The City of Rockville is moving forward with projects citywide focused on making all forms of mobility safer for all users as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative.
The plan, adopted in 2020 by the Mayor and Council and discussed with them in a report by the city’s Vision Zero coordinator on Jan. 22, seeks to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.
In 2023, there were three fatal and 12 serious-injury crashes in Rockville. Of the three fatalities, two were pedestrians and one was a motorist.
Ongoing improvements associated with Vision Zero include sidewalk studies, intersection audits and Complete Streets projects.
The city has completed several sidewalk feasibility studies and has advanced the following segments to the design phase:
- Frederick Avenue, from North Stonestreet Avenue to Westmore Avenue.
- Highland Avenue, from Grandin Avenue to South Stonestreet Avenue.
- Monroe Street, from the shared-use path to Dogwood Park.
- Nelson Street, from the shopping center to Beall Avenue.
A second group of sidewalk feasibility studies set to begin this spring and includes:
- Carr Avenue, from Forest Avenue to Luckett Street.
- Charles Street, from McArthur Drive to the road terminus.
- Croydon Avenue, from Park Road to McArthur Drive.
- Gail Avenue, from Lewis Avenue to Veirs Mill Road.
- Woodland Road, from Virginia Avenue to North Horners Lane.
For more information, including a form for requesting new sidewalks, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/sidewalks.
The city also recently completed several intersection safety audits and is in the process of making improvements to intersections at:
- East Gude Drive and Taft Court.
- Edmonston Drive and Lewis Avenue.
- Wootton Parkway at Fleet Street, at Seven Locks Road and at Preserve Parkway.
The next round of studies and improvements includes intersections at East Gude Drive and Rothgeb Drive; East Jefferson Street and Rollins Avenue; and West Gude Drive at Research Boulevard, Piccard Drive and Gaither Road.
Additionally, Rockville received a federal grant from the Safe Streets and Roads for All program to complete intersection safety audits for 30 intersections in the city.
In December, the city completed a feasibility study for a shared-use path along Scott and Veirs drives, between the city boundary and Wootton Parkway, with a connection to the Carl Henn Millennium Trail. Find the study and more information about other Vision Zero-related improvements at www.rockvillemd.gov/visionzeroprojects.
Ongoing projects include a Complete Streets Feasibility Study to identify potential improvements for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users along Mannakee Street; a study to determine a preferred alignment for bicycle facilities along Martins Lane from Mannakee Street to North Washington Street; and new guidelines for the installation of marked crosswalks and other pedestrian crossing improvements.
Find the latest Vision Zero report and video of its presentation with the Jan. 22 Mayor and Council meeting listing at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.
Learn more about Vision Zero at www.rockvillemd.gov/visionzero.
Tips for Walking Safely in Town Center
The City of Rockville’s Traffic and Transportation Division offers the following tips for navigating Rockville Town Center’s newly redesigned roadway safely as a pedestrian:
- Sidewalks can be used for travel in either direction.
- Cross the street at marked crosswalks.
- When crossing at an intersection, be mindful of motorists or bicyclists making turns. Pedestrians have the right of way in the crosswalk when the pedestrian signal is on.
- Walk, roll or wait outside of the bike lane.
Find more tips for safe driving, biking and walking under “Resources” at www.rockvillemd.gov/visionzero. Watch pedestrians put these tips in action: Visit youtube.com/cityofrockville and search “pedestrian tips.”
Learn more about Vision Zero-associated improvement projects at www.rockvillemd.gov/visionzeroprojects and more about biking in Rockville at www.rockvillemd.gov/bicycling.