Volume 44, Issue 5
Regional Trails Program Funding Application Deadline 11/10
DVRPC’s Regional Trails Program Funding Phase 9 is accepting applications until 5 pm on Thursday, November 10. With the generous support of the William Penn Foundation, up to $1 million is available to acquire right-of-way, plan, design, or construct Circuit Trails, trailheads, gateways, and neighborhood connections.
This round of funding is specifically for communities that have faced historic or current discrimination in the allocation of resources or have been subject to a disproportionate share of environmental burdens. Projects need to be located wholly or partially within a Census Tract that has an above average concentration of at least one of the following communities: Ethnic Minority, Foreign-Born, Limited English Proficiency, Low Income, and/or Racial Minority. Applicants can use DVRPC's Equity Analysis map to identify these Census Tracts. Municipalities, counties, state agencies, and nonprofits in DVRPC’s nine-county region with projects in geographies meeting this criteria are eligible for awards of up to $100,000 with no match required. Visit the Funding Opportunity Announcement for more information.
DVRPC’s commitment to making trails happen is part of our vision for the region’s transportation system — one that is safe and modern and fosters greater opportunities for all. If you have questions, contact Shawn Megill Legendre, Manager of the Regional Trails Program, at slegendre@dvrpc.org.
Crash Responder Safety Week is Nov. 14-18
November 14-18, 2022 is Crash Responder Safety Week. Every day, responders risk life and limb to help drivers out on the road, and each year, hundreds of these individuals are struck, and many are killed, by negligent, distracted, and impatient drivers. Please join us this week in raising awareness concerning the dangers these individuals face every time they stop to help our fellow travelers.
All of us can help save lives by moving over a lane or slowing down when there is an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road or in a travel lane. In addition to being the right thing to do, moving over is also the law. Pennsylvania and New Jersey both have Move Over Laws, which require motorists to Move Over or slow down to provide a buffer for the people who work to keep our roadways safe.
Learn more about Crash Responders Safety Week on the Transportation Systems Management and Operations webpage, and follow and share DVRPC’s posts on social media throughout the week to raise awareness. Learn about Traffic Incident Management in the DVRPC region.
DVRPC Launches Three New Community Surveys
Burlington County Downtown Access Bicycle and Pedestrian Survey - DVRPC is conducting a bike and walk study across three downtown areas in Burlington County: Maple Shade, Evesham/Marlton, and Mansfield/Columbus. In collaboration with each municipality, DVRPC is leading a community survey to learn more about people’s experiences walking and biking as well as what improvements they would like to see.
Vision Zero: Hunting Park Survey - DVRPC and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure & Sustainability (OTIS) are conducting a Vision Zero safety study on Hunting Park Avenue, between Wissahickon Avenue and Old York Road. If you ride, drive, walk, or bike on Hunting Park Avenue, we want to hear from you. Share your ideas for safety improvements through an online survey and enter to win a $50 Visa gift card.
Our Streets: A Trenton Bike Plan for All Survey - DVRPC and the City of Trenton want to engage with people who live, work, or go to school in Trenton to learn what improvements can be made so cyclists of all ages and abilities feel safe and comfortable riding throughout the city. Share your thoughts on biking in Trenton in this online survey.
Electric Vehicle Considerations for First Responders
With the increase in deployment of electric vehicles (EVs), it is critical that first responders know how to respond to crashes involving EVs. Currently there is no standardized response guidance due in part to a lack of field exposure and an increase in the diversity of EV models on the road. EVs present challenges at crash sites since EV fires, though less likely to occur than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle fires, burn hotter and require more water than ICE fires. EVs can also reignite hours or even weeks after the initial fire has been put out, causing further challenges to towing companies who store damaged cars in their lots.
To begin addressing this, DVRPC has been facilitating training sessions with the Incident Management Task Forces (IMTFs). Earlier this year, the Delaware Valley Tesla Owners Club offered EV Crash Courses that introduced responders to the anatomy of EVs, how to tow them, and what hazards responders need to be aware of. Additionally, DVRPC coordinated multiple continuing education courses on Electric Vehicle Fire Training for First Responders. This course covered patient management, fire suppression, extrication, scene mitigation, debris cleanup, and situational awareness.
