Smart Transit
Connecting Baltimore County through Smarter Transportation
In Baltimore County, your zip code still determines far too much about your access to opportunity—and the truth is, we did this to ourselves. Our fear of connectivity carved limited access into Baltimore City and kept the communities wrapped around our County from ever linking together in a meaningful way. And the problem is not just long trips—it’s short ones. A 2021 Bureau of Transportation Statistics study found that 28% of all trips nationwide are under a mile, and more than half are under three miles. Yet many of our residents cannot safely make those everyday trips by bike, scooter, or transit.
The consequences show up in everyday life. The Baltimore region now ranks 14th in
the nation for traffic congestion, and it can take more than 90 minutes on public transit to travel from Rosedale to Tradepoint Atlantic or from Owings Mills to Hunt Valley. In fact, Central Maryland has scored a “D” on a Transportation Report card from Transportation Alliance.
What that means in real terms:
- Over 92% of jobs in the region are inaccessible in less than one hour by public transit.
- An average of 20% of jobs are accessible by car in 20 minutes or less while 21% commute 45 minutes or more to their jobs. (On long commutes, the Baltimore region is the worst municipality that the Alliance evaluates)
- In the Baltimore region, 36% of households spend more than 45% of their income on transportation and housing costs.
- Measly 13% of commuters get to work by walking, biking, transit or carpooling
- Currently, the Baltimore region sees “annual rate of 2.21 deaths per 100,000 residents – a rate more than double that of our peers in Minneapolis (0.84), Pittsburgh (0.94), and Cleveland (1.07)” (2026, Transportation Alliance Report card)
We lack protected lanes, reliable neighborhood connections, and transit designed for short-distance mobility. We have a system that forces people into cars for distances they should be able to travel easily and safely, robbing our neighborhoods of the vibrancy that comes from a deeply connected community.
But this isn’t only about transportation or economics. It’s about making life more affordable by connecting people to good jobs. It’s about ensuring every resident has a fair shot at dignity and decency. It’s about protecting—and expanding—our green spaces by reducing our reliance on cars. And ultimately, it’s about stitching together the hearts of our communities and building the bonds worthy of 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
Use Data to Improve Performance
- Launch CommuteStat: Force collaboration internally and externally and improve our decision-making and tactics to deliver reforms by tracking key indicators, such as commute times and congestion, transit ridership, infrastructure upgrades, pothole tracking, road conditions and safety metrics.
- Transparent and Accessible Public Engagement: If you need a speed bump in your area, you should be able to complete the request with the county with ease and then see that project on CommuteStat so that you know when it will be done.
Build a Smarter, Faster Transit Network
- Free Circulators: Through an expansion of the circulator system, we will create 5 new fare-less circulators funded locally until the federal Department of Transportation assumes the costs.
- One County in Transit: Circulators will run in the North County along York Road, in the Southwest along Rolling Road, between Owings Mills and Parkville along Greenspring Valley and Seminary, in the Northeast along Belair Road and in the Southeast along Eastern Ave.
- Support Federal Reforms: Currently, the US Department of Transportation will assume the costs of Local Operated Transportation Systems after localities have paid for 3 years; we will support efforts to reduce this timeframe to one year.
- Reliable Connectivity: These routes can provide reliable transportation between job centers, transit stations, schools and commercial areas while remaining simple and easy for riders to use. Moreover, they can improve our connection between County and City.
- Improve Existing Options: Work with MTA to expand local bus service and improve reliability, especially in underserved areas. This includes more routes at greater frequencies and longer operating hours for both buses and light rail.
- Moreover, we should embrace the BMore bus program and explore Bus Rapid Transit options with dedicated lanes, off-board fare collection, and modern vehicles—like those in Denver, Pittsburgh and abroad. And develop direct services to economic hubs so riders don’t have to go into the City and back out to reach employment (modeling Senator Carl Jackson’s efforts to connect Rosedale and Tradepoint Atlantic).
- Drive Regional Solutions: Advocate for regional east-west and north-south transit solutions, including the Red Line and expanded light rail.
- Regional Transit Coordinating Board: Create a Baltimore Regional Transit Coordinating Board with authority across City, County, and Anne Arundel to align investments in MARC, MTA, and local circulators. Together, we can advocate for improvements such as schedule enhancements on state-operated resources like MTA that will greatly improve the lives of residents of the region.
Modernize for Efficiency and Equity
- Create Connected Communities: Strategically plan for transit-oriented development throughout the County to promote more compact, connected and walkable communities.
- Legalize Modern Approaches: Update 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
- Rejuvenate Revenue Streams: 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 Advanced technology: Improve the use of our existing infrastructure by using advanced technologies like AI. Additionally, launch a study of quantum computing for the optimization of traffic flow through congestion forecasting, real-time congestion management and vehicle/passenger routing
- Upgrade our Infrastructure: From traffic signals and road signs to other road infrastructure to improve communication with drivers in real time, including delivering information to vehicle navigation systems
- Seek Cutting-Edge Solutions:
- Evaluate pilot partnerships with autonomous vehicle companies to promote ride-sharing and improve traffic flow.
- Expand EV charging stations and support the electrification of public transit fleets.
- Promote micro-mobility solutions like e-bikes and scooters
Invest in Safe, Complete Streets
- Advocate as a Region: Partner with regional advocacy groups to develop and implement a substantive, well-coordinated bicycle and pedestrian plan
- Invest in Safety: Improve safety and reduce fatalities by leveraging quick-build MDOT projects.
- Fix our Streets: Address 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.