Traffic

HarfordNEXT reports that “47% of Harford County workers commute out of Harford County for work”, and “51% have a long commute (>30 min.) and drive alone” (2016).

As a result, traffic congestion, roadway safety, and maintenance of roadway infrastructure are important issues in our county. As our land use continues to change from rural to semi-urban and new development stretches further into once remote areas, many of our roadways have become crowded and difficult to travel.

Traffic Impact Analyses

Any new developments (residential and non-residential) that are expected to generate more than 249 new vehicle trips per day are required to complete a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA). Proposed developments in the Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor do not require an Analysis unless expected to generate more than 1,500 daily trips.

The TIA is designed to assess whether the increased traffic will compromise safety, or hinder the flow of traffic in the surrounding area. The TIA is performed by the developer with review from the Department of Planning and Zoning, Department of Public Works, and Maryland State Highway Administration. If a proposed development will adversely impact traffic, the developer must come up with a plan to mitigate this impact.

Road intersections within the Development Envelope must achieve at least a grade “D” for level of service. Levels of service are primarily evaluated based upon time delay at the intersection. Intersections outside of the Development Envelope must achieve a grade “C”.

Town of Bel Air Traffic Impact Analysis Outline

Failing intersections

According to the 2015 Report, the following roadways have at least one movement in the intersection that fails to achieve an acceptable level of service:

  1. Maryland 22 and Thomas Run Road / Schucks Road
  2. Maryland 7 and U.S. Route 40
  3. Business US 1 and Henderson Road
  4. Maryland 147 and Connolly Road
  5. Maryland 23 and Grafton Shop Road
  6. US 1 and Reckord Road
  7. Maryland 7 and Brass Mill Road
  8. Woodsdale Road and Box Hill Corporate Center Drive
  9. Maryland 155 and Earlton Road
  10. Maryland 22 and Aldino-Stepney Road

In 2005, the following intersections were rated as failing:

  1. Maryland 24 / Maryland 924 / Tollgate Road
  2. Maryland 24 and US 1
  3. Maryland 152 and US 1
  4. Maryland 22 and Thomas Run Road / Schucks Road
  5. Maryland 24 and Bel Air South Parkway
  6. Interstate 95 and Maryland 24 Ramp
  7. Maryland 147 and Connolly Road
  8. Maryland 23 and Grafton Shop Road
  9. Tollgate Road and MacPhail Road
  10. US 1 and Milton Avenue
  11. US 1 and Reckord Road
  12. Maryland 7 and Brass Mill Road
  13. Maryland 22 and Aldino-Stepney Road

Road classifications & planning

The Road Element Plan has been incorporated within the latest Master Plan, HarfordNEXT.  It no longer be studied alone or voted upon its merits except as a part of an 8-year change. 

We do expect though that there will be some changes made to the plan, perhaps in road classifications.  Whether this would constitute a stand-alone amendment to HarfordNEXT, or a change which can be made by the Director of Planning, is unknown at this point.

Harford County road classifications

Transportation Resources