grant to prepare the 100% engineering plan for a shared-use path along Veirs Drive and Scott Drive between Wootton Parkway and the city boundary. Staff is currently working with MDOT SHA to finalize the grant agreement and to prepare a scope of services.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Counters
DPW staff recently completed the installation of eight permanent pedestrian and bicycle counters in the city. The counters were purchased through a Kim Lamphier Maryland Bikeways Network Program Grant. The counters are installed along the following routes:
Pedestrian-only Counters
• Maryland Avenue, southbound, between Town Square Park and E. Middle Lane
• Twinbrook Metrorail Station entrance at Halpine Road and Lewis Avenue
Bicycle-only Counter
• N. Washington Street, northbound, between Wood Lane and Beall Avenue
Pedestrian and Bicycle Counters
• Baltimore Road Shared Use Path, between Gladstone Drive and Broadwood Drive
• Carl Henn Millennium Trail, between Piccard Drive and Gaither Road
• Friendship Bridge entrance, near W. Montgomery Avenue
• Stoneridge Trail, near Wootton Parkway
• Twinbrook Connector Trail, at Ardennes Avenue and Aleutian Avenue
Bicycle Fix-It Racks
Per recommendation of the Mayor and Council and with support of RBAC, staff are working to install bicycle fix-it racks. Staff have identified best practices for locating fix-it racks and have shared potential locations with RBAC, also requesting their comments and recommendations. DPW staff will coordinate with Recreation and Parks Department staff to finalize the potential locations and then purchase and install the fix-it racks.
Bikeshare
DPW received a grant award for $371,200 from the MDOT Carbon Reduction Program to purchase, install, and maintain up to four bikeshare stations in the Twinbrook neighborhood. Staff is currently coordinating with MDOT to prepare a grant agreement for the project. Staff is also coordinating with Montgomery County Department of Transportation to determine the best approach to procure the bikeshare stations using the county’s existing agreement with the bikeshare vendor.
Pedestrian Master Plan
The Pedestrian Master Plan was adopted in October 2023 and was developed over the course of two years with input from the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee, the Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Transportation and Mobility Commission. This plan emphasizes the need to improve existing infrastructure and refine polices so that the needs of pedestrians are better considered while building transportation infrastructure in Rockville. Similar to the Vision Zero Action Plan, the Pedestrian Master Plan includes action items for city staff. Progress has been made on the following action items.
Action Item 1c - Sidewalk Prioritization Policy
-The Sidewalk Prioritization Policy identifies the criteria and scoring rubric used to determine which sidewalk gaps in the city should be evaluated for construction first. Staff has collected best practices research from nearby jurisdictions and national examples about the most effective approaches for prioritizing sidewalk gaps. Staff has also started to identify the criteria for a new prioritization. Once the criteria and scoring rubric are prepared, staff will share a draft of the proposed policy with RPAC and the TMC.
Action Item 1e - Comprehensive Transportation Review
The Comprehensive Transportation Review provides the requirements necessary for property development applicants when evaluating the transportation impacts of development applications. This document was last revised and adopted in 2018. Staff has begun to update this document and expects a first draft of the update to be completed in spring 2025. This draft will be shared with the TMC before being shared with the Mayor and Council for their review and approval.
Action Item 5a - Sidewalks on Both Sides
City staff continues to carry out the sidewalk study-design-construction process to build more sidewalks in the city. Most missing sidewalk segments in the city have impacts to the surrounding area and require a feasibility study. The study helps determine whether a sidewalk can be constructed within reasonable costs with limited impacts to the surrounding area, has public support and does not require additional rights-of-way or easements.
This process allows the city to engage with the community, and evaluate the impacts and costs associated with sidewalk construction.
Group 1 sidewalks were evaluated in 2023:
Constructed
• Monroe Street between the New Mark Commons trail entrance and Dogwood Park.
50% Design
• Frederick Avenue between N. Stonestreet Avenue and Westmore Avenue,
• Highland Avenue between S. Stonestreet Avenue and Grandin Avenue, and
• Nelson Street between the shopping center entrance and Beall Avenue.
Deemed Infeasible
• Reading Terrace, between Grandin Avenue and S. Stonestreet Avenue, and
• Wood Lane, between N. Adams Street and N. Washington Street
The following Group 2 sidewalks were evaluated in 2024:
Begin Design in 2025
• Carr Avenue between Forest Avenue and Luckett Street,
• Charles Street between McArthur Drive and the road terminus,
• Gail Avenue between Lewis Avenue and Veirs Mill Road, and
Deemed Infeasible
• Croydon Avenue between Park Road and McArthur Drive,
• Woodland Road between Virginia Avenue and N. Horners Lane.
