Baltimore Regional Transportation Board

You have the chance to help shape the future by sharing your thoughts on $15 billion in key transportation projects planned for the region over the next 25 years.
 

Over 200 projects are part of two transportation plans that will be open for public comment from May 9 through June 18 - the Maximize2045 Long Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) will vote on these plans on July 23, 2019.

Let us know what you think about our plans to invest in the future of transportation at one of our public meetings.

Join Us for a Meeting in Your Community
 

Monday, May 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 
Harford County Govt Ctr, Room 157 
220 S Main St, Bel Air, MD 21014

Tuesday, May 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Enoch Pratt Free Library, Pennsylvania Ave Branch*
1531 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217

Thursday, May 30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Kent Island Senior Center 
891 Love Point Rd, Stevensville, MD 21666

Tuesday, June 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 
Arundel Mills Mall, Harmons Community Room 
7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD 21076

Wednesday, June 5 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 
CCBC Essex. Administrative Building 
7201 Rossville Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21237

Thursday, June 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  
Carroll County Govt Ctr, Reagan Room #3 
225 N. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157

Monday, June 10 from noon to 1p.m.  
Online Meeting- REGISTER at  https://bit.ly/2IVCzpG

Tuesday, June 11 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  
Elkridge Public Library, Belmont/Hockley Room 
6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075

Learn more at maximize2045.com or download a meeting flyer (English) or Spanish (en Español). 

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On behalf of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), thank you for your interest in our activities and efforts to update the region's long-range transportation plan - Maximize2045:  A Performance-Based Transportation Plan.  For many, the importance of the long-range transportation plan is the identification of major projects the region expects to implement over the next 20-25 years.



In late spring, the BRTB will release a draft Maximize2045, along with the 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and related air quality analysis, for public review. We share with you our steps along the way and invite you to get involved in the process by learning more about the steps and staying tuned for upcoming events and the public comment period.

How Projects are Evaluated

The BRTB approved a process for evaluating and scoring individual candidate projects for Maximize2045. This process is a tool the BRTB uses to compile a set of projects that will benefit the region based on its adopted goals and policies.

Aside from project scores and the need to maintain fiscal constraint, the BRTB considers other factors in establishing the list of projects for Maximize2045. These factors might include such considerations as how ready a project is to move forward in the project development process or how a project might address issues of particular local concern in a specific jurisdiction

A project’s total score consists of two parts:

• a policy score that is a combination of (a) how much of a priority (high, medium, or low) a project is to the submitting jurisdiction or agency and (b) whether or not the project has received financial support from MDOT

• a technical score based on criteria derived directly from the region’s adopted goals and policies.

The technical scoring criteria cover the following areas:

• Roadway safety (does a project include features to reduce injuries and fatalities?)
• Roadway accessibility (does a project incorporate Complete Streets features? does a project support access to an activity hub?)
• Transit accessibility (does a project improve an existing transit station/stop or provide a new transit station/stop?)
• Roadway mobility (will a project improve short- and long-term level of service?)
• Transit mobility (does a project provide additional transit options focused on moving riders reliably and efficiently? is a project expected to increase the average number of daily transit riders?)
• Environmental conservation (will a project avoid effects to ecologically significant lands or historic properties? does a project include features that reduce greenhouse gas emissions?)
• Security (does a project fall on an existing evacuation route or improve a critical link to an existing evacuation route?)
• Investment in priority areas (does a project lie within or connect to a Priority Funding Area or a designated Sustainable Community?)

This evaluation and scoring process supports the BRTB’s federally mandated responsibility to develop and carry out a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process for the metropolitan area.

Submitted Projects

BRTB members have submitted a list of projects they’d like to have included in Maximize2045.  Here are a few highlights: 

• Freight related: Construct a full interchange at I-695 and Broening Highway
• Bridge Preservation: Replace the Howard Street Bridge over I-83, rail lines, Falls Road, and the Jones Falls
• Transit related: Add Bus Rapid Transit along U.S. 29 from Ellicott City / Downtown Columbia Transit Center to MD 198

Check out the full list of projects being evaluated

What's Next?

The next steps of the process to develop Maximize2045are:

• Project Evaluation Results – Project Evaluation Results - BMC staff have evaluated the submitted projects and completed the technical review. Based on the combined policy and technical scores, the BRTB selected the best scoring projects that could be implemented over the next 20-25 years given the amount of money available. Using modeling and analytical tools, BMC staff are now determining the potential effects of these projects on the region’s transportation network. These tools include (a) travel demand modeling, (b) air quality conformity modeling (in coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment), (c) analyses to determine how the projects might benefit or burden Environmental Justice populations, and (d) consultations with resource agencies to identify issues related to potential effects on natural and cultural resources.
  
