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 provides a comprehensive list of walkability studies. To view the study for a particular school, please zoom to the school location and click on the school icon. The map is in the process of being updated. Thank you for your patience. 

Upcoming Community meetings to discuss recently completed Walkability studies
Martin Luther King MS, Lake Seneca ES, and Waters Landing ES
Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
Rosemary Hills ES, and Rock Creek Forest ES
Wheaton Woods 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.

Forest Knolls ES

• Sidewalk proposed on the West side (Odd numbered home) of Marvin Road from Ordway Drive to Edgewood Avenue
• Sidewalk proposed on the East side (Even numbered home) of Ladson Road from Edgewood Avenue to Ordway Drive

Public hearing for Proposed Sidewalk Construction is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Roscoe Nix ES
Installation of sidewalks along Oakview Drive between MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue) and Dilston Road – Construction Complete,
Joann Leleck ES
Installation of sidewalks along Stateside Drive between Avenel Road and Stateside Court – Approved – Construction Pending Scheduling.

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.

North Bethesda Middle School
Proposed safety improvements along Bradmoor Drive include 600 linear feet of sidewalk and intersection improvement at Bradmoor Drive/Rolston Road and Lindale Drive. MCDOT has developed three design alternatives, and they are:

1. The first alternative includes sidewalks along the median, a new roundabout, and crosswalks at Rolston Road, Bradmoor Drive, and Lindale Drive intersections
2. The second alternative includes sidewalks along the median, an all-way stop, and crosswalks at Rolston Road/Bradmoor Drive and Lindale Drive intersection
3. The third alternative includes a 6’ sidewalk along the southern side of Bradmoor Drive (even number home)

Bradmoor Drive Alternative Concept Plan

Sligo Creek Elementary School, Pedestrian Safety Improvements
The MCDOT Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Program has proposed a pedestrian facility along Windsor Street; this proposed facility will begin at Dartmouth Ave. and connect to the existing sidewalk on Schuyler Road. The proposed pedestrian facility will provide safe access for students traveling to and from Sligo Creek Elementary School. MCDOT has prepared three design alternatives for pedestrian facilities along Windsor Street and is requesting feedback from the community on these alternatives. Concept plans illustrating these three alternatives can be viewed at this link.
Windsor Street Pedestrian Improvements Plan

Clarksburg High School
Construct pedestrian safety improvements at the Ivy Leaf Drive/ Diller Lane and W Old Baltimore Road intersection. The improvements include a new crosswalk and pedestrian refuge island to allow pedestrians to safely cross W Old Baltimore Road.
Draft concept plan- Ivy Leaf Drive/ Diller Lane and W Old Baltimore

Travilah Elementary School
Proposed safety improvements include the installation of approximately 1,050 linear feet of sidewalk along the eastern side of Dufief Mill Road between Quince Orchard Road and Travilah Road. This sidewalk will continue along the western side of Travilah Road between Dufief Mill Road and the Travilah Elementary School Driveway Entrance to provide a pedestrian path leading to Travilah Elementary School and connecting to the existing side path along Travilah Road, which extends to the Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center. Pedestrian ramps and a crosswalk will be added across Dufief Mill Road at Quince Orchard Road.
Draft concept plan- Travilah and Dufief Mill Road

Cabin John Middle School
This proposed safety improvement will provide safe routes for kids walking to Cabin John Middle School. Safety improvements include the installation of approximately 1550 linear feet of sidewalk along the northern side of Bells Mill Road between Pebble Brook Lane and Gainsborough Road. An additional 500 linear feet of sidewalk will be added along the southern side of Bells Mill Road between Fox Hills Trail and the Tallyho Swim and Tennis Club driveway entrance. Existing ramps will be rebuilt to be ADA-compliant, and high-visibility crosswalks will be installed.
Draft concept plan- Bells Mill Road