harford county proposes sidewalk improvements

7/29/2019 Harford County proposes sidewalk improvements

1/86

HarfordCountyGovernment

DRAFTBICYCLEand

PEDESTRIANMASTERPLAN

J ANUARY 2013


2/86


3/86

TableofContents

Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 1

Setting.................................................................................................................................................... 1

ConsistencywithMasterPlan,elementplans,andotherregionalefforts........................................... 3

PlanningandPublicParticipationProcess............................................................................................... 5

HarfordCountyBicyclistSurvey............................................................................................................ 5

MarylandStatewideTravelPolicySurvey............................................................................................. 5

SafeRoutestoSchool............................................................................................................................ 6

Walk&BiketoSchoolDay.................................................................................................................... 6

CommunityandStakeholderParticipation........................................................................................... 7

MunicipalInitiatives............................................................................................................................ 11

GoalandGuidingPrincipals.................................................................................................................... 13

WhyWalkingandBicycling..................................................................................................................... 15

Health.................................................................................................................................................. 15

EnvironmentalSustainability............................................................................................................... 15

EconomicandSocialBenefits.............................................................................................................. 16

The5Es................................................................................................................................................... 17

Bicycle,PedestrianandMultiUseTrailNetworkAnalysis.................................................................... 19

OverviewofExistingConditions.......................................................................................................... 24

ProjectRecommendations...................................................................................................................... 33

RecommendedWalkwayImprovements............................................................................................ 33

RecommendedBicycle

Improvements

................................................................................................

38

RecommendedMultiUseTrailandRegionalLongDistanceBikewayImprovements....................... 40

RecommendedStudies........................................................................................................................ 43

PoliciesandStrategies............................................................................................................................ 45

BicycleandPedestrianNetworks........................................................................................................ 45

SupportFacilities................................................................................................................................. 48

WayfindingandSignage..................................................................................................................... 50

Programs............................................................................................................................................. 52

Implementation....................................................................................................................................... 57

APPENDIXA:BicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanAdvisoryCommittee................................................. 65

APPENDIXB:CommunityWalkMunicipalComments............................................................................ 67

APPENDIXC:CompleteStreetsGuidelines............................................................................................. 69

APPENDIXD:BicycleParkingFacilities.................................................................................................... 71

APPENDIXE:EducationandEncouragementPrograms.......................................................................... 75


4/86


5/86

ListofFiguresFigure

1

LocationMap................................................................................................................... 2Figure2 CommunityWalkMap..................................................................................................... 9

Figure3 NetworkNeedsAnalysisMap........................................................................................ 21

Figure4 CorridorEvaluationsMap.............................................................................................. 23

Figure5 FieldSurveyData........................................................................................................... 24

Figure6 DesignatedGrowthAreasMap...................................................................................... 25

Figure7 MDStateBicycleRoutes................................................................................................ 26

Figure8 SidewalkPrioritizationCriteria...................................................................................... 28

Figure9 BicycleProjectCriteria................................................................................................... 30

Figure10 TollgateRoadAnalysisMap .......................................................................................... 34

Figure11 924/EmmortonRoadAnalysisMap............................................................................... 35

Figure12 JoppaFarmRoad/TrimbleRoadAnalysisMap.............................................................. 36

Figure13 PedestrianProjects............................................................................................ 37and38

Figure14 BikeProjects.................................................................................................................. 39

Figure15 TrailNetworksMap....................................................................................................... 41

Figure16 MultiUseTrailandLongDistanceBikewayProjects..................................................... 40

Figure17 Ma&PaTrailMap......................................................................................................... 42

Figure18

Recommended

Studies

..................................................................................................

43

Figure19 ProposedStudyAreasMap............................................................................................ 44

Figure20 ImplementationMatrix.................................................................................................. 57


6/86


7/86

1

Introduction

Bicyclingandwalkingarefun,healthy,andnonpollutingformsoftransportation. Theyaresustainable

choicesbecausetheydonotconsumenaturalresources,andfacilitiesneededforthemcanlargelybe

providedbymodifyingexistinginfrastructure. Increasingthelevelsofbicyclingandwalkingcanhelpto

alleviate

traffic

congestion,

improve

air

quality,

and

improve

overall

community

health

while

also

providinganefficientoptionforshorttrips. Nevertheless,theautomobileremainsapreferred

transportationoptionforthemajorityofthetripsintheCounty.

HarfordCounty,likemostofitsneighbors,hasseenitsruralagrarianbasedroadwaysevolveintoa

networkofmajorroadsthatcrisscrosstheCounty. Oftenthedesiretoaccommodatecarshasresulted

inobstaclestosafe,efficient,andpleasurablewalkingandbicycling.

WhilebicyclingandwalkingarepopularrecreationalactivitiesinHarfordCounty,therearemanyplaces

intheCountywheretravelbybicycleoronfootaredifficult. Destinationsareoftenseparatedbymajor

roadwaysandmanydevelopmentsdesignedaroundculdesacsprecludeeasyconnectionsto

neighboringcommunities. Thesepatternsleavepeoplelittlechoicebuttousetheirautomobileswhen

runningerrands,takingtheirchildrentovariousactivities,orcommutingtowork.

InHarfordCounty,walkingandbicyclingareenvisionedaspartofacommunityscharacteraswellas

partofitsmultimodaltransportationnetwork. CommunitiesthroughouttheCountywillbeareaswhere

adultsandchildrencanchoosetowalkorridetheirbicycles witheasetoavarietyofdestinations

shoppingcenters,work,thelibrary,schools,anearbypark,thefarmersmarket,oraneighborshouse.

TheprimaryfocusofthisPlanistoincreasepedestrianandbicycleactivitythroughouttheCountyby

providingimprovementsthatofferdesirablelevelsofaccessibility,mobility,convenience,andsafety. By

supportingwalkingandbicyclingforutilitarian,recreational,andcommutingpurposesHarfordCounty

residentswillexperiencetheenvironmental,economic,health,andsocialbenefitsthatcomefrom

increasedbicycleandpedestrianactivity.

ThePlanexplainshowlocal,regional,StateandFederalplansandpoliciesinfluencebikeandpedestrian

planning. Italsolooksatthebenefitsthatsupportingactivetransportationoptionshaveonthe

environment,communityhealth,andsustainability. Itexaminesexistingconditions,itevaluatesfuture

needs,anditidentifiesprojectsandstudiestoimprovetheCountysbicycleandpedestriannetwork.

Buildingonthese,thePlanestablishespoliciesandstrategiestoaddressbicycle,pedestrian,andtrail

needs,anditincludesanimplementationsectiontohelpprovidedirectionandaccountabilityforthe

strategiesincludedinthisPlan.Alsoincludedisaseriesofappendicesintendedtoprovideadditional

informationaboutitemsandprogramsmentionedinthePlan.

Setting

HarfordCountyislocatedinthenorthcentralportionofMarylandattheconfluenceoftheSusquehannaRiverandtheChesapeakeBay. ItisboundedbyBaltimoreCountyonthewest,the

CommonwealthofPennsylvaniaonthenorth,theSusquehannaRiverontheeast,andtheChesapeake

Baytothesouth(Figure1).


8/86

95

1

40

8)152

8)165

8)136

8)22

8)5438)24

8)1618)23

8)155

BALTIMORE COUNTY

BALTIMORE

CITY

CECIL

COUNTY

KENT

COUNTY

BEL AIR

AB ERD EE N

HAVRE

DE

GRACE

SUS

QUEHAN

NA

RIVER

P E N N S Y L V A N I A

AB ER DE ENPROVING

GROUND

A. P.G.

BUSH

RIVER

CHESAPEAKE

BAY

Harford County, Maryland

.

LOCATION MAP

2Figure 1


9/86

3

TheCountyhasalandareaof440squaremilesor235,676acres,anditisthe11th

largestcountyin

Maryland. HarfordCountyisbisectedbytwophysiographicprovinces,thePiedmontPlateauandthe

CoastalPlain,withtheFallLineroughlyfollowingInterstate95(I95).ElevationsintheCountyrange

fromjustover800feetintherollingtopographyofthePiedmontthroughthegentleslopesofthe

CoastalPlaintosealevel.

Therearethreeincorporated municipalitiesinHarfordCounty,theCountyseatintheTownofBelAir,

andthecitiesofAberdeenandHavredeGrace. Eachofthemunicipalitiesidentifiesbicycleroutesand

pedestrianconnectionsintheircomprehensiveplans.

Asofthe2010Census,HarfordCountyhadapopulationof244,826. Thereareslightlymorefemales

thanmalesintheCounty,51%and49%respectively. ThemedianageintheCountyis39.4yearswith

12.5%oftheCountyresidentsbeing65yearsofageorolderand25%beingunder18years. According

totheAmericanCommunitySurvey(20062010),oftheworkingpopulationinHarfordCounty,83%

drivealonetowork,9%carpooled,1.6%usepublictransit,andjustunder2.5%useanothermeansof

transportation.Therearealso3.6%thatworkathome.

ConsistencywithMasterPlan,ElementPlans,andotherregionalefforts

TheHarfordCountyCharterrequirestheDepartmentofPlanningandZoningtoprepareandpropose

MasterPlans. Italsorequirestheinclusionofaseriesofelementsorcomponentswhichfurther

advancesthepurposesoftheMasterPlan. Eachoftheseelementsneedstodescribehowitrelatesto

theotherelementsinachievingtheoverallgoalsoftheMasterPlan.TheBicycleandPedestrianMaster

PlanwaspreparedpursuanttotheMasterPlanandaddressescurrentbicyclistandpedestrianconcerns

andservesasapolicyguidetoincreasingbicycleandwalkingactivitythroughouttheCounty. ThePlan

providesstrategiesthatinvolvethefiveEs Engineering,Education,Encouragement,Enforcement,

andEvaluation,anditidentifiesandprioritizesbicycleandpedestrianfacilityimprovements.

OtherplansadoptedbytheCounty,whichareintricatelyrelatedtotheBicycleandPedestrianMaster

Plan,arethe2010TransportationElementPlan,the2013LandPreservation,Parks,andRecreationPlan,

andthe2012LandUseElementPlan.The2010TransportationElementPlanrecognizedtheimportance

ofimprovingopportunitiesforwalkingandbicyclingaspartofatrulymultimodaltransportationsystem

andcallsforthedevelopmentofaBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlan. TheLandPreservation,Parks,

andRecreationPlanrecognizesthevalueoftrailsandsupportsthecreationofatrailsystemthat

includesconnectionsbetweenactivitycentersschools,employmentcenters,andshoppingareas. It

alsorecognizestheimportanceofgreenways,whichenhancethecharacteroftheCountybyproviding

opportunitiesforphysicalactivity.

TherearemanypublicbenefitsassociatedwithhavingaBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlan.

Investmentsinbicyclingandwalkingfacilitiescanhelptoalleviatetrafficcongestionandreducevehicle

emissions,whilealsoprovidingrecreationalandhealthbenefits. Theimportanceofprovidingwalkable

andbikeablecommunitieswasalsoemphasizedinthe2012MasterPlanandLandUseElementPlan.ProvidingfacilitiesthatofferactivetransportationoptionssupportsthePlansemphasisonsustainability

andoverallcommunityhealth. Inaddition,communitieswherehighlevelsofbicyclingandwalking

occurareconsideredtobeattractiveandfriendlyplacestoliveandwork,andthiscontributestothe

overallqualityoflifeexperiencedbyCountyresidents.

TheseplansrecognizetheimportanceofhavingaBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanasapartof

addressingtransportation,environmental,health,andsustainabilityissues.Theycallforestablishinga

builtenvironmentthatencouragesandsupportsactivetransportationchoices. Trails,bikewaysand


10/86

4

sidewalksshouldprovidesafeandconvenientconnectionstotransit,andtheyshouldcreatelinkages

betweenresidential,commercial,employment,recreational,andinstitutionaluses.

WiththedevelopmentofaBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlan,HarfordCountyjoinsotherjurisdictions

throughoutMaryland,andparticularlywithintheBaltimoremetropolitanregion, inrecognizingthe

benefitsthatcanbederivedfromincreasedlevelsofbicyclingandwalking.Inadditiontotheselocal

efforts,bicycleandpedestrianplanningissupportedbyeffortsattheStatelevel.

TheMarylandDepartmentofTransportation(MDOT)completedits20YearBicycleandPedestrian

AccessMasterPlanin2002. ThePlanisacomprehensiveguidetodeveloping,improving,and

maintainingbicycleandpedestriantravelinMarylandoveratwentyyearperiod. ThePlanlargely

addressestheconditionsforbikingandwalkingalongStatehighways. Yet,italsoservesasguidance

andacalltoactiontootherStateandlocalagenciesthatoverseelocal,federalandrelatedsystemsthat

canfosterbetterbicycleandpedestriantravelinMaryland.

Thiswasfollowedbythe2009MarylandTrails:StrategicImplementationPlanAGreenerWaytoGrow

(TSIP). TheTrailsStrategicImplementationPlanisMarylandscoordinatedapproachtoplana

connectedstatewidesharedusetrailnetworkthatservestheneedsofallMarylanders. Thepurposeof

theTSIP

is

to:

communicate

avision

for

trail

development

in

Maryland;

to

provide

policy

direction

for

partneragenciesandlocalgovernment;andtooutlineacoordinatedandstrategicapproachforclosing

gapsintheexistingsystemoftrails,forimprovingexistingtrailsandsupportingecoandheritagetourism

opportunities,andforensuringsmartplanningforfuturetraildevelopment."

TheMarylandStateHighwayAdministration(SHA)isfinalizingadraftBicyclePolicyandDesign

Guidelinesdocument. Thisdocument,whencompleted,willprovideguidancethatwillbebeneficialto

HarfordCountydecisionmakers.

TheseStateplansandinitiativesimpactHarfordCountysBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanbecausea

largeportionofHarfordCountysroadnetworkconsistsofStatehighways,andbecauseoftheState

ParksandtrailnetworkssuchastheLowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenwayandtheMaandPa

HeritageTrailthatarelocatedintheCounty.


11/86

5

PlanningandPublicParticipationProcess

Recognizingtheimportanceofencouragingbicyclecommuting,HarfordCountyhasparticipatedin

nationalBiketoWorkDaysince2003.ThisannualeventdrawscyclistsfromthroughouttheCounty,and

helpstodrawattentiontocyclistsaslegitimateusersoftheroadway.Eachyearaspartofthisevent,

cyclists

identify

their

commuting

route.

This

information

was

combined

with

surveys

conducted

in

2005

and2010toserveasastartingpointforunderstandingbicyclingandpedestrianneeds. Alsoin2010the

MarylandDepartmentofTransportationcontractedwithTooleDesignGrouptoconducttheMaryland

StatewideStudentTravelPolicyStudy. Completedin2011,thisstudyprovidedvaluableinsightintowhy

moreofMarylandsstudentswerenotwalkingorridingtheirbikestoschool. Theinformationobtained

fromtheseeffortswasusedbyPlanningandZoningstafftoinitiatethedevelopmentofthisPlanandthe

publicparticipationprocessthatisacriticalelementofplanninginHarfordCounty.

HarfordCountyBicyclistSurvey

BuildingonaBicyclistSurveyconductedin2005,theDepartmentofPlanningandZoningpartneredwith

HealthyHarfordandHarfordCountyCommuterAssistancein2010toconductanotherbicyclesurveyin

anefforttobetterunderstandcyclingactivitieswithintheCounty. Thesurveywasdesignedtogatherinformationfromcyclistsonwhattheyusetheirbicyclefor,whatroutestheyuse,whatissuestheyface,

andthegeneralconditionsofcyclingintheCounty. Thesurveyidentifiedgeneraltrendsandprovideda

profileofthecyclingcommunity,aswellaskeyissuesforfutureplanning.

The2010BicycleSurveyidentifiedsomeclearopportunitiesforincreasingbicycleridershipinHarford

County. Significantfindingsincluded:

95%ofsurveyrespondentsrideforrecreationandnearly60%ofthesecyclistsleavetheCountytoriderecreationally;

82%ofthesurveyrespondentsdrivealonetoworkeveryday,however42%ofthemindicatedthattheywouldconsidercyclingtowork;

90%ofrespondentsthinkthatbuildingmorebikewayswouldencouragemorecyclingCountywide;

60%ofrespondentswouldconsiderallowingtheirchildrentowalkorridetheirbiketoschooliftherewereadequatefacilities;

Only9%and13%ofrespondentshaveheardoftheWalkingSchoolBusProgramandtheSafeRoutestoSchoolProgram,however70%wouldconsiderallowingtheirchildrentoparticipatein

theseprogramsiftheywereavailable;and

Only23%ofrespondentswereawarethatHarfordTransitsLinkbusesaccommodatedbicycles.MarylandStatewideTravelPolicySurvey

TheprincipalobjectiveoftheprojectwastoprovideStateofficialswithanunderstandingofwalkingand

bicyclingpoliciesandpracticesatindividualschoolsandtorecommendstrategiesforaddressing

concerns. Thestudyconcludedthatstatewidetherewerenodirectprohibitionsagainstbicyclingor

walkingtoschool. Approximately60%ofschoolssurveyedneitherdiscouragenorencouragewalking

andbicycling. Theremaining40%weresplit;halfindicatingtheyencouragewalkingandbicycling,and

theotherhalfreportingtheydiscourageorprohibitthepractice. Surveyrespondentscitedlackof

infrastructure,traffic,andliabilityasreasonsfornotsupportingwalkingorbicycling. Thestudy

recommendedprovidingeducationaloutreachtoschoolofficialsincludingpromotingtheSafeRoutesto


12/86

6

SchoolProgram,identifyingstrategiesforaddressinginfrastructureconcernsinareasnearschools,and

assistinginthedevelopmentofpoliciesthatsupportwalkingandbicyclingtoandfromschool.

SafeRoutestoSchoolTheSafeRoutestoSchool(SRTS)program,administeredbytheFederalHighwayAdministration

(FHWA),was

established

in

August

2005

to

provide

technical

assistance

and

funds

to

states

to

improve

andincreasetheabilityofstudentstowalkandbicyclesafelytoschool.TheSRTSprogrampromotes

walkingandbicyclingtoschoolandaddressessafetyconcernsbyeducatingparentsandchildrenandit

partnerswithlocallawenforcementtomakesaferstreets. Thepurposesoftheprogramare:

Enableandencouragestudentstowalkandbiketoschool; Tomakebikingandwalkingtoschoolsaferandamoreappealingtransportationalternative

therebypromotingahealthyandactivelifestyle;and

Facilitateprogramstoimprovesafety,reducetraffic,fuelconsumptionandairpollutionnearschools.

EachstateadministersitsownSRTSprogramanddevelopsitsownprocedurestoseekandselect

projectsfor

funding.

The

program

establishes

two

distinct

types

of

funding

opportunities:

infrastructure

projects(engineeringimprovements)andnoninfrastructurerelatedactivities(suchaseducation,

enforcementandencouragementprograms). Infrastructureprojectscanincludelighting,trafficsigns

andsignals,turninglanes,shoulderimprovements,trafficcalming,medians,pavementmarkings,and

roadwayrealignments. InHarfordCounty,theSafeRoutestoSchoolprogramhasbeenadministeredby

theSheriffsOffice. SeveralrecentlocalSafeRoutestoSchoolprojectsincludeconstructionofanew

sidewalksegmentatEdgewoodElementarySchoolandconstructionofaraisedcrosswalkwithsolar

reflectorsatJoppatowneElementarySchool.

Walk&BiketoSchoolDayNationalBiketoSchoolDaybuildsonthepopularityandsuccessoftheInternationalandNationalWalk

toSchool

Day.

In

the

United

States,

National

Walk

to

School

Day,

originally

called

Walk

Our

Children

to

SchoolDay,wasfoundedin1997.ItiscelebratedeachOctoberasawaytobringcommunityleaders

andchildrentogethertobuildawarenessoftheneedforcommunitiestobemorepedestrianfriendly.

BuildingonthesuccessesofNationalWalktoSchoolDay,thefirsteverNationalBiketoSchoolDaytook

placeonMay9,2012,aspartofNationalBikeMonth. TheeventwasorganizedbytheNationalCenter

forSafeRoutestoSchool,inpartnershipwiththeLeagueofAmericanBicyclistsandencouragesand

celebratesbikingtoschool. Manycommunitiesandschoolshavebeenjoiningtogethertoholdwalkingandbikingeventsforyears,however,the2012eventwasthefirstopportunityforcommunitiesacross

thenationtojointogethertobicycletoschoolonthesameday. Schools,cities,bicyclegroups,and

publichealthorganizationsorganizedeventstohighlightandcelebratethebenefitsofwalkingand

bicyclingandtoencouragestudentstowalkorbicycletoschool. ElevenoftheCountys34elementary

schoolshave

participated

in

Bike

to

School

and

Walk

to

School

activities.

Most

notably,

Red

Pump

ElementarySchoolhadover300participantsintheirinauguralBiketoSchoolDayeventin2012,

accommodatingparticipantsbystoringbikesinthegymnasiumfortheday.