The Group 3 sidewalk gaps will be evaluated in 2025.
• Aleutian Avenue between Midway Avenue and Trail entrance (Priority Group C, no sidewalk either side)
• Blandford Street between road end and Mt. Vernon Pl (Priority Group D, no sidewalk either side)
• Calvert Road between Roxboro Rd/Walking Path and Brent Rd (Priority Group D & E, no sidewalk either side)
• Denham Rd between Maple Avenue and Baltimore Rd (Priority Group C & D, no sidewalk either side)
• Laura Lane between Dale Drive and Evans St (Priority Group C, no sidewalk either side)
Staff is collaborating with RPAC to finalize the five sidewalks to be studied. Staff has shared this list with RPAC and has solicited feedback and other recommendations.
The Twinbrook Safe Routes to School and Transit Accessibility Feasibility Study was completed in December 2024 and included evaluation of seven sidewalk segments in the Twinbrook neighborhood. Three sidewalk gaps will advance to design in 2025, two gaps will advance to design in a future fiscal year, and two sidewalks were deemed infeasible and will need further study.
Begin Design in 2025
• Brooke Drive between Lewis Avenue and Rockland Avenue,
• Crawford Drive between Gail Avenue and Hillcrest Park, and
• Midway Avenue between Crawford Drive and Stillwell Road.
Begin Design in a future fiscal year
• Halsey Road between Henry Road and Ardennes Avenue, and
• Wade Avenue between Crawford Drive and Edmonston Drive.
Deemed Infeasible
• Crawford Drive between Ardennes Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, and
• Lemay Road between Ardennes Avenue and Vandegrift Avenue.
Staff is also completing design for a sidewalk along Potomac Valley Road between Falls Road and New Marc Esplanade. Lastly, DPW staff will construct a sidewalk along Virginia Avenue in 2025 between Woodland Road and England Terrace and working with residents to determine the preferred side.
Since 2023, city staff has evaluated 4.08 miles of sidewalk gap, of which, 2.48 miles were deemed feasible and advanced to the next phase, 1.61 miles were deemed infeasible and will be reevaluated after all other segments have been studied.
Action Item 8a - Pedestrian Crossing Guidelines
Staff developed new pedestrian crosswalk guidelines that will help staff respond to public requests regarding the installation of new marked crosswalks and better consider the surrounding built environment and pedestrian trip generators when evaluating where to install a marked crosswalk. These guidelines were finalized and approved in September 2024 and are available on the City’s website. City staff is currently using the new guidelines when evaluating new marked crosswalk requests.
Action Item 9b - On-street Parking Corrals
DPW staff conducted best practices research to identify the most effective locations to install on-street bicycle parking corrals. An on-street bicycle parking corral is a bicycle parking rack for several bicycles or scooters and is installed in an on-street parking space. By providing convenient locations to park bicycles and scooters, the City can encourage residents and visitors to not block sidewalks with rideshare e-scooters or bicycles.
Staff has identified potential locations to install the parking corrals throughout the city. These locations have been shared with RBAC and staff has requested their feedback. Once the locations are finalized, staff will purchase and install the parking corrals.
City staff will continue to implement the Pedestrian Master Plan consistent with the implementation strategy and will continue to coordinate with the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee and the Rockville Transportation and Mobility Commission.
A slide presentation is included (Attachment 3) to help facilitate a discussion of Vision Zero, the Bikeway Master Plan, and the Pedestrian Master Plan.
Mayor and Council History
In 2017, the Mayor and Council adopted an update to the Bikeway Master Plan. This plan was originally adopted in 1998 and updated again in 2004.
In 2018, the Mayor and Council adopted a resolution endorsing Vision Zero and adopting a goal of moving the City towards zero traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. In July 2020, the Mayor and Council adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan.
In 2023, the Mayor and Council adopted the Pedestrian Master Plan, which is the first pedestrian plan for the City.
The Mayor and Council last received a briefing on the progress of all three plans in August 2024.
Boards and Commission Review
Department of Public Works staff acts as the liaison for the Transportation and Mobility Commission, the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee, and the Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee, and meets with each group during their monthly meetings. In addition to providing updates regarding the status of various city transportation projects, DPW staff solicits suggestions and recommendations from each group regarding Vision Zero action items and projects. Staff also seeks their opinions and guidance regarding grant opportunities and their support for grant applications.
Next Steps
Department of Public Works staff will continue to implement the listed action items from the Vision Zero Action Plan, and Bikeway and Pedestrian master plans. Staff will provide the next update on all three plans in July 2025.