“Problem” Intersection Investigation VHB investigated 20 “problem” intersection sites selected by the County. VHB quantified the congestion levels and analyzed intersection operations and safety. We developed an objective rank order based on congestion severity and safety. VHB then developed potential improvements to reduce congestion and improve safety for existing and future conditions. We also estimated an order of magnitude cost of improvement projects.

Silver Spring Downtown Revitalization As part of the downtown revitalization of Silver Spring, VHB conducted a traffic study related to improving pedestrian safety and maintaining traffic mobility. The study identified pedestrian safety measures, including ways to reroute through-vehicle trips around the downtown area and away from intersections with high pedestrian volumes. VHB collected extensive data to conduct origin-destination studies and to evaluate several pedestrian issues.

On-site Traffic Engineering Support VHB provides on-site assistance to the Montgomery County Division of Engineering and Operations Traffic Studies Team. Our support services include evaluating requests for stop control, traffic signal installation, parking, and pedestrian crosswalks. A large amount of time is devoted to local roads analysis and providing concerned neighborhood association’s options for reducing speeds while maintaining essential connectivity with the surrounding street network. VHB staff has facilitated several public outreach efforts as part of these studies, which include public workshops.

Roadway Design Standards VHB assisted the County with revising the its Roadway Design Standards. A key motivation for the revision was to improve conditions for pedestrian and bicycle travel in the County. VHB worked with a steering committee of County staff and concerned citizens for approximately sixteen months, exploring issues of pedestrian and bicycle accommodation, traffic requirements, stormwater management needs, landscaping needs and the process through which these standards are used. With County staff, VHB presented the standards to the Planning Board and County Council. Ultimately, the standards were approved by Council and are currently in use.

Road Safety Audits VHB is managing a road safety audit program for pedestrians and bicyclists for the County. This project involves the identification of candidate locations for the pedestrian and bicycle safety assessments through the County’s High Incident Area (HIA) Program. Four HIAs are selected for evaluation each year, usually on major corridors through the County. Each location is evaluated in the field by an interdisciplinary team and improvement strategies are identified for implementation.

Additional task assignments have involved conducting studies that include a school zone assessment, an evaluation of pedestrian countdown signals, an annual commuter survey study, and a pedestrian buffer study.