BRTB News | Baltimore Metropolitan Council

Commuting Cost Calculator

  • Your round trip mileage from home to work :
  • Number of days per week you work :
  • Total Mile You Commute Every Week :
  • Number of weeks you work per year :
  • Total Miles You Commute Per Year :
  • Average 2019 cost per mile for automobile operation as estimated by the American Automobile Association includes fuel, insurance, depreciation, maintenance. :
    $.596
  • Total Yearly Cost of Your Commute:

BRTB News

BRTB Issues Response Public Comments on Maximize2045

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. 

Maximize 2045 Comment Responses News Item

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

BMC Newsroom

TRANSPORTATION MATTERS; SO DOES YOUR OPINION.

BRTB seeks public comments on regional transportation plans totaling over $15 billion in projects

You have the chance to help shape the future by sharing your thoughts on $15.66 billion in key transportation projects planned for the region over the next 25 years.

Over 200 projects are part of two transportation plans open for public comment from Thursday, May 9 through Tuesday, June 18.

Maximize 2045  |  2020-2023 TIP  |  Air Quality Report  |  Share your thoughts

The projects are part of two regional transportation investment plans covering the next 25 years:  Maximize2045: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan and the 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Also available for review is the associated Air Quality Conformity Determination. The BRTB is scheduled to vote on these documents on Tuesday, July 23.

Let the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) know what you think about its plans to invest in the future of transportation. Details are below. 

About Maximize2045: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan

Maximize2045: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan is a regional long-range transportation plan that seeks to make the best use of—or maximize—the resources that make up and support the Baltimore region’s transportation system.

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, and future trends and demographics.

Download Maximize2045 Chapters:

T.O.C./Exec. Summary/Ch.1 - Requirements | Ch. 2 – Factors & Trends/Ch. 3 – Emerging Tech.

Ch. 4 – Goals/Ch. 5 – Perf. Meas. | Ch. 6 – Financial Plan/Ch. 7 – Major Capital Projects

Download Appendices:

App. A – Glossary/App. B – Project Eval.   |   App. C – Potential Effects

App. D – Congestion Mgmt./App. E – Public Outreach

About the 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

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. The TIP is fiscally constrained.

View the draft 2020-2023 TIP through BRTB’s interactive project map or:

Download the 2020-2023 TIP  |  Introduction and Background  |  Financial Plan 

Projects by jurisdiction: Environmental Justice |  Appendices

Projects in the TIP are also available to review in pdf by project sponsor, either a local jurisdiction or state agency.

Anne Arundel County  |  Baltimore City  |  Baltimore County   |  Carroll County  |  Harford County  |  Howard County

MDTA  |  MDOT MTA  |  Maryland Port Administration

MDOT SHA and the Office of the Secretary

Analysis of Air Quality Conformity

The Baltimore region has been designated as not meeting 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 effects that the draft 2020-2023 TIP and the draft Maximize2045 have on the Baltimore region. The report addresses ground-level ozone emissions.

The conformity results show that implementation of these projects will not worsen the region’s air quality or delay the timely attainment of national air quality standards.  

Read the Air Quality Conformity Determination |  Appendices

Share Your Thoughts

Thursday, May 9, through Tuesday, June 18, 2019.  Those interested in commenting on projects may do so during a public meeting:

Monday, May 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Harford County Government Center, Room 157 (220 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014
Accessible via Harford TransitLink  

Tuesday, May 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Enoch Pratt Free Library - Pennsylvania Ave Branch (1531 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217)
Accessible via MDOT MD Transit Administration  

Thursday, May 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Kent Island Senior Center (891 Love Point Rd, Stevensville, MD 21666)
Accessible via Queen Anne's County Ride  

Tuesday, June 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Arundel Mills Mall, Harmons Community Room (7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD 21076)
Accessible via MDOT MD Transit Administration and Regional Transportation Agency (RTA)

Wednesday, June 5 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
CCBC Essex – Administrative Building (7201 Rossville Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21237)
Accessible via MDOT MD Transit Administration  

Thursday, June 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.   
Carroll County Government Center, Reagan Room #3 (225 N. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157)
Accessible via Carroll Transit

Monday, June 10 from noon to 1p.m. 
Online Meeting. Register to participate via computer, tablet or smartphone.

