RESOURCES 

Walkability Studies

MCDOT performs walking area analyses of 15 to 20 schools within the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) District each fiscal year. These evaluations include observation of arrival and dismissal operations of the school, coordination with school staff and crossing guards, as well as a comprehensive inventory and condition assessment of street networks for pedestrian safety and walkability throughout each school walkshed. The walkability studies summarize observations related to existing conditions, identify safety hazards, infrastructure deficiencies, and provide recommendations for improving the safety of those walking and rolling to and from school. Recommendations range from minor signing and pavement marking improvements to the construction of intersection improvements and adding new sidewalk where there is missing sidewalk in the network to provide safe and accessible pathways for all students.

The interactive map below identifies the status of walkability studies for each MCPS school. To download the study for a particular school with "complete" status, please zoom and navigate to the school location and select the point representing the school.  

Ongoing Walkability studies
Glen Haven Elementary School / Sligo Middle School
Martin Luther King MS, Lake Seneca ES, and Waters Landing ES
 

Sidewalk Gap Build Out

Each school walkshed is reviewed for sidewalk connectivity and accessibility as part of the safety evaluation process. Key walking routes are prioritized to ensure students walking to school are provided with dedicated space outside of vehicular travel ways along a street segment. Based on feedback received from school officials, observations of travel patterns, road user behaviors, and the layout of the street network relative to the school attendance boundaries, critical gaps in the sidewalk network are identified. Locations where critical sidewalk gaps are identified go through a constructability review to determine potential site constraints such as property lines, drainage patterns, impacts to street trees, and other considerations. Once locations where critical sidewalk gaps have been identified are determined to be constructable, implementation is prioritized as funding becomes available.
Pending SRTS sidewalk implementations are listed below.

Martin Luther King MS
  • Wanegarden Drive – Between Lake Seneca Elementary School and Wynnfield Drive
  • Waldorf Drive – East side, between Wisteria Drive and Wynnfield Drive
  • Teakwood Lane – Between the Willow Cove Manor driveway entrances, connecting to the existing sidewalk network on both ends
Crosswalk Improvements
MCDOT will also proceed with crosswalk modifications at the following locations:
  • Wanegarden Drive
  • Waldorf Drive
  • Wisteria Drive
  • Teakwood Lane

Glen Haven ES and Sligo MS Walkshed
Map of sidewalk segments that MCDOT has concepts on

Travilah Elementary School 

Approximately 0.3 miles (1600 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk is being constructed from Travilah Road to Quince Orchard Road. Pedestrian ramps and a crosswalk will be added across Dufief Mill Road at Quince Orchard Road. Link to view the Plan

Cabin John Middle School  

Approximately 0.45 miles (2400 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk is being constructed along Bells Mill Road, from Gainsborough Road to Fox Hills Trail.  Existing ramps will be rebuilt to be ADA-compliant, and high-visibility crosswalks will be installed. Link to view the Plan

Roscoe Nix ES
Approximately 0.22 mile (1160 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk will be constructed along Mount Pisgah Road from Oakview Drive to Grey Castle Way. Link to view the Plan 

Northwood High School 

Approximately 0.13 miles (700 linear feet) of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk is being constructed along Gabel Street from Breewood Road to University Blvd. Link to view the Plan

Safety Spot Improvements

The SRTS program also pursues safety improvements based on recommendations from Complete walkability studies and requests from County residents. Safety recommendations that can be Complete through maintenance efforts and minor construction within public rights of way are implemented as funding and resources become available.    Equity Emphasis Areas (EEA),  Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Areas (BiPPA),   Pedestrian Level of Comfort (PLOC),and cost-benefit analyses are all considered when prioritizing SRTS safety improvements.
While the SRTS program is a proactive safety initiative, MCDOT is responsible for maintaining or enhancing the safety of roadways throughout the County and often receives requests for safety improvements from residents, civic organizations or public officials. When safety issues are verified by MCDOT staff, mitigation of the hazard(s) is recommended, and adjacent, impacted properties are notified.
Pending and Complete SRTS spot safety improvements are listed below.

Oakland Terrace Elementary School
Gardiner Avenue / Dennis Avenue
This intersection will be converted to an all‑way stop with crosswalks on all approaches. Existing flex posts will be replaced with concrete bump‑outs.
Concept plan _ Gardiner Avenue / Dennis Avenue
 
Brunswick Avenue / Plyers Mill Road
This intersection will also be converted to an all‑way stop due to its proximity to Oakland Terrace Elementary School and high pedestrian activity. Curb bump‑outs will be added at all corners to improve visibility, reduce crossing distances, and calm traffic.
Concept plan _ Brunswick Avenue / Plyers Mill Road

Fairland Elementary School
Fairdale Road
Construction of a permanent bump‑out to prevent parking in the no‑parking zone in front of the school, plus a new crosswalk before the car‑loop entrance and upgraded signage to improve pedestrian visibility.
Concept plan _ Fairdale Road

Roberto Clemente Middle School
A new crosswalk will be installed at 6700 Sioux Lane to connect the off‑street trail to Ridgeview Middle School.
Concept plan _ Sioux Lane

Beverly Farms Elementary School
This intersection will be converted to an all‑way stop, with high‑visibility crosswalks and concrete curb bump‑outs added on all three approaches to shorten crossing distances and improve pedestrian safety.
Concept plan _ Postoak Road & Milbern Drive