Montgomery County Seeks Input by Sept. 30 on Proposed Regulation That Would Allow Expansion of Transportation Management Requirements for Builders and Employers

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 20, 2021

Montgomery County is seeking public comment on a proposed Executive Regulation that will guide implementation of provisions in the County Code requiring builders and employers to reduce traffic impacts and encourage use of multi-modal options. The Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plans are tied to designated areas within the more highly developed areas and aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and combat climate change. 

The proposed regulation would implement legislation already approved by the County Council. That regulation allows the Council to designate new areas where requirements for filing TDM plans would apply, with the exception of single-family residential areas and the designated Agricultural Reserve. 

“The County has a goal of zero emissions by 2035 and we are not going to reach that goal alone,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We need buy in from everyone. This expansion will help reduce fossil fueled single-occupancy vehicles on our roadways will have a significant impact on our air quality. We need to get a grip on the environmental damage we are doing. We are already seeing aggressive storms that are a direct result of climate change.”

Montgomery County currently has six Transportation Management Districts (TMDs) where TDM plans are required. The areas are Bethesda, Friendship Heights, North Bethesda, Shady Grove, Silver Spring and White Oak. The designated areas require builders and employers to submit a plan for transportation demand strategies to the County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) for approval. The plan requirements are progressively tiered depending on the location and size of the project. For employers, requirements are based on the number of employees.

With the push toward a greener Montgomery and the launch of the County’s ambitious Climate Action Plan this year, expansion of the districts is likely. 

"This program is not unique to Montgomery County, many area jurisdictions have these requirements," said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. "Program expansion will promote sustainability of current and future development through alternative travel modes and efficient use of transportation infrastructure.”

While the code change does not impact residents directly, the requirements aim to cause behavior change in the way people commute and have a significant impact on environmental impacts such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

MCDOT’s Commuter Services Section manages the program and provides program support. All employers within the County are welcome to engage with the office to learn more about these incentives.

The County is asking residents to give feedback on the proposed regulation. Details of the regulation are available here. The deadline for written comments is Thursday, Sept. 30. Comments should be submitted to Sandra L. Brecher, Chief, Commuter Services Section, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Office of Transportation Policy, Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, 10th Floor, Rockville, MD, 20852. Residents also can  email comments to Commuter.Services@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Copies of the regulation also are available by emailing Commuter.Services@montgomerycountymd.gov or calling 240-777-8380.

For ongoing updates, follow Commuter Services on  Twitter and Instagram, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot and subscribe to MCDOT’s Go Montgomery! biweekly newsletter.

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Release ID: 21-741
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2282
Categories: Transportation