     - View the Maximize 2045 Virtual Meeting Presentation

Tuesday, June 11 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Elkridge Public Library, Belmont/Hockley Room (6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075)
Accessible via MDOT MD Transit Administration and Regional Transportation Agency (RTA)

Light refreshments will be served and activities for children will be provided.

Comments are also welcome during the public comment opportunity at the BRTB meetings at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, Tuesday, June 25, and Tuesday, July 23 (scheduled vote). Please check the BMC website for meeting locations.

To share your thoughts and ideas, submit all comments to:

Online: Via the BRTB Comment Form

Email:  comments@baltometro.org

Twitter: @BaltoMetroCo and @BmoreInvolved using the hashtag #BRTBlistens

Mail:     The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
              Attn: Public Involvement Coordinator
              1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300
              Baltimore, MD 21230

Fax:       410-732-8248

For more information:

Contact Regina Aris, Assistant Transportation Director, by email 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.

* The 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 2020-2023 TIP. The public participation process for the TIP will also meet the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) public participation requirements for the MTA’s Program of Projects (POP). 

Maximize2045

You have the chance to help shape the future by sharing your thoughts on $15 billion in key transportation projects planned for the region over the next 25 years.
 

Over 200 projects are part of two transportation plans that will be open for public comment from May 9 through June 18 - the Maximize2045 Long Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) will vote on these plans on July 23, 2019.

Let us know what you think about our plans to invest in the future of transportation at one of our public meetings.

Join Us for a Meeting in Your Community
 

Monday, May 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 
Harford County Govt Ctr, Room 157 
220 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014

Tuesday, May 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Enoch Pratt Free Library, Pennsylvania Ave Branch*
1531 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217

Thursday, May 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Kent Island Senior Center 
891 Love Point Rd, Stevensville, MD 21666

Tuesday, June 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 
Arundel Mills Mall, Harmons Community Room 
7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD 21076

Wednesday, June 5 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 
CCBC Essex. Administrative Building 
7201 Rossville Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21237

Thursday, June 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  
Carroll County Govt Ctr, Reagan Room #3 
225 N. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157

Monday, June 10 from noon to 1p.m.  
Online Meeting- REGISTER at  https://bit.ly/2IVCzpG

Tuesday, June 11 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Elkridge Public Library, Belmont/Hockley Room 
6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075

Learn more at maximize2045.com or download a meeting flyer (English) or Spanish (en Español)

Back to Top

Maximize2045

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.

Beltway Traffic

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.

Baltimore Map

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. 
BRTB will Host Mobility Transportation Forum March 13, 2019

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

nmforumagenda.png

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

View Event Materials

Presentations and video from this event are provided in the box to the right.

Thank you for joining us.

Jake sion - transit Derek pankratz - Deloitte  Maggie Gendron - Lime William Burns - Spin Sandra Brecher - Montgomery County New Mobility Forum Video Video Overview
BMC Newsroom

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments on its draft Budget & Work Program for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 from Tuesday, February 12, to Thursday, March 14, 2019.

The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the final Budget & Work Program on Tuesday, April 23. 

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 UPWP includes both local and regional activities. The BRTB develops a list of regional transportation planning activities every two fiscal years. This plan includes $7.89 million in funding for FY 2020 and $6.28 million in funding for FY 2021 for planning activities from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.

UPWP funds support staff and several local planning activities. Highlighted new regional projects include:

  • Elderly Trip Characteristics and Patterns – The intent of this $100,000 study is to provide policy-makers and planners with an understanding of transportation issues that affect the growing population of those individuals 65 years and older. The purpose of the study is to: identify areas of concentrated elderly populations; conduct an examination of travel behaviors, while identifying patterns and trends; and identify specific policy implications and ways to address current and future needs.
  • Regional Traffic Impact Study Guidelines – The intent of a traffic impact study is for a jurisdiction or agency to review how proposed development will affect the surrounding transportation network. This $180,000 project will develop regional traffic impact study guidelines.
  • Development Review Practices for Changing Mobility – The popularity of new mobility – such as the ridesharing services of Uber/Lyft, carsharing services of Zip Car, or alternative mode-sharing services of Lime/Bird bicycles or scooters – affects the curb and sidewalk space of public roads and private developments. The intent of this $180,000 study is to: review how jurisdictions in the Baltimore region address new mobility company requests for curb and sidewalk space; identify best practices; analyze the potential shift toward a more flexible use of curb and sidewalk space; and recommend potential improvements to the process.
  • Pedestrian Safety and Roundabouts – The intent of this $100,000 study is to increase safety for non-motorists by: analyzing available data to characterize safety concerns for pedestrians in traffic roundabouts; identifying crash trends; and develop recommendations for improving the design of roundabouts.
  • Congestion Management Process – The intent of this $200,000 project is to create a step-by-step congestion management process for the Baltimore region, based on the federal guidelines.

