Transportation Policy

MCDOT is committed to working with other transportation organizations at every level of government to create a comprehensive, efficient and seamless transportation system that moves people and connects places throughout our region. 


Master/Sector Plan Transportation Review

Master/Sector Plans are prepared by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). MCDOT provides input to M-NCPPC on the feasibility of the plans, whether they are implementable and how well they coordinate with other MCDOT projects and long range planning objectives. MCDOT weighs in during the plan development and approval process, providing comments to the Office of the County Executive and coordinating with other agencies and the County Council.

Master/Sector Plans direct land development and the creation of new infrastructure, establishing the types of land uses that are permitted or encouraged and the pathways for roads, sidewalks, bikeways, etc.

A Functional Master Plan focuses on a system or a policy and does not make recommendations about land use or zoning. Examples of the County's functional master plan topics include bikeways, transit corridors, rustic roads and the Purple Line.

Get more information on Master/Sector Plans and the planning process.

Regional Coordination

  • Transportation Planning Board (TPB)

    MCDOT works through the TPB to ensure that the region's current and future transportation network is integrated and planning and service delivery are coordinated. The TPB, which is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the region, is comprised of representatives from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia; area counties and municipalities; and federal transportation agencies. The MCDOT Director is the County Executive's designated member on the TPB and the Deputy Director of Transportation Policy serves as the Alternate.

    MCDOT participates in the following TPB coordination activities:
    • Constrained Long Range Plan (CLRP) : The CLRP identifies all of the regionally significant capital improvements to highway and transit systems that area transportation agencies expect to make and can afford over the next 20 or more years. Projects must collectively meet air quality improvement goals established by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
    • Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) : The TIP is the official listing of the region's short-term transportation priorities. It includes all the regionally significant projects that the states and other jurisdictions have approved and are intending to implement over the next six years.

    Visit the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments website for more information.

  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

    WMATA owns and operates Metrorail, Metrobus and Metro Access, which provide service in Montgomery County -- along with MCDOT's Ride On bus system. The MCDOT Director's Office and WMATA collaborate closely on planning and operations.

  • Capital Bikeshare

    MCDOT coordinates on Capital Bikeshare rates and policies with the other regional partners who sponsor this multi-jurisdictional bikeshare system.

Maryland Department of Transportation ( MDOT) Coordination

Federal and State Coordination

MCDOT works with the Federal Government, the State of Maryland and elected local, state and federal officials on transportation-related issues. As many Federal facilities are located in the County, staff coordinate closely with these agencies as well as the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service and Army Corps of Engineers.

  • Grants
    MCDOT seeks grants to fund priority projects within the County, including BUILD grants, (formerly Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery or TIGER grants), FTA Capital Grants, and INFRA discretionary grants, among others.
  • Legislation
    The Montgomery County Office of Intergovernmental Relations and MCDOT coordinate review of State and Federal legislation that could have transportation-related impacts in Montgomery County.
  • Federal and State Delegations
    MCDOT works closely with the Montgomery County Office of Intergovernmental Relations on transportation-related issues as it represents the County at the regional, state and federal levels and serves as liaison with state government, the County's state delegation and federal congressional staff.
  • Compliance
    MCDOT ensures that the County complies with Federal and State regulations concerning operation and maintenance of our transit system, roads and bridges.