LESS DAYLIGHT INCREASES RISKS FOR PEOPLE WALKING: HOLIDAY SEASON BRINGS INCREASE IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS AND INJURIES
BALTIMORE, MD (November 19, 2019) – With the approach of Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season, sponsors of Baltimore’s Look Alive pedestrian safety campaign want pedestrians and drivers to make safety a top priority during this risky time of year.
Regional transportation officials warn that November and December are the most dangerous time of year for pedestrians because of fewer daylight hours. According to the MDOT MVA Maryland Highway Safety Office, nearly 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities in Maryland occur in the dark, with one in three pedestrians killed at times with little to no light.
During the last two months of 2018, there were almost 400 crashes involving people on foot in Baltimore and the surrounding counties, resulting in 52 serious injuries and 13 deaths. Pedestrian crashes that result in fatalities occur most often between 6 p.m. and midnight.
“We know visibility plays an important role in pedestrian safety,” said Michael B. Kelly, BMC’s Executive Director. “That’s why we’re reminding everyone to be alert and on the look-out for one another, especially as it gets dark earlier every day.”
Beginning November 21, residents in the Baltimore metropolitan area can expect stepped up enforcement of traffic laws that protect people who are walking. Violators face fines ranging from $40 to $500.
The Look Alive campaign offers safety tips for drivers and pedestrians (see below). The campaign’s key safety tips include reminders for drivers to obey the speed limit and stop for people crossing the street. Pedestrians are advised to use the crosswalk and wear something light or reflective at night. Learn more about the program at LookAliveMD.org.
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STREET SAFETY TIPS
If you’re driving…
- Slow down and obey the speed limit.
- Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Be careful when passing buses or stopped vehicles.
- When turning, yield to people walking and biking.
- Look for bicyclists before opening your door.
- Allow at least 3 feet when passing bikes.
- Avoid using your cell phone and never text while driving.
If you’re walking…
- Cross the street at crosswalks and intersections.
- Use the pushbuttons.
- Wait for the walk signal to cross the street.
- Watch for turning vehicles.
- Before crossing look left, right, and left again.
- Be visible.
- Wear something light or reflective after dark.
- Watch out for blind spots around trucks and buses.
- Avoid using your cell phone when crossing the street.
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) was proud to co-host the 11th Annual Meet the Primes event with Baltimore County on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the Maryland Fairgrounds.
This procurement outreach event connects small and minority owned businesses (MBE/ SBE) to prime contract bidders.
Over 120 prime contractors, bidders and government buyers attended.
With onsite registration welcome, this free event was open to all to showcase their businesses to prime bidders seeking partners and sub-contractors. Attendees were asked to prepare a capability statement to present to exhibiting business representatives looking to meet MBE/SBE sub-contractors in the areas of Professional Services, Construction Trades, Architecture, Engineering and Other Business Services.
Attendees also had the opportunity to speak directly with companies in the “meeting cafe.” These pre-scheduled discussions allowed small business representatives to meet privately for five minutes with select government agencies and prime companies for a one-on-one discussion of their product or service. This undivided exposure to procurement officials, buyers and decision makers opens the door for new and lasting business opportunities.
Located in the section dubbed “Government Row,” BMC’s Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee (BRCPC) shared information about contracting opportunities, the interconnected nature of our region, and services offered to BMC members and the public. Other government entities on the Row included Maryland Department of Transportation – State Highway Administration, Maryland Department of Labor, and a host of community colleges, public schools, and government officials from Annapolis, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, and Prince George’s Counties.
BMC and the BRCPC look forward to continuing this event in 2020. We are proud of the opportunities Meet the Primes creates for small and minority owned businesses in our region to build new partnerships and access the buying capacity of our governments.
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) is soliciting proposals from a qualified consultant, or consultant team, with extensive experience in all phases of trail development – including concept, design and permitting – with the expertise in environmental, cultural/historic resource management, multi-modal transportation planning and economic/community development to provide preliminary engineering for one segment of the Patapsco Regional Greenway (PRG)
Proposals must be received by BMC no later than Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 2:00 p.m.
Written questions about this procurement should be sent to Regina Aris at raris@baltometro.org or 410- 732-8248 (fax) no later than Friday, October 25, 2019. Answers to questions will be posted on the BMC website no later than Wednesday, October 30, 2019.
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) seeks qualified firms or organizations to examine how changing mobility options, particularly the introduction of "new mobility" services, are impacting and are expected to impact the Baltimore region's roads, pathways and curb space, and how local government development planning and review processes can and should consider and evaluate these services.
Proposals must be received by BMC no later than Friday, November 8, 2019, at 2 p.m.
Written questions about this procurement should be sent to Don Halligan at dhalligan@baltometro.org o
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) seeks an accounting and/or auditing firm to perform a comprehensive audit of financial statements, a Single Audit and certified fringe and indirect rate calculation for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2020; 2021; and 2022.
Proposals must be received by BMC no later than Monday, October 21, 2019, at 2 p.m.
Written questions about this procurement should be sent to Tamiko Knight at tknight@baltometro.org no later than Monday, September 30. Answers to questions will be posted on the BMC website no later than Wednesday, October 2.
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS TO EVALUATE THE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE BRTB
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) seeks qualified firms or organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of current public involvement activities of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and to develop recommendations for improving public involvement in the region's transportation planning process.
Proposals must be received by BMC no later than Friday, October 11, 2019, at 2 p.m.
Written questions about this procurement should be sent to Regina Aris at raris@baltometro.org or (410) 732-8248 (fax) no later than Tuesday, September 24. Answers to questions will be posted on the BMC website no later than Friday, September 27.
| View the Request for ProposalS |
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) seeks qualified firms or organizations to provide professional services to develop a Carroll County Transportation Master Plan (TMP) that will complement the 2019 Amendments to the 2014 Carroll County Master Plan and the 2018 Freedom Community Comprehensive Plan.
Proposals must be received by BMC no later than Friday, September 6, 2019, at 2 p.m.
Written questions about this procurement should be sent to Bala Akundi at bakundi@baltometro.org or (410) 732-8248 (fax) no later than Friday, August 9. Answers to questions will be posted on the BMC website no later than Friday, August 16.
View the Request for Proposals
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) seeks qualified firms or organizations to provide professional services to develop traffic impact study guidelines in order to review impacts of proposed developments on the surrounding transportation network.
Proposals must be received by BMC no later than Friday, August 30, 2019, at 2 p.m.
Written questions about this procurement should be sent to Bala Akundi at bakundi@baltometro.org or (410) 732-8248 (fax) no later than Wednesday, August 7. Answers to questions will be posted on the BMC website no later than Friday, August 9.
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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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.