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B’more Involved keeps you informed and engaged in your community. Each month, discover opportunities to shape the Baltimore region's future through surveys, events and public meetings. Don’t just stay informed—get involved and make an impact!
In this issue:
- Ozone Action Month: Small Changes, Big Impact On Air Quality
- What’s In The Air? The Car Bubble Lets You See For Yourself
- MDOT In Motion: Back To School Safety Webinar
- Transportation Information Forum: Transit 101
- Maryland Transit Administration Updates Its Fare Collection System
- Be The Driver That Saves Lives: Keeping Kids Safe As They Go Back To School
- Live Or Work In The Baltimore Region? We Need Your Voice!
- Your Region. Your Voice. Your Engagement Hub. Check Out Our Other Mailing Lists
- Our Meetings Are Open to All - Join Online or Watch the Recordings
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OZONE ACTION MONTH: SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT ON AIR QUALITY
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It’s hot out there—but staying cool and getting around doesn’t have to pollute the air we breathe.
August is Ozone Action Month, and our partners at Clean Air Partners are sharing small changes you can make to improve air quality:
- Cool smarter: Set your thermostat a few degrees higher and use fans or take a cool shower instead. Change your AC filter monthly to boost air flow and efficiency.
- Switch to electric tools: Gas-powered lawn equipment creates major pollution. One hour of gas leaf blower use = 1,100 car miles!
- Drive electric: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, and charging is easier than ever.
- Bike on good air days: Gas cars pollute more in summer heat. Ride your bike and enjoy the breeze!
Every action adds up, especially during hot summer months when ground-level ozone levels are at their peak.
Learn more and take the Clean Air Challenge at CleanAirPartners.net
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WHAT’S IN THE AIR? THE CAR BUBBLE LETS YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF
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Ever wondered what vehicle emissions really look like? Now’s your chance to find out.
As part of Ozone Action Month, the Clean Air Partners Car Bubble 🫧 will be on display on Sunday, August 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Towson Town Center (Level 1, Grand Court). This eye-catching exhibit shows the invisible emissions produced by gas-powered cars—helping us all better understand their impact on air quality and our health.
Stop by to experience the Bubble, talk with clean air advocates, and learn small steps you can take to reduce pollution and protect our environment. 🫧 Free and open to the public.
Let’s clear the air—together! Learn more at cleanairpartners.net
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MDOT IN MOTION: BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY WEBINAR
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Whether you're a parent, neighbor, commuter, or community advocate—you play a part in helping students get to and from school safely. Join the Maryland Departments of Transportation and Planning for a free, engaging webinar.
Check out this free, MDOT in Motion webinar on Wednesday, August 7 at noon.
You’ll learn what’s being done across Maryland to support safer school travel—and how you can get involved. What to expect:
- Duwan Morris, Montgomery County Safe Routes to School (SRTS), on how PTAs and community members can support safer travel
- WABA Youth Ambassadors, sharing firsthand tips and perspectives from students on getting to school safely
- MDOT updates on the Safe Routes to School initiative, including infrastructure and community-based strategies
MDOT in Motion is a webinar series that highlights efforts to make walking, biking, and transit safer and more accessible in Maryland. Space is limited to 1,000 participants. A recording will be available afterward.
Register Now
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TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FORUM: TRANSIT 101
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Curious about how to get around Howard County without relying on a personal car? Check out this upcoming lunch & learn that covers local transit options and planning efforts designed to support all ages and abilities. You’ll hear from the Regional Transit Agency (RTA), and the Office on Transportation to learn about Age Friendly transportation initiatives.
Transportation Information Forum
Thursday, September 18 from 12 to 3 p.m.
Elkridge 50+ Center (6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD 21075)
Hosted by the Howard County Office on Aging & Independence, the event includes expert presentations and resource tables to help you explore car-free travel alternatives and ask questions about services available in your community. For more information, call 410-313-5192.
Register now to save your seat
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MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (MTA) UPDATES ITS FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM
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Starting in August, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will begin installing new fareboxes on all local buses.
As part of this update, the CharmCard® will no longer be accepted after December 31, 2025.
Riders are encouraged to start using the CharmPass mobile app. You can also pay with cash or use paper passes at the farebox, ticket machines, or the Transit Store.
Learn more at mta.maryland.gov
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BE THE DRIVER THAT SAVES LIVES: KEEPING KIDS SAFE AS THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL
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It’s August—and that means kids across the region are heading back to school. Let’s all do our part to keep them safe.
Drivers, keep in mind:
- Stay alert near schools, neighborhoods, and bus stops.
- Watch for kids walking or biking—especially in the mornings and afternoons.
- Always stop for school buses with flashing lights—it’s the law.
- Don’t assume a child sees or hears your car—give them the right of way.
🚸 Let’s make this school year a safe one for everyone.
🔗 Learn more and find local resources at zerodeathsmd.gov
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JOIN THE TRANSPORTATION CORE - WE NEED YOUR VOICE
Do you live or work in Annapolis, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, Howard, or Queen Anne’s County? The BRTB is seeking motivated volunteers to help shape the future of transportation and planning in our region.
Through online surveys and quarterly virtual meetings, members serve as a focus group for regional planners. Your input helps us improve our projects, plans and outreach efforts.
The Transportation CORE is a diverse group that gives feedback to regional planners through online surveys and virtual meetings. Your ideas will help improve projects and make sure community needs are heard.
Let’s build a better Baltimore region—together! Apply today
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YOUR REGION. YOUR VOICE. YOUR ENGAGEMENT HUB.
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We’ve made it easier for everyone to get involved! Our engagement site has a new name: YourRegionYourVoice.org. While the look and layout remain the same, the new name better reflects our goal—to give you a direct way to share your voice on issues that matter in our region.
We’ve also added a new Accessibility Widget to support users of all abilities. With just one click, you can resize text, adjust color contrast, navigate using a keyboard, and even have the site automatically detect your preferred language.
We’re always working to make sure that all residents—regardless of their needs—can take part in shaping the future of our community. Check it out at YourRegionYourVoice.org—and look for the Accessibility icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
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OUR MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board and its subcommittees meet regularly to plan for the future of transportation in our region.
These meetings are open to the public. Some meetings are held in person at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, located at 1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21230. All meetings are live streamed online via Zoom for your convenience.
Check out our calendar at baltometro.org
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