The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), as the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Baltimore region, seeks public comments through Friday, July 17 on two transportation-related documents – the draft 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the associated Air Quality Conformity Determination.
New this year, is an interactive project map, in which the public can view projects and offer comments, and a Storymap which provides an overview of these documents.
Draft 2021-2024 TIP | Air Quality Conformity Determination | How to Comment
Draft 2021 – 2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
The draft 2021-2024 TIP is the list of regional transportation projects requesting federal funding in the near term. It includes $4.26 billion in proposed federal, state and local money for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects during the next four years. The funding goes toward maintaining, operating and expanding the transportation system. These projects support regional goals such as accessibility, safety, and prosperity. Funding identified in the TIP is based on funding reasonably expected to be available from local, state, and federal sources.
The draft 2021-2024 TIP includes 140 projects, 24 of which are new. Highlights include:
- Anne Arundel County is dedicating $14 million in funding for a multi-modal transportation center in Parole to serve existing local and regional bus service, with possible future connectivity to modes such as bikeshare, carshare, and ridehailing services;
- In Baltimore City, several new projects focus on increasing bicycle and pedestrian access, including:
- constructing an on-street cycle track on Bush Street in South Baltimore;
- installing an on-street cycle track and/or buffered bike lanes on Eutaw Place near Druid Hill Park;
- building a 2 mile protected cycle track along either Wolfe or Washington Street in East Baltimore; and
- constructing a pedestrian and cyclist trail between the Inner Harbor cycle track and the Middle Branch Trail as part of the Baltimore Greenway Loop that connects Baltimore City's major parks.
- Baltimore County is using $2 million in federal and local funds to purchase vehicles and signage for the Towson Circulator – a new fixed route service in Towson.
- Carroll County is dedicating federal and local funding to 9 essential bridge improvements. In addition, MDOT SHA plans to complete a project in 2021 focused on improving MD 30 Business in Hampstead by reconstructing the existing roadway with ADA-compliant sidewalks and crosswalks, stormwater management, landscaping, and traffic signals.
- Howard County is moving forward with a $26 million project that widens Marriottsville Road from two to four lanes between US 40 and MD 99, including replacing the existing two lane bridge over I-70.
- MDOT SHA is dedicating $281 million in the draft 2021-2024 TIP for the expansion of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), including conversion of the inside shoulder into a new travel lane from I-70 to MD 43, reconfiguring the interchange of I-695 and I-70, and adding a lane on the outer loop of I-695, from US 40 to MD 144.
- The Maryland Port Administration is partnering with CSX to leverage federal funding to reconstruct the 125-year-old Howard Street Tunnel in order to create double-stack rail access to and from the Port of Baltimore.
- The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and Baltimore City are collaborating on changes to seven miles of I-95 and sections of Hanover Street, McComas Street and Key Highway. The project seeks to address traffic needs and support ongoing and planned redevelopment of the Port Covington peninsula in South Baltimore.
- MDTA continues its expansion of the I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL) by dedicating over $774 million in toll revenues towards implementation of the first phase of the I-95 Section 200 Northbound Extension in Baltimore and Harford Counties.
Please view the draft 2021-2024 TIP through the BRTB’s interactive project map. The draft 2021–2024 TIP is also available in PDF format for download:
Draft 2021-2024 TIP
Introduction and Background | Financial Plan
Projects by jurisdiction: Low-income and Minority Concentration | Appendices
Projects in the draft TIP are also available to review in pdf format by project sponsor, either a local jurisdiction or state agency:
Anne Arundel County | Baltimore City | Baltimore County
Carroll County | Harford County | Howard County
Maryland Port Administration | Maryland Transportation Authority
MDOT MTA | MDOT SHA and the Office of the Secretary
Analysis of Air Quality Conformity
The Baltimore region does not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and so must review its current transportation plans and programs to ensure conformity with the State Air Quality Implementation Plan (SIP).
The Air Quality Conformity Determination report details a comprehensive analysis of Baltimore region mobile source emissions as a result of implementing the draft 2021-2024 TIP. Highlights of the report include:
- Staff from BMC and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) used the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) 2014a model, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to analyze the amount of mobile source emissions generated from vehicle travel associated with the implementation of the projects in the draft TIP.
- The report addresses mobile source emissions of VOC and NOx, which are precursors of ground-level ozone emissions.
- New Round 9A forecasts for population, housing, and employment in the Baltimore region were used for this conformity analysis.
- Data about the types and purpose of vehicles, fuel data, and meteorological data from 2017 were used as input into the analysis.
- This Conformity Determination shows that transit ridership is projected to increase in the horizon years.
- Projected mobile source emissions for draft 2021-2024 TIP are well below the motor vehicle emission budgets set in the state implementation plan, or SIP.
- Implementation of the projects proposed in the draft 2021-2024 TIP will not worsen the region’s air quality or delay the timely attainment of national air quality standards.
Why is an air quality analysis needed?
- The Baltimore region is a "marginal" nonattainment area for the ground-level ozone standard set in 2015. This means that levels of ozone pollution in the air are slightly higher than the federally allowable amount of 70 parts per billion (ppb).
- The level of ozone that the region experienced in 2019 as a "design value", or the value that the US EPA uses to determine whether a region is reaching the standard, was 75 ppb. As a result, the region is not attaining the standard and the BRTB must conduct a conformity determination.
- The air quality analysis evaluates whether the transportation projects in a region's TIP and Plan would hinder the progress of that region attaining the air quality standard.
The conformity determination is available in PDF format for download:
Conformity Determination | Appendices
Share Your Thoughts
Public comments are welcome from Tuesday, June 16 through Friday, July 17, 2020. The BRTB will vote on these documents on Tuesday, August 25.
MDOT MTA, in lieu of a separate mandated public comment period, has exercised its option to use the procedures of the BRTB’s public involvement process for the 2021-2024 TIP. The public participation process for the TIP meets the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) public participation requirements for MDOT MTA’s Program of Projects (POP).
View Public Comments Received | View BRTB Response to Comments
Join Us for a Virtual Public Meeting
Those interested in learning more about the draft 2021-2024 TIP and Air Quality Conformity may view our Storymap or join us for a:
- Thursday, July 9 at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 14 at 12:30 p.m.
Join these meetings by using: Computer, Tablet or Smartphone or dial in by phone 877-309-2073 or 571-317-3129 and enter Access Code: 563-035-189.
View a recording of the public meeting
To share your thoughts and ideas, send all comments in writing to:
| ONLINE | FAX | |||
| BRTB Comment Form | comments@baltometro.org | @BaltoMetroCo @BmoreInvolved #BRTBlistens |
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300 Baltimore, MD 21230 |
410-732-8248 |
Comments are also welcome during the public comment opportunity at the BRTB meetings at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, Tuesday, July 28, or Tuesday, August 25 (scheduled vote).
For more information:
Contact Regina Aris, assistant transportation director, by email at raris@baltometro.org, or by phone at 410-732-9572.
Notice
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.
Comments Welcome on the 2020 Federal Certification of the BRTB
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) invite you to join them on Wednesday, April 22 to share your thoughts about the regional transportation planning process conducted by the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB).
The public meeting is part of a 30-day comment period related to a review by FHWA and FTA to certify that the transportation planning process carried out by the BRTB meets federal requirements for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO). The BRTB is the MPO for the Baltimore region.
Comments are welcome on the 2020 Certification of the BRTB through Friday, May 1, 2020.
About the Federal Certification
Every four years, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires FHWA and FTA conduct an on-site review of the BRTB. The purpose of the certification review is to:
- provide an objective evaluation of the regional transportation planning process;
- ensure that federal planning requirements are being satisfactorily implemented by the BRTB;
- provide advice and guidance to the BRTB for ways it can further enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the planning process and improve the quality of transportation investment decisions; and
- help ensure that the major transportation planning issues facing a metropolitan area are being addressed.
- the public may also provide feedback during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB monthly meeting with elected officials at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1.
FHWA and FTA also verify that the BRTB are implementing previous recommendations for improvement.
