Michael E. Busch, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, died today at the age of 72.  "Speaker Busch's tireless advocacy for the Baltimore region made it a better place for all of us.  His support and steadfast leadership will be missed throughout the entire state.  Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this challenging time," said Executive Director Michael B. Kelly.

On behalf of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), thank you for your interest in our activities and efforts to update the region's long-range transportation plan - Maximize2045:  A Performance-Based Transportation Plan.  For many, the importance of the long-range transportation plan is the identification of major projects the region expects to implement over the next 20-25 years.



In late spring, the BRTB will release a draft Maximize2045, along with the 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and related air quality analysis, for public review. We share with you our steps along the way and invite you to get involved in the process by learning more about the steps and staying tuned for upcoming events and the public comment period.

How Projects are Evaluated

The BRTB approved a process for evaluating and scoring individual candidate projects for Maximize2045. This process is a tool the BRTB uses to compile a set of projects that will benefit the region based on its adopted goals and policies.

Aside from project scores and the need to maintain fiscal constraint, the BRTB considers other factors in establishing the list of projects for Maximize2045. These factors might include such considerations as how ready a project is to move forward in the project development process or how a project might address issues of particular local concern in a specific jurisdiction

A project’s total score consists of two parts:

• a policy score that is a combination of (a) how much of a priority (high, medium, or low) a project is to the submitting jurisdiction or agency and (b) whether or not the project has received financial support from MDOT

• a technical score based on criteria derived directly from the region’s adopted goals and policies.

The technical scoring criteria cover the following areas:

• Roadway safety (does a project include features to reduce injuries and fatalities?)
• Roadway accessibility (does a project incorporate Complete Streets features? does a project support access to an activity hub?)
• Transit accessibility (does a project improve an existing transit station/stop or provide a new transit station/stop?)
• Roadway mobility (will a project improve short- and long-term level of service?)
• Transit mobility (does a project provide additional transit options focused on moving riders reliably and efficiently? is a project expected to increase the average number of daily transit riders?)
• Environmental conservation (will a project avoid effects to ecologically significant lands or historic properties? does a project include features that reduce greenhouse gas emissions?)
• Security (does a project fall on an existing evacuation route or improve a critical link to an existing evacuation route?)
• Investment in priority areas (does a project lie within or connect to a Priority Funding Area or a designated Sustainable Community?)

This evaluation and scoring process supports the BRTB’s federally mandated responsibility to develop and carry out a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process for the metropolitan area.

Submitted Projects

BRTB members have submitted a list of projects they’d like to have included in Maximize2045.  Here are a few highlights: 

• Freight related: Construct a full interchange at I-695 and Broening Highway
• Bridge Preservation: Replace the Howard Street Bridge over I-83, rail lines, Falls Road, and the Jones Falls
• Transit related: Add Bus Rapid Transit along U.S. 29 from Ellicott City / Downtown Columbia Transit Center to MD 198

Check out the full list of projects being evaluated

What's Next?

The next steps of the process to develop Maximize2045are:

• Project Evaluation Results – Project Evaluation Results - BMC staff have evaluated the submitted projects and completed the technical review. Based on the combined policy and technical scores, the BRTB selected the best scoring projects that could be implemented over the next 20-25 years given the amount of money available. Using modeling and analytical tools, BMC staff are now determining the potential effects of these projects on the region’s transportation network. These tools include (a) travel demand modeling, (b) air quality conformity modeling (in coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment), (c) analyses to determine how the projects might benefit or burden Environmental Justice populations, and (d) consultations with resource agencies to identify issues related to potential effects on natural and cultural resources.
  
   
• Draft Plan Released for Public Comments – A draft of the plan will be made public for a comment period during May and June 2019 and we’ll hold a public meeting in each jurisdiction in the Baltimore region. 
  
   
• Respond to comments and vote on a final plan – The BRTB will then review and respond to public comments and vote on a final plan in July 2019. 

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council and the Baltimore Regional Fair Housing Group will host What's on Tap: Piecing It Together - Framing Affordable Housing Messages on May 6, 2019. 

Building support for affordable housing opportunities in safe neighborhoods with access to good schools vexes stakeholders and government alike. Why is that, and what are the keys to successfully creating a platform where people can truly improve their lives?

In 2016, Dr. Tiffany Manuel, then with Enterprise Community Partners, teamed up with the Frameworks Institute to release You Don't Have to Live Here. That document was an exploration backed by focus group research of why so many common messages around affordable housing backfire and can actually lead to less public support. This past year, Tiffany and Enterprise and Frameworks released the eagerly awaited follow-up, Piecing It Together, which presents further focus group research and "distills and illustrates a set of practical recommendations" for addressing the issue more successfully.

Please join us on Monday, May 6th to welcome Dr. Manuel for a short presentation followed by a discussion on her latest research at our What's on Tap event at the Diamondback Brewing Company, under the smokestack.

Date: May 6, 2019

Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and a short presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Location: Diamondback Brewing Company 1215 East Fort Avenue, #008 Baltimore, MD 21230

Details: This event is open to the public. Registration is free. 

On behalf of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the Baltimore Metropolitan Council invites you to the New Mobility Transportation Forum.

Innovative services that capitalize on mobile communications, cash payments, artificial intelligence, and big data — such as applications for ride-hailing; car, scooter, and bikeshare; and trip planning — are changing how we travel. Come hear and ask questions of National and local experts on the forces of change and recent technological and social trends that are impacting the way people and goods move and are propelling changes to public policy, regulations and site and curb design. Intended to bring together transit, auto, shared mobility, freight, and IT leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges and share state-of-the-art strategies that might help the Baltimore Region's transportation network better serve the Region.

• Continental breakfast provided 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
• Certified planners may earn certification maintenance credits (pending).

Agenda

Date And Time

Wednesday, March 13, 2019
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

Location

University of Baltimore
H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons Town Hall
1415 Maryland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201