13/86

7

CommunityandStakeholderParticipation

BicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanAdvisoryCommittee

TohelpguidethedevelopmentoftheBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanatechnicaladvisory

committeewasformed. ThecommitteewasappointedbytheCountyExecutivein2011(AppendixA).

TheHarfordCountyBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanAdvisoryCommittee(BPAC) wascomprisedoftechnicalstafffromCounty,Stateandregionaldepartmentsandagenciesaswellasbicycleand

pedestrianadvocates. TheroleoftheCommitteewastoassistintheidentificationofimportant

destinations,connections,andneededbicycleandpedestriannetworks. Theywerealsoaskedto

indicatewheresafetyimprovementswereneeded,andwhereadditionalbikeandpedestrianamenities

shouldbeprovided. TheCommitteealsoreviewedthedraftPlantoensurethatitwasareasonableand

implementableplan. Inaddition,theCommitteewaschargedwithencouragingpublicparticipationto

helpensurethatabroadrangeofcitizeninputwasreceived.

FollowingtheadoptionofthisPlan,aformalBicycleandPedestrianAdvisoryGroup(BPAG)willbe

appointed,asrecommendedinthe2010HarfordCountyTransportationElementPlan. Thisadvisory

groupshouldconsistofcitizenvolunteersrecommendedbytheCountyExecutiveandappointedbythe

CountyCouncil. ThisgroupwillbechargedwithadvisingtheCountyExecutiveonpedestrianand

bicyclingissues.

TheBicycleandPedestrianAdvisoryGroupwillsupporttheCountyscommitmenttomakingbicycling

andwalkingsaferandmoredesirable,anditisasteptowardgettingBicycleFriendlyrecognitionbythe

LeagueofAmericanBicyclists. TheBicycleandPedestrianAdvisoryGroupshouldbecomposedof

representativesfromallbicycleandpedestrianstakeholdergroups,includingbutnotlimitedtoroad

cyclists,walkers seniors,peoplewithdisabilities,astudentrepresentativefromawalkablehighschool,

runners/joggers,mountaincyclists,andmunicipalrepresentatives.

ThechargeoftheBPAGcouldincludesomeofthefollowing:

DevelopandmonitorgoalsandindicesrelatedtobicyclingandwalkingintheCounty; Participateintheimplementation,evaluation,andupdate oftheCountysBicycleand

PedestrianMasterPlan;

ReviewandcommentonupdatestotheDevelopmentRegulationsandlongrangeplanningdocumentsastheyrelatetobicycleandpedestrianmatters;

Serveaspublicliaisonbetweenlocalgovernmentstaffandthepublic; Promotebicyclingandwalkingincludingsafetyandeducationprograms; PromoteandparticipateinBiketoWorkDay,WalktoSchoolDay,CarFreeDayandother

similarevents;and

IdentifyandparticipateinothereventstopromotewalkingandcyclingthroughouttheCounty.PublicWorkshop

BuildingontheinformationprovidedbytheBicycleandPedestrianAdvisoryCommittee,thepublic

inputprocessforthe2012BicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanbeganwithanOpenHouse/Workshop

conductedinMarch2012. Atthisworkshopparticipantslearnedaboutwhybicyclingandwalking

shouldbeencouragedandsupported,whataBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanshoulddo,andwhat

conditionssupportbicyclingandwalking. ParticipantswerealsoabletolearnabouttheCountys


14/86

8

existingbikewaysandtrailsandwherecommunityfacilitiesarelocated.Theywerealsoaskedtoprovideinformationonwhereandhowcommunitiesshouldbeconnected.ParticipantswerealsointroducedtoCommunityWalk,aninteractivemappingsitethatallowsuserstodesignatedesirableroutes,roadwaysofconcern,andalsocommentonavarietyofissuesrelatedtoencouragingsafeandconvenientwalkingandbiking. Thepubliccommentperiod,includingtheCommunityWalksite,wereopentothepublicforaperiodoftwoweeksfollowingtheworkshop.Over150commentswerepostedonthesiteandthesearereflectedinFigure2.CommentspostedontheCommunityWalksiteincludedchallengingintersections,missingsidewalks,enforcementconcerns,maintenanceissues,bicycleparking,etc. Thisonlineinteractivemapenabledparticipantstoidentifyspecificgeographiclocationswherethesecommentsapplied.Participantswerealsoabletocommentoneachothersposts. Informationfromthesitewasdownloadedtoanexternaldatabaseforanalysisandfieldwork. Itwassortedbytopic,location,andcommunityarea. Manyoftheroutes,missingsidewalks,anddifficultintersectionswereevaluatedduringthefieldworkefforts.Inaddition,theDepartmentmaintainedawebsitespecificallyfortheBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlan. InformationabouttheworkoftheAdvisoryCommitteewaspostedalongwithinformationfromthepublicinputprocess.AdraftPlanwasreleasedforpublicreviewinJanuaryof2013. ThePlanwasavailableonlineandfromtheDepartmentofPlanningandZoning. CommentsonthedraftPlanweresolicitedthroughacombinedonlineandpublicworkshopprocess. ApublicworkshopwasconductedinJanuary2013.ParticipantswereprovidedwithanopportunitytovisitaseriesofstationswheretheycoulddiscusstheproposedPlananditsprojectswithstaff. TheinformationprovidedattheworkshopwasalsomadeavailableontheDepartmentsonlinecommunitysite. Onthissite,citizenswereabletocommentonthePlan. ThisprocessencouragedcitizenstoidentifywhattheythoughtwasbestaboutthePlanandwhatitemsweremissingorinsufficientlyaddressed. AlloftheinformationandmaterialspresentedatthepublicmeetingwerealsoavailableontheDepartmentswebsite.InteragencyandInterjurisdictionalCooperationThisPlanwasdevelopedincooperationwiththemunicipalities,andregionalandStateentitiesinterestedinbicycleandpedestrianplanning. StafffromtheBaltimoreMetropolitanCouncilservedontheAdvisoryCommitteeandhelpedwithfieldworkefforts.Likewise,arepresentativefromtheMarylandDepartmentofTransportationalsoservedontheAdvisoryCommittee.CoordinationwiththemunicipalitieswasalsoimportanttoensurethatopportunitiestoprovidecontinuousconnectionsandconsistentsignagewereidentifiedandincludedinthePlan. Aspartoftheplanningprocess,meetingswereheldwiththemunicipalitiestohelpunderstandwhatfacilitiesandserviceswereavailableineachofthemunicipalities,whatadditionalimprovementswerebeingplanned,andwhereandhowtheywouldliketoseethemunicipalityandCountyfacilitieslinked. EstablishingandmaintainingstrongworkingrelationshipswithalloftheentitiesinvolvedwillfacilitatetheimplementationofthestrategiesandprojectsidentifiedinthisPlan.Whileeachofthemunicipalitiesaddressesbicycleandpedestrianplanningintheircomprehensiveplans,theyarealsoinvolvedinothereffortsthatrelatetothestrategiesputforthinthisPlan.Interjurisdictionalcoordinationwillplayamajorroleinthesuccessoftheseefforts. CommentsreceivedduringtheCommunityWalkprocess,whichapplytolocationswithinthemunicipalities,havebeenincludedinAppendixBalongwithmapsofmunicipalbicycleandpedestrianroutes.


15/86

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

dd

d

d

i

i

ii

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

i

95

1

40

8)152

8)165

8)136

8)22

8)543

8)24

8)161

8)24

8)23

8)155

BALTIMORE COUNTY

CECIL

COUNTY

SUSQ

UEHANNA

RIVER


ABE RDE EN

PROVING

GROUND

A.P.G .

BUSHRIVER

CHESAPEAKE

BAY


COMMUNITY WALK MAP

!G Bike Routes Comments

89:l Bike Signs Comments

IA Bike Parking Comments

d Dangerous Intersection

Enforcement

; Heavy Traffic Comments

Road Repair Comments

Sidewalks/Crosswalks Comments

i General Comments

Parks

.


16/86


17/86

11

MunicipalInitiatives

TheCityofAberdeenisoneofsevendesignatedTransitOrientedDevelopment(TOD)locationsinthe

State,anditisrecognizedasaSustainableCommunity. ThesedesignationsmakeAberdeenapriorityfor

considerationforprojectsthataddresssidewalkretrofitsandbikeways. TheCity,County,andtheState

workedtogethertocompletetheAberdeenStationSquareFeasibilityStudyasafirststeptowardthe

designandengineeringfortheAberdeenStationSquare. AnimportantcomponentofthisTODproject

willbetheincorporationofbicycleandpedestrianfacilities. Inadditiontoprovidingsafeanddirect

accessforpedestriansandcyclists,bicycleparkingandstorageneedtobeaddressed. Another

componentthatcouldcontributetothissitessuccesswouldbetheprovisionofabikesharefacility.

ThiswouldbeofparticularbenefittocommutersaccessingAberdeenProvingGround.

TheTownofBelAirwillbeinitiatingaBicycleandPedestrianPlanforareasinsidethecorporatelimitsin

2013. ThisprogramwillbedesignedtocloselyfollowthisPlan. Itwillbuildontheresearch,evaluations,

andpublicinputdevelopedduringtheCountysplanningprocess.

TheTownwillcoordinateconnectionsofpedestriantrails,bicyclefriendlyroutes,transitlinkagesand

otheralternativetransportationnetworkingopportunitiestocreateaseamlessandsynchronizedplan

forthefuture. Connectivity,safety,andawarenesswillbethegoalsoftheTownsplanandcontinued

closecoordinationwiththeCountyisamusttoachievetheseobjectives.

InHavredeGrace,theCitysGreenTeamispartneringwithalocalbikeshoptoidentifywaystoimprove

bicyclinginHavredeGrace. Theyareworkingtoidentifylocationswherebicycleparkingisneeded,

alongwithroutesthatwouldimproveconnectionstoAberdeenProvingGroundandSusquehannaState

Park.TheyarealsoconcernedwithimprovingthesafetyofpedestrianandcycliststhatcrossU.S.Route

40whichdividestheeasternandwesternportionsoftheCity.


18/86

12

THISPAGEINTENTIONALLYLEFTBLANK


19/86

13

GoalandGuidingPrinciples

GOAL: Createanenvironmentwherepeoplewillchoosetomakeridingabicycleorwalkingpartof

theireverydaylife.

