Rockville Reports

City Will Not Move Forward with Permanent Parking Lanes on Redland Boulevard

Significant eastbound traffic congestion during peak afternoon hours has led Rockville to rule out permanent parking lanes on Redland Boulevard, following a fall 2025 demonstration project to improve safety and reduce speeding. 

The demonstration — designed to test ways to improve safety along the road — ran Sept. 21 through Oct. 17 and temporarily repurposed one travel lane in each direction between Gaither Road and Elmcroft Boulevard into full-time parking lanes. While the project succeeded in lowering vehicle speeds, it produced congestion in the eastbound direction during the afternoon peak that the city determined too significant to support permanent implementation. 

Data collected during the six-week period showed an overall reduction in speeding, including a 98% drop in speed camera citations compared with the 2025 monthly average. About 85% of drivers traveled at or below the posted speed limit. No significant changes were observed in traffic volume or crashes. 

However, the demonstration additionally showed low use of the on-street parking spaces. While westbound traffic and off-peak periods were not substantially affected, most public feedback opposed making the changes permanent. 

Although Rockville will not advance the lane repurposing project on Redland Boulevard, the city will continue to evaluate other safety improvements. Potential next steps include studying a curb extension at Elmcroft Boulevard in the eastbound direction, exploring additional pedestrian safety treatments at other intersections and working with the Rockville City Police Department to assess further options to reduce speed along the corridor. 

Find out more about how the City of Rockville is working to make its streets and roads safer at rockvillemd.gov/visionzero.