Pedestrian Planning

• Planning
• Transportation
• Pedestrian Planning

Pedestrians

Walking is the basic mode of transportation and safe and comfortable accommodation for pedestrians and those using mobility aids must be provided as part of all transportation facilities in which they are legally permitted. No separate pedestrian master plan currently exists but the needs of pedestrians are addressed in existing area and sector plans. This webpage displays the county’s bicycle-pedestrian priority areas, as well as links to pedestrian-related programs and efforts.

Pedestrian Master Plan (ongoing)

The Montgomery County Planning Department is developing the county’s first Pedestrian Master Plan. The plan will make walking and rolling safer, more comfortable, more convenient and more accessible for pedestrians of all ages and abilities in all parts of the county. In addition to prioritizing needed infrastructure, the plan will recommend new and amended policies and operational practices, design standards and programming to support walking and rolling.

View the Pedestrian Master Plan webpage.

Bicycle Pedestrian Priority Areas

Bicycle Pedestrian Priority Areas (BPPAs) are defined in the Maryland State code as geographical area where the enhancement of bicycle and pedestrian traffic is a priority.

Montgomery County has designated 34 BPPAs and has established a funding program for pedestrian and bicycle improvements with these areas. Click here for maps of each area.

Map of Bicycle Pedestrian Priority Areas (BPPAs) in Montgomery County – Effective 04/30/2019

Pedestrian Counts

The Montgomery County Planning Department recently began collecting pedestrian volumes at intersections as part of the development review and master planning process. A small (but growing) number of pedestrian counts can be found on the department’s intersection analysis application.

Road Code Bill

Bill 33-13 took effect on December 3, 2015, specifying maximum lane widths, curb radii, and target speeds on urban roads, and other pedestrian improvements. Specific highlights of the bill include:

All Roads

• 6 feet wide pedestrian refuges must be provided at every intersection on all divided 6-lane roads
• All roads must include “complete streets” features to promote safe use by all travel modes, and all roads must serve bicyclists without exception
• Shared use paths are typically 10 feet wide

Urban Roads

• Through lanes and turn lanes must be no wider than 10 feet unless next to parking or a curb, in which case they must be no wider than 11 feet
• Parking lanes must be no wider than 8 feet, including the gutter pan
• Curb radii must be no greater than 15 feet, with a few exceptions
• Target speeds must be no greater than 25 mph

Learn more about Montgomery Planning’s Pedestrian Level of Comfort work in the Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills Sector Plan.