Inherentinthisgoalarecertainguidingprinciplesthatwillbeincorporatedintothepoliciesand

strategiesincludedinthisPlan. Theyareanimportantpartofcreatinganactivetransportationnetwork

thatsupportsmobilityandahealthylifestyle. Residentsandvisitorsshouldbeabletowalkandride

withasenseofcomfortandsecuritywhetherforrecreationordailyactivities. Newandenhanced

facilitieswillhelptomakethesetripsmoreconvenient,andsignagewillhelpguidecitizensandvisitors

astheymovethroughouttheCounty.

ImprovemobilityItshouldbeeasierandmoreefficientforbicyclistsandpedestrianstomove

throughouttheCounty. Mobilityshouldbeenhancedforallusersandalltypesoftripscommuting,

recreationandutilitarian.Facilitiesshouldalsoimproveconnectionstotransit,asallHarfordLinkbuses

areequippedwithbicycleracks. Qualityintegrationamongtravelmodesisbeneficialinextendingthe

reachandcatchmentareaoftransitservicesparticularlyinlowerdensityareas. Italsowillhelpto

increasethedistancethatcanbecomfortablytraveledbyapedestrianorbicyclist.

IncreasephysicalactivityandprovidehealthbenefitsWalkingandbicyclingprovidemanyhealth

benefitsincludingenhancedcardiovascularfitness,reducingbodyfat,reducingstresslevels,improving

braincognitivefunction,andhelpingtofightobesity. ByprovidingHarfordCountyresidentswithmore

opportunitiestowalkorridetheirbikes,theCountywillbetakingasteptohelpitscitizensandvisitors

optforahealthierlifestyle. Formanyadultsandchildren,walkingorbikingtoschoolorworkisaviable

optionandcanbeasteptowardachievingrecommendedexerciselevels.

Provideanaesthetic,pleasantandmorecomfortablewalkingandbicyclingexperienceProvidinga

convenientandsafebicycleandpedestriannetworkisthefirststepinimprovingtheoveralluser

experience. However,amenitiesthatsupportcyclingandwalkingtendtoencourageuserstotravel

furtherdistances,andtheyhelptoencouragenewornonwalkersandcycliststoconsideractivetransportationasanalternativetotheirmotorvehicleforshorttrips.Convenientandsafebicycle

parking,signage,andstreetscapeimprovementscanbedecidingfactorswhentryingtoencourage

citizenstoutilizethebicycleandpedestriannetwork.

MonitorthenumberofpedestriansandcyclistsCentraltothedevelopmentofaBicycleand

PedestrianMasterPlanisthegoalofincreasingthenumberofwalkersandcyclists. BecauseHarford

Countyhasneverconductedbicycleorpedestriancountsthereisnobaselinefortrackingbicyclingand

walkingtrendsovertime,orforevaluatingtheimpactofprojects,policies,andprograms.However,the

availabilityofautomatedbicycleandpedestriancountingequipmentnowmakesgatheringthisdata

feasible. Systematiccountsundertakenforcyclistsandpedestrianscanprovideafoundationfor

monitoringchangesinthecyclingandwalkingcommunity,andtheycanprovideaframeworkfor

establishingfuturebenchmarks.

SafetyAlltransportationprojectsshouldtakeintoconsiderationthesafetyofpedestriansandcyclists.

Anemphasisshouldbeplacedoncorrectingconditionsatidentifiedhotspotintersections.

Awarenessoftherulesoftheroadandrecognitionofbicycleandpedestrianactivityshouldbe

emphasizedthrougheducationalprogramsandmediaoutreach.Theseeffortsshouldbedirected

towarddrivers,cyclistsandpedestrians,andtheyshouldhighlightwalkingandbicyclingasviableforms

oftransportationwhilereinforcingsafetyforallroadusers.


20/86

14

ImproveinterjurisdictionalconnectionsImprovementstotheCountysbicycleandpedestrian

networkneedtoincludeconnectionstofacilitiesplannedbythemunicipalities. Countyandmunicipal

representativesneedtocontinueanactivedialogueaboutplanningforbicycleandpedestrianactivity.

TheyalsoneedtocoordinatewithStateandregionalentitiestomaximizethepotentialfornon

motorizedinterjurisdictionaltravel. Consistencyinsignageandmapping,combinedwiththeprovision

ofothersupportingamenities,willmakeiteasierforvisitorsandresidentstobikeorwalkthroughout

theCountyandregion.

RecognizewalkingorbicyclingasviablemodesoftransportationEffortsshouldbemadetobalance

theneedsofpedestriansandbicyclistswiththeneedsofmotorvehicles,transit,andfreight. Walking

andcyclingshouldbeintegratedintotheCountysothertransportationmodes.Thesafecoexistenceof

pedestrians,cyclists,andmotoristsonroadsandbridgesisanissuethatneedstobeaddressed. Harford

CountyisintheuniquepositionthattheSusquehannaRiverpresentsabarriertobicycleandpedestrian

traveltotheeast. Itisanissuethathasbeendiscussedandstudiedforyears,andaddressingitisa

cruciallinkinassuringthattheEastCoastGreenwayisabletotraverseHarfordandCecilcountiesasit

providesatravelrouteforcyclistsandwalkersfromMainetoFlorida.

Community

support

Bicycle

and

pedestrian

facilities

should

be

an

amenity

for

the

community.

The

establishmentofnewpaths,lanes,sidewalks,ortrailsshouldconsidercommunityinputandshouldbe

respectfulofpropertyrights. Theyshouldbeplannedanddesignedtoprovideconvenientconnections

thatlinkneighborhoodsandencouragecommunityinteraction.Wellplannednetworksformthe

foundationforSafeRoutetoSchoolprograms,WalkingSchoolBuses,andwalkableandbikeable

communityschools,allofwhichrequirecommunitysupporttobesuccessful.

Cost/BenefiteffectivenessProjectsidentifiedinthisPlanshouldconsidercost,potentialuse,and

need. Whileformulascanbeappliedtodetermineanestimatedcostforprovidinganeeded

improvement,theintrinsicvalueofprovidingabicycleand/orpedestrianamenityismoredifficultto

determine. Latentdemandandlevelofcomfortinformation,whichisincludedinthe2010

TransportationElementPlan,providesastartingpointfordeterminingneed. Thepotentialimpactthat

proposedimprovementswillhaveoncitizensqualityoflifeandassociatedhealthbenefitscannotbeasclearlydetermined.

Whenconsideringthecosteffectivenessofaproposedproject,considerationneedstobegivento

capitalcostsandmaintenance/operationalcosts.Providingbicycleandpedestrianfacilitiesgenerallyis

lessexpensivethanmotorizedfacilities,andtheytendtobemorecostefficientinthelongrunbecause

theydonotexperiencethehighlevelofwearassociatedwithroadways.Wheneverpossible,

opportunitiestoincludenonmotorizedimprovementsintoscheduledroadprojectsshouldbe

considered,andbothpublicandprivatefundingpartnershipsshouldbeconsideredandsupported.

Environmentalbenefits Reducingthenumberofvehiclemilestraveledhelpstoreducecongestionand

theresultinggreenhousegasemissions. Italsohasanimpactonwaterqualitybyreducingoiland

petroleumproductcontaminantsthatenterthewatersystem,anditreducesourdependenceonnon

renewableresources. Reducingthenumberofvehiclemilestraveled,however,requiresajurisdictionto

offeritscitizensviabletransportationoptions. Sidewalksandpedestrianrouteshelppeoplegetfrom

theirhomestotheirdestinationsandtransitstops. Hiker/bikertrails,bikeways,andbicyclelanesalso

providecitizenswiththeoptionoftakingtheirbikeinsteadofdrivingtheircarformanytrips.


21/86

15

WhyWalkingandBicycling

Therearenumerousbenefitsthatcanbederivedfromprovidingawalkableandbikeablecommunity.

Walkingandbicyclingarehealthyandnonpollutingformsoftransportation. Theyaresustainable

transportationoptions,plusthereareeconomicbenefitstomakingcommunitiesmoreconduciveto

bicycling

and

walking.

It

is

in

the

best

interest

of

Harford

County

to

promote

these

forms

of

active

transportation,notonlyasapracticalnecessitybutalsoinordertoenjoythehealth,social,

environmental,andeconomicbenefitsthatareassociatedwithbicycleandpedestrianactivity.

Health

Plannersandpublichealthprofessionalshavebecomeprogressivelymoreconsciousthatagrowing

portionofthenationspopulation,includingmanychildren,lackregulardailyexercise. Walkingand

bicyclingareeffectivewaystoincreasephysicalactivityforpeopleofallagegroups. Physicalactivity

doesnotneedtobeverystrenuousforanindividualtogarnerconsiderablehealthbenefits.Evensmall

increasesinlighttomoderateactivitywillproducemeasurablebenefitsamongthoseindividualswho

areleastactive. Improvingactivetransportation optionsandpromotinganactivelifestylemayhelp

reversechronichealthconditions,highobesityrates,andimprovetheoverallhealthofHarfordCountycitizens.

Withobesitybeingarecognizednationalhealththreatandamajorpublichealthchallenge,providing

theseopportunitiesshouldbeapriority. InHarfordCounty,theneedforincreasedphysicalactivityhas

beensubstantiatedbytheworkofHealthyHarford,anonprofit501c3foundedin1993.Themissionof

HealthyHarfordistoimprovethehealthofHarfordCountycitizensbyhelpingpeopleleadmoreactive

lifestylesandimprovingtheirdailydiet. Since1996HealthyHarfordhascontinuallysponsoredthe

CommunityHealthAssessmentProgram(CHAP),acommunityhealthsurveyaimedatidentifyingand

prioritizingthehealthneedsofHarfordCounty. Thesestudieshaverepeatedlyshownthatasa

communitywelackadequatedailyphysicalactivity.

Inaddition,areportpreparedbytheHarfordCountyObesityTaskForcein2012showedthatHarford

County,similartotheStateandnation,hasexperiencedanoveralldeclineinthehealthofthelocal

community. Manyofthehealthproblemsarerelatedtopoordietandphysicalinactivity,and

supportingthiswasthefactthattheobesityrateinHarfordCountyincreased130%goingfrom11.4%in

199597to26.2%in200608. ThefinalreportoftheObesityTaskForcereleasedinOctober2012

recognizestheroleofthebuiltenvironmentasacomponentofahealthycommunityandhighlightsthe

importanceofprovidingconvenientandaccessiblepedestrianandcyclistsnetworks.

ProvidingwalkingandbikingopportunitiescouldhaveapositiveeffectontheoverallhealthofHarford

Countyresidentsbyimprovingtheiraccesstohealthyfoodsandrecreationalfacilities,andincreasing

theirphysicalactivitylevels.OneobjectiveofthisPlanistoimprovethehealthofHarfordCounty

citizens

by

making

it

easier,

safer

and

more

convenient

for

citizens

to

be

more

physically

active

by

walkingandbicycling. Thehealthbenefitsofregularphysicalactivityarewelldocumentedandinclude

reducedriskofcoronaryheartdisease,stroke,hypertension,diabetes,obesity,andotherchronic

diseases;lowerhealthcarecosts;andimprovedqualityoflife.

