Crossing of Route 1 on (NW) Branch Trail at Armentrout.

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SITE DESCRIPTION:

This section of the Northwest Branch Trail, which lies in Ward 1, is part of two national trails. The Northwest Branch trail (and Northeast Branch) is part of the East Coast Greenway, which goes from Maine to Florida. It is also part of the American Discovery Trail, which goes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. From this point to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the trail is all off-road with few exceptions. The southern terminus of the Hyattsville Trolley Trail, which links the two national trails to the Route 1 corridor, is adjacent to this intersection.

Route 1 is a very heavily trafficked Maryland state route that is a major north-south corridor linking the northeastern Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC and downtown DC. The Prince George's County courthouse and historic downtown Hyattsville are located 1/4 mile north of the Northwest Branch trail crossing. Armentrout Road is a thruway to Alternate Route 1, Bladensburg Road and Kennilworth Avenue, and also the local route that affords a railroad-crossing-free path across the track.

Route 1 has no sidewalks north of the intersection and sidewalks that end abruptly south of the intersection. A dirt path has been worn off by walkers. The paved shoulders end at the intersection in all directions on Route 1. Although it is not heavily used by pedestrians, Route 1 is used as a commuting route by daring cyclists. The intersection is also the location of the Route 1 crossing of the Northwest Branch trail which utilizes the crosswalk on Route 1 and the southern sidewalk of Armentrout. There is no crosswalk at all across Armentrout, to the east or the west.

For pedestrians and bicycles, traversing Route 1 at the trail crossing, requires crossing four lanes of traffic and a right-turn lane for northbound traffic going onto Armentrout. And, the signal allows only about 10 seconds of travel time. Pedestrians have to rush if they want to cross all the way; otherwise, they have to wait for another light cycle on the island in the median. Pedestrians with physical disabilities and elderly trail users will not have enough time to cross halfway, especially if they are in a large group. Traffic coming from Armentrout turning left onto southbound Route 1 also have to take that short window of opportunity to make their turn, hence creating a user conflict and adding to the perils of cyclists and pedestrians trying to cross at the same time.

Note: From Hyattsville to Pittsburgh, PA, the American Discovery Trail is almost totally off road. There are only a few miles between Hyattsville and Georgetown and between McKeesport, PA and Pittsburgh that are on road.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Continue the sidewalk and paved shoulder along Route 1 all the way to the town center, creating a link between the trail and the shops and the town buildings. Continue the paved shoulder on Route 1 through the town center.
• Add a hiker/biker path on the east side of Route 1 adjacent to the sidewalk area that connects to the trolley trail right of way. From there it should continue behind the commercial buildings along the tracks to the EYA development section of the trail and on through the Riverdale Park town center and into College Park to the existing section of the trolley trail.
• Adjust the light cycle at Armentrout to accommodate all users. The cycle should be at least 45 to 50 seconds long and should be triggered by the push button, so that traffic isn't unnecessarily delayed.
• Bike lanes should be added on both sides of Route 1. (Is this different than recommendation #3?)
  
• Add an arrow light on the right turn lane of Route 1 for traffic turning onto Armentrout: It should be red when the crosswalk signal is triggered and green all other times.
  
• Beautify the intersection with a "Welcome to Hyattsville, Bike Friendly City" sign.
• Add a weight triggered left-turn light for traffic turning left from Armentrout onto Route 1 south to end the conflict for the right-of-way at the crosswalk.
• Route street sweeper to Armentrout - there is often broken glass present along Armentrout both in roadway and on bike path sidewalk area. Dumping of household garbage is a long-standing problem off Armentrout in the park area. We suggest adding a vehicle gate or bullard to prevent easy access.
  

JURISDICTIONS:
Route 1 - Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) (U.S. 1, although a federal highway, is maintained by SHA). Northwest Branch Trail - MNCPPC
Armentrout - Prince George's County
Wards - This intersection lies in Hyattsville Ward 1

HISTORY:
Hyattsville has a community committee dedicated to the improvement of the trolley trail from the Northwest Branch Trail north along the trolley trail right of way. One of their goals is to tie the portion of the trolley trail in Hyattsville with paved sections in College Park and mowed sections in Riverdale Park.

ACCIDENTS:
According to Maryland State Highway Administration, from 2001 to 2005, within 0.2 mile of intersection there have been no reported pedestrian or bike accidents.

Page created by Lisa Grob and Anne Villacres