As more EVs hit the roads, the need for training and response standards will continue to grow. DVRPC is in the early stages of creating an EV Task Force to continue these conversations and advance planning for EVs–ensuring that the needs of first responders are not forgotten as municipalities make plans for greater EV deployment. If you’re interested in joining the conversation about electric vehicle considerations for first responders, contact Kayla Bancone, Transportation Planner, at kbancone@dvrpc.org.
Philadelphia’s Chestnut Street Gets New Separated Bike Lane
Philadelphia has a new separated bike lane due in part to the DVRPC/PennDOT Connects Bike-Friendly Resurfacing Program. Opened in early October, the new bicycle lane extends the existing Chestnut Street protected lane from 34th Street to 63rd Street/Cobbs Creek Parkway in West Philadelphia.
The DVRPC/PennDOT Connects Bike-Friendly Resurfacing Program is an effort to identify roads for potential investment in bike-friendly improvements as part of regularly scheduled PennDOT resurfacing projects. The Chestnut Street project was completed in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia with the goals of creating a smoother street, calming traffic, creating safer and shorter pedestrian crossings, improving parking and loading operations, reducing illegal parking, increasing safety for people bicycling, preserving space for trucks and buses to turn, and designing travel lanes that match the corridor.
New National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Resources Available
PennDOT has developed resources to help businesses and organizations to prepare in advance of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement, which is anticipated for late December/early January.
The NEVI Grant pre-announcement resources include information about applicant eligibility, eligible projects, and eligible and ineligible costs. In addition, PennDOT has created an interactive map identifying existing Alternative Fuel Corridor-qualifying stations and has grouped interchanges based on priority through a gap analysis.
In addition, NEVI stakeholder sessions are being held around the state, including two that DVRPC is helping to coordinate:
November 15, 2022
Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA
Learn more and register
November 22, 2022
DVRPC's offices
Philadelphia, PA
Learn more and register
These in-person sessions will include a presentation portion, followed by an opportunity to network and expand professional connections and partnerships.
Final FY23 TIP for Pennsylvania Document and Addendum
Following a 30+ day public comment period, the DVRPC Board adopted the DVRPC FY2023 TIP (FY23-FY26) for the Pennsylvania portion of the region with Recommended Changes as the priority program of transportation projects on July 28, 2022. The regional TIP is included in the Pennsylvania Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and was developed in cooperation with PennDOT, SEPTA, Pottstown Area Rapid Transit (PART), and DVRPC's member cities and counties. The TIP has been approved by the federal review agencies (FHWA, FTA, and EPA) and became the official DVRPC FY2023 TIP for PA on October 1, 2022.
Final DVRPC FY2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Pennsylvania (FY23-FY26) - The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) document contains a listing of all transit, highway, bridge, bicycle, pedestrian, and multimodal projects in DVRPC’s Pennsylvania counties that will seek federal funding in federal fiscal years 2023 to 2026. This volume also contains the following appendices: (A) Board Resolutions; (B) State DOT Financial, and General and Procedural Guidance Used in Developing the Program, and SEPTA’s Financial Capacity Analysis and TAM Plan; (C) Memorandum of Understanding on Procedures to Amend and Modify the TIP; and (D) DVRPC TIP-LRP Project Benefit Evaluation Criteria.
DVRPC FY2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Pennsylvania (FY23-FY26) - Addendum - This volume contains the following appendices: (E) Executive Summary of the Documentation of the Conformity Finding, (F) Environmental Justice Appendix, (G) Title VI Policy Statement and Complaint Procedures, and (H) Summary of Public Involvement Process, Original Public Comments, Responses to Public Comments, List of Recommended Changes, Public Comment Outreach Documentation, the Highlights of the Draft DVRPC FY2023 TIP for Pennsylvania, Public Notice, a copy of a letter sent to the Tribal Nations notifying the Nations of DVRPC’s Core Planning Activities, and Proof of Publication.
New Publications: Management Plans for Forests and Trees
DVRPC recently published Management Plans for Forests and Trees for three cities in New Jersey: City of Camden, City of Trenton, and Gloucester City. These management plans are municipal documents that outline the communities’ visions and prioritized goals to protect and grow the cities’ tree cover or “community forests.” In this context, the “community forest” is within municipal boundaries and includes publicly managed trees along streets and in parks, as well as privately managed trees on private properties. Integrating data from a variety of local, state, and national government sources as well as private research organizations, meetings with community members, and on the ground assessments, these plans present in-depth existing conditions assessment of the cities’ community forests as well as a series of goals and actions which have been prioritized by local residents and organizations. The plans are intended to be proactive and outline the work that these varied partners want to accomplish to improve their forest cover.
Upcoming Online LTAP Classes in PA and NJ
The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) provides technical information and expertise to help municipal governments use transportation funds more effectively, improve road maintenance, and increase roadway safety. Classes are held by Pennsylvania and New Jersey LTAP programs, but are open to any municipality.
Upcoming classes:
Traffic Incident Management Training for Emergency Responders
Virtual
November 16, 2022 (8:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Guard Rail Drop-in Session
Virtual
December 1, 2022 (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Visit Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation to see the 2022 schedule of LTAP courses in New Jersey.
Visit PennDOT's LTAP website to view the course descriptions and register. For any questions, contact Linda McNeffer at lmcneffer@dvrpc.org or 215-238-2872.
DVRPC maintains a calendar of events, workshops, and conferences hosted by our partners and related to planning for Greater Philadelphia. Visit our Partner Calendar to learn more.
Staff Profile: Kayla Bancone, Transportation Planner, Office of Transportation Operations Management
What did you want to be growing up? My dream job changed day-to-day as a kid, but I was always super into simulation and role playing video games where I could build cities, farms, worlds–you name it. So, sometimes I joke that becoming a planner was inevitable for me.
What did you study in college? My college didn’t offer an undergraduate planning degree, so I studied Geography with a focus on GIS and a minor in environmental studies.
How did you end up at DVRPC? I moved to Philly in 2020 for a job at an environmental consulting firm. I ended up working with a lot of DVRPC data products and was introduced to DVRPC staff through that job. Then, I learned someone from my college program worked here and really enjoyed it. I saw that DVRPC had a listing for a Transportation Planner role, and the rest was history.
What is your favorite part of working at DVRPC? It's hard to pick just one thing. Aside from the great people I get to work with here, I really love the diversity of the projects I work on and the feeling that my job is worth something more than a paycheck. One of my biggest fears entering the workforce after college was that I was going to become a pencil pusher or work for a big, passionless conglomerate. Thankfully, my role here at DVRPC could not be further from that.
What is your work/life philosophy? I really relate to DVRPC’s shared value: “Trust that excellence is everyone’s goal.” I’ve found this to be true in both my professional and personal life. Trusting that people are bringing their best selves to every situation creates a strong foundation for effective collaboration and relationship-building.
Who is someone you’d like to meet? I’d really love to sit down and grab a coffee with Krista Tippett. She’s interviewed some of the most influential scientists, religious figures, poets, and thinkers, and I’d really like to know how that’s shaped her worldview.
What is your favorite leisure activity? When I’m not at work you’ll probably find me biking or walking the beautiful trails in the Delaware Valley region. Recently, I’ve been exploring the D&L Heritage Trail.
What are your Top 3 places you want to travel to? Iceland, Japan, and New Zealand have always been at the top of my bucket list.
Are you a cat or dog person? Anyone in the office who has had more than a 2-minute conversation with me knows I’m absolutely obsessed with my Australian Shepherd, Bindi. Though I’ve yet to meet any animal I didn’t immediately fall in love with, nothing beats the unconditional love and loyalty of a dog.
What is a recent gift you’ve given or received? My manager left some treats from La Colombe on my desk this morning in honor of my one-year anniversary at DVRPC. That was really sweet.