EnvironmentalSustainability

Reportsshowthatmotorvehicleemissionsaccountfor41%ofthetotalnitrogenoxideemissionsand

32%ofthetotalvolatileorganiccompounds(VOC)produced.Walkingandbicycling,ontheotherhand,


22/86

16

arecleanmodesoftransportation.Theycanyieldareductionintransportationrelatedairpollution

emissionsandtrafficcongestionwhilealsoincreasingmobility. Landusesandconnectivityplayan

importantroleindeterminingtheemissionreductionbenefitsassociatedwithsidewalksandbicycle

facilities. Byconstructingbicycleandpedestrianfacilitiesthatconnecthouseholdstodestinationpoints

suchasschoolsandparks,analternativetravelmodechoicecanbeprovidedforshorttrips. Thus

providinganopportunitytoreducethenumberofvehiclemilestraveled(VMT).

Pedestrianandbicyclefacilitiesalsosatisfysustainabilitygoalsbyreducingenergyconsumptionand

greenhousegasemissions. Inmostcases,utilizingbicycleandpedestrianfacilitiesforutilitarian

purposeswillimpactVMT. Whiletheeffectsonemissionsaregenerallymodestforpedestrianand

bicycleprojects,someresearchsuggeststhatpedestrianinfrastructureaswellastransitandurban

formlanduse maybethemosteffectivemeansofreducinghouseholdVMTandrelatedCO2.

EconomicandSocialBenefitsTheeconomicbenefitsofprovidingsafeandconvenientpedestrianandbicycleaccesstocommercial

centersisselfevident,butthereare qualityoflifebenefitsassociatedwithenhancedbicycleand

pedestrianactivitythatarealsolikelytogenerateotherindirecteconomicbenefits. Easeofaccessto

schoolsand

recreational

facilities

and

opportunities

to

bike

or

walk

to

work

all

contribute

to

the

quality

oflifethatbusinessesconsiderwheninvestinginalocation.Streetswherepeoplearevisiblecreates

vibrancyandincreasestheperceptionofsafety.Propertyvaluesalsotendtobehigherinwalkableand

bikeablecommunities,andhouseslocatedneartrailshaveahigherresalevaluethanthosenotlocated

neartrails. Communitiesthatofferthishighqualityoflifeareoneswherepeoplewanttolive.

Bicycletourismcanalsocontributetothelocaleconomy. WhilemanyCountyresidentsride

recreationally,thepotentialexiststoincreasethenumberofrecreationalridersthroughsupportforthe

EastCoastGreenwayandtheLowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenway,asbothofthesetrailnetworks

attractvisitorsfromotherareas. BicyclingandwalkingshouldbeanimportantpartofHarfordCountys

imageasafriendlyandwelcomingcommunity,anditshouldbemarketedthroughitstourismprograms.

Atthecommunityandregionallevel,bicycleandpedestrianinfrastructurecostsafractionoftotal

roadwaycosts. Bicycleparking,forexample,canbeprovidedatalowercostthanparkingfor

automobilesandcanoftenbeincorporatedintocurrentlyunusedspaces.Employeeswhobicycleto

workreduceparkingcostsandleavemoreparkingavailableforcustomers.

Onapersonallevel,bicyclingandwalkingcanbeacostsavingoptionforHarfordCountyresidents.

Theyprovideflexibleandinexpensivetransportationoptions. Bikescanrequirelessmoneytoownand

operateascomparedtoautomobiles,andbothwalkingandcyclingcanprovideafamilywithlower

transportationcostsintightereconomictimes. Botharefreetooperateandbicyclingrequiresminimal

maintenancecost.Mostpeoplecaneasilyacquiretheskillsnecessarytomaintainabicycle.

Makingimprovementstothepedestriannetworkisespeciallybeneficialtoseniors,peoplewith

disabilitiesandotherswhoaretransitdependent. Approximately27%ofHarfordTransitsLinkridership

iselderlyordisabled. Ridershipamongthesegroupshasincreasedover18%since2010soprovidingor

improvingconnectionstotransitservicewillhelpresidentsmaintaintheirindependenceandmobility.


23/86

17

The5Es

InorderforactivetransportationtobecomeaneffectiveandcomprehensiveoptionforCounty

residentstheBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanmustbecenteredonthe5EsEngineering,

Education,Enforcement,Encouragement,andEvaluation. Increasingcyclingandwalkingforutilitarian

reasons

and

recreation

requires

that

the

construction

of

quality

facilities

be

combined

with

education,

enforcement,andencouragementactivities.Thesuccessoftheseinitiativesshouldbemonitoredby

evaluationwhichtracksprogressbeingmade.

Engineeringdealswithbringingaboutchangestothebuiltenvironmentthroughthedesignand

constructionofphysicalfacilities.Itrelatestocreatingasafeandefficientactivetransportationnetwork.

Theseprojectscaninvolvemakingnewandexistingroads,trailnetworks,andcommunitiesbikeableand

walkable.Itinvolvescreatinganenvironmentwherecitizensfeelcomfortablecyclingorwalkingtotheir

destinationsthroughtheeliminationofhazardsandbarriers,andbyprovidingtheamenitiesthat

encouragetheseactivities.

Educationshouldinvolvetrainingformotorists,bicyclists,andpedestriansonthesafeuseoffacilities

alongwithraisingawarenessthatallarelegitimateusersoftheroadnetwork.Itisalsoimportanttoreducingthenumberandseverityofaccidents.Especiallyimportantforcyclistsiseducationaloutreach

thatpromotestheuseofhelmets,adequatelighting,reflectivegear,andtherulesoftheroad.

Publicperceptionmustbemanagedsothatmotoristsrecognizetherightsofbicyclistsandpedestrians,

however,cyclistsandpedestriansmustalsobeawareoftheirresponsibilitieswheninteractingwith

motorizedvehicles. Byteachingpedestrians,bicyclists,andmotoriststopracticesafebehavior,asafer,

morewelcomingactivetransportationnetworkcanbecreated. TheStreetSmartcampaign,which

focusesoneducationthroughmassmedia,isanexcellentexampleofaprogramdesignedtochange

driver,pedestrian,andcyclistbehavior.Inaddition,theMarylandDepartmentofTransportationhas

developedaSafeBicyclinginMarylandbrochurealongwithavideogearedtoadultriders.

Whileitisimportanttoeducatecitizensaboutsafewalking,biking,anddriving,theremustalsobeeffectiveenforcement. Enforcementisvitallyimportanttocreatingasafeactivetransportation

network. Aneffectiveenforcementprogramwilltakeabalancedapproachtoimprovingthebehaviorof

motorists,cyclists,andpedestrians. Whileapolicepresencecanservetoreinforcesafebehaviorby

motorists,itisalsoimportantthatbicyclistsandpedestriansfollowtrafficrules.

Encouragementaddressesthepromotionofbikingandwalkingasameansoftransportation. Itis

directlylinkedtoengineering,butitcanalsoinvolvesignage,maps,banners,incentives,andeventssuch

asBiketoWorkDayorNationalWalktoSchoolDay. Whileengineeringaddressesthe provisionof

networkfacilities,itcanalsoinvolveprovidingendoftripfacilitiessuchasconvenientandsecurebicycle

parking,showersandchangingrooms. Forthosecombiningwalkingorcyclingwithbus/train

commuting,coveredwaitingareasandassurancethattheycaneithertaketheirbikeonthebusortrain

orstoretheminlongtermparkingfacilitiesisalsoimportant.

Evaluationinvolvesathoroughanalysisofexistingconditionsandanongoingmonitoringofchanges. In

addition,thestrategiesincludedintheBicycleandPedestrianMasterPlanshouldbemonitoredand

evaluatedtodetermineifthePlanisachievingitsobjectivesandwhatstepsneedtobetakento

improvetheprograminthefuture. Regulardiscussionswithlocalbicyclingandwalkingclubsandother

stakeholdersalongwithaprogramtoconductbicycleandpedestriancountswillhelptoevaluateand

monitorthesuccessofthisPlansstrategies.


24/86

18



25/86

19

Bicycle,Pedestrian,andMultiUseTrailNetworkAnalysis

CommunityfacilitiesandcommercialservicesinHarfordCountytendtobeconcentratedandcentered

ontheI95/U.S.Route40andMDRoute24corridorsbecausetheCountyhassupportedadesignated

growthareasince1977.Ideally,residentslivinginthesecorridorsshouldbeabletotaketheirbikesor

walk

to

these

services.

However,

development

patterns

have

often

resulted

in

a

legacy

of

cul

de

sac

communities,disconnectedroadways,andhighvolume/highspeedhighwaysthatmakewalkingand

bicyclingchallenging.

Totryanddeterminehowtoencouragemorenonmotorizedtravel,anodemapwasdeveloped. On

themapaquartermileradiuswasplacedaroundidentifiedcommunityfacilitiesandservices.Asthe

circlesoverlapped,thecolordarkenedindicatingaconcentrationofservicesandfacilities.Theresultsof

thisanalysisarereflectedinFigure3.

AspartoftheCommunityWalkprogram,citizenswereaskedtoidentifylocationswhereadditional

bicycleandpedestrianfacilitiesorimprovementswereneededtolinktheirneighborhoodstothese

services. ThisinformationwasthencombinedwiththeNetworkNeedsAnalysisMapandavailable

bicycleandpedestrianaccidentdatafortheperiod20062010. Utilizingthisinformation,aseriesofcorridorswereidentifiedthatwouldbethefocusareasforfieldwork. AlloftheStatedesignatedbicycle

routeswerealsoevaluated. AmapdepictingtheareasevaluatedisprovidedinFigure4.

Overthecourseofseveralweeksstaffworkedinthefieldsurveyingandphotographingthesecorridors.

ExamplesofthedataevaluatedaredetailedinFigure5.


26/86

20



27/86

c5c5

c5

c5

c5

c5c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5c5

c5c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

c5

5

555

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5 55

5

55

55

5

55

5

5

5

5 555

5555

5

5

55

55

5

55

5

5 5555

5

555

5

5

55

5

5

5

95

1

40

8)152

8)165

8)136

8)22

8)543

8)24

8)161

8)24

8)23

8)155

BALTIMORE COUNTY

CECIL

COUNTY

SUSQUEHANNA

RIV

ER


ABE RDE EN

PROVING

GROUND

A.P.G .