View the Federal Team Presentation |
View the Public Comments and Survey Responses |
Share Your Thoughts
The public review period runs from March 31 through May 1, 2020. There are three ways you can share your thoughts:
TAKE OUR SURVEY |
JOIN US AT A PUBLIC MEETING |
SEND YOUR THOUGHTS IN WRITING |
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Your evaluation of the BRTB can be shared with FHWA/FTA via survey. |
This is an excellent opportunity to directly express your opinion to FHWA and FTA about the work of the BRTB and its efforts to address major transportation issues facing the region. Staff from FHWA and FTA will host an online public meeting to listen to public comments on Wednesday, April 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. Join by: Computer, Tablet or Smartphone Phone: dial United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073 or +1 (571) 317-3129 and enter Access Code: 563-035-189 The public may also provide feedback during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB monthly meeting at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, May 1. Join by: Computer, Tablet or Smartphone Phone: dial United States (Toll Free): 1 877 568 4106 or +1 (312) 757-3129 and enter Access Code: 270-227-325 For any member of the public who wishes to address the BRTB on the day of the meeting, they may do so by emailing a short statement (no more than 375 words) to tlang@baltometro.org. These statements must be received no later than 9 A.M. on May 1, 2020 to be relayed to the board at the meeting. |
Please send all comments in writing to: ONLINE: BRTB Comment Form EMAIL: comments@baltometro.org TWITTER: @BaltoMetroCo | @BmoreInvolved | #BRTBlistens MAIL: The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board | 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300 | Baltimore, MD 21230 FAX: 410-732-8248 |
BMC is accessible by the MDOT MTA 94 and 71 bus lines, as well as the Charm City Circulator's Banner Route. There is also vehicle and bicycle parking on-site. Directions to BMC
The BRTB is the federally recognized metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation in the region. BMC provides the BRTB with staff support.
The BRTB operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments on its draft Budget & Work Program for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 through Thursday, March 12, 2020.
The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the final Budget & Work Program on Friday, May 1, 2020.
What is the UPWP?
The BRTB’s Budget & Work Program is known as the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Transportation Planning. It is a federal requirement that details projects, studies and other activities to be completed by BRTB members and staff of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC).
The BRTB develops this list of regional transportation planning activities every two fiscal years. This addendum includes an updated budget for FY 2021 of $8,901,750.
UPWP funds support staff for regional planning activities with some consultant assistance. New projects for FY 2021 include:
- Transportation and Land Use Connection Grants - Provide short-term consultant services to local jurisdictions for small planning projects that either improve access to existing communities and regional generators of economic activity or promote mixed-use, walkable communities and that support a variety of transportation alternatives. This is directly related to several strategies the BRTB adopted in developing the regional long-range transportation plan, Maximize2045.
- Patapsco Regional Greenway – Funds consultant services to advance the design and planning for a second segment of the Patapsco Regional Greenway, a proposed 30-mile trail from Sykesville in Carroll County to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
- Baltimore Region Transit Governance and Funding – Study, analyze and recommend alternative governance and funding models for the Baltimore area transit system to the current state-led model. Identify potential approaches that more equitably distribute governing and funding responsibilities, improve performance, accountability and increased ridership on Baltimore’s transit system. This proposed project is an outgrowth of the Regional Transit Plan for Central Maryland.
- Transit Priority Screening – Evaluate up to three corridors where local transit operates to see if travel time is improved by providing priority to transit vehicles at certain intersections controlled by traffic signals.
- Infrastructure in a Changing Climate – To address impacts that are already evident, this task will develop the Resource Toolkit for Planning, Operating, and Maintaining Local Infrastructure in a Changing Climate. The Toolkit will provide ways that operations and maintenance departments could consider climate change in their decisions today and in coming years to ensure operations remain as efficient as possible, while considering impacts on resources, staff, and on our community.
View the Addendum to the FY 2020-2021 UPWP or a list of Frequently Asked Questions
Download the Budget & Work Program for FY 2020-2021 or visit BMC to view a printed copy.
B’More Involved
The public is invited to provide feedback on these proposed regional transportation planning activities through Thursday, March 12, 2020.
