Executive Summary Transit Hub Case Study: Owings Mills Metro Station By: Kathleen Cary Rose, J. Luke Byrne and Catherine Buhler The purpose of the Transit Hub Case Study is to identify and evaluate the four locations in Baltimore that are best suited for development into the first public Transit Hubs. Transit Hubs are terminals where several types of transportation connect, including pedestrian, bicycle, rail, metro, and automobile. This case study will envision how these hubs will function, with a focus on wayfinding, clean transportation, and better connections from mode to mode. The Baltimore Washington Electric Vehicle Initiative (BEVI) operates as an advocate for electric vehicles as well as clean, sustainable, and active transportation. Our primary focus is to facilitate discussion, education, economic development, public policy, and urban planning related to electric vehicles (EVs) in support of climate prosperity. Owings Mills Metro Station is the north endpoint station for the Baltimore Metro Subway. Through research we have identified needs and solutions to advance Owings Mills Metro Station as a major transportation hub for the city. Issues and Findings Owings Mill Metro Station lacks transit choices Maps and signs are insufficient. The parking lots do not offer EV charging stations. There are few options for last mile connections. It is difficult for cyclist and pedestrians to safely reach the station. Solutions: Introduce a non stop express electric bus that takes commuters from the station directly to Penn Station. Install EV charging station to MTA parking lot, or partner with David S. Brown Enterprises, LTD. to add EV charging stations to their garage. Improved signs and maps can strengthen connections and efficiently assist travelers. Cyclist and pedestrian culture can be encouraged by adding bike lanes, safe route wayfinding, bikeshare, and by initiating electric assist bicycles. Station Assets
Owings Mills Metro Station is located in Owings Mills, a suburb of Baltimore, off of Maryland Interstate 795. Traffic enters and exits from Painters Mill Road, with direct access to 795 North. The station mainly serves Metro riders and has connections to two MTA bus routes, 56 and 59. Key Amenities: Utilities: Touch and Go Ticket Center kiosk, emergency call box, ATM, up and down escalator Assistance: Metro information desk Wayfinding: Bus route pamphlet wall Wheelchair Accessible: Elevators to Metro platform, parking spots Seating: Enclosed seating on platform, 6 benches outside of station Bike: 5 bike lockers Parking: Over 800 free MTA parking spaces, and access to free covered parking from Owings Mills Metro Center (owned by David S. Brown Enterprises, LTD. ) Drop off/pick up: Taxi stand, kiss and ride roundabout Public Art: Mary Ann Mears Streamings, 1987 Nearby resources: Theaters, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops are all located within 0.25 mile radius. Walkable attractions include: Owings Mills Mall AMC Theater Owings Mills 17 Owings Mills Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library CCBC Owings Mills Extension Center Metro Centre at Owings Mills Station Challenges Lack of Amenities: Food: No food options News: Vacant newsstand Utilities: No Wi Fi, no electrical outlets Wayfinding: Inconsistent unclear signage Assistance: Vacant police stand Bike: Lack of bike racks, no bikeshare, signs for no parking for bikes, no dedicated bike lanes near station Parking: No EV charging station Pedestrian : Must walk through a parking garage to get to station from Metro Centre
Discussion Transit Connections: Owings Mills Metro Station is the first stop along the 14 stop Metro line. Metro riders commute to the station primarily by car or bus. The station s only bus transit connections are two bus routes, 56 and 59. Owings Mills closest connection to the Light Rail is Lutherville Light Rail Station, 12.6 mile drive. Neither bus 56 or 59 connect to the Light Rail. EV Charging: Owings Mills Metro Station has no EV charging stations. Parking is ample and free but no parking spot is dedicated to EV charging. Wayfinding: Owings Mills lacks clear signage and maps. The station has a North exit that leads to the main MTA parking lot and bus stands, but the signs do not clearly guide commuters to the bus. There is a map that shows where you are on the Metro line, but it only shows the relation to the surrounding area. It does not show where the Metro line continues. Bike and Pedestrian: Owings Mills Metro Station s pedestrian and bicycle culture is in need of improvement and further advancement. The lack of sidewalks and bike lanes in the surrounding area make the station unconducive for bicyclist and pedestrians. There is no sidewalk North of Painters Mill Road, the main road connected to the station. There are no designated bike lanes or paths that lead to the station. Bike parking is insufficient and limited to the 5 bike lockers, which cost a monthly fee for their use. Bikeshare does not exist in Owings Mills. Recommendations By using existing resources and adding to the current framework, Owings Mills can improve transit connections, enhance EV readiness, and create a safer infrastructure for clean, active transportation thus making Baltimore more adeptly connected. Improved connections would influence more people to use public transit in Owings Mills. Transit Connections:
A preferred express electric bus, acting as a non stop shuttle that connects Owings Mills to one other proposed Transportation Hub, Penn Station. EV Charging Stations: Install 1 2 EV charging stations to MTA parking lot, or partner with David S. Brown Enterprises, LTD. to add EV charging stations to their garage. Wayfinding: Take down irrelevant and unnecessary signs and maps. Create signs that clearly direct passengers to the bus. Create maps that display the safest route to bike and walk to the station. Improve maps by providing up to date electronic maps of all of MTA s modes of transportation. Simplified versions of each transit mode should be located next to larger electronic map for clarification. Bike and Pedestrian Routes: Design protected bike lanes on Painters Mill Road that extend to neighborhoods and areas of interest throughout Owings Mills. Bikeshare and E Bikes: Install bike racks to the left of the station s North entrance. Install bikeshare to the right of the station s North entrance. Last mile connections are lacking from Owings Mills. Bikeshare would help would allow more people to ride transit. Add Electric Assist Vehicles to the bikeshare fleet. Electric Assist Vehicles can be a provided option to those who do not feel confident riding a bicycle on the street, or for those who are not physically able to ride a normal bike. Design a program that lets riders take bikes and E bikes from Owings Mills Metro Station s bikeshare home for the night. This will help support biking as a last mile commuting option. Promote Electric Assist Vehicles by providing a battery kiosk bank to easily switch out pre charged batteries. Conclusions With these recommendations the goal is to improve the efficiency and availability of connections from Owings Mills Metro station to other nearby hubs, to create a safe way to bike and walk to the station, and to support clean transportation throughout Greater Baltimore. Developing this station into a Transit Hub will persuade Owings Mills residents to use public transportation as a way to commute into Baltimore City, and encourage Baltimore City residents to ride the Metro into Owings Mills, ultimately promoting the city and leading to economic growth.
References MTA: http://mta.maryland.gov/metro subway Owings Mills Metro Station Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/owings+mills+metro+station/@39.4086466, 76.7799431,1 515m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c8179fd370725d:0x4c25d4e3a46171d!5m1!1e3 Appendice Baltimore Metro Subway Map
North Entrance Bus Route Pamphlets
No Parking Sign for Bikes Enclosed Seating at Metro Platform
You Are Here Sign Empty Police Stand
Vacant News Stand