New Intersection Design in Montgomery County Improves Pedestrian Safety
November 18, 2019Transportation planners in Montgomery County, Maryland are committed to making their roads safer for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. The Montgomery County executive officials from the Department of Transportation and the Planning Board announced plans for a protected intersection at Spring Street and Second Avenue in Silver Spring. The protected intersection includes a four-way stop and curved island that encourages drivers to slow down when making turns. These improvements are known to be effective at making pedestrians and cyclists more visible to other vehicles and improving their safety.
According to a senior planner with the Montgomery Department of Transportation, speeding is a major factor when it comes to serious collisions. These protected intersections have a much better safety record when it comes to reducing speed. In addition to the four-way stop and the curved islands, there are separate bike lanes that are painted lime green for increased visibility.
The intersection is part of a 1.5-mile bike loop that started in 2016. The loop includes a pathway of protected lanes along Wayne and Second Avenue, which connect with a constructed section of road along Spring and Cedar Street. This connects to the Silver Spring Transit Center on Colesville Road. Despite the safety benefits of protected intersections, there are approximately three dozen in the United States, the closest of which are in Atlanta and Boston.
High-Profile Cycling Deaths
After several high-profile cycling deaths, safety officials say that protected intersections are a potentially life-saving tool that protect cyclists and pedestrians by keeping them separated from oncoming traffic. The concrete barriers and plastic posts also prevent motorists from being able to park in a bike path. According to a County Executive, there are plans to add this feature to county roadways as well. These safety projects are so important because cyclists often suffer extremely serious, if not fatal injuries, if they are involved in a car accident. Since there is nothing except their helmet protecting them from the impact of the vehicle, victims can suffer severe injuries even if the car was not traveling at a high speed. Like any major construction project, creating roads that are safe and bike-friendly is an expensive proposition. The Silver Spring loop alone costs $1.5 million, which was paid for by the county. Included in the network is the first traffic signal for cyclists, as well as bus stops that are separated by concrete medians to keep them separate from bike lanes. By funding this project, the county is committing to creating safer streets for cyclists.
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Victims Seek Compensation for Their Injuries
If you or someone you know was injured in a car accident at an intersection, you are urged to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Accidents can be particularly dangerous when they involve pedestrians or cyclists. We will aggressively pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries and ensure that your legal rights are always protected. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, we represent clients throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.