DPW HWYS Danny H assigned this issue to DPW HWYS Traffic

Thank you for submitting your request to the Howard County Department of Public Works\Traffic Engineering Divison. Our staff will investigate this issue and respond.

Please contact SHA District 7 regarding your request of changing traffic pattern onto a Maryland State road. The contact information can be found at https://roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/districts.aspx?did=d7

Crossing the double yellow line on US1 is an illegal movement per Maryland Traffic Law. This is outlined in the Maryland Transportation Article, Section 21-304, which states:
"(a) General rule.- Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a vehicle may not be driven to the left side of the center of a roadway that is divided into 2 or more clearly marked lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions by a painted dividing line on the roadway.
(b) Exceptions.-
(1) A vehicle may be driven to the left side of the center of a roadway:
(i) In order to turn left from an intersection or private road or driveway;
(ii) To pass a pedestrian, animal, vehicle, or other obstacle on the roadway;
(iii) To avoid an obstruction or traffic control device that prohibits driving on the right side of the roadway; or
(iv) In designated lanes for high-occupancy vehicles."
It's important to note that violating traffic laws, including crossing a double yellow line, can result in a traffic citation, fines, and even points on your driver's license. More importantly, it can also create a safety hazard for yourself and other drivers on the road. Therefore, it's important to always obey traffic laws and drive safely and defensively to avoid accidents and potential legal consequences.
As the law enforcement agent, HCPD now offers residents the opportunity to report concerning traffic situations throughout the county. Each report will be reviewed by a Traffic Enforcement Section officer to determine next steps. Report an isolated or recurring traffic violation(s) https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/file-online-report or email to hcpdtraffic@howardcountymd.gov

Hi Y Zhang,

Thanks for your responses!

If it is illegal to access Railroad Avenue from south-bound Route 1, then, since Railroad Avenue is one-way from Route 1, this portion of Railroad Avenue is inaccessible from the north, even via Main Street in old Elkridge. I believe that this supports the position that the concerned portion of Railroad Avenue should be bidirectional for access via Main Street. Also, SHA District 7 has deferred to Howard County regarding Railroad Avenue signage; please see SR-0479386/CCMS-0479386 and related email from PWestcott@mdot.maryland.gov cc'd to traffic@howardcountymd.gov.

Thanks,
Michael

Please provide a status. The following is quoted from PWestcott@mdot.maryland.gov: "The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has completed a preliminary review of this location and determined that MDOT SHA does not possess the authority to change the traffic operations on Railroad Avenue in Elkridge. Railroad Avenue is owned and maintained by Howard County. By copy of this email, we are forwarding your concern to their office for response. Should the County decide to alter the traffic flow on Railroad Ave., MDOT SHA will assist with implementing any necessary changes on US 1. Thanks again for contacting MDOT SHA. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me."

Thanks,
Michael

Railroad Ave. is approximately 20 feet wide. The roadway pavement is not suitable for a two way direction roadway.
As safety is always a concern when it comes to changes in traffic patterns. Changing the direction of a one-way street could increase the risk of accidents or collisions if drivers are not accustomed to the new traffic flow or if there are unexpected changes in traffic patterns.
As the reason of this direction change is the believe that turning left from US1 is unsafe, changing the one way direction would not remove this concern since traffic entering US1 from Railroad Ave. will still have the demand to turn left onto US1 southbound.
Traffic should use the nearest signalized intersection of Levering Avenue and US1 before turning into Railroad Ave. Traffic coming from Southbound US1 could turn left onto Levering Ave, then use Main Street and Old Washington Road and eventually arrive onto Railroad Ave. via northbound US 1.

Hi Y Zhang,

Railroad Avenue between US1 and Main Street seems about the same width as the *already bidirectional* portion of Railroad south of Main.

The suggested change is to replace the One Way signs on Railroad with "Do Not Enter" signs positioned at the point of intersection with US1 so as to disallow *any* access onto US1 from Railroad; however, if appropriate, "Right Turn Only" signs could be used instead of "Do Not Enter" signs to allow northbound access onto US1 from Railroad while disallowing southbound access.

Access to Railroad via signalized Levering and Main is part of the suggestion, but it is currently disallowed because Railroad is One Way *onto* Main, not vice versa. Also, Railroad is directly inaccessible from Old Washington Road and Main west of the train tracks, which split Main in two. That said, it seems possible to access the concerned portion of Railroad via US1 South to unsignalized Old Washington to (a sharp left onto west) Main to Burnbaugh Street to US1 North (to Railroad); however, that is less safe and less intuitive to unfamiliar drivers than a straightforward access via signalized Levering and Main, assuming Railroad bidirectionality is implemented at (but not onto) US1.

For safety, "New Traffic Pattern" signs could be temporarily displayed until drivers become accustomed to the change. Note that the primary facility on the concerned portion of Railroad is ironically a Maryland State Safety Inspection Station, which should be safely accessible.

I hope this explanation helps. Please let me know your questions/thoughts.

Thanks,
Michael

The sight line exiting from Railroad Ave. to US 1 is limited due to the bridge wall. Therefore the one way traffic from Railroad Ave. onto US 1 is not recommended by Traffic Engineering.
Our office has requested SHA, under the same case number CCMS-0479386, to make pavement marking and sign improvements on US 1 southbound to enhance safety turning onto Railroad Ave.