Department of Public Works - Traffic and Transportation Division
Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Enhance the mobility of people, goods and services.

Reduce travel time to activity centers.

Potential solutions: Several projects that will reduce travel time to activity centers have been proposed. Currently, the following projects are being studied:

• Extend Chapman Avenue in the North Bethesda area to complete the loop system would improve mobility near the Twinbrook Metro Station.
• Extend East Jefferson Street north to Wootton Parkway in order to provide a limited access bypass around Route 355.
• Implement Intelligent Transportation System technology.

Minimize congestion where possible.

Maximize incentives for demand management strategies.

Potential Solutions:

• Create a citywide TDM coordinator position to focus on demand management issues.
• Form a Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District in the northern portion of Rockville to coordinate and educate people on the programs and incentives available through the City, County, State, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
• Set up off-site, satellite TDM offices such as Fallsgrove and the Rockville Metro/MARC Station.

Adequate Public Facilities - Construct multi-modal transportation improvements to support the impacts resulting from land development.

Potential Solutions:

• Update the Standard Traffic Management Methodology to include provisions for all modes of travel.
• Ensure that qualifying developments comply with the guidelines outlined in the Standard Traffic Methodology.

Goal 2: Promote a transportation system that is multi-modal,
accessible, and friendly to all users.

Improve pedestrian connections from households to activity centers.

Improve bicycle connections from households to activity centers.

Increase transit use by residents and employers.

Potential Solutions:

• Work with the State and County to complete the Corridor Cities Transitway.
• Continue to explore new locations for dedicated busways and MARC stations.
• Identify locations for new local bus routes and communicate these wishes to Ride-On and the County.

Increase carpool and vanpool use.

Ensure multi-modal access to new developments.

 Goal 3: Respect and protect neighborhoods,
especially from the impacts of regional traffic.

• Minimize non-local traffic in neighborhoods.
• Minimize traffic noise impacts in neighborhoods.
• Minimize the use of neighborhood streets by heavy trucks.

 Goal 4: Protect the environment.

• Minimize the impact on the natural environment.
• Minimize the impact on the cultural environment.
• Minimize the impact on the socioeconomic environment.

Goal 5: Foster a safe and maintainable transportation
network that encourages the observance of traffic laws.

• Improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
• Improve the lighting on City streets.
• Improve vehicular safety on City streets.
• Maintain quality traffic controls at City intersections.
• Maintain streets in superior condition.

Goal 6: Minimize the neighborhood separation
effects of major transportation facilities.

• Retrofit pedestrian and bike connections between existing neighborhoods that are divided by major transportation facilities.
• Retrofit the existing street network to “bridge” the gap between the communities.

FY 2002 Objectives

Mobility

• Monitor the construction of the Fallsgrove development off-site intersection improvements
• Update the efficiency of the traffic signal coordination system
• Reconstruct the traffic signal at the intersection of Great Falls Road and West Montgomery Avenue.
• Design the Maryland Avenue extension

Accessibility

• Modify City streets and sidewalks to conform with the ADA using the Spot Improvement Program
• Improve bus stops throughout the city by adding shelters, benches, or landscaping
• Continue to implement the Bicycle Master Plan
• Continue to add sidewalk links, using state grant and City funds

Safety

• Improve safety measurements at school zones
• Research potential red light camera locations
• Monitor accident data city-wide
• Implement the Great Falls Road improvements

Maintenance

• Incorporate transportation-related data to the Geographic Information Systems software, upgrading the division’s ability to track roadway, streetlight, bike path and sidewalk qualities.

Planning

• Update the Transportation section of the Master Plan
• Work with the State of Maryland and Montgomery County on planning issues

• Conduct studies to assess cut-through traffic, traffic volumes, and vehicle speed on neighborhood streets.

FY 2003 Objectives:

• Mobility – Monitor the construction of the Fallsgrove development off-site intersection improvements; update the efficiency of the traffic signal coordination system; design / construct extensions of Maryland Avenue and Fleet Street; add bus shelters in southern Rockville; and begin demand management efforts city-wide.
  
• Accessibility – Modify City streets and sidewalks to conform with the ADA using the Spot Improvement Program; implement the Bicycle Master Plan; complete Town Center Access Study; and add sidewalk links near metrorail stations using state grants and City funds.
  
• Safety – Improve safety measurements at school zones; implement red light cameras; monitor accident data citywide; and add street lighting near metrorail stations.
  
• Maintenance – Incorporate transportation-related data to the Geographic Information Systems software; upgrading the division’s ability to track roadway, streetlight, bike path, and sidewalk qualities.
  
• Protect Neighborhoods – Conduct studies to assess cut-through traffic, traffic volumes, and vehicle speed on neighborhood streets.
  
• Connect Neighborhoods – Create multi-modal connections between Fallsgrove and the surrounding areas.