Volume 45, Issue 2
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Update
Greater Philadelphia has received over $410 million dollars in competitive grant funds through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) as of July 2023. Significant recent grants to the region include:
- $19M to Camden County Parks and Recreation for the Camden Link Trail
- $25M to the City of Philadelphia for the North Philadelphia School Zone Traffic Safety Project and $25 million to SEPTA for a Trolley Modernization and Complete Streets Project in Southwest Philadelphia
- $80M to SEPTA to Support its Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
- $25M to South Jersey Port Corporation to Improve Port of Camden Access and Stormwater Management
DVRPC may be able to assist local governments in applying for competitive grants. Visit the IIJA webpage for more information, or use this form to request a consultation. To receive periodic emails about Notice of Funding Opportunities associated with the IIJA, sign up for our email list. If you have questions, contact Sean Greene, Manager, Office of Freight and Clean Transportation, at sgreene@dvrpc.org.
Join us for Our Streets: A Trenton Bike Plan for All on 8/5
Do you bike, walk, roll, or drive around Trenton? We want to make getting around safer. Join the Our Streets: A Trenton Bike Plan for All team at a community event on Saturday, August 5, from 1:00-4:00 pm, at East Trenton Collaborative, 601 N. Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ 08638 to share your feedback on a proposed bike network.
In addition to sharing your feedback, enjoy free food and Mister Softee ice cream, take part in family-friendly art activities hosted by ARTWORKS, and enter to win bikes and grocery gift cards. You can also bring your bike in for a free tune-up by Trenton Cycling Revolution and test out a protected bike lane. These events will include information about Trenton Vision Zero work and the Trenton Trails Plan. Spanish language interpretation and translated materials will be available. Learn more at www.dvrpc.org/ourstreets.
Can't attend the Our Streets event in person? You can leave online feedback about the draft bicycle plan using our interactive digital tools through August 5, 2023.
Comment on FY 24 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Goals and Actions
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is the federally mandated, regionally owned planning process designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of Greater Philadelphia. Regions must update their strategy at least every five years to qualify for U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) financial assistance.
Based on information collected during CEDS Committee workshops in April 2023, the new EDA CEDS Guidelines, and current trends, DVRPC staff have developed Draft Goals and Actions for the FY 24 Growing Greater Philadelphia CEDS. These goals and actions will serve as the foundation of the regional economic development framework. To review, please visit the CEDS Committee webpage. General comments on the Draft Goals and Actions can be sent to Karen Cilurso at kpcilurso@dvrpc.org. Comments are welcome through August 21, 2023.
An online workshop will also be held on August 22, 2023, from 10:00-11:15 am, to review the Draft Goals and Actions and to identify potential projects/programs that work toward implementation. Registration is required.
Refreshed Ruti Finds Bike Routes With Less Car Traffic
Ruti, a collaboration between AG Strategic Design and DVRPC, is a user-friendly bicycle trip planning tool to help encourage more bicycling in the Greater Philadelphia region. Originally launched in 2021 as a text-message-based trip planning tool, Ruti recently expanded to offering trip planning on the web too. Where the original Ruti version relied on Google Maps route options, both the web trip planner and the text-based planner now fully incorporate DVRPC’s Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) analysis to evaluate every possible route between any two locations and identify the “least stressful” option. When a cyclist uses Ruti to plan a trip, they receive a custom map showing its best guess at the most comfortable route and highlighting any links that are “higher stress.” Ruti can help experienced riders find alternate routes and give less experienced riders more comfort riding throughout the region. Get started by planning a bike trip today at www.ruti.bike.
DVRPC Launches Camden Health Element Website
Earlier this summer, DVRPC released The Camden Health Element website, which reimagines the original plan, published in 2021, as a new interactive resource highlighting key findings and priority actions. The result of a multiyear effort, The Camden Health Element provides a high-level vision and concrete strategies to promote health as a priority for Camden’s future growth and development. It provides goals, strategies, and actions to address how land use, development, services, and programs may support greater overall health, social equity, and environmental justice within Camden.
The Health Element describes the relationship between planning and public health, reviews social determinants of health and current health conditions, and proposes strategies to improve the environmental and social conditions for better health for all residents. It is organized across the seven domains: healthy food access, clean environment, access to healthcare, mobility and active transportation, safe and complete neighborhoods, housing and homelessness, and education and employment. With The Health Element, the City of Camden is embracing the opportunity to incorporate community health and well-being into the city’s Master Plan, and ultimately into the policies, programs, and spaces that make up the City of Camden. Explore the new website.
DVRPC Public Comment Periods Closing Soon
On Monday, July 17, DVRPC opened a 30-day public comment period on the Draft Federal Fiscal Year (FY) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for New Jersey and the State of New Jersey’s Draft FY2024 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ TRANSIT). This public comment period also includes the Draft Amendment 2 to Connections 2050 Plan and the Major Amendment to the FY2023 TIP for Pennsylvania. DVRPC will accept comments on all four draft documents until August 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM local time. Another public comment period opened on July 24, 2023 for the Draft Transportation Conformity Demonstration; that comment period will close on August 25, 2023.
In addition to submitting comments online or through the mail, people have the opportunity to make comments at the remaining public meeting:
Thursday, August 10, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Online
Register to attend this online meeting.
For more details, contact Alison Hastings, Associate Director, Communications and Engagement, at 215-238-2929 or ahastings@dvrpc.org.
Join the Public Participation Task Force Meeting on the Work Program on 8/29
Join the DVRPC Public Participation Task Force (PPTF) meeting on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in DVRPC’s office, to learn about the Work Program. The Work Program is the comprehensive, cooperative planning program for Greater Philadelphia. It is updated annually to reflect the regional planning projects that DVRPC will undertake in the coming year to address the Greater Philadelphia region’s changing transportation and community needs. DVRPC is excited for you and your neighbors to come together to learn about the Work Program and share your thoughts on what planning projects and studies would support your community's needs. Register to attend this event.
Travel Options Program EOIs Due September 15
The Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the next round of the Travel Options Program (TOP) are due by 5 pm on September 15, 2023. To be eligible for EOI submission, applicants must have attended one of the mandatory information sessions offered in July.
TOP funds creative and innovative projects that will decrease the amount of single occupancy vehicles on the region’s roadways - a concept known as Transportation Demand Management (TDM). TOP funds planning and implementation projects that aid the goals created in A New Route to Better Travel for All: The Regional TDM Plan. Projects must address a TDM issue and solution, with some form of measurable results.
This program is competitive and a select number of applicants will be invited to submit a full application, due on January 8, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Stacy Bartels at sbartels@dvrpc.org or Amy Bernknopf at abernknopf@dvrpc.org.
Upcoming 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 offered through Pennsylvania and New Jersey LTAP programs and are open to any municipality.
Upcoming classes:
The Safe System Approach