Reviews & Comments
Rockville, MD
It just gets worse -
6/25/2006When I moved to Rockville 16 years ago, it was relatively easy to get around. Since then, the population has grown, and surrounding areas have been in development BOOM. Consequently, traffic is increased to the point where you sometimes have to wait several traffic light cycles to pass through an intersection.
Traffic lights are not timed well, so most of them are turning red just as the next byte of traffic reaches the intersection.
Because arterial streets are so slow and backed up, people are trying to find alternate routes, and they tend to cut through neighborhood streets. The answer has been to put increasing numbers of speed bumps on residential streets.
On the plus side, Rockville has been working hard to create a fine network of bicycle trails and increase pedestrian accessibility. The city is actively encouraging pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Access to Washington DC as well as other suburban Washington areas via a Metro (subway) station in town center is good. There are two bus systems serving the city and surrounding areas - The Washinton DC bus system and the Montgomery Co. Ride-on system. They provide service between the metro staton and Rockville neighborhoods, as well as to places of work, hospitals, city offices, and shopping areas.
Biggest problem is the intense increase in development around old, inadequate streets and roadways. This is probably a problem in every city in America that is seeing a burst of growth and development.