Transporation

Transportation and the Environment

Transportation is a leading contributor to Climate Change, producing almost 30% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). A key way to address climate change is to improve our transportation sector to reduce the need to drive and public support for creating modern, clean transportation systems is strong. A recent Sierra Club survey across 11 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions found that 70% or more of voters supported modern, clean transportation systems.

Sierra Club Montgomery County Transportation Initiatives

Montgomery County homes, workplaces, and shopping centers are spread out and connected mainly by roads, with too few sustainable transportation options. Sierra Club initiatives focus on ways to reduce auto emissions and improve transportation options for County residents. We oppose expansion of highways, including new roads and additional lanes to existing roads, which research has shown leads to increased vehicle travel rather than reducing congestion. Instead, we support transit-oriented development, with expansion of public transportation options, and improved access to pedestrian walkways and bike lanes. The only way to reduce road congestion is to provide attractive non-automobile options for many trips.

Smart Growth and Smart Transportation

Smart Growth transportation policies and practices concentrate growth around Metro stations and other transportation hubs, promote public transport, and provide the infrastructure that makes biking and walking convenient and safe. When appropriately enacted, Smart Growth policies can create more livable neighborhoods, reduce air and water pollution, preserve open space, foster economic growth, and mitigate climate change.

Advocating for Smart Growth in Master Plans. "On Wedges and Corridors" is the Montgomery County general plan on which local development master plans are based. It envisions highly developed corridors along major road and public transit axes, with rural land in the wedges and the Agriculture Reserve on the fringes. Within this framework, officials make decisions that promote Smart Growth ‑ or its antithesis, sprawl. Sierra Club has recently advocated for plans that improve sustainable development and transportation for the White Flint, Bethesda, and Strathmore localities.

Supporting Smart Growth as it Relates to Transportation. Sierra Club supports high density plans and projects that meet these principles: (1) walking distance to transit; (2) mixed use (jobs, housing, retail, entertainment); and (3) efficient land use. In addition, plans should be pedestrian-friendly, with substantial “green” features and affordable housing options.

Promoting Montgomery County Smart Transportation

Directly and in collaboration with like-minded groups Sierra Club Montgomery County supports Smart Transportation ‑ particularly transit ‑ and opposes transportation projects that expand road congestion and pollution.  

I-270 Corridor. Sierra Club opposes Governor Hogan’s proposed expansion of the I-495 Beltway and I-270, because it would increase carbon emissions, damage forests and streams, and encourage sprawl. Instead, we call for expansion of public transit options from Shady Grove to Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Clarksburg. We also support the Corridor Cities Transitway, which would require state and county funding. Adding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along MD 355 would address travel needs better than adding roads or lanes. There is also opportunity to expand the MARC Brunswick Line service by adding a third track in some locations and running trains more frequently.

Purple Line. Sierra Club Montgomery County has been a strong supporter of the East/West Purple Line now under construction. The Purple Line will connect four Metrorail stations and all three MARC lines, and provide a paved Capital Crescent Bike Trail from Bethesda to Silver Spring.

Bicycle Master Plan. We support the County’s draft Bicycle Master Plan and its vision to make biking in Montgomery County more available, convenient, safe, and connected to public transit. Currently, bikers can plan rides using tools like the award-winning bicycle stress map.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRT systems have proven widely effective in the US and around the world. BRT systems that provide frequent, reliable, rapid service reduces vehicle travel and hazardous emissions, and helps create walkable, bicycle-friendly, mixed use developments around transit hubs. BRT attracts employers and jobs, is essential for low- and moderate-income families, and is popular with millennials. Sierra Club supports BRT service on US 29, MD 355, and Veirs Mill Road. Learn more about the planned BRT. Sierra Club testimony at the 2016 Budget Hearing stressed dedicated lanes, efficient fare collection, and convenient schedules for BRT.

Promoting Low/No-Emissions Public Transportation. We support Montgomery County’s initiative to replace the current Ride-On bus fleet with electric-powered vehicles, as other jurisdictions have done, to decrease emissions and increase ridership.

Maryland and Region

Transportation and Climate Initiative

In November 2017, Maryland pledged to reduce pollution from transportation fuels by signing the Transportation and Climate Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Sierra Club supports this initiative.

How Can you Help?

If you are interested in volunteering to address Transportation issues, please contact: Tina Slater (Transportation Chair, Sierra Club Montgomery County) slater.tina@gmail.com . There are many ways to get involved, including serving on the Sierra Club Montgomery County Transportation Committee, conducting research, attending and commenting at public hearings, submitting comments to the Planning Board and County Council, working for Sierra Club-endorsed candidates, handing out literature at public events, and more. Come join us!