To learn more about the UPWP and the proposed updated budget and projects, please view the recording below of the virtual public meeting held on Wednesday, February 19 at noon.
Virtual Public Meeting
Please send all comments in writing to:
| ONLINE | FAX | |||
| BRTB Comment Form | comments@baltometro.org | @BaltoMetroCo @BmoreInvolved #BRTBlistens |
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300 Baltimore, MD 21230 |
410-732-8248 |
The public may also provide feedback during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB monthly meetings at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, Tuesday, March 24, or before the vote at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, May 1. at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), located at 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21230.
View:
The BRTB is the federally recognized metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation in the region. BMC provides the BRTB with staff support.
The BRTB operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.
With the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching, many Marylanders will hit the roads to be with their families. Holiday travel is stressful enough without the annoyance of bumper-to-bumper traffic and hours of delays. Instead of going with the flow, here are some tips on how to make your travel a little bit easier this week.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) estimates that more than 3.4 million travelers will drive on its highways, bridges and tunnels this Thanksgiving. This estimate forecasts a slight increase in travel from last year’s Thanksgiving holiday traffic.
In previous years, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving was considered the busiest travel day of the year. Although Wednesday, November 27, is expected to be the heaviest travel day, data shows that families trying to beat the rush have increased traffic on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving as well.
Using crowdsourced vehicle probe data, we have determined that peak travel occurs in the 4 o’clock hour on both the Tuesday and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, making this one of the worst times to travel. Speed maps from Tuesday and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week 2018 show where traffic problems occurred.
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By looking at the data from last year, those who had been thinking of leaving a day early on Tuesday to get a jump on traffic may have been surprised, as traffic was very heavy throughout the region. However, as you can see in the map below, I-95 northbound appeared significantly slower on Wednesday north of the beltway approaching Harford County at the peak travel hour. The Baltimore Beltway was showing heavier traffic on Tuesday last year primarily due to crashes.
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The following animated maps show speeds on the major highways of the Baltimore Region on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving in 2018. Just press play to see a 24-hour time-lapse animation of both days side by side. Pan around and zoom in or out to take see what conditions on your family’s route to Thanksgiving dinner may look like this year.
Travel advisories:
As for the best times to travel, our partners at the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) offer these travel tips for the Thanksgiving Day holiday:
Bay Bridge:
The deck surface of the Bay Bridge right lane has reached the end of its service life and is severely deteriorated. To expedite the rehabilitation project, crews are working day and night, seven days a week, and will continue during Thanksgiving week. This will save significant time because crews not only gain the work week, but didn’t have to stop work in advance of the holiday to prepare the right lane for traffic. That process would have involved removing jersey barriers and restriping lanes.
Motorists should expect major delays in both directions and plan to leave an extra 20 to 30 minutes early if crossing the bridge. Recommended times to travel the Bay Bridge during the Thanksgiving holiday are:
Eastbound:
- Tuesday through Friday, November 26-29, before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
- Monday, December 2, before noon and after 8 p.m.
Westbound:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26-27, before 5 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
- Thursday through Sunday, November 28-December 1, before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
- Monday, December 2, before 5 a.m. and after 2 p.m.
I-95 Corridor
MdTA is reminding motorists using I-95 to travel these off-peak hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26-27, before 6 a.m. and after 11 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday, November 28-29, before 7 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, November 29-30, before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC)’s congestion management process analyzes where and when traffic in the Baltimore region tends to pile up and for how long it will stay congested by looking at data from various crowdsourced probe data sources. According to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) who manage the region’s toll facilities, travelers should consider departing during off-peak hours to avoid significant delays along the I-95 corridor.
*All graphics and animations are generated in cooperation with the I-95 Corridor Coalition, Probe Data Analytics Project and the University of Maryland Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (CATT) Lab. Vehicle probe data provided by INRIX. Advisories provided by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA)
We are proud to announce that the Regional Bicycle Facilities Map is up to date. Originally launched in February 2019, this data product enhances bicycle commuting planning in the Baltimore region. This latest release updates the map for 2019 and adds data for Queen Anne’s County.
