Traffic Engineering Division

The Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for traffic signals, streetlight installation, new street signs, markings and traffic calming. Please contact the Traffic Engineering to report all traffic control concern such as intersection safety, traffic calming, and mis-timed traffic signal or school flasher.

Traffic Engineering Information

See below for information on Street Lights, the Community Speed Control Program, and School Zones.

Traffic Engineering Capital Improvement Projects

T-7106 - Cradlerock Way Complete Streets Project

Overview

The Howard County Department of Public Works – Bureau of Highways, Traffic Engineering Division conducted a Complete Streets corridor study for the entirely of Cradlerock Way from the southern intersection with Broken Land Parkway to the northern intersection with Broken Land Parkway by applying principles and guidelines from the recently updated and adopted Howard County Complete Streets Design Manual Volume III. The study identified Complete Streets improvements that are safe and accessible for all users.

Corridor Segment

The corridor study is inclusive of the entirely of Cradlerock Way and Homespun Drive. Along Cradlerock Way there are residential communities and significant pedestrian generators including Cradlerock Elementary School, Lake Elkhorn Middle School, East Columbia Branch Library, Owen Brown Village Center, and Lake Elkhorn Park. Concept improvements for Homespun Drive may be viewed in this study. The project is broken out to advance phased design and construction of Cradlerock Way modifications.

Themes

Speed Management
Pedestrian Safety
Bicycle Connectivity
Vehicle Traffic Flow

Design Process and Public Comment

The concept designs for the Cradlerock Way Complete Streets project are available here:

Concept Design 1

Concept Design 2

Open House Display Boards

Presentation boards displaying the overall concept design were viewed at the May 21, 2024 Public Open House Meeting and may also be viewed here:

Exhibit 1

Exhibit 2

Next Step

Due to limited funding and constructability, the DPW is advancing design and construction of the proposed raised intersections within the Cradlerock Way corridor in advance of further planning and evaluation of improvement concepts within and outside of the existing roadway footprint. The raised intersections are proposed in the same locations for both Concept Design 1 and Concept Design 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Frequently Asked Question summary for questions and answers commonly discussed at the May 21, 2024 Public Open House Meeting can be found here.

The DPW is receiving additional public comment by email at traffic@howardcountymd.gov by June 21st, 2024.

Community Meetings

May 21, 2024. The DPW held an Public Open House community meeting at Lake Elkhorn Middle School to present concepts developed through the Cradlerock Way Complete Streets Study.

The following materials were presented at the meeting:

Presentation Overview:
- Exhibit 1
- Exhibit 2
Phase 1 Breakout for raised intersections to move ahead in design and construction.

Contact Information

For further questions, please contact the DPW – Bureau of Highways, Traffic Engineering Division at traffic@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-2430.

Information & Resources

Street Lights

BGE is responsible for all street light outages and maintenance (lights that are knocked down, bulb out, or on in daylight). Contact BGE Customer Service at 800-685-0123, or online at www.BGE.com.

Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy

Resident concerns related to excessive vehicular speeds continue to be a major issue along Howard County’s residential roadways. In an effort to address these concerns and support Howard County’s Strategic Road Safety Plan, Department of Public Works (DPW), in cooperation with the Howard County Police Department, Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Office of Transportation, and the Howard County Public School System, has updated their Traffic Calming Policy to combat excessive vehicular speeds.

View Traffic Calming Information

Law Enforcement

The Howard County Department of Police recognizes that excessive speed and other traffic violations in residential areas are a source of concern to the community. The Department will take an active role in enforcing applicable laws, educating the public and making suggestions for road engineering improvements. Law is the principal means of speed control.

