Planning, Development, and Zoning, Transportation and Mobility

Pedestrian Master Plan

A collage shows a walk signal, a person walking on a path, and pedestrian crossing signs by a street under a clear blue sky.

The Pedestrian Master Plan amends the Rockville 2040 Comprehensive Plan and provides the vision for a safe, comfortable, and equitable pedestrian network in Rockville. The plan is intended to be used by city staff, elected officials, development applicants, and residents as a guide for improving the pedestrian environment over the next ten years. The plan sets out the following vision for Rockville:

“All residents and visitors to Rockville can choose to safely, comfortably, and conveniently walk or roll throughout the city, because the transportation network and built environment support pedestrian travel and anticipate the needs and abilities of everyone walking and rolling.”

The plan is composed of 46 action items to help guide the planning and implementation of new pedestrian infrastructure, update city transportation policies to better address the needs of pedestrians, and develop or improve city practices to maintain a sustainable pedestrian work program.

Walking and rolling describes mobility that does not use motor vehicles, e-scooters, or bicycles. This includes:

Walking with or without a white cane, audio-assistance device, or walker.
Running.
Using a wheelchair, knee-walker, mobility scooter, or stroller.

The Mayor and Council approved and adopted the Pedestrian Master Plan on Oct. 30, 2023.

View the Pedestrian Master Plan

Construction workers use a backhoe to move soil on a city street. Traffic cones and caution tape mark the area for safety. Nearby buildings and parked cars are visible.

Goals

The plan established four goals to help the city achieve its pedestrian vision:

Ensure Accessibility

Strive to ensure that all people have access to destinations in Rockville and that improving access should be provided over expanding mobility.

Advance Equity

Advance transportation equity through development, capital improvement projects, and maintenance. All Rockville residents, employees, and visitors have the right to access local destination, regardless of their travel mode and the transportation system.

Increase Walking and Rolling

Plan and build for a desired level of pedestrian activity and support efforts to reach that level. The City of Rockville acknowledges that more people walking is a benefit for the city.

Institutionalize Walking and Rolling

Incorporate more supportive pedestrian policies into existing transportation practices and programs

Maps

The following maps are included in the Pedestrian Master Plan and can be zoomed in to focus on specific areas in the city.

The Missing Sidewalk Prioritization Map is shown on page 31 of the Pedestrian Master Plan. It shows the location of all the missing sidewalk segments in Rockville and their respective prioritization group, based on the city’s approved Sidewalk Prioritization Policy. The city uses an approved criteria to rank all the missing sidewalk segments, which are then evaluated for feasibility and constructed. The prioritization groups missing sidewalk segments into five categories, Priority Group A sidewalks are the highest priority and should be evaluated first. Group E sidewalks are the lowest priority and will be evaluated after other groups. However, there are instances where lower priority sidewalks are evaluated, such as segments with public support or in response to a crash.

The Existing and Missing Sidewalks Map is shown on page 11 of the Pedestrian Master Plan. It shows where there are existing sidewalks and shared use paths and where there are missing sidewalk segments on one or both sides of the street.

The Existing Sidewalks, Shared Use Paths, and Proposed Shared Use Paths Map is shown on page 60 of the Pedestrian Master Plan. It shows the location of existing shared use paths as well as the proposed shared use paths from the plan. All proposed shared use paths will first be evaluated for feasibility. Shared used paths that are deemed feasible will be advanced to design and construction.

Two people walk down a tree-lined city sidewalk with benches, parked cars, and a sign for tours visible.

Help Improve Walking and Rolling in Rockville

Join the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee (RPAC) and help provide recommendations and guidance to the Mayor and Council. RPAC comments on ongoing transportation projects, learns about other pedestrian projects in the city, and helps the city carry out the Pedestrian Master Plan.

Contact

Bryan Barnett-Woods
Public Works Department
Traffic and Transportation Division
240-314-8527
bbwoods@rockvillemd.gov

Hours
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Address
Rockville City Hall
111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850