State transportation officials, the president of the University of Maryland, and a local city councilmember agree: a barrier on the median of Route 1 in College Park is the way to curtail a tragic rash of pedestrian deaths on the corridor.
Jamie Forzato reports that the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has announced plans to improve pedestrian safety along Route 1 near the University of Maryland, where three pedestrians have been killed this year.
The primary changes under consideration: a median barrier, speed limit reduction, and light synchronization.
"University of Maryland President Wallace Loh recommended SHA, which owns and maintains the highway, approve a median barrier along Route 1 from Knox Road to Guilford Road -- a three-block stretch that is home to several popular bars and restaurants that get a high level of foot traffic on weekend nights."
Resistance to the idea so far arises from concerns that the barrier might be unsightly.
The jury is still out on the speed limit reduction, at least from the state's standpoint. "Officials also want the speed limit reduced from 30 to 25 miles per hour. WTOP has learned the state has completed a speed limit study of the area, but hasn't released the results yet."
FULL STORY: Big changes coming to Route 1 in College Park
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research