Sharraxaadda
On Takoma Ave between Gist & Boston Ave is a downward hill with no pauses. As a result, drivers speed downhill without pausing for pedestrians waiting to cross (usually with kids!). Furthermore, only one side of Takoma Ave has a sidewalk between Gist and Boston Aves. We have a toddler, and are constantly wary of her being hit as we cross towards our house on the side lacking a crosswalk. A speed bump with a clearly marked crossing in the middle of this section of Takoma Ave would be very much appreciated. Alternatively, a sidewalk on both sides (like the recently completed sidewalk on Ritchie Ave) would be a useful addition.
2 Faalladas
DOT DHS (Isticmaale Diiwaangashan)
We have completed an initial examination of the segment of Takoma Avenue between Gist Avenue and Boston Avenue to determine whether it meets all of the eligibility requirements set forth in The Executive Regulation 32-08.
We have concluded that this segment of Takoma Avenue is not eligible for speed hump consideration because not all of the eligibility requirements are met.
• This segment of Takoma Avenue is considered to be a Secondary Residential Street, which is one of the eligible functional classifications. Therefore, the classification requirement is met.
• The street or street segment must have direct residential frontage with an average lot size of two acres or less. All of this segment meets the direct residential frontage/minimum average lot size requirement.
• The street or street segment must be at least 1,000 feet long without interruption by a stop sign, yield sign or traffic signal. This segment of Takoma Avenue is approximately 690 feet long, which is less than the minimum required length of 1000 feet. Therefore, it is not eligible for speed hump consideration.
We recommend that you or a resident who lives along this segment of Takoma Avenue consider requesting another traffic calming measure that we offer, such as deployment of our SMART (Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer) unit. The SMART unit is a portable self-operating radar and speed display unit that can be used to promote speed awareness. The SMART unit employs an educational approach to traffic calming by detecting the speed of an oncoming vehicle and displaying it to the vehicle’s driver (e.g. “SPEED LIMIT 25, Your Speed 32”). Please note that our ability to deploy the SMART unit depends upon there being an accessible location where it is safe to park the unit, and where there is an adequate line of sight to approaching vehicles. Upon receiving a request to deploy the unit, we would schedule a field check of the roadway to determine whether a suitable location is available. Residents may request deployment of the SMART unit by sending an email message to trafficops@montgomerycountymd.gov.
We hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance regarding this matter. Thank you for your interest in traffic safety in our community.
Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations
Montgomery County Department of Transportation
240-777-2190
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