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In this issue:

• Help Shape the Future of the Patapsco Regional Greenway 
• Look Alive Campaign Seeks to Reduce Pedestrian Crashes 
• Reduce the stress and expense of a solo trip with Go Smart Maryland! 
• Walktober Kicks Off with Walk Maryland Day 
• MDOT Annual Transportation Investment Tour Meetings 
• Maryland Transportation Plan Open For Comment 
• Maryland Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Open for Comment  
   

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE PATAPSCO REGIONAL GREENWAY 

In 2017, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) approved a concept plan for the Patapsco Regional Greenway (PRG) which envisions a 40-mile, shared-use trail running through the Patapsco Valley from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to Sykesville in Carroll County.

To date, over 12 miles of greenway have been completed. Now, Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), on behalf of the BRTB and Baltimore County seeks your input on the PRG segment that extends from Guinness Open Gate Brewery to Southwest Area Park/MDOT MTA Patapsco Light Rail Station.

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Arbutus Branch, Baltimore County Public Library (855 Sulphur Spring Rd, Arbutus, MD 21227). A recording of the presentation will also be posted to the project webpage.

Comments will be welcome from October 18 through December 5, 2023. The public can share comments at the public meeting, by text, via voicemail, or on the project webpage.  

Visit publicinput.com/PRG to learn more or get updates
 

LOOK ALIVE CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO REDUCE PEDESTRIAN CRASHES 

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and regional transportation officials are using the Look Alive campaign to teach pedestrians and drivers how they can stop dangerous crashes before they happen. 

In 2022, 59 pedestrians were killed by drivers in the Baltimore region and there were 162 crashes involving people on foot during October alone — more than any other month. Typically, fall months have seen an increase in fatal and serious injury crashes involving pedestrians, most likely due to shortened daylight hours and challenging visibility. 

Regional and state officials are asking everyone to take action to ensure that everyone reaches their destination safely. Here are a some safety tips: 

• Cross the street at crosswalks and intersections.
• Watch for turning vehicles. Look left, right, and left again.
• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and when turning, yield to people walking and biking.
• Watch out for blind spots around trucks and buses.
• Look for bicyclists before opening your car door.

Look Alive is a regional pedestrian and bicycle safety program that combines education and enforcement across the Baltimore region.  

Visit LookAliveMD.org for more info and safety tips

REDUCE THE STRESS AND EXPENSE OF A SOLO TRIP WITH GO SMART MARYLAND! 

We’re excited to announce the launch of GoSmartMD, a new resource providing residents of Baltimore and Carroll counties with easy access to carpool, vanpool and transit information, as well as programs that guarantee a free ride home in an emergency and provide financial incentives for participating. GoSmartMD brings together information about all the options for traveling in the Baltimore region, allowing commuters to find partners, use transit and identify park-and-ride lots, which helps to save money and time while reducing travel stress. 

Visit gosmartmd.com to learn more and sign up

WALKTOBER KICKS OFF WITH WALK MARYLAND DAY
October in Maryland becomes WALKTOBER, a month where the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other partnering agencies promote and host events and webinars spotlighting Maryland pedestrians' safety, health, and commuting options in current walk programs and initiatives.

Walktober is also a celebration of Maryland’s official exercise and a call to action to promote walking for improved health for residents of all ages and abilities. 

Walktober features Walk Maryland Day and a series of webinars focused on walking and moving: 

• Wednesday, October 4
  Walk Maryland Day
   
• Thursday, October 5
  Walkinar #1: National and State Perspectives
   
• Thursday, October 12 
  Walkinar #2: Infrastructure and Safety
   
• Thursday, October 19
  Walkinar #3: Initiatives
   
• Thursday, October 26
  Walkinar #4 - Equity

Learn more or register for an event 

MDOT ANNUAL STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION INVESTEMENT TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED 

Annually, between September 15th and November 15th, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) meets with each County, along with Baltimore City, to share the Draft MDOT Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). These meetings, also known as “the tour,” are open to the public. 

The CTP includes detailed listings and descriptions of the capital transportation projects that are proposed for construction, or for development and evaluation during the next six-year period. 

Here are a list of upcoming Tour meetings in our region:

• Monday, October 23 at 10 a.m. 
  Towson University 
   
• Monday, October 23 at 3:30 p.m. 
  Baltimore City 
   
• Tuesday, October 24 at 3 p.m. 
  Queen Anne's County Commissioners Office 
   
• Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m. 
  Ellicott City and Online 
   
• Wednesday, November 1 at 10 a.m. 
  Harford County 
   
• Thursday, November 2 at 2 p.m. 
  Carroll Co. Government Office Building and Online 
   
• Tuesday, November 14 at 2 p.m. 
  Arundel Center and Online 

Visit mdot.maryland.gov to learn more or see the CTP

MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION PLAN OPEN FOR COMMENT 
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently concluded its initial engagement for the 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP), which is Maryland’s long-range transportation plan and is being referred to as the “The Playbook.” The Playbook provides more than 75 strategies to guide the state's transportation vision and investment priorities successfully for years to come. MDOT is passing “The Playbook” to you for review and comment.

Don’t watch from the sidelines - now is your chance to get involved! Learn how your bold calls can help MDOT develop a winning game plan for future transportation investments over the next 20 years to ensure they are providing safe, reliable, accessible, equitable and sustainable transportation options to Marylanders across the state.

Transportation planning always works better through teamwork. That’s why MDOT would like to receive as much input as possible by November 20, 2023.

Learn more about “The Playbook” and how input from Maryland’s MVPs (most valuable people) like yourself helps shape the state's long-range transportation plan. 

Learn more at mdot.maryland.gov

MARYLAND STATEWIDE BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN OPEN FOR COMMENT 
The Maryland Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) is being updated by MDOT. The BPMP focuses on updating policies and practices to make it safer and more convenient to walk, roll and scoot. The BPMP planning process began last winter with an existing conditions evaluation, followed by initial public outreach conducted in the spring. During the summer, the project team met with stakeholders and drafted recommendations to improve walking and biking conditions over the next 5 to 20 years. 

The draft BPMP is now available for public comment. Visit the Maryland Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan website for more information and to provide comments on the draft plan. You can also view an interactive map on the plan website. 

Provide your comments to MDOT by November 20, 2023.  

Share a comment at 2050marylandbpmp.com