   
• Draft Plan Released for Public Comments – A draft of the plan will be made public for a comment period during May and June 2019 and we’ll hold a public meeting in each jurisdiction in the Baltimore region. 
  
   
• Respond to comments and vote on a final plan – The BRTB will then review and respond to public comments and vote on a final plan in July 2019. 

On behalf of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the Baltimore Metropolitan Council invites you to the New Mobility Transportation Forum.

Innovative services that capitalize on mobile communications, cash payments, artificial intelligence, and big data — such as applications for ride-hailing; car, scooter, and bikeshare; and trip planning — are changing how we travel. Come hear and ask questions of National and local experts on the forces of change and recent technological and social trends that are impacting the way people and goods move and are propelling changes to public policy, regulations and site and curb design. Intended to bring together transit, auto, shared mobility, freight, and IT leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges and share state-of-the-art strategies that might help the Baltimore Region's transportation network better serve the Region.

• Continental breakfast provided 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
• Certified planners may earn certification maintenance credits (pending).

Agenda

Date And Time

Wednesday, March 13, 2019
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

Location

University of Baltimore
H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons Town Hall
1415 Maryland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments on its draft Budget & Work Program for Fiscal Years 2020-2021 from Tuesday, February 12, to Thursday, March 14, 2019.

The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the final Budget & Work Program on Tuesday, April 23. 

What is the UPWP?

The BRTB’s Budget & Work Program is known as the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Transportation Planning. It is a federal requirement that details projects, studies and other activities to be completed by BRTB members and staff of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC.) 

The UPWP includes both local and regional activities. The BRTB develops a list of regional transportation planning activities every two fiscal years. This plan includes $7.89 million in funding for FY 2020 and $6.28 million in funding for FY 2021 for planning activities from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.

UPWP funds support staff and several local planning activities. Highlighted new regional projects include:

• Elderly Trip Characteristics and Patterns – The intent of this $100,000 study is to provide policy-makers and planners with an understanding of transportation issues that affect the growing population of those individuals 65 years and older. The purpose of the study is to: identify areas of concentrated elderly populations; conduct an examination of travel behaviors, while identifying patterns and trends; and identify specific policy implications and ways to address current and future needs.
• Regional Traffic Impact Study Guidelines – The intent of a traffic impact study is for a jurisdiction or agency to review how proposed development will affect the surrounding transportation network. This $180,000 project will develop regional traffic impact study guidelines.
• Development Review Practices for Changing Mobility – The popularity of new mobility – such as the ridesharing services of Uber/Lyft, carsharing services of Zip Car, or alternative mode-sharing services of Lime/Bird bicycles or scooters – affects the curb and sidewalk space of public roads and private developments. The intent of this $180,000 study is to: review how jurisdictions in the Baltimore region address new mobility company requests for curb and sidewalk space; identify best practices; analyze the potential shift toward a more flexible use of curb and sidewalk space; and recommend potential improvements to the process.
• Pedestrian Safety and Roundabouts – The intent of this $100,000 study is to increase safety for non-motorists by: analyzing available data to characterize safety concerns for pedestrians in traffic roundabouts; identifying crash trends; and develop recommendations for improving the design of roundabouts.
• Congestion Management Process – The intent of this $200,000 project is to create a step-by-step congestion management process for the Baltimore region, based on the federal guidelines.

Download the Budget & Work Program for FY 2020-2021 or visit BMC to view a printed copy.

View FAQ about the FY 2020-2021 UPWP

B’More Involved

The public is invited to provide feedback on these proposed regional transportation planning activities through Thursday, March 14.

Please send all comments in writing to:

Email: comments@baltometro.org

Twitter:  @BaltoMetroCo   @BmoreInvolved    #BRTBlistens

Mail:    The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board

             1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300

             Baltimore, MD 21230

Fax: 410-732-8248

The public may also provide feedback during the Public Comment Opportunity at the BRTB monthly meetings on Tuesday, February 26, Tuesday, March 26, or before the vote on Tuesday, April 23. All meeting are scheduled to take place at BMC at 9 a.m.

The BRTB is the federally recognized metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation in the region. BMC provides the BRTB with staff support.

The BRTB operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.