BUSHRIVER

CHESAPEAKE

BAY


NETWORK NEEDS ANALYSIS

5 Schools

c5 Shopping Plaza

Parks

Node Analysis Area .


28/86


29/86

95

1

40

8)152

8)165

8)136

8)22

8)5438)24

8)1618)23

8)155

BALTIMORE COUNTY

BALTIMORE

CITY

CECIL

COUNTY

KENT

COUNTY

SUS

QUEHAN

NA

RIVER


AB ER DE ENPROVING

GROUND

A. P.G.

BUSH

RIVER

CHESAPEAKE

BAY


CORRIDOR EVALUATIONS

CORRIDORS

Joppa Farm Road

Rt. 22

Rt. 543

Rt. 7

Rt. 924

Tollgate Road

STATE BICYCLE ROUTES

.

BEL AIR

AB ERD EE N

HAVRE DE GRACE

23Figure 4


30/86

24

FieldSurveyData

Figure5

Thesefindingswerealsocomparedtotransitroutesandotheravailableinformationsuchasbicycle

comfortlevelsandlatentdemanddata.

OverviewofExistingConditions

Thepurposeofthissectionistopresentanoverviewofexistingfacilitiesasafoundationforfuture

improvements.ThemajorityofthepedestrianfacilitiestendtobelocatedintheCountysdesignated

growtharea.(Figure6).OutsideoftheDevelopmentEnvelopetherearelimitedsidewalknetworks,with

mostoftheseoccurringwithintheRuralVillages.Thereisacleardemarcationbetweentheruralareas

oftheCountyandDevelopmentEnvelopeasitrelatestopedestrianinfrastructure.

ThemajorityofthedesignatedbikeroutesintheCountyoccuronStateroads.Withtheexceptionof

U.S.Route40andasmallsegmentofMDRoute155,alloftheStatedesignatedroutesarelocatedinthe

ruralareasoftheCounty(Figure7). OtherStateroadssuchasMDRoute22andMDRoute543areused

bycyclists,andscatteredSharetheRoadsignshavebeenaddedtotheseroadsandothersthatarenot

includedintheofficialStateBicycleMap. Therearethreesectionsofdesignatedbikelanesinthe

County. ThesearelocatedonShoreDrive,TollgateRoad,andMDRoute22,butridersalsouseother

CountyroadsespeciallyinthemoreruralportionsoftheCounty.

MultiusetrailswithintheCountyarealsolimitedbuthavethepotentialtobepartofanactive

transportationnetwork. WhiletheDepartmentofParksandRecreationoversees17trails,mostof

thesearesmalllocaltrailsdesignedforrecreationalpurposes. Some,suchas theMaandPaHeritage

CorridorandtheLowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenway,connectdifferentareasoftheCountyand

havethepotentialtobeutilizedforbothrecreationandutilitarianuses. Others,liketheRiverside

CommunityTrail,providerecreationalopportunitiesforitscommunitymemberswhilealsoprovidingan

offroadlinktoshoppingandcommunityservices. In2012theHarfordCountyDepartmentofPublic

WorksandtheStateHighwayAdministrationinitiatedaprojectfortheextensionofthistrailnetwork.

FieldSurveyDatatoEvaluate(asappropriate)

Roadwayvehicletrafficvolumes;

Intersection

design,

roadway

and

road

shoulder

widths,

and

pavement

conditions;

Availableaccidentdata; Specialhazardstowalkingandcycling(potholes,draingrates,etc.); Crosswalk,sidewalk,andpathconditions(width,surfaceconditions,sightdistance,etc.); Curbcuts,ramps,andotheraccessfacilities; Presenceofparkedcarsadjacenttothetrafficlane; Bicycleparkingfacilitiesandotherservicesalongtrailsandbikeroutes; Security,cleanliness,vandalism,litter,andaestheticconditions; Presenceofactivityandservicecenters(schools,parks,shopping,etc.);and Landuses.


31/86

95

1

40

8)152

8)165

8)136

8)22

8)5438)24

HEAT

MO

HCC

MO

8)1618)23

8

)155

BALTIMORE

CITY

CECIL

COUNTY

KENT

COUNTY

BEL AIRAB ERD EE N

HAVRE DE GRACE

SUS

QUEHAN

NA

RIVER


AB ER DE ENPROVING

GROUND

A. P.G.

BUSH

RIVER

CHESAPEAKE

BAY


DESIGNATED GROWTH AREAS

Source: Harford County Planning & Zoning

.

BALTIMORE COUNTY

DEVELOPMENT ENVELOPE

HEAT CENTER

MIXED OFFICE

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

RURAL VILLAGES

MUNICIPALITIES

HEAT

MO

HCC

25Figure 6


32/86

95

1

40

8)152

8)165

8)136

8)22

8)5438)24

8)1618)23

8)155

BALTIMORE COUNTY

BALTIMORE

CITY

CECIL

COUNTY

KENT

COUNTY

SUS

QUEHAN

NA

RIVER


AB ER DE ENPROVING

GROUND

A. P.G.

BUSH

RIVER

CHESAPEAKE

BAY


MARYLAND STATE BICYCLE ROUTES

STATE DESIGNATED ROUTES

.

BEL AIR

AB ERD EE N

HAVRE DE GRACE

26Figure 7


33/86

27

PedestrianFacilities

Withinthemunicipalities,sidewalksgenerallyfollowagridpatternandconnecttothemunicipalcenter.

However,asdevelopmentmovesawayfromthedowntownareacommunitiestendtobecomemore

isolated nolongerdirectlylinkingresidentstoamenitiesandservices.

Outsideofthemunicipalities,sidewalkshavegenerallybeendesignedtoservelocalizedcommunityneeds. Manycommunitiesareinterconnectedandhavethepotentialtobecomeneighborhoodswhere

familiescouldwalktheirchildrentoschool,playgrounds,ortovisitfriends. Therearealsootherareas

wherecommunitiesareisolatedfromeachother,andthereisnosafeordirectwaytoaccess

neighborhoodorcommunityservices. Inadditiontoaddressingthesemissinglinksandprovidingmore

sidewalks,thereareotherareasthatneedtobeimproved. Roadwayswithhighvolumesoftrafficand

dangerousintersectionsneedtobeaddressedwithfacilitiesthatsupportsafepedestrianactivity.

Addressingneededimprovements,however,canbecomplicated,timeconsuming,andcostly. Insome

placeswheresidewalksareneeded,therightofwayendsandadditionallandacquisitionsarerequired.

Therefore,strategiesshouldbedevelopedtoobtaincooperationfrompropertyownerstocontinue

publicaccess.Inotherlocations,thetopographymakesitdifficultifnotimpossibletoprovidea

continuoussidewalkwithoutsignificantgrading,ortheconstructionofretainingwalls,roadculverts,

bridges,orelevatedwalkways.Utilitypoles,trees,fences,andmailboxescanalsointerferewitha

desiredsidewalklocation. Theredesign,relocationorevenremovaloftheseitemscanbeexpensive.In

addition,maintenanceissuesmustbeaddressedandthesecanrangefromvegetationtrimming,litter

andsnowremoval,tosidewalkrepairs. Buildingcommunitysupportforanyoftheseprojectsis

important,andcommunityoutreachwillbeincludedforproposedimprovements.

Aviablepedestrianplanseekstoaddresstheneedsandpreferencesofallwalkerscurrentand

potentialablebodiedanddisabled. Pedestrianneedstendtobelocalizedbecausewalkingtrips

generallyinvolveshorterdistancesthanbicycletrips.

Whenidentifyingprojectstoaddresspedestrianneeds,considerationshouldbegiventoblocklength

androadwaycrossingdistance. Otheritemstobeconsideredshouldincludethedirectnessofthe

connectiontoadestination,sidewalkwidth,pedestrianscaledlighting,streetfurniture,curbramps,

crosswalks,andpedestriancrossingsignals.Commentsreceivedthroughthepublicinputprocess

focusedonmissingsidewalksectionsandtheneedforcrosswalksorcrosswalkimprovements(see

Figure2).

AspartofthedevelopmentofthisPlan,theDepartmentofPlanningandZoningcompletedasidewalk

inventorybasedonaerialphotography. Thisinformationwascombinedwithdatacollectedbythe

DepartmentofPublicWorks,publiccommentsreceivedattheworkshopandonline,andinformation

providedbythemunicipalitiestohelpgeneratethefieldworkprojectlist. Asetofcriteriawas

combinedwiththefieldworktoevaluateandfurtherrefinetheprojectlist.Thecriteriausedisshownin

Figure8.


34/86

28

SidewalkPrioritizationCriteria

Criteria Measurement

LandUses Within1/8mileofaschool,park,ordestination(includeshospitals,

libraries,andotheruses)

Projectwithinmileofschool,park,ordestination

Projectwithinmileofschool,park,ordestination

Projectfurtherthanmiletoaschool,park,ordestination

Roadway

Classification

Principalarterial

Minorarterial

Collector

Demand Existingdemandpath

Noexistingdemandpath

Transit Within1/8mileofabusrouteorrailstop

Projectwithinmileofabusrouteorrailstop

Projectwithinmileofabusrouteorrailstop

Projectfurtherthanmileofabusrouteorrailstop

Figure8

BicycleFacilities

WhilecyclistsridethroughoutHarfordCounty,onlytwotypesofonstreetfacilitiesexist. Bikeroutes,

whicharesignedroutesonroadways,andbikelaneswhichareastripedlanewithmarkingsonthe

roadwaydesignatingthelaneforpreferentialorexclusiveusebybicyclists.

Alongsomebikeroutes,thetravellaneissharedwithmotoristswhileothershavewideshouldersthat

riderscanuse. Signagedenotesroutesanddestinationsalongtheapproximately54milesofdesignatedbicycleroutesinHarfordCounty.

AddingmoreSharetheRoadorBicyclesMayUseFullLane(R411)signagewouldbeafirststepin

improvingconditionsalongtheseroutes. Theywouldhelptoincreasetheawarenessofdriversabout

thepotentialofcyclistsontheroadway,whilealsowarningmotoriststhatbicyclesmaybeoperating

anywherewithinatrafficlane. ThenewR411signsremindroadusersthatbicyclistsmayrideinthe

centerofatravellanewhenthelaneistoonarrowtosharewithmotorvehicles. Thisisimportant

becausemanydriverslearnedtodrive(andbike)backwhencyclistweresupposedtokeeptotheright.

Whilesharrowsorsharedroadmarkingsinthetravellanes isanotheroption,withoutappropriate

drivereducationthemarkingshavethepotentialtobemisunderstood.Asawarenessaboutsharingthe

roadimproves,considerationshouldbegiventoinstallingsharrowsinappropriateareassuchasthe

municipalitieswheretrafficspeedsarelower.

