The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has been awarded a $450,000 grant by the Federal Transit Administration to create a Ride On Crowd Sourcing System (ROCSS) application that provides real-time bus status and passenger counts for Ride On routes to the public and MCDOT’s central dispatch. The new technology is the first to coordinate with strategically placed buses to assist routes nearing capacity and offer “How Full Is My Bus?” trip planning services.
This cutting-edge project is slated to begin this fall with a pilot of users from the Montgomery County Transit Advisory Group. Rollout to all riders is projected to begin in spring 2022.
The new app will decrease bus wait times by providing additional buses instead of requiring riders to wait for the next scheduled bus. Strategically placed buses will be positioned for a quick response and can be placed on several routes within minutes to provide additional service on a bus route that is nearing capacity. ROCSS will inform the public when a new bus is being dispatched.
For riders who may choose to seek alternative or multiple transit options, ROCSS will provide trip planning that includes other local options such as Metrorail and Metrobus. By using real-time passenger count information that updates every 20 seconds, ROCSS will increase rider confidence and reliability.
“This project will support social equity by making our buses more reliable for our residents that depend on them,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “In order for us to achieve our county’s goal of reducing carbon emissions, we need to reduce the number of cars on our roads and increase the number of residents choosing mass-transit as their commuting option. By improving the reliability of our buses and cutting down on wait times, we are making transit a more attractive option for our residents.”
The grant is part of the Federal Transit Administration’s support of strategies that improve transit operations and enhance the mobility of transit users affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis.
MCDOT will be the first transit agency in the region to have this information sent to Central Dispatch to deploy strategic buses and the first to use the information to provide alternate trip planning.
“This program will undoubtedly enhance the user experience by shortening wait times and increasing reliability as we transition back into in-person activities,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The app will also allow for trip planning and contribute to the overall ease of public transit use.”
Ride On services remain free to all passengers—a temporary change made during the health crisis. All passengers are required to wear a face-covering to board and must continue wearing the covering for the entire time riding on a bus. All buses have a supply of face coverings for those who cannot provide their own. Buses will continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services twice daily with hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems also are treated each night with a disinfectant.
Update from MCDOT: “Unfortunately, the proposed extension of Montrose Pkwy between Parklawn Dr. & Viers Mill Rd. was not funded. We are updating the related page on our website. MCDOT is requesting funding for a study to add a bridge at the CSX Railroad tracks.”
Article previously provided the project description and construction dates from the MCDOT website.
Montrose Parkway East did not receive funding.
The project description: to construct a new 4-lane divided parkway (A-270) as recommended in the North Bethesda/Garrett Park and Aspen Hill Master Plans. This will be an extension of Montrose Parkway West and the SHA MD 355 project, per MCDOT.
This project would have constructed the segment of Montrose Parkway between its current terminus east of the existing Montrose Parkway/Rockville Pike (MD 355) interchange and Parklawn Drive. The project included a bridge over Nebel Street and the CSX railroad tracks and includes a “single point urban” interchange at Parklawn Drive.
MCDOT is requesting funding for a study to add a bridge at the CSX railroad tracks.
Project documents, for the unapproved project, can be seen here.
Update on Forest Glen Road Sidewalk
Per Montgomery County Department of Transportation
The Forest Glen Road Sidewalk project provides the preliminary (35%) design of a six feet wide concrete sidewalk with a grass buffer over approximately 2,400 feet along the north side of Forest Glen Road from Woodland Drive to Sligo Creek Trail in Silver Spring.
The sidewalk is proposed from the back of the existing curb toward the road that a retaining wall is not needed.
This project closes the missing link in the existing sidewalk that will provide safe pedestrian access to Forest Glen Metro Station, Forest Glen Medical Center, Holy Cross Hospital, Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, and Sligo Creek Trail.
Virtual Public Meeting – June 10, 2021 – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Congressman David Trone Tours Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Gaithersburg Bus Depot and Electric Buses
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) today hosted a tour for Congressman David Trone of the Gaithersburg Bus Depot, the cutting-edge facility that supports about 40 percent of the County’s transit operation. MCDOT currently operates four zero-emission buses. MCDOT has an additional 10 buses on order.
The four electric buses operate on Ride On Routes 18 and 25, generally serving Langley Park, Silver Spring and Takoma Park. Details on current schedules and safety measures can be viewed in the MCDOT website.
In support of the County’s Climate Action Plan, the recently approved Fiscal Year 2022 County operating budget will accelerate MCDOT’s transition of its bus fleet from diesel to zero emission buses. It calls for 20 new electric Ride On buses, which in addition to the buses currently on order, will bring the total electric fleet to 34 buses. The existing and forthcoming electric bus fleet is a result of grants from the Federal Transit Administration. Today’s event was in response to the County’s recent applications to its Federal representatives to secure additional funding to purchase vehicles with a reduced carbon footprint.
“Our future depends on our commitment to tackling climate change,” said Congressman Trone, who represents Maryland’s 6th District. “I’m proud to see Montgomery County is on track to meet its goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. The transition to electric buses is an excellent example of the power of local government working with the Federal government to bring Maryland one step closer to a cleaner, healthier environment. I hope other local communities can learn from Montgomery County’s model of direct action.”
Currently the electric bus fleet is based in the Silver Spring Depot, where a solar array and microgrid project are underway. In the coming years, and with potential Federal support, the County plans to expand the zero-emissions fleet to the Gaithersburg Depot, the County’s largest facility.
As part of the expansion, the County is planning for installation of a solar-generating array and microgrid to provide the electricity needed to charge battery electric buses and to produce hydrogen fuel for fuel cell-powered vehicles. Hydrogen fuel is generated by using electricity to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is then used to power the vehicle with longer vehicle ranges, short refueling times and carbon-free emissions since water is the byproduct from hydrogen fuel. It is contemplated that hydrogen fueling will replace the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a vehicle fuel at this facility.
“Montgomery County is leading the way in reducing greenhouse emissions by aiming to have an emissions free bus fleet by 2035.” said County Executive Elrich. “These investments support our Climate Action Plan and will provide our bus commuters a healthier ride and reduce engine and noise pollution throughout our communities. I appreciate Representative Trone’s visit to the Gaithersburg Bus Depot today, and his, along with all of our Congressional Delegation members, support for our aggressive goals to combat climate change.”
The initial four 35-foot electric buses, manufactured by Proterra, are approximately four to five times more efficient than diesel buses. The four buses combined will provide an estimated annual operating savings of nearly $150,000. The cost of each bus is approximately $793,500. A $1.75 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Competitive Program helped to fund purchase of the electric buses.
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions states that the transportation sector is the largest direct source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, even surpassing the power sector in 2015. Cars and light-duty trucks (including SUVs) are responsible for about 59 percent of transportation emissions. Medium to larger vehicles, which include tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, buses and garbage trucks, produce about 23 percent of transportation emissions.
“It’s going to take all of us working together to make the changes we need to see to reach our climate goals,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We welcome the interest and thank Congressman Trone for taking time to learn about this important County initiative and hope that Federal support will accelerate our adoption of a zero-emissions transit fleet.”
