Ready, Set, Glow: Campus Core Gets First Traffic Signal
Device Is First of Three Installed in Preparation for Purple Line
The new traffic signal at the intersection of Regents Drive and Campus Drive is expected to become operational around June 6.
Photos by Stephanie S. Cordle
June 9 update: The Purple Line contractor has delayed the activation of the traffic signal until later in the summer. An update will be posted once a date is scheduled.
A one-stoplight town might sound sleepy, but a new traffic signal at the University of Maryland instead will illuminate its growth.
The first stoplight in the university’s campus core will go operational on or around June 6 at the intersection of Campus Drive and Regents Drive near the “M” as part of the state’s Purple Line light-rail project.
It is the first of three new permanent traffic signals coming to the campus to ensure the safe operation of newly configured intersections and to accommodate future light-rail train traffic in a bustling community of 55,000 faculty, staff and students.
The other two signals will be operational at a future date at the intersection of Union Drive and Alumni Drive (in Lots 1 and Z) and at the new intersection of Campus Drive and Rossborough Lane east of Baltimore Avenue (near the Leonardtown Community). This map shows the locations of the new signals.
“It is important for pedestrians, vehicles and micromobility riders to follow traffic laws and use safe practices at these intersections,” said Charles R. Reuning, interim vice president and chief administrative officer.
Other advice for people traveling on campus:
- Pedestrians and Wheelchair Users
- Obey the walk signal.
- Use caution when crossing the tracks.
- Wheelchair users should cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle; crossing tracks at a lower angle can result in wheels becoming stuck in the rail gap.
- Stay out of designated construction areas
- Vehicles
- Turning on red will not be allowed.
- Turning left will not be allowed from eastbound Campus Drive (when headed from the Adele H. Stamp Student Union toward the “M”) onto northbound Regents Drive (toward the Regents Drive Garage).
- Abide by the 15 mph campus speed limit
- Micromobility Riders
- Follow traffic signals and the speed limit as vehicles do, including no turning on red.
- Cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle; avoid the rails when riding parallel to the track, or your wheels can become stuck in the rail gap.
- Use designated bike paths where available.
- Yield to pedestrians crossing the bike path.
The Purple Line route will extend from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Silver Spring and Bethesda in Montgomery County, and five of the 21 stations will be on or around the UMD campus. With direct connections to Metrorail, Amtrak and MARC, the Purple Line will provide more accessible and reliable transportation for students, faculty and staff. The Purple Line is currently scheduled to open in winter 2027.
To find the most up-to-date road closures and detours, visit UMD’s Purple Line website for impacts on campus and the official Purple Line website for impacts beyond campus. If you have questions or encounter issues while traveling around campus, including accessibility concerns, contact purpleline@umd.edu.
To subscribe to text alerts when a significant sidewalk or roadway closure is scheduled by the Purple Line, use your mobile phone to text the keyword “UMDPURPLE” (not case-sensitive) to 888777.
For accessible pedestrian routes, go to the online UMD Campus Map, select the "Directions" tab, then click the "Accessible Pathways" checkbox to see accessible campus routes.
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