Transportation

Transportation and the Environment

Transportation is a leading contributor to Climate Change, producing almost 30% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). A key way to address climate change is to improve our transportation sector to reduce the need to drive and public support for creating modern, clean transportation systems is strong. A recent Sierra Club survey across 11 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions found that 70% or more of voters supported modern, clean transportation systems.

Sierra Club Montgomery County Transportation Initiatives

Montgomery County homes, workplaces, and shopping centers are spread out and connected mainly by roads, with too few sustainable transportation options. Sierra Club initiatives focus on ways to reduce auto emissions and improve transportation options for County residents. We oppose expansion of highways, including new roads and additional lanes to existing roads, which research has shown leads to increased vehicle travel rather than reducing congestion. Instead, we support transit-oriented development, with expansion of public transportation options, and improved access to pedestrian walkways and bike lanes. The only way to reduce road congestion is to provide attractive non-automobile options for many trips.

Smart Growth and Smart Transportation

Smart Growth transportation policies and practices concentrate growth around Metro stations and other transportation hubs, promote public transport, and provide the infrastructure that makes biking and walking convenient and safe. When appropriately enacted, Smart Growth policies can create more livable neighborhoods, reduce air and water pollution, preserve open space, foster economic growth, and mitigate climate change.

Advocating for Smart Growth in Master Plans. "On Wedges and Corridors" is the Montgomery County general plan on which local development master plans are based. It envisions highly developed corridors along major road and public transit axes, with rural land in the wedges and the Agriculture Reserve on the fringes. Within this framework, officials make decisions that promote Smart Growth ‑ or its antithesis, sprawl. Sierra Club has recently advocated for plans that improve sustainable development and transportation for the White Flint, Bethesda, and Strathmore localities.

Supporting Smart Growth as it Relates to Transportation. Sierra Club supports high density plans and projects that meet these principles: (1) walking distance to transit; (2) mixed use (jobs, housing, retail, entertainment); and (3) efficient land use. In addition, plans should be pedestrian-friendly, with substantial “green” features and affordable housing options.

Promoting Montgomery County Smart Transportation

Directly and in collaboration with like-minded groups Sierra Club Montgomery County supports Smart Transportation ‑ particularly transit ‑ and opposes transportation projects that expand road congestion and pollution.  

I-270 Corridor. Sierra Club opposes Governor Hogan’s proposed expansion of the I-495 Beltway and I-270, because it would increase carbon emissions, damage forests and streams, and encourage sprawl. Instead, we call for expansion of public transit options from Shady Grove to Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Clarksburg. We also support the Corridor Cities Transitway, which would require state and county funding. Adding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along MD 355 would address travel needs better than adding roads or lanes. There is also opportunity to expand the MARC Brunswick Line service by adding a third track in some locations and running trains more frequently.

Purple Line. Sierra Club Montgomery County has been a strong supporter of the East/West Purple Line now under construction. The Purple Line will connect four Metrorail stations and all three MARC lines, and provide a paved Capital Crescent Bike Trail from Bethesda to Silver Spring.

Bicycle Master Plan. We support the County’s draft Bicycle Master Plan and its vision to make biking in Montgomery County more available, convenient, safe, and connected to public transit. Currently, bikers can plan rides using tools like the award-winning bicycle stress map.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRT systems have proven widely effective in the US and around the world. BRT systems that provide frequent, reliable, rapid service reduces vehicle travel and hazardous emissions, and helps create walkable, bicycle-friendly, mixed use developments around transit hubs. BRT attracts employers and jobs, is essential for low- and moderate-income families, and is popular with millennials. Sierra Club supports BRT service on US 29, MD 355, and Veirs Mill Road. Learn more about the planned BRT. Sierra Club testimony at the 2016 Budget Hearing stressed dedicated lanes, efficient fare collection, and convenient schedules for BRT.

Promoting Low/No-Emissions Public Transportation. We support Montgomery County’s initiative to replace the current Ride-On bus fleet with electric-powered vehicles, as other jurisdictions have done, to decrease emissions and increase ridership.

Maryland and Region

Transportation and Climate Initiative

In November 2017, Maryland pledged to reduce pollution from transportation fuels by signing the Transportation and Climate Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Sierra Club supports this initiative.

How Can you Help?

If you are interested in volunteering to address Transportation issues, please contact: Tina Slater (Transportation Chair, Sierra Club Montgomery County) slater.tina@gmail.com . There are many ways to get involved, including serving on the Sierra Club Montgomery County Transportation Committee, conducting research, attending and commenting at public hearings, submitting comments to the Planning Board and County Council, working for Sierra Club-endorsed candidates, handing out literature at public events, and more. Come join us!