2. Briefing Outline History of Master Plan of Highways & Transitways
Purpose of MPOHT
Technical Elements of MPOHT Update
Project Schedule
We are currently reviewing and revising the county’s Master Plan of Highways [PDF], an effort that classifies each Montgomery County road in the transportation network, in the first comprehensive update to that plan since 1955.
The plan will update the road network with current classifications, incorporate road changes and align these revisions with the County Road Code, which was comprehensively updated in 2007.
The update will consolidate all roadway amendments that have been approved as part of master plans as well as limited functional Master Plan of Highways amendments.
The new plan will also include transitways, rail stations and other transit centers. To reflect the greater scope of the plans, the name will be changed to the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways.
Due to budget constraints and scheduling changes, the update was on hiatus from July 1, 2010 to June 30, Our current schedule has a completion date in August 2018 (subject to approval by the County Council).

3. History of the MPOHT 1 1974 Draft Mont. Co. MPOH* Update 2013
The Master Plan of Highways - a Map and Inventory showing all existing and proposed roadways – a “Highways” plan
1974 Draft Mont. Co. MPOH* Update
2013
Renamed to Master Plan of Highways & Transitways*
1953 2nd MPOH Update
1932
First MPOH
approved
1927
M-NCPPC
Founded
1945
1st
MPOH
Update
2000,
2005 &
2010
Map Updates*
1955 3rd MPOH Update (map only)
* “Within Montgomery County”

4. Last Comprehensive Study 1955
History of the MPOHT 1
Last Comprehensive Study 1955
1955: Bi-County Master Plan of Highways was last updated comprehensively. 1956: United States Interstate Highway System was authorized. 1956: M-NCPPC boundary extended to include all Montgomery County (addition of Upper Montgomery planning area). 1974: Montgomery County Only Plan initiated

5. History of the MPOHT 1 Last update – 2010 MPOHT Static PDF map
Interactive tool in MCAtlas viewer webapp
No Master Plan Report
Living Functional Master Plan – amended frequently

6. MPOHT Purpose 2
Guiding Montgomery County’s long-range transportation needs
Serving as a critical element in the master planning process
Preserving the right of way on county roads
Planning for all transportation modes
Organizing planned transportation investments
Providing functional classification of roads and their rights of way
Requiring consistency with county code and design standards – context-sensitive and complete streets approach
On original slide:
Tool to guide Montgomery County’s long-range transportation needs
Critical Element in Master Planning Process
Right of Way Preservation
Planning for all transportation modes
Planned Transportation Investments
Provides Functional Classification of Roads and their Rights of Way
Requires Consistency with County Code and Design Standards – context-sensitive and complete streets approaches

7. MPOHT Purpose 2 Planned Transportation Investments Road widening
Planned roads
Interchanges
Transitways (BRT and LRT) and stations
HOV lanes
Right of way needs along road corridors

8. Functional Classification System
MPOHT Purpose 2
Functional Classification System
Mobility & access needs
Relationship to speeds
Vision Zero – speeds and conflicts contribute to poor road safety.

9. Consistency with Montgomery County Code
MPOHT Purpose 2
Consistency with Montgomery County Code
2007 Modifications – Context-sensitive design standards
2013 Modifications – Complete Streets
Older plans need an update to be consistent with current standards

10. MPOHT Purpose 2 MPOHT Development Initial highway-based plan
Guided by the General Plan (1964)
Amended by active and pending area master plans
Amended by active and pending functional master plans
Multimodal (since 2013) – Highways and Transitways

11. MPOHT Purpose 2 General Plan – Established Overall Focus
Major transportation corridors
Urban Ring
Wedges and Corridors

12. Functional Master Plans - Countywide
MPOHT Purpose 2
Functional Master Plans - Countywide
Countywide Corridors Functional Master Plan
Purple Line Functional Plan (including the Capital Crescent Trail)
Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan
Bicycle Master Plan
Preservation of Agricultural & Rural Open Space
Steve

13. MPOHT Purpose 2 Area Master Plans
Initially organized by planning districts
Includes CBD sectors and corridors
40+ active adopted master or sector plans currently in effect
5 pending area master plans: Rock Spring, Veirs Mill Road Corridor, MARC Rail Communities, Grosvenor-Strathmore, White Flint
Additional plans kicking off this summer/fall

14. MPOHT Purpose 2 Multimodal Focus
2013 Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan
Officially changed the name of the plan from MPOH to MPOHT

15. Technical Elements 3
Update road classifications based on Road Code adoption of new categories
Address inconsistencies with older plans
Update target speeds in urban road code areas
Remove M-NCPPC Park Roads from MPOHT

16. Road Classifications added in 2007 Road Code
Technical Elements 3
Road Classifications added in 2007 Road Code
Road Classification Types
Controlled Major Highways
Minor Arterial
Parkway
Design Characteristics for all Classifications
Target Speed
Access Control
Lane Widths

17. Inconsistencies from Older Master Plans
Technical Elements 3
Inconsistencies from Older Master Plans
Road classification changes at master plan boundaries
Missing/updated information in previous Master Plans
Silver Spring CBD Business District Streets
Primary residential street numbering
New street names
Recognition of existing transportation investments including the I-270 HOV Lanes

18. 2013 Road Code – Complete Streets
Technical Elements 3
2013 Road Code – Complete Streets
Urban Road Code – all county roads restricted to 25 mph target speed within the Road Code boundary
Many locations may not be in compliance
Proactive Urban Street Design according to NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials):
Target Speed = Design Speed = Posted Speed

19. Removal of all M-NCPPC (Parks) Roads from MPOHT
Technical Elements 3
Removal of all M-NCPPC (Parks) Roads from MPOHT
Primary function of park roads – serve park users
ROW fully contained within Park property. ROW preservation in M–NCPPC control
Park roads may be used for commuting purposes as a secondary function
Not intended as part of Master Plan of Highways and Transitways.

20. Technical Elements 3 Work Products
Countywide Master Plan of Highways and Transitways map
Master Plan document – companion document providing guidance on the Master Plan Map
Online and hard-copy Mapbook providing zoomed-in details on every update in the plan.
Improved web application using GIS technology with an outreach component and searchable functionality
Working with the Communications Team on a strategic communications plan for messaging and deliverables

21. Technical Elements 3
MapBook

22. Technical Elements 3 MPOHT Feedback Map
Showing approximately 100 changes being proposed with this comprehensive update
Opportunity to comment online from August until November 2017 (during the countywide outreach effort)
Ability to provide comments using feedback map will continue be a part of the plan
Map will stay active for future comments

23. Project Schedule 4

24. Schedule – Important Dates
Project Schedule 4
Schedule – Important Dates
Website Updates with GIS Tools – August 2017
Countywide Public Outreach Meetings – September-October 2017
Working Draft MPOHT to Planning Board – November 2017
Submittal to County Executive & County Council – March 2018
Adoption by County Council – August 2018

25. Project Schedule 4 Community Meetings September-October 2017
Five locations across the County 7 to 9 p.m.
Silver Spring
Bethesda/Chevy Chase
Rockville
Burtonsville
Germantown

26. Contact
Stephen Aldrich, Project Manager, (301) ,
Learn More:

27. Thank You
Questions
Discussion