Information You Can Use.  Action You Can Take.

Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore. 

In This Issue:

 December 7, 2007

TRANSPORTATION OUTLOOK 2035 UPDATE

After many months of planning and public outreach, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) has recently finalized Transportation Outlook 2035, the long-range transportation plan for the Baltimore region. The final document includes nearly 80 projects worth over $8.7 billion dollars.  In addition, the final plan includes 20 Illustrative Projects.  These are projects which would be included in the transportation plan, if additional resources became available.

>>> Learn more about Transportation Outlook 2035 or download the plan

TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT NEXT MONDAY

On Monday, December 10th, the City of Baltimore will host a regional summit to discuss transit-oriented development (TOD) initiatives and opportunities in Baltimore. [Download Flyer] The conference, called New Directions/ReConnections: Baltimore Regional Summit on Transit Oriented Development, aims to bring together many different stakeholders to discuss TOD within a regional and national perspective.

Mayor Dixon will be leading a discussion on the future of Transit Oriented Development in the Baltimore region. Panelists include:

• Chris Donatelli, Donatelli & Kline

• Zelda Robinson, West Baltimore Coalition

• Wim Wiewel, University of Baltimore

• John Porcari, Maryland Department of Transportation

• Otis Rolley III, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance

New Directions/ReConnections: Baltimore Regional Summit on TOD

The summit is co-sponsored by the City of Baltimore Department of Planning, The Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, Citizens Planning and Housing Association, and the Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative.

>>> Visit www.baltimorecity.gov/government/planning to learn more

This week's wind and snow storm should remind residents that winter is here. Wind and ice can bring down power lines. Prepare your home for power outages by following the tips below.

A full list is available online in A Citizen’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness, a publication of the Carroll County Office of Public Safety and other county agencies.

If your power is out ... Check to see if your neighbors have power. It may only be your home, a blown fuse, or a tripped circuit. If your neighbors are also without service, call your local power company. Turn off major appliances. Leave two or three light switches on, but no major appliances (refrigerators, electric water heaters, and pumps). They could overload electric lines when power is restored, causing a second outage. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food can be kept cold for a day or two if the doors are kept closed. Flashlights or battery-operated lanterns should be used to illuminate your home. Candles and kerosene lanterns are not recommended for lighting because of the inherent fire safety hazards and fumes. Portable emergency generators can be used to provide limited power during an outage. Never fuel or run a portable generator in your home or garage, as gas-powered generators pose a serious fire and carbon monoxide threat. Plumbing can freeze when power is lost during cold periods. Turn the pump off, drain supply lines at the lowest point in the house. To avoid major flooding when temperatures rise, turn off supply lines to outside spigots. Life support equipment required for family members who depend on these devices (respirators, ventilators, or other life-sustaining devices) should be listed with the power company, with your doctor’s approval. Call BGE at 800-685-0123 or Allegheny Power at 800-255-3443. Select a single room in the home in which the entire family can live; ideally a room that gets sunlight. Make sure the fireplace has been inspected before use. Wear layers of clothing. For homes with natural gas heaters, keep meters and vents clear of ice and snow. >>> Get prepared at www.readysetgood.com

DON'T BECOME A DISTRACTED DRIVER

Have pet peeves about other drivers?  You know them ... the drivers on the phone, text messaging, reaching for food, a CD or the radio?

Distracted driving occurs whenever a driver is slow to recognize a potential hazard because something inside or outside the vehicle draws the driver's attention away from the driving task.

Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.*

Keep from becoming a statistic by being alert and following these few tips:

• Give yourself more space, stay away from distracted drivers.

• Remain calm behind the wheel. Avoid emotional conversations with passengers.

• Devote your full attention to driving.

• Put away anything that is potentially distracting: mail, magazines, books etc.

• Keep alert and protect yourself by wearing your safety belt. It's your best protection against distracted drivers.

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

>>> Visit The Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education for more tips

HOWARD TRANSIT OFFERS FREE BUS RIDES

In celebration of Howard Transit's 12 years of service and to thank customers for their support, Saturday, December 22 and Sunday December 23 has been designated as Howard Transit Customer Appreciation Days, when patrons can ride Howard Transit buses for free.
More than 750,000 customers have boarded Howard Transit buses during 2007, according to a Howard County government news release.  Howard Transit was recently named the "Best Fixed Route" bus system in Maryland by the Transportation Association of Maryland. The bus service was recognized for its service enhancements; commitment to the environment, demonstrated by the purchase of hybrid vehicles; purchase of low-floor buses for better access; and bus-stop improvements. Residents are encouraged to park their automobiles and try Howard Transit during the holidays.  Call 1-800-270-9553 for more information.

>>> For more information, visit www.howardtransit.com

FREE HOLIDAY PARKING IN BALTIMORE COUNTY DOWNTOWNS

Baltimore County's neighborhood downtowns are located in Arbutus, Catonsville, Dundalk, Essex, Liberty Road, Loch Raven, Overlea-Fullerton, Parkville, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Towson, and Woodlawn Village.

>>> Learn about Baltimore County at www.baltimorecountymd.gov

INPUT SOUGHT FOR 2009 MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in Maryland! The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is updating its Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan, known as the Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP).

This plan establishes a 20-year vision for transportation in Maryland and helps guide Statewide improvements, including highways, roads, tunnels, bridges, trains, buses, water ports, airports, bike paths, and sidewalks.

MDOT updates the MTP every five years to address current and future transportation challenges, needs and conditions and strives to create a plan that reflects and responds to Maryland’s residents, businesses, local governments, and communities.

MDOT is conducting extensive public outreach to engage you, as a user of the Maryland transportation system, as well as numerous other citizens, agencies, and interested organizations to help revise the long-range vision, goals, and objectives of the MTP.

MDOT Welcomes Your Input!

Help shape the future of transportation in Maryland by:

• Visiting the MTP project web site at www.mdot.state.md.us/planning

• Completing an online 10-minute survey or comment card

• Joining MDOT’s mailing list to stay informed

For more information, download a flyer (pdf) or contact Ron Spalding, MTP Project Manager, at mtpupdate2@mdot.state.md.us. 

>>> To learn more, visit www.mdot.state.md.us/planning

Every 5 years, the Economic Census develops a comprehensive portrait of American business, from the national to the local level.  Timely and accurate data are vital to effective public policy and important to organizations and businesses in the Baltimore region. Data collected can be used in a variety of ways - from measuring economic performance to understanding changes in the economy to preparing for emergencies to planning for the future. 

Many interesting facts from the last Economic Census are available about our region at business.census.gov. Examples there illustrate how the data are used by local businesses for marketing and planning, as well as by government agencies and researchers.

>>> Get the 411 at business.census.gov

Engaging the Baltimore Metropolitan Region in
transportation planning, equity, and environmental justice.
Baltimore Metropolitan Council

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