Montgomery Planning invites community to the Aspen Hill Library to discuss the Vision Zero initiative on September 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with Spanish translation provided
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is inviting anyone who lives, works or has an interest in traffic, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit safety issues in the Aspen Hill area to a kickoff meeting for the Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study. Vision Zero is Montgomery County’s initiative to eliminate traffic related fatalities and severe injuries on its roads. This first meeting will include a discussion about Vision Zero, the role of Montgomery Planning and how the community can be involved with the study.
Details:
Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study Kickoff Community Meeting (Spanish translation available)
Wednesday, September 26
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Aspen Hill Library (4407 Aspen Hill Road, Rockville, MD)
RSVPs are encouraged but not required.
Children are welcome; snacks and family friendly activities will be provided.
For more information, call Maren Hill at 301.650.5613.
Montgomery Planning will collaborate with the community on potential strategies to make major intersections safer for all road users along Georgia and Connecticut avenues in the Aspen Hill area. The Vision Zero study area includes the land area between Georgia and Connecticut Avenues that extends north from the intersection of Connecticut and Georgia Avenues to Bel Pre Road and south of the intersection to Matthew Henson Park.
The Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study will seek to:
- Enhance connectivity by improving safety for all road users
- Explore solutions to reduce speeds and conflicts on the road.
- Establish direct, safe connections to transit, community facilities, and other destinations.
- Examine potential for redevelopment of commercial shopping centers.
- Engage residents, business owners, and civic associations.
- Collect and analyze data to inform priorities.
If you cannot attend the meeting but want to get involved with the plan, sign up for the Aspen Hill Vision Zero e-letter or contact project manager Maren Hill. Learn more about the Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study.
Background on Vision Zero:
In 2016, Montgomery County adopted a Vision Zero policy to eliminate severe traffic injuries and fatalities by 2030. Under Vision Zero, policymakers and designers work with local stakeholders to improve safety for all people as they move about their communities.
During the planning process for the 2015 Aspen Hill Minor Master Plan Amendment and the ongoing Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan, community members expressed concern about pedestrian safety at major intersections. This Vision Zero Study will be one component of an overall assessment of a variety of issues in the Aspen Hill area that will frame and inform future planning actions.
What is Vision Zero?
The premise of Vision Zero is that transportation-related deaths and severe injuries are preventable and unacceptable. People are inherently vulnerable and speed is a fundamental predictor of crash survival. Vision Zero is an approach to traffic safety where transportation systems are designed to anticipate human error and created for speeds that protect human life.
Jurisdictions all over the world have adopted Vision Zero policy initiatives to eliminate severe traffic injuries and fatalities. Montgomery County is one of the first counties and suburban communities to commit to Vision Zero. As a suburban community, Montgomery County’s development patterns—longer blocks, wider driving lanes, and lower densities, which encourages motorists to drive at higher speeds—present unique challenges to achieving Vision Zero.