The Regional Bicycle Facilities Map contains all existing bicycle trails and lanes in the Baltimore region. The focus of the data is on commuting, rather than recreational cycling. It will enable better transportation planning by allowing planners to identify gaps in connectivity among existing bicycle trails and lanes.
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Information includes location, facility type, side of road, trail or road name (if applicable), and speed limit (if applicable). Bicycle trails that do not aid in commuting, such as a small loop in a park, may not be represented on the Regional Bicycle Facility Map.
The new data can be accessed through an online mapping application. For planners and advanced data users, the raw GIS data is available on BMC’s website.
The Regional Bicycle Facilities Map is a collaborative product of BMC, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board’s (BRTB’s) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group (BPAG), county planning and GIS partners from the Baltimore region, the Maryland Department of Planning, Maryland Department of Transportation, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The week of October 21-25, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) along with the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), hosted the 2019 AMPO Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor. The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) is a nonprofit, membership organization established in 1994 to serve the needs and interests of “metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)” nationwide.
Over 320 representatives of MPOs from across the country attended the Annual Conference, along with Policy Board Members, Federal and State employees, and consultants who shared information on MPO issues.
The conference included workshops and sessions to share best practices of regional efforts to advance sustainable, multi-modal transportation planning. These sessions and workshops included topics such as environmental justice, the future of transportation, transportation planning capacity building, MPO roles and relevancy, accessibility, public involvement, funding and financing, and data.
Highlights of the conference included addresses by the Federal Highway Administrator Nicole Nason, MDOT Deputy Secretary R. Earl Lewis and the Baltimore City DOT Director Steve Sharkey.
Also of note, BMC’s Director of Transportation Planning, Todd Lang, was re-elected to the nine member AMPO Board of Directors during the conference.
BMC and BRTB were pleased to host this year’s gathering that welcomed national and regional experts to greater Baltimore, and highlighted the great work of MPOs throughout the Country.
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) along with the Intelligent Transportation Society of Maryland (ITSMD) held its joint Annual Meeting and BRTB Traffic Signal Forum on Wednesday, October 16th at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum. The two events are held jointly every two years.
The forum welcomed a record breaking 250 attendees and examined the conference theme of Smart Mobility: Moving Safely, Moving Ahead. Guests included staff from local and state departments of transportation and public works, traffic engineers, signal engineers, planners, transportation system operators; private sector companies involved in consulting, providing/installing/maintaining/designing traffic signal equipment and ITS equipment, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and academia. The event also included 26 exhibitors from public and private sectors.
The forum commenced with a welcome video from Chrissy Nizer, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator and welcome keynote from Neil Pedersen, Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board. Pedersen provided an informative overview of completed research on strategies, challenges, and issues related to implementation of connected vehicle and automated vehicle technologies.
Following the opening address, the group split into two tracks of sessions. The first focused on transportation technologies, including emerging trends such as shared mobility and micro mobility (e-scooters) and transportation system management. The second focused on traffic signal operations, data, and technologies.
During lunch, keynote speaker Shailen Bhatt, President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA) provided information from a national perspective related to transportation technologies and priorities for reauthorization of federal transportation legislation, which expires in September of 2020.
The final plenary session was a panel on smart mobility featuring representatives from CISCO, Ford, BOSCH, and Lyft, who shared their perspectives and observations of implementing emerging technologies and new forms of mobility.
The day concluded with an exhibitor-sponsored reception, which provided more time for networking and discussions with exhibitors.
Guests received a wealth of new information, training, discussion and networking as a result of the Joint ITSMD Annual Meeting and BRTB Traffic Signal Forum.
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BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, July, 24th, 2019) - The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), as the federally recognized metropolitan planning organization for the region, voted to adopt two plans totaling $15.66 billion in key transportation projects planned for the region over the next 25 years. The action was taken at the BRTB’s meeting yesterday held at the Randallstown Community Center in Baltimore County. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) provides staff support to the BRTB in its regional transportation planning efforts.
