Accessible Design in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, MD
Project Summary
Montgomery County, MD, is setting a new standard for accessible public spaces. Partnering with Toole Design, the County has introduced innovative solutions, including a pilot project in downtown Silver Spring to collect feedback from individuals with vision disabilities on cutting-edge treatments to help them navigate intersections and access bus boarding islands, a comprehensive Accessible Design Guide that integrates and addresses gaps in existing federal and state guidance, and a Curbless & Shared Streets Design Guide.
These projects demonstrate how thoughtful design can make streets, sidewalks, and transit safer and more equitable for all users. Keep reading to learn more about our accessibility work in Montgomery County.
1. Silver Spring Accessibility project and Accessible Floating Bus Stop Pilot
To address concerns about the accessibility of pedestrian infrastructure and floating bus stops to people with vision disabilities, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) partnered with Toole Design on two related projects.
The first, conducted with funding from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, included a comprehensive survey of technologies and design treatments for making streets accessible to pedestrians and transit users with vision disabilities; engagement with individuals with vision disabilities to understand their characteristics, needs, and preferences; and development of a toolkit with best practices for improving safety and accessibility. The toolkit now serves as a valuable resource for jurisdictions across North America.
The second project involved designing and piloting a 30% concept for a new floating bus stop in Silver Spring, MD. The pilot took place at an existing bus stop location in downtown Silver Spring and involved 22 individuals with vision disabilities and other stakeholders, including people with other disability types, County staff, and representatives from local and regional transit agencies. It featured a mockup floating bus stop with innovative accessibility solutions, such as tactile and braille signage, audible pushbutton messaging, and in-bus alerts for passengers approaching floating stops. Follow-up evaluations confirmed the success of these features in improving access and safety for people with vision disabilities and reduced initial opposition to floating bus stops. Building on the pilot’s success, MCDOT launched additional accessibility-focused initiatives.

2. MOntgomery County Accessible Design Guide
Toole Design also partnered with MCDOT to develop a first-of-its-kind Accessible Design Guide. The guide goes beyond federal standards, offering a consistent, research-based approach to designing accessible streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and other public spaces.
Compliant with the Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG), the guide features easy-to-read tables with linked source documents, detailed illustrations of key designs with required dimensions, example photos, and practical strategies for engaging people with disabilities.
As one of the most comprehensive accessible design resources in the U.S., the guide reflects best practices and is expected to serve as a model for jurisdictions nationwide.


3. Montgomery County Curbless & Shared Streets Guide
We were also the lead author of Montgomery County’s Curbless & Shared Streets Design Guide, as a supplement to the County’s Complete Streets Design Guide. Published in October 2024, this guide includes a section on accessibility and provides best practices, design principles, and engagement considerations unique to curbless and shared street design and function. Learn more about these two guides in detail here.