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Creative projects that calm traffic and beautify Baltimore.
CREATE YOUR OWN PROJECT
This FREE, online guide includes step-by-step instructions, handy resources, and much more!
En español: Descargar kit de herramientas aquí.
WHAT’S INSIDE THE TOOLKIT
FAQs
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The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) allows community organizations to implement creative projects in Baltimore City’s roadways, sidewalks, alleys, and other areas maintained by DOT. Creative projects in DOT’s Right-of-Way (ROW) help to beautify Baltimore’s neighborhoods, calm traffic, increase public space for pedestrians, and create “place”.
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Communities can do placemaking projects on non-arterial roads in Baltimore City. See them here.
Consult DOT Community Programs before deciding the location.
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The Station North Tool Library includes the equipment needed to install art in the right of way projects. Filter their inventory by checking “Made You Look: Art in the Right of Way Toolbox.” With a membership, you can borrow a pressure washer, leaf blower, roller extension poles, roller frames, paint trays and all other equipment needed for paint day.
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Your Neighborhood association, representative, or BCDOT.
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Station North Arts District is working on building a database of muralists this summer that we can host on our website, and make accessible when partners are looking for artists to hire. Maryland State Arts Council, Neighborhood Design Center and Baltimore Office for Promotion of the Arts (BOPA) are great assets for getting in touch with artists.
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Paint must be pre-approved by DOT. Pre-approved paints include:
Sherman Williams Highway Products – Hotline® Traffic Paint with SharkGrip® H&C™ Slip Resistant Additive
PreMark® by Flint
Integrated Paving Concepts (IPC) installed by Alternative Paving Concepts
StreetBond® SB150
Color Top: Concrete Stain -
You will need many volunteers, or plans to pay people to help with installation.
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If you are working in the roadway to install art you need a special events or block party permit.
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If new traffic calming elements, such as bump-outs, crosswalks, flex-posts or striping, are part of your project, the traffic calming elements must be installed prior to the implementation of the art. There are two ways to install traffic calming elements: 1. Submit a 311 request to DOT or 2. Hire a contractor to install striping for you.
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As of January 2022, commercial liability insurance is required for special projects under the Department of Transportation Community-Led Placemaking Programs. In the past, special projects have included plazas, specialized lighting, and art installations. Organizations who wish to implement special projects will likely need commercial liability insurance. For any special project inquiries, please email DOTcommunityprograms@baltimorecity.gov
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Community improvement grants are our go-to option.
The majority of ROW Art projects are funded by community organizations. Baltimore City is offering some traffic improvements for priority areas.
Fee for block party permit
If insurance is needed, fee.
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PROJECT
Greenmount West
BEFORE
At the corner of Greenmount Ave and Oliver St, cars were driving too fast through the intersection due to missing roadway markings and overly wide lanes.
One resident said: “Southbound traffic would careen around the corner without looking. I remember walking past a major accident right there that nearly damaged City Arts.”
So the community got to work on a solution.
AFTER
With the new colorful bump-out, there’s only one lane to drive in, and 28 out of 30 respondents said that cars now drive slower.
Community members said:
“It absolutely helps with signaling the narrowing ahead of the crosswalk.”
“If the atmosphere of traffic calming is in place, foot traffic will increase which is key for businesses.”
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PROJECT
Reservoir Hill
BEFORE
At the intersection of Brookfield Ave and Whitelock St in Reservoir Hill, only two out of four crossings had visible crosswalks or ADA ramps. There was poor visibility of the 4-way stop signs, and line markings were all but gone.
During just one hour of observation, over half of the cars did not yield, requiring residents to stop or run out of the way, and a child was nearly hit.
AFTER
New artwork was designed and installed by Graham Coreil-Allen with input and help from the Reservoir Hill community, utilizing curb extensions and flexible posts. All the crosswalks now have ADA ramps.
Before installation: 28% of cars yielded and 36% of pedestrians used the crosswalk.
After installation: 74% of cars yielded and 75% of pedestrians used the crosswalk.
Project photos by Graham Coreil-Allen / Graham Projects grahamprojects.com
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PROJECT
Johnston Square
BEFORE
The intersections around the Johnston Square Elementary and its adjacent greenspaces were marked as a 25mph school zone, but over 40% of cars were speeding, some recorded going as fast as 80mph when school let out.
Before installation, only half of cars were yielding to pedestrians. A third of pedestrians did not use crosswalks, crossing in the middle of the street.
AFTER
The new ADA ramp crosswalks shorten the crossing distance by half. The bump-outs ensure cars do not drive or park in the crosswalks.
After installation 90% of pedestrians used the crosswalk to cross. After installation, nearly 70% of cars yielded to pedestrians.
100 volunteers were involved in painting the crosswalks. The artwork covers a total of 5,800 square feet and is part of the larger Bee Safe Johnson Square project.
Project photos Bloomberg Philanthropies and SIDE A Photography
About the Initiative
What exactly is “Art in the Right of Way”?
ROW Art projects help calm traffic, beautify Baltimore’s neighborhoods, and increase public space for pedestrians.
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation allows community organizations to implement these creative projects in the city’s roadways, sidewalks, alleys, and other areas maintained by DOT.
Any neighborhood can create one!
These interventions are affordable, easy to get permits for, and quick to install. It’s a simple way to make a big difference!
Our toolkit explains the process for Baltimore City. Check back for updates that include the process in other jurisdictions.
WHY IT MATTERS
In Baltimore City, there is...
1 traffic fatality every 7 days
1 traffic injury every 54 minutes
1 traffic crash every 20 minutes
3 non-motorists injuries every day
THE TEAM
Art in the Right of Way and Made You Look began in 2018 as a collaboration between MICA’s Center for Social Design and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office with the goal of raising non-motorist visibility and making local safety concerns visible to policymakers.
As of 2022, this initiative is managed by the Neighborhood Design Center, Maryland’s leader in community design, with the intention of making safe, beautiful streets accessible to all Baltimore neighborhoods.
QUESTIONS?
Don’t be shy! Please say hello at: