Maryland Department of Transportation
Statwide, Maryland
How we verified this
As of August 2026 MDOT's four command talkgroups on the First Responders Interoperable Radio System Team (FIRST) are listed "T" in the clear and only "7218 MDOT Secure — Secure — T Enc" is encrypted.
Encryption Details
What This Means
Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maryland Department of Transportation radio encrypted?
Yes — Maryland Department of Transportation's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Can I listen to Maryland Department of Transportation on a police scanner?
Partially. Maryland Department of Transportation encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Maryland Department of Transportation encrypt their radio?
Departments typically point to officer safety and operational security. Neither claim tends to come with evidence specific to Statwide County; what's verifiable is what's lost — journalists can't monitor transit authority activity in real time, and coordination with agencies that stay unencrypted gets harder.
Can Statwide County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes, and some departments already have. Because encryption here is a choice rather than a technical necessity, the path back runs through the same people who chose it: budget hearings, records requests, and residents who keep asking in public.
What can I do about Maryland Department of Transportation encryption?
Start local: show up when Statwide County officials discuss the budget for Maryland Department of Transportation, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.