Montgomery County Expanding Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Beacons

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is adding new traffic signals and pedestrian hybrid beacons at locations across the county as part of an effort to reduce serious and fatal crashes.

According to MCDOT, crashes at or near intersections account for more than 56% of serious injuries and fatalities in Montgomery County. The department recently installed four new traffic signals and two pedestrian hybrid beacons, with another four beacons planned for construction.

The two most recent pedestrian beacons were installed on Old Georgetown Road at Cordell Avenue and Darnestown Road at Yearling Place. The push-button devices stop traffic to allow pedestrians to cross and are generally used on wider or higher-speed roads where a traditional traffic signal may not be necessary.

New traffic signals installed this summer include intersections near Rock Creek Forest Elementary School in Chevy Chase and Wheaton Woods Elementary School in Wheaton. Another was installed at Bel Pre Road and Rippling Brook Drive in Aspen Hill, near Argyle Middle School and along a roadway designated as part of the county’s High Injury Network.

MCDOT said another 26 signalized crossings are planned for county roadways, with 20 currently in the planning or design phase and six with scheduled construction dates. According to the Federal Highway Administration, pedestrian hybrid beacons can reduce total crashes by 29% and pedestrian crashes by 55%.

Per MCDOT: Pedestrian crossing safety projects completed or in progress over the past year include: