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.  

Upcoming Community meetings to discuss recently completed Walkability studies
Glen Haven Elementary School / Sligo Middle School
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.

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


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.

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

Northwood High School
Improvements along Gable Street
  • New Sidewalks: Construct continuous sidewalks on both sides of Gable Street to improve access to and from MD 193. The west‑side sidewalk will extend south to Breewood Road.
  • Crossing Improvements: Install high‑visibility crosswalks and “Stop for Pedestrian” signs at Gable Street and Breewood Road to provide a safer, formalized crossing.
Concept plan _ Gable Street

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