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What is AccelerateMC? 

Montgomery County received a $2 million grant from the USDOT Regional Infrastructure Accelerators program to fund research on financing and project planning for the expansion of the County's Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network. In collaboration with the University of Maryland's Build America Center, the county will establish AccelerateMC, a transportation planning research center. AccelerateMC's findings will provide a blueprint for implementing BRT systems and supporting infrastructure, such as bus depots, throughout the region. 

 

What is Flash BRT? 

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems are part of a national movement toward upgraded, high-frequency bus networks focused on faster, more convenient, and reliable bus service. BRTs operate much like light rail, with limited stops along set routes in metropolitan areas across the U.S. and worldwide. Flash is Montgomery County’s branded BRT system and includes plans for a network of eight fixed routes.

Montgomery County implemented the first Flash BRT route along Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) in 2020. The corridor links Downtown Silver Spring with Briggs Cheney, and Burtonsville on weekdays. The high-frequency service is designed to get people to their destination faster and less expensively than by car. Flash corridors spur economic development as businesses and housing tend to spring up along BRT routes creating or fortifying vibrant mixed-use communities. Flash will support a high level of mobility, connecting communities throughout the County with 102 miles of corridors, serving as an innovative and economical way to meet the growing transportation needs of County residents and visitors, help reduce reliance on car travel, and move people around the County faster. The network will connect Montgomery County transit hubs, commercial centers, and public services.

AccelerateMC will focus on developing strategies to further the development of the BRT projects already in progress along Veirs Mill Road, MD 355 and US 29. The first Flash corridor, on Route 29, is currently in service with advancements such as portions of dedicated bus lanes planned. AccelerateMC also will assist in the buildout of a new bus depot to support the County’s expanded fleet of zero-emission buses. The bus depot will include charging stations for electric buses and on-site hydrogen production. AccelerateMC's research will advance the development of Flash BRT in Montgomery County and accelerate the implementation of transportation regionally with verified best practices. 

Link to Montgomery County Right of Way Mapping Tool

Click above to learn more about the Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network. 

Do we really need Flash BRT? 

Yes, the need is clear. With over 1 million residents, Montgomery County is projected to have an 18% increase in population (to 2.25M) and a 29% increase in employment (635,500 jobs) by 2050. Moving people in a faster, more responsible way is needed to support population growth and relieve congestion. Regionally, we are growing as well. In Maryland, the 2023 Trips Report tells us that drivers lose 99 hours annually to traffic congestion, and congestion annually costs $2,465 per driver. With an expanding population, the region will need to rely on best practices eastablished by this study to be able to build and fund BRT networks to support a better way to connect travelers to destinations. Safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is a major part of each corridor design, transforming an area into a more walkable destination. 

The Flash network will: 

  • Champion the development of vibrant mixed-use activity centers, prioritizing smart construction that supports vibrancy over expanding roads and adding parking lots.
  • Slash emissions to align with the County's aggressive climate goals. By 2035, all County buses will be emission-free; we've already kicked off the transition to zero-emission buses.
  • Enhance equity in transportation by increasing access to essential trips and ensuring fairness and accessibility to advance opportunities. 

What will the Flash BRT Network look like? 

The Flash Network will connect the County with eight corridors of Flash buses that will provide frequent service, every 8-15 minutes. Additionally, intersection signal priority and dedicated bus lanes, where feasible, will allow buses to reach destinations faster. 

 
 
These red-painted dedicated bus lanes stand out to alert drivers that the lane is designated for buses only and allow for faster, safer bus service.

Learn more about Flash BRT by watching this video.