ACCESSIBILITY Ensuring that all of the MDTA’s facilities are fully accessible to all employees and customers is part of the MDTA’s commitment to an inclusive transportation system. Management of the MDTA’s Accessibility To enhance accessibility, the MDTA employs various strategies such as implementing all-electronic toll lanes that have significantly improved traffic flow and reduced bottlenecks. Additionally, the MDTA provides the following automatic tolling options for travelers: E-ZPass allows for an antenna to read a small electronic device mounted on a vehicle’s windshield and then charges the driver’s account for the correct toll amount. Drivers can establish an E-ZPass account using a credit card, personal check, or cash. Pay-by-Plate is a hassle-free way to pay Maryland tolls. Under this program, tolls are billed automatically to a driver’s credit card as MDTA facilities are used, with no need for an E-ZPass device. Video Tolling is a form of electronic toll collection that uses still images of a vehicle’s license plate to identify a vehicle liable to pay a toll. The image is captured as the vehicle drives under the gantry or through a toll plaza at a toll-collection facility. The vehicle owner will receive a mailed invoice. The MDTA strives to ensure its tolling facilities also connect travelers to as many additional modes of public transportation as possible. The Intercounty Connector (ICC) was Maryland’s first all-electronic toll road where tolls are collected at highway speed as motorists drive under tolling structures, called gantries. The ICC improves access to: Metrorail Maryland Area Rail Commuter Rail (MARC) BWI Marshall Airport Local transit services MTA’s Commuter Bus Service All-Electronic Tolling Conversion In 2018, the MDTA began the process of moving towards cash- free tolling at its facilities. This next generation tolling system provides convenience and greater accessibility for travelers, less engine idling for better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, decreased congestion, and increased safety. Since then, the MDTA began removing toll booths and converting the facilities to use overhead gantries to collect tolls through E-ZPass and video tolling. In August 2020, former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that full-time all-electronic tolling would be permanent across Maryland. Many MDTA facilities have undergone this conversion to remove toll booths. Throughout construction, the public was made aware of the project construction schedule, driver’s alerts for changing traffic patterns and locations of new gantries, images and renderings of existing and proposed conditions, and reminders to mount their E-ZPass transponder properly and keep their accounts up to date to receive the lowest toll rate.
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN The MDTA is committed to upholding procurement practices and policies that promote the sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity across its supply chain. Notably, the MDTA has focused on supplier diversity as a way to promote inclusion and equity not only in operations, but in communities and society. The agency will continue to enhance sustainable supply chain practices and expand efforts into new areas where the greatest needs exist. Supplier Diversity The MDTA also promotes DEI through its Small and Minority- Owned business program, which supports businesses owned by minorities, veterans, and disadvantaged individuals. This is achieved through compliance with the Minority/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs required by COMAR and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 49, Part 26). The MDTA’s Division of Civil Rights and Fair Practices (CRFP) is responsible for developing, overseeing, and administering the MDTA’s State and federal socio-economic programs. These programs include the following: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program Certified Small Businesses (CSB)/Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program The Maryland General Assembly has mandated a goal-oriented program to achieve minority participation in the State’s procurement activities. The MDTA developed this program by establishing a goal setting and contract compliance process that ensures maximum minority, disadvantaged, and veteran- owned business participation on all eligible procurements. MDTA believes in the value of working with small- and minority-owned businesses. In addition to formal programs, we strive to foster a culture that encourages the participation of small- and minority- owned businesses across MDTA’s operations and projects. PUBLIC SAFETY In its commitment to ensuring the well-being of Maryland residents and travelers, the MDTA upholds public health and safety in all activities and operations. Through proactive measures, awareness campaigns, and collaboration with relevant agencies, the MDTA strives to create a secure and healthy The MDTA abides by public health and safety regulations issued by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Program, and the US Department of Health. Maintenance of MDTA roads and building facilities is an ongoing effort that bolsters the safety of Maryland’s roadways and facilities. For maintenance needed before a full replacement, the MDTA has specific contracts in place outside of its Capital program to address needs that arise outside of planned Capital upgrades. Please read more in the Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance section of this report. transportation environment for all. Management of Public Safety
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