Connecting Baltimore County through Smarter Transportation

In Baltimore County, your zip code too often determines your access to opportunity.  And the secret is—we’ve done this to ourselves.  Because of our fear of connectivity, we’ve not only built limited access into Baltimore City, but we’ve never united the communities wrapping around our County.  

The result?  We have some of the worst commute times in the country, with the Baltimore region ranking 14th for traffic congestion.  We’ve divorced our major economic hubs from one another, so that it takes 90 minutes to use public transit from Rosedale to Tradepoint Atlantic or Owings Mills to Hunt Valley.  And we’re now lagging behind on economic growth—studies show that workers leave jobs if their commute times are over 45 minutes and that Maryland’s economy has been suffering due to congestion.

But this isn’t just about economic outputs.  It’s about making life more affordable by providing access to high-quality jobs and giving each person an equal chance at dignity and decency.  It’s about protecting green space, if not creating more, by reducing our reliance on cars.  It’s about connecting the hearts of our communities and creating the ties that bind us as One County.

So, it’s time for bold thinking.  Nick served 8 years on the Workforce Development Board where he helped develop solutions for the region’s transportation system.  He’s also spent 4 years leading the advocacy group We The People – Baltimore County to fight for smarter, better connected growth.

While many major roads and transit systems are managed by the state, the Baltimore County Executive has the power—and, more importantly, the responsibility—to lead.  That means shaping local policy, coordinating across agencies, advocating for our fair share and delivering a modern transportation system.  

One County, connected, moving forward together.  

Nick’s “Connected BaltCo” Initiative

Launch “CommuteStat” to Improve Performance

• Launch CommuteStat to track key indicators, such as commute times and congestion, transit ridership, infrastructure upgrades and safety metrics.  This program will force collaboration internally and externally and improve our decision-making and tactics to deliver reforms
• Make the data transparent and readily accessible by everyone, ensuring public engagement and accountability

Build a Smarter, Faster Transit Network

• Explore Bus Rapid Transit (“BRT”) options with dedicated lanes, off-board fare collection and modern vehicles—like those in Denver, Pittsburgh and abroad
• Advocate for regional east-west and north-south transit solutions, including the Red Line and expanded light rail
• Consider more circulators and work with MTA to expand local bus service and improve reliability, especially in underserved areas

Modernize for Efficiency and Equity

• Launch a strategic plan for transit-oriented development throughout the County to promote more compact, connected and walkable communities.  This means updating land use and planning regulations to reflect modern transit strategies, passing meaningful mixed-use legislation at the local level, leveraging changes in state law and reforming parking requirements  
• Advocate for the restoration of Highway User Revenue and a fair LOTS funding formula—recouping hundreds of millions for delayed infrastructure like the Dolfield Interchange and Three Bridges Project

Harness Technology to Optimize Traffic Flow

• Leverage technology to improve the use of our existing infrastructure.  Launch study of quantum computing for the optimization of traffic flow through congestion forecasting, real-time congestion management and vehicle/passenger routing
• Upgrade traffic signals, road signs and other road infrastructure to improve communication with drivers in real time, including delivering information to vehicle navigation systems
• Evaluate partnerships with autonomous vehicle companies to promote ride-sharing and improve traffic flow
• Expand EV charging stations and support electrification of public transit fleets
• Promote micro-mobility solutions like e-bikes and scooters

Invest in Safe, Complete Streets

• Partner with regional advocacy groups to develop and implement a substantive, well-coordinated bicycle and pedestrian plan
• Leverage quick-build MDOT projects to improve safety and reduce fatalities
• Fix dangerous intersections and implement smart traffic-calming solutions

Baltimore County deserves a transportation system built for today and ready for tomorrow.  Nick will lead the charge to unite communities and connect residents to jobs, schools, healthcare and opportunity.

This is how we move Baltimore County forward—together.