HANOVER, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released a final report detailing the successes of its Complete Streets Leadership Academy, a technical assistance program aimed at testing and evaluating roadway safety projects. The program, conducted in partnership with the State Highway Administration (SHA) and Smart Growth America, involved the installation of temporary road safety measures in Howard County, Hagerstown, and Bel Air. These projects were swiftly deployed from conception to implementation in three months and proved cost-effective compared to other safety measures.
The projects, implemented in record time, targeted intersections and corridors known for high traffic fatalities or crashes. These temporary demonstrations showcased rapid-build, cost-effective safety interventions, yielding significant positive impacts. In Hagerstown, the project successfully reduced average top speeds by 15% and the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph by 90%, while accommodating a 20% increase in traffic volume.
“Today’s report marks an important milestone in how the Department approaches safety issues,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “These quick-build demonstration projects will allow MDOT to deploy near-term, cost effective safety improvements, test their effectiveness, work with communities and make permanent the strategies that work.”
The projects were developed through a collaborative, workshop-based approach with local stakeholders, focusing on project design, performance measures, engagement planning, data collection, and storytelling. The report highlights the successes of these demonstration projects and provides recommendations for future statewide implementation.
Based on the program’s learnings, MDOT plans to expand the implementation of Complete Streets demonstration projects, incorporating lessons learned to further enhance transportation safety and accessibility. Continued collaboration with local communities will ensure that transportation solutions meet the diverse needs of Marylanders. Ongoing assessments will measure the impact of Complete Streets initiatives.
The release of this report coincides with the advancement of MDOT’s new Complete Streets policy, a priority initiative for the Moore-Miller Administration, aimed at making roads safer for all users. “Maryland’s Complete Streets policy gives clear direction for making our transportation network safe, accessible and convenient for all users,” stated State Highway Administrator Will Pines. “This effort, along with the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and other safety initiatives, show SHA’s continued commitment to making Maryland roads safer for all users.”
The Complete Streets policy, effective June 1, 2024, applies to all MDOT agencies, including the SHA, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration, and the Maryland Transportation Authority. In March 2025, the agencies released a plan to enact the policy. Visit the MDOT’s Complete Streets page to learn more about the policy and the plan.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via Pixabay
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