Over 200 projects are outlined in the two regional transportation investment plans – Maximize2045: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan and the 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The BRTB and BMC staff hosted eight public meetings and accepted public comment between May 9 and June 18.
"We appreciate the staff, government partners and members of the public whose input shaped these important plans." said Michael B. Kelly, BMC’s Executive Director. “These guiding documents will help our region deliver a strong, accessible and connected transportation system that helps all people lead regional lives.”
Maximize2045 contains a list of major capital transportation projects totaling $12 billion, which the region expects to implement from 2024 to 2045. Maximize2045 includes $65 billion in planned investment overall, with $53 billion allocated for operations and preservation of transportation systems in the region. The plan also establishes the region's broad transportation goals and performance measures, which serve as guiding principles as the region plans and carries out projects. Developed over a two-year period, Maximize2045 takes into account anticipated funding levels through 2045, as well as future trends and demographics.
The 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program details more than $3.66 billion in proposed federal, state and local money for maintaining, operating and expanding highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian networks during the next four years.
As part of the development of these plans, the BRTB conducted a comprehensive Air Quality analysis, published in a Conformity Determination. The analysis shows that implementation of the projects in Maximize2045 and 2020-2023 TIP will not delay the timely attainment of national air quality standards.
Other business on the BRTB’s agenda included a vote to install new executive officers for FY2020. Carroll County will serve as chair of the board this year, represented by Board of Commissioners President Stephen Wantz and empowered representative Lynda Eisenberg, Director of Planning. Anne Arundel County will serve as vice-chair, represented by County Executive Steuart Pittman and empowered representative Ramond Robinson, Transportation Officer.
The BRTB operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.
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On behalf of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, thank you to everyone who sent comments and attended our series of public meetings on Maximize2045: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan, the 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the Air Quality Conformity Determination.
Over 200 projects estimated at $15 billion are part of two regional transportation investment plans covering the next 25 years. The BRTB is scheduled to vote on these plans at their next meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at the Randallstown Community Center (3505 Resource Dr, Randallstown, MD 21133). Visit maximize2045.com to learn more.
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS
The BRTB is continually striving to improve the transportation planning process based on the comments received to deliver effective plans and programs. As such, all comments received have been considered by the BRTB members.
A response to all comments has been published by the BRTB and can be viewed via the link below.
Those who wish to make additional comments prior to the BRTB's vote on Maximize2045 may do so during the public comment opportunity at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23.
View the record of comments and the BRTB's Response to Comments
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) and its state and local partners are happy to announce the launch of its new, regional pedestrian and bicycle safety campaign for the Baltimore Region – LOOK ALIVE, featuring Signal Woman. The campaign launched on Monday June 3, 2019 at Olympian Park in Towson. Speakers included Baltimore Metropolitan Council Executive Director Mike Kelly, Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr., Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, MDOT State Highway Administration Office of Traffic and Safety Director Cedric Ward, and Baltimore County Police Department Captain Joseph Donahue.
LOOK ALIVE, is a new campaign in the greater Baltimore region to raise awareness and educate drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists on how to be safe on our roads. The campaign is a collaboration between BMC, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office and State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and regional transportation and law enforcement officials from Baltimore City, and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford, Carroll, and Queen Anne’s counties.
Click here to download and share LOOK ALIVE resources with your community.
While traffic fatalities in Maryland declined last year overall, the number of pedestrians killed on state roads in 2018 was 133, an increase of 12 percent from 2017.
According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, the biggest factors in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths are vehicle speed, distraction, time of day and alcohol use. The LOOK ALIVE campaign, which runs through the fall, relays a message of safety and awareness.
Efforts such as traffic calming, making crosswalks more prominent and visible, shifting lanes, lowering speed limits where appropriate, and providing more protective space for pedestrians and bicyclists are regional and statewide priorities for MDOT SHA.
LOOK ALIVE integrates several components, including television, outdoor, digital engagement, community outreach, and media relations. Education is coupled with high visibility enforcement waves, in which police put an added emphasis on enforcing traffic safety laws to protect people walking and biking in the greater Baltimore region.
For more information, please visit www.lookalivemd.org.