Download the Budget & Work Program for FY 2020-2021 or visit BMC to view a printed copy.

View FAQ about the FY 2020-2021 UPWP

B’More Involved

The public is invited to provide feedback on these proposed regional transportation planning activities through Thursday, March 14.

Please send all comments in writing to:

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

The public may also provide feedback during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB monthly meetings on Tuesday, February 26, Tuesday, March 26, or before the vote on Tuesday, April 23. All meeting are scheduled to take place at BMC at 9 a.m.

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.

 

Maximize2045

Maximize2045 will identify the region's transportation related goals and strategies and list the major projects the region expects to implement over the next 20-25 years.

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

GOALS

The first step in looking at the region’s transportation needs and challenges over the next 25 years is to develop an overarching set of guiding goals and strategies.  The BRTB developed the following set of guiding principles for the projects and programs considered in Maximize2045: 

  • Improve System Safety – Make conditions safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and operators, and motorists.
  • Improve and Maintain the Existing Infrastructure – Improve the conditions of existing transportation facilities; systematically maintain and replace transportation assets as needed. 
  • Improve Accessibility – Help people of all ages and abilities to reach specific destinations.
  • Conserve and Enhance the Environment – Pass on to future generations the healthiest natural and human environments possible.
  • Improve System Security – Provide a secure traveling environment for everyone; improve the region’s ability to respond to natural and man-made disasters.  
  • Promote Prosperity and Economic Opportunity – Support the revitalization of communities, the development of activity centers, and the movement of goods and services.   
  • Foster Participation and Cooperation among All Stakeholders – Enable all interested and affected parties to participate and cooperate to find workable solutions. 
  • Promote Informed Decision Making – Ensure that adopted transportation policies and performance measures guide the regional decision making process.



:: View the detailed list of goals and strategies

FINANCIAL FORECAST

The projects to be included in Maximize2045 must take into account the level of financial resources that can reasonably be expected to be available through 2045. 

The BRTB, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), forecasts nearly $12.2 billion in federal, state, and private funds available for major capital projects between 2024 and 2045.

Of the $53 billion in total revenues, approximately $36.7 billion will go towards operations, and $16.3 billion will be set aside for system preservation. 

As has been the trend for years, more and more funds are being designated for preservation and operations. As a result, the amount of money forecasted to be available for major capital projects has decreased in each of the past several long-range transportation plans.  This makes for some tough choices as the BRTB considers the mix of projects to include in the draft plan. 

WHAT'S NEXT? 

The next steps of the process to develop Maximize2045 are: 

  • Project Evaluation – BRTB members have submitted a list of projects they’d like to have included in Maximize2045. BMC staff have evaluated the projects based on the scoring methodology adopted by the BRTB.  Using the scoring result, the BRTB will select a list of projects that the region could implement over the next 20-25 years given the amount of money available. 
  • 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. 

     
BRTB seeks public comments on funding for several major congestion easement projects in 2018-2021 TIP, Maximize2040

BALTIMORE, MD (February 12, 2018) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments through Wednesday, March 14, on new projects and funding updates to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and/or Maximize2040: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan for five Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) projects and one Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) project.



The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the amendments on Tuesday, March 27, at 9 a.m. The BRTB also will host public meetings on Monday, February 26; Tuesday, February 27; and Monday, March 1.



About Maximize2040 and the TIP

Maximize2040 is this region’s $12.5 billion long-range transportation plan developed by the BRTB. Maximize2040 serves as the blueprint for fiscally constrained transportation planning in the Baltimore region from the year 2020 to 2040. The plan also establishes the region’s broad transportation goals and performance measures, which now serve as guiding principles as the region plans and carries out projects.



The 2018-2021 TIP is the list of regional transportation projects requesting federal funding in the near term. It includes more than $3 billion in proposed federal, state and local money for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects during the next four years. The funding goes towards maintaining, operating and expanding the transportation system. The TIP is fiscally constrained.



Updates occur in Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 TIP because of changes to project scope and funding or changes to federal documentation policies. Public comment periods and meetings aim to keep communication open regarding these changes.

###

 

BRTB seeks public comments for updates to FY 2019 budget and work program

BALTIMORE, MD (February 21, 2018) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) seeks public comments on its proposed updated Budget & Work Program for Fiscal Year 2019 through Friday, March 23, 2018.

The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The BRTB’s Budget and Work Program is known as the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Transportation Planning. It details projects, studies and other activities to be completed by BRTB members and staff of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC).

The UPWP includes both local and region-wide activities. The BRTB develops this list of regional transportation planning activities every two fiscal years. This addendum updates the funding tables for FY 2019 and identifies several new tasks.

The updated UPWP includes a total budget for FY 2019 of $7,517,700 that is funded through new allocations of federal transportation funding and projected carryover from FY 2018 to support the additional tasks as outlined below. New local and regional projects include:

  • Parole Town Center Transportation Master Plan – Anne Arundel County will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing and future mobility needs in the Town Center area.
  • Columbia Gateway Transportation Improvement Implementation Strategy – Howard County will conduct a study for the Columbia Gateway, the 8 million squared-feet complex of commercial and industrial space. The complex is an important and critical driver of economic activity in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, as well as the region. It is starting to experience additional development pressure as restrictive covenants on properties expire.
  • Kent Island Cox Creek Connector Study – Residents and visitors of Kent Island continue to experience increased traffic on the island, particularly during the summer months when beach-bound vehicles increase along the US 50/301 Bay Bridge Corridor. The majority of the congestion experienced on the island is attributed to increasing traffic volumes on the Bay Bridge, although Kent Island has experienced some growth caused by new residential areas, and retail and business-development. This project is to take the concepts from the Kent Island Transportation Plan and refine them into preferred alternatives and initial design.

The BRTB also proposes adding several new focus areas for BMC staff to pursue. They include:

  • Assisting local jurisdictions in preparing project information for the Chapter 30 scoring and Priority Letter submittals;
  • Studying and developing guidance on how to accommodate and utilize new or emerging transportation trends and technologies. Examples include: ride-hailing, shared-mobility, electric vehicles, connected and autonomous vehicles, or combination of them to support regional and local transportation, growth, and environmental goals;
  • Performing forecasted population and employment scenario analysis. Current forecasts predict shifts in labor exchange between the Baltimore and Washington regions and greater reliance on labor force markets outside of the former. This analysis will explore how changing labor market locations impact planned transportation improvements and what shifts in the local labor market could take place.

B’More Involved
The public is invited to share their thoughts on these proposed regional transportation planning activities through Friday, March 23, 2018. Please send all comments in writing to:
Email: comments@baltometro.org
Twitter: @BaltoMetroCo or @BmoreInvolved, using #BRTBlistens
Mail: The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21230
Fax: 410-732-8248

Comments may also be shared during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB meetings at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, or before the vote on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
The BRTB is the federally recognized metropolitan planning organization 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.
###
 

BRTB’s draft Public Participation Plan open for public comment through May 24

BALTIMORE, MD (April 10, 2018) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) will accept comments on a draft of the Public Participation Plan through Thursday, May 24.



View the BRTB's draft Public Participation Plan



The draft of the Public Participation Plan is scheduled for a vote before the BRTB on Tuesday, June 26.



The Public Participation Plan serves as a guide for residents in the Baltimore region to navigate the public process, while also outlining the policies and procedures to ensure that those coordinating the planning process engage the public. The mission of the Public Participation Plan is to provide an open process that offers reasonable access to information, timely public notice, full public access to key decisions, and support for early and continued involvement of stakeholders.



The BRTB’s Public Advisory Committee (PAC) helped to develop the draft through its Public Involvement subcommittee.

###