The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has launched a countywide effort to ensure pedestrian signals are functioning properly. MCDOT began the effort with a “Pedestrian Signal Repair Blitz” that will run through early May. Crews are inspecting crosswalk signals at roughly 100 intersections in high-traffic downtown areas and completing any needed repairs. The approximately 800 remaining County-maintained intersections will be assessed by the end of the year.
Downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton were selected as the starting points due to their high pedestrian volumes. Heavy snowfall and subsequent freezing temperatures over this past winter created large snow piles at street corners across the Washington metropolitan area, damaging some crosswalk signals and toppling several pedestrian signal poles. In the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, MCDOT crews repaired many damaged signals, and are now proactively assessing all pedestrian signals to fix any unreported damage and to make sure they are working properly.
“Ensuring crosswalk signals are fully functional is essential for the safety of our residents,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I appreciate MCDOT’s proactive efforts to ensure these signals are operating optimally, particularly in our most active areas.”
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The effort will include inspection and repair of all pedestrian signals including countdown pedestrian signals, which let pedestrians know how much time is remaining to safely cross the street, as well as accessible pedestrian signals (APS), which use verbal messages, audible tones, and tactile elements to assist visually impaired pedestrians. APS devices may be automatically activated or push-button activated with a raised arrow pointing in the direction of the crosswalk and voice commands to let pedestrians know if they may begin to cross.
“By keeping these crosswalk signals in good repair, we are keeping our communities safe and welcoming,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We are starting in the more densely populated areas and will be continuing to inspect devices throughout the year to ensure the equipment is in good working order. These devices make walking in our communities comfortable and they undoubtably save lives by prioritizing pedestrians and bicyclists trying to cross a busy street.”
MCDOT maintains pedestrian crossing signals on State and County roads with some exceptions. MCDOT will ensure the proper authority receives any requests for repairs. Residents are urged to report any issues they have with signalized intersections by via MCDOT’s online repair request portal, or by contacting the County call center at 311, or 240-777-0311, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Pedestrian signal repair requests are accepted and addressed at any time.
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Read the original article at mcdot