ThereareapproximatelytwomilesofbikelanesdesignatedintheCounty,andtheselanesarelocatedin

JoppatowneonRumseyIsland,onTollgateRoadinAbingdonandasmallsectiononMDRoute22in

Churchville.


35/86

29

Designatedexclusivelyforbicycletravel,theselanesareseparatedfromvehiclelaneswithstriping,and

theyaredenotedbypavementmarkingsandsigns. Whiletheyhelptoseparatebicyclistsfrommotor

vehicletraffic,thephysicalconstraintsoftryingtofitbikelanesintoexistingrightsofwaycanbea

limitingfactorduringretrofits. Theleastexpensiveandintrusivemethodistonarrowvehiculartravel

lanesandrestripetheroadwithbikelaneswherepossible.

Toencouragemorecycling,HarfordCountyshalldevelopacomprehensiveapproachtoimprovingits

bikewaynetwork. Considerationshouldbegiventoexaminingthepossibilitiesofestablishinganinter

connectedsystemofonroadandoffroadbikeways. Signageandpavementmarkingsareanimportant

step,butlongertermimprovementsthatarepartofacomprehensivenetworkshouldbeaddressed.

WhileStatelawgivesbicycliststherighttorideonmostroadways,thedesignofroads,intersections,

andinterchangescombinedwiththevolumeandspeedoftrafficcandiscouragebicycling.Toencourage

bicycleuse,ahigherlevelofbicycleaccommodationisrequired. Theimprovementthatismost

appropriatewillbebasedonacost/benefitanalysis,alongwithconsiderationofthepatternof

developmentinthearea.

IntheruralareasoftheCounty,mostcyclistsrideforrecreationalpurposes. Theseareasoftenattract

experiencedcycliststhatappreciatethechallengingtopographyandlowervolumesoftraffic. These

samefactors,however,tendtoencouragedriverstotravelatspeedsexceedingthepostedlimits,thus

presentingchallengesforcyclists.

Alsointheseareasmanyoftheroadshavenarrowornoshouldersforcingriderstosharetheroadwith

motorvehicles. IntheruralportionoftheCounty,mostoftheimprovementswillbeachievedvia

signageandeducation. Insomeplaces,however,theneedforlanewidening/shoulderswillbe

identifiedandprovidedwheredeemedappropriate.Tobestdeterminetheapproachtotake,itwould

behelpfultoconductbicyclecountsandtoevaluatecrashandinjuryrecordstoseewhetherornot

higherthanexpectedincidentsoccurontheCountysruralroadways. Thesestudiescouldprovide

insightintothemostappropriatewaytoaccommodateallusers.

WithintheDevelopmentEnvelope,signageandeducationarealsoimportant.Initialimprovementsto

thebikenetworkshouldfocusonsafety,fillinggapsinthesystem,formalizingroutesusedbycyclists,

andimprovingaccessbetweenresidential,employment,civic,andcommercialdestinations. The

impactsoftrafficvolumeandspeedalongwithidentifieddifficultintersectionsshouldalsobe

considered.CommentsreceivedontheCommunityWalksiteverifiedthesepoints(seeFigure2).

Inadditiontothephysicalnetwork,bicycleneedsandpreferencesalsovarybasedonskilllevelsand

triptypes. Thetendencytobicyclevariesfrompersontopersonandcanprovideinsightintohowto

potentiallyincreasebicyclingrates. Generally,bicyclinglevelsareclassifiedintofourcategories:

Peoplewhowillrideonalmostanyroadwaydespitethetrafficvolume,speedandlackofbikeway

designation.

Studies

indicate

this

is

the

smallest

percentage

of

riders.

Peoplewhowillrideonmostroadwaysiftrafficvolumesandspeedsarenothigh.Theseridersareconfidentinpositioningthemselvestosharetheroadwaywithmotorists.


36/86

30

Peoplewhowillrideifbicyclefacilitiesareprovidedonroadwayswithlowtrafficvolumesandspeeds. Theseridersaretypicallynotconfidentcyclingwithmotorists.Studiesindicatethisis

thelargestpercentageofriders.

Peoplewhowillnotconsidercyclingaspartoftheirtransportationorrecreationaloptions.1Implementationofengineeringimprovementsalongwitheffectiveeducationalandencouragement

programscanconvertnoncyclistsintobicycleridersandlessskillednoviceridersintocompetentand

confidentbicyclists.

Designatedbikeroutes,suggestionsmadethroughtheCommunityWalkprocess,andinformation

providedbythemunicipalitieswerecombinedandthenevaluatedagainstaccidentdata,latentdemand

information,levelofcomfortdata,andtheDepartmentsnodeanalysistoidentifyareaswherebicycle

improvementshadthepotentialtoprovidethemostbenefits.Thisanalysiswasusedtogeneratea

fieldworkprojectlist. Asetofcriteria,alongwithfieldwork,werethenusedtoevaluateprojects.The

criteriausedareshownbelowinFigure9.

BicycleProjectCriteria

Criteria Measurement TechnicalNotes

System

Connectivity

Projectwithinmileofexistingbicyclefacilities Usedradialdistanceforall

determinations

Projectwithinmileofexistingbicyclefacilities Usedradialdistanceforall

determinations

Projectprovidespartialconnectionwhereno

facilitiesexist

Visualanalysisoflocationswhere

streetconnectivityispoor

Projectfurtherthanamilefromexisting

facilitiesordoesnotconnecttotheexisting

system

Visualanalysisoflocationswhere

streetconnectivityispoor

LandUses Projectwithinmileofschool,parkordestination

BasedonNodeMapanalysis

Projectwithinmileofschool,parkor

destination


Projectfurtherthanmilefromaschool,park,

ordestination


Benefit Providesconnectiontocommunityservicesand

facilities,transit,orneighboringcommunity

Basedonmapreview

Providesconnectiontoamunicipality Based onmapreview

Providesconnectionwithincommunity Basedonmapreview

Doesnotprovidecommunitybenefits Basedonmapreview

Cost

Effectiveness

Sufficientspaceforabikeroute Basedonproposedprojecttype

Otheronstreetfacility(additionalreview

required)

Basedonproposedprojecttype

Offstreetfacility Basedonproposedprojecttype

Figure9

1Roger Geller, Bicycle Coordinator, Portland Oregon in The Transportation Agency for Monterey County Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan 2011


37/86

31

MultiuseFacilities

TrailsinHarfordCountyaregenerallyconsideredrecreationalamenities;however,theycanbean

integralpartoftheCountysbicycleandpedestriannetwork. Thepresenceofthesefacilitiestendsto

increasethecommunitysinterestinwalkingandbicycling,andtheabilityofadditionalfacilitiesto

attractnewusersishigh. Ideally,multiusetrailsshouldbeplannedtoservemultiplegoalsrecreation,

transportation,andeconomicdevelopmentwhilealsobeinganamenityforthesurrounding

neighborhoods.

WhiletrailplanningisincorporatedintotheLandPreservation,Parks,andRecreationPlan,itsroleasa

componentofanactivetransportationnetworkcannotbeoverlooked. The2010Transportation

ElementPlanrecognizesthisfactandincludesspecificpoliciesandstrategiestoaddressfuturetrail

needs.TheLowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenwayforexample,supportstheEastCoastGreenway

network,andtheMaandPaHeritageCorridorcouldprovideanoffroadrouteintoBelAir,thereby

providingaccesstolocalservices,andCountyandcommuterbusservices.

Planningforandultimatelyconstructingthesefacilities,however,isoftendifficult. Manytimesthe

corridorsthatappearsuitableformultiusetrailsdonotprovidethemostdirectroutesbetween

populationcentersandindemanddestinations.Inaddition,oncealocationisidentifiedthenland

acquisitionshavetooccuroftenfrommultipleowners,andenvironmentalissuesmustbeaddressed.

Anothermajorissuethatfrequentlyarisesiscommunityopposition. Whilestudieshaveshownthat

propertiesadjacenttoorinproximitytotrailnetworkshaveincreasedinvalueandareconsideredan

attractionbyhomebuyers,winningcommunitysupportcanbedifficultandtimeconsuming.

InputreceivedduringtheCommunityWalkprocessemphasizedtheneedforthecompletionoftheMa

&PatrailinBelAirandtheestablishmentofanorthernsectionintheWhitefordarea. Alsoidentified

wereotherareaswheretrailnetworksweresuggested. LocatedinsideandoutsideoftheCountys

designatedgrowtharea,allofthesetrailscouldprovideopportunitiesforphysicalactivityandserveasa

connectiontoservices.


38/86

32



39/86

33

ProjectRecommendations

Evenwhenbicycleandpedestrianinfrastructurecanbeincorporatedintoaproject,maintenanceand

possiblyretrofittingofthebuiltenvironmentremainasissuesneedingtobeaddressed.Maintenance

requiresanongoingcommitmentbyallparties,andretrofittingfacilitiestobetteraccommodate

bicyclists

and

pedestrians

requires

careful

planning

and

the

consideration

of

where

users

want

to

go,

howfartheyarewillingtowalkorbike,andthefeasibilityofprovidingmissingconnections. Citizen

inputmustalsobeconsidered,andtheDepartmentsofPublicWorksandPlanningandZoningwillwork

togethertosolicitinputasappropriate.

Withtheseconsiderationsandtheanalysisdiscussedintheprevioussection,thissectionidentifiessome

initialstepsforimprovingtheCountyssystemofwalkwaysandbikeways. Therecommendedprojects

builduponexistingconditionsandongoinglocalandregionalplanningefforts,andtheyreflectthe

inputreceivedfromtheBicycleandPedestrianAdvisoryCommittee(BPAC)andthecommunityduring

thepublicinputprocess(Figures10,11and12). Whilethisisnotacomprehensivelistofneeded

improvements,itdoesprovideastartingpointforaddressingbicycleandpedestrianneeds,andit

focuseson:

Connectingneighborhoodstotransit,adjacentactivitycenters,andclosing gapsbetweenexistingfacilities;and

Facilitatingtravelbetweenresidentialneighborhoodsandkeyemployment,recreation,andeducationalfacilities.

Inputtingtogetheralistofprojectsforthisplan,itwasnotpossibletospecificallyidentifyneeded

improvementsinsomeareas. Asaresultofthescopeofthepotentialprojectsandthemultipleparties

thatwouldneedtobeinvolved,aseriesofstudiesarealsorecommended. Inaddition,AppendixB

includesalistofcommentsandrelatedprojectneedswithinthemunicipalitiesthatwereidentified

duringthepublicinputprocess.

RecommendedWalkwayImprovements

TherecommendedimprovementsforthepedestriannetworkbuildupontheCountyandmunicipal

systemofsidewalksandfocusoncreatingpedestrianfriendlycommunitiesthatsupportanactive

lifestyle.Theprojectsincludenewconstructionwheresidewalksarelackingandindividualspot

improvementssuchascrosswalks,signage,pedestriansignals,curbcuts,pedestrianrefugeislands,or

transitpads(Figure13).Thepedestrianprojectlistshouldbereevaluatedandreprioritizedeverytwo

yearstoensurethatneededimprovementsandprojectsarebeingaddressed.


40/86

P

cS

TO

L L

GATER

D

GERRD

RT.2

4

RT.924

PLUM

TREER

D

WR

ING

FACTO

RYRD

I95

S

WHEEL

RD

PATT

ERSONMI

LLRD

ACPH

AIL

RD

CR

ISFIELD

DR

STOL

LGATERD

SINGERRD

EMMORTONRD

Tollgate Road


Tollgate Rd. (from Rt. 1 to Rt. 24)

Conduct a corridor study to reconfigurethe road to better accomodate bicyclist.

Complete sidewalk from Crisfield

Drive to Constant Friendship.

Ensure multi-use path at

Abingdon Library meets ADA

regulations.

Complete sidewalk from Singer

Road to Ashton Lane near AbingdonElementary School.

Legend

Analysis Area

c LibraryP Hospital

Schools

Community Center

Park

Improve pedestrian crossings at

roundabouts an d throughout

corridor.

0 0.5 10.25 Miles

C

C

C

34Figure 10


41/86

c

RT.2

4

WHEELRD

SINGERRD

PLUMT

REERD

EMACPHAILRD

PATT

ERSO

NMILLRD

ERI

NGFA

CTORY

RD

LAURELBUSHRD

WOODSDALER

D

WRIN

GFA

CTORY

RD EM

MORTO

NR

D

RT. 924- Emmorton Road


Complete sidewalk al ong

MacPhail Road from Rt. 924

to Edgehill Drive.

Make pedestrian improvements atRt. 924 and Singer Road to ensure

intersection meets ADA regulations.

Complete crosswalk improvements

at Rt. 924 and Box Hill Center.

Complete crosswalk improvements at

Rt. 924 and Wheel Road &

Bel Air South Parkway.

Study: MacPhail Road

(from Route 924 to Route 24)

as a potential bicycle/pedestrian

path.

Legend

Analysis Area

c Library

P Hospital Schools

Community Center

Park

C

CC

0 0.5 10.25 Miles

Figure 11 35


42/86

n

n

n

n

n

c

TRIMBLERD

PULASKIH

WY

JOPPA

FARMRD

JOPPARD

SHORED

R

PHIL

ADEL

PHIAR

D

DEMBYTOWNRD

FOSTER

KNOLL

DRANCHORDR

TOWNECEN TERD

R

BARKSDALE

RD

P I N

E Y

P O I N

T R

D

KEARN

EY

DR

Legend

Analysis Area

c Library

n Schools

Neighborhood Center

Community Center

Parks

Ensure intersection at Joppa Farm and Trimble Rd.

meets ADA regulations.

Make pedestrian improvements to encourage

students to safely walk to school (at Hinton and

Joppa Farm intersection).

Place Pedestrian Crossing signage on

Trimble Road at Copenhaver Park.

Complete a corridor study to improve walking and

cycling opportunities along Joppa Farm Road (from

US Rt. 40 to Haverhill.)

Intersection of Kearny & Joppa Farm Rd- Paint a

crosswalk and place Pedestrian Crossing signage.

Joppa Farm Road/Trimble Road


0 0.5 10.25 Miles

C

C

N

N


43/86

37

PEDESTRIANPROJECTS

Location ProjectDescription

TollgateRoad Throughoutcorridoraddmissingsidewalksegmentsand

update/improvepedestriancrossings(ex.MelroseWay,Singer,etc.)

TollgateRoad ImprovemultiusepathatAbingdonLibrarybycorrectinguneven

surfaces

and

realigning

crosswalks

SingerRd.toAshtonLane Constructapproximately1500linearfeetof sidewalkontheeastsideof

TollgateRoadandapproximately1700linearfeetofsidewalkonthe

westsideofTollgateRoadtoserveAbingdonElementarySchool

CrisfieldDr.toConstant

FriendshipBlvd.

Constructapproximately1500linearfeetofsidewalkontheeastsideof

TollgateRoadandapproximately1600linearfeetofsidewalkonthe

westsideofTollgateRoad.

MacphailRoad Constructapproximately600linearfeetofsidewalkfromRoute 924to

Edgehill toserveHomestead/WakefieldElementarySchool

TrimbleRoad Constructapproximately900linearfeetofsidewalkontheeastside

fromMD152toMagnoliaElementary

TrimbleRoadatCopenhaver

Park

Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markingsor signals)

VanguardandTodd Establishawalkwayalongtheexistingpathtoshoppingcenter

MD543 Hendersonto

Leeswood

Constructapproximately2000linearfeetofsidewalk ontheeastsideto

serveC.MiltonWrightHighSchool

MDRoute755 ConstructsidewalkfromWilloughbyBeachRoadtoMARCstation

Route543 Constructapproximately1400linearfeetofsidewalkfromGilmerWay

toChurchCreekRoad

JoppaFarmRoadandHinton Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markings,orsignals)toserve

JoppatowneHighSchool

USRoute40andBataBlvd. Add/improvecrosswalkandprovidetransitstopwaitingareaonRt.40

RiversideCommunityTrailat

GreysRunCircle

Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markings,orsignals)

RiversideDeclarationWayat

playground


ChurchCreekRoadand

BaneburyDrive

Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markings,orsignals)toserve

ChurchCreekElementarySchool

StaffordRoad Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markings,orsignals)toserve

DarlingtonElementarySchoolandFrancisSilverPark

MD136fromMainSttoMD

165(Whiteford)

Constructapproximately1400linearfeetofsidewalkonthenorthside

MD440(DublinRoad)and

MD136

Improvecrosswalk(signage,markingsorsignals)andconstructmissing

sidewalklink

MDRoute22 AddpedestrianimprovementsasnotedinRoute22CorridorStudy

BerettaWayandRedfield

Road

Improvecrosswalk(signage,markings,orsignals)toserveFountain

GreenElementarySchool

WeatherbyandDerringer Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markings,orsignals)toserve

FountainGreenElementarySchool

BoxHillSouthParkwayto

BoulevardatBoxHill


Route40atBataBlvd. Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markingsorsignals)toserve

MTAcommuterbusservice


44/86

38

PEDESTRIANPROJECTS


MDRoute24and

USRoute1

Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markingsorsignals)

Business1atAtwood Improvecrosswalk(signage,markingsorsignals)

Route

924

and

Bel

Air

South

Parkway Add

crosswalk

improvements

(signage,

markings

or

signals)

to

serve

MTAcommuterbusservice

Route924andSinger Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markingsorsignals)

Route924andWheelRd. Addcrosswalkimprovements(signage,markingsorsignals)

Figure13

RecommendedBicycleImprovements

ManyoftheroadwaysinHarfordCountycanbemodifiedtobemorebicyclefriendly.Severaloptionsto

consideraremarkingshouldersforbikeuse,bikelanestripping,sharedlanemarkings,andother

signage.Wheretheexistingpavedshouldersarewideenoughtoaccommodatecyclistsitmaybe

feasibletoidentifytheseareasasbicycleroutes.

WithintheDevelopmentEnvelope,HarfordCountyhasalargenumberoflowervolumestreetswith

postedspeedlimitsof25mph. Withtheadditionofsomerelativelysmallscaletreatments,manyof

thesecouldbecomecyclistfriendlytherebyprovidingopportunitiestoconnectneighborhoodsand

communitieswithnearbyservicesandfacilities.

AnotheroptionforimprovingtheCountysbicyclenetworkwouldinvolvededicatedmultiuseside

paths. Whilethisplantendstofocusonthedevelopmentofanonstreetnetwork,insomelocationsan

offroadoptionwouldbeideal. Thiswouldbeareaswherethevolumeandspeedoftrafficaretoohigh

tosafelyaccommodatecyclists.

Inruralareas,theCountyshouldevaluateroadsfortheadditionofsharetheroadsignage. Aspartof

thisevaluation,theCountyshoulddevelopcriteriathattakeintoconsiderationavarietyoffactorssuchasroadspeed,width,andtheusefulnessofthisdesignation.Routesbeingconsideredshouldgenerally

belowvolumeandlowspeedroads.Theymayalsoberoadwaysthatareconstrainedbyotherfactors

suchastopographyortheirproximitytostreamsorotherenvironmentallysensitiveareas,thusmaking

wideningimpractical. Asmaintenanceworkisdoneontheroads,designationstosupportbicycleuse

shouldberetainedandenhancedtothemaximumdegreepossible.

BecausethepotentialofconstructingnewroadwaysintheCountyislimited,bicyclefacility

improvementsaremostlikelytooccurinconjunctionwithanupgradeorotherimprovementproject.

Theprovisionofbikelanesshouldalsobeconsideredaspotentialmitigationforneededlevelofservice

improvementsinareaswherestudieshaveidentifiedaneedforbicycleimprovementsaspartofa

multimodalapproachtoreducingvehiclemilestraveled.

TheprojectsidentifiedinFigure14provideaninitialstepforimprovingtheCountysbicyclenetwork.

Theybuilduponexistingconditionsandongoinglocalandregionalplanningefforts,andtheyreflectthe

inputreceivedfromtheBPACandthecommunityduringthepublicinputprocess. Theprojects

recommendedaddresstwoperspectivesimprovingconditionsforutilitariantripsandrecreational

riding. Aswiththepedestrianprojectlist,theseprojectsshouldbereevaluatedandreprioritizedevery

twoyearstoensurethatneededimprovementsandprojectsarebeingaddressed.


45/86

39

BIKEPROJECTS


TollgateRoadfromRoute 1to

Route24

Reconfigureroadtoaccommodatebicyclistsbyprovidingminimum

bikelanewidths,improvedroundabouts,reducedvehiclelane

widths,etc.

ToddRoad fromBrierhillto

Brunswick

Consideraddingedgelinestripping

BrierhillDr/EastMacPhailfrom

MD22toMD924


EconDrivefromAgoraDriveto

MooresMillRoad


ThomasRunRoad EvaluateforR411orShareTheRoadsignageandaddasappropriate

ProspectMillRoad EvaluateforR411orShareTheRoad

harford county proposes sidewalk improvements

Documents