The county Planning Department launched the development of the county’s first pedestrian master plan at its Sept. 5 meeting, according to a department announcement.

The Planning Board approved a scope of work for the plan, which will be developed by developed by the Functional Planning and Policy Division.

The master plan “will address all reasons for walking – commuting to and from work or school, running errands, recreation, entertainment, exercise and everything in between,” the announcement reads.

The work will include compiling best practices, gathering and analyzing information from walkers, a pedestrian comfort analysis and a crash analysis, among other tools.

“Planner recommendations will support making walking universally accessible to county residents of all ages and abilities and will consider walking by foot (including with a cane, a walker or a stroller), by wheelchair or by mobility scooter,” the department said.

A series of community meetings around the county will begin next week. A meeting in Silver Spring is planned for 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21 at the department’s headquarters at 8787 Georgia Ave.

The plan is scheduled to be completed and approved in the summer of 2021.

For more information, contact Transportation Coordinator Eli Glazier at 301.495.4548 or [email protected]

Photo courtesy Montgomery Planning (M-NCPPC)