It is the responsibility of each patrol officer to enforce motor vehicle laws, particularly those involving excessive speed. Radar training and equipment will be provided to as many Patrol Division officers as possible to assist them in this effort during the normal course of their patrols. Supervisors who become aware of speed problems in specific communities will direct their officers to conduct speed enforcement in those areas.
Specific speeding complaints in residential areas will be directed to the Traffic Enforcement Section, which will keep a file of all such complaints.
A Radar Road List will be published each month to direct the enforcement efforts of patrol officers assigned radar or other speed measuring devices. Each road will require a minimum amount of enforcement time. The Supervisor of the Traffic Enforcement Section will approve roads for inclusion on the list based on the number of complaints received, past enforcement history on the road, and analysis of any speed surveys conducted by the Department of Police or Traffic Engineering.
In addition to the monthly Radar Road List, the Traffic Enforcement Section will identify roadways for officer enforcement, including roads on which speeding persists or is of such a nature that it requires immediate and sustained enforcement. These may also include roads in which the use of unmarked vehicles or special equipment is necessary.
At the beginning of each school year, the Department of Police will institute a special speed enforcement program on the roadways surrounding the County’s schools. This presence will serve to cite violators and to remind drivers that school is back in session and conformance to the speed limits is critical for student safety. This program will be accompanied by news releases.
Revised: 10/31/2013

Traffic Reporting

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. Reports can be filed using the link below.

File A Traffic Concern

Helpful Links

FAQs - Traffic Calming

How can I get stop signs installed to control the speed on my street?

The Institute of Transportation Engineers- Traffic Engineering Council presents tips on stop signs. Contact the Bureau of Highways- Traffic Engineering Division for more information at 410-313-2430. The Traffic Division can assess the need for traffic calming and determine how stop signs will affect the flow of traffic.

Is an all-way stop a good solution for my neighborhood?

The Traffic Engineering Division can conduct a study and determine the most efficient stopping mechanism at a particular intersection, to see if a four-way stop would be the best fit. Contact the Traffic Engineering Division for more information at 410-313-2430.

What are the requirements for traffic signal installation?

The Traffic Signal Warrants list summarizes the basis for new signal installation. Please contact the Traffic Division at 410-313-2430 if you believe an intersection would be eligible for signal installation. The Traffic Division will want to determine the most efficient and safe way to keep the driving public moving.

Can the speed limit in my neighborhood be lowered?

Speed limits are carefully studied for safety, and are set as they are for a reason. However, in the event that an area needs to be reassessed, the Bureau of Highways can help. The Traffic Division can analyze a neighborhood for safe speeds, depending on a variety of factors including traffic volume, road designation (Arterial Roads vs Major Collector Roads), prevailing speed (85th percentile), and proximity to schools. If you would like your neighborhood assessed for traffic calming/speed reduction, please contact the Traffic Division at 410-313-2430.

School Zones

Maryland law defines a school zone as a roadway within a half-mile radius of a school where State Highway Administration or the local authority may set maximum speed limits. Established school zones are marked with street signs indicating the zone boundaries and applicable speed limits. Howard County's automated speed enforcement positions "speed cameras" on roadways that either front schools or border school properties or roadways along student walking routes that are designated school zones. Each school zone is clearly marked as a school zone and as an automated speed enforcement (ASE) location. Links to school zone maps are provided below.

Howard County Police Automated Speed Enforcement

(Choose "Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in School Zones" from drop-down menu.)

School Zone Maps

Elementary School Zones

Middle School Zones

High School Zones

Private School Zones

Atholton Adventist(No Speed Zone)
Beth Shalom Religious School(No Speed Zone)
Bethel Christian Academy - Elem
Bethel Christian Academy - Middle
Chapelgate Christian Academy
Columbia Academy
Crossroads Adventist School(No School Speed Zone)
Faith Bible Church Academy(No Speed Zone)
Glenelg Country
Linwood Children's Center, Inc(No Speed Zone)
Md. School For The Deaf
Mt. Airy Christian Academy
Philips School-Laurel
Resurrection Roman Catholic
St. Augustine
St. Louis Elementary
Trinity(No Speed Zone)
Woodmont Academy(No Speed Zone)

County Council Bill No. 57-2022

Pursuant to Howard County Council Bill No. 57-2022, the Department of Public Works (DPW) shall conduct an infrastructure review when certain fatalities and specified non motorist serious injuries occur on a County road or at an intersection of a County road at another road. “Serious injury” pertaining to non-motorists is as defined in accordance with criteria established for Suspected Serious Injury in the Model Uniform Crash Criteria published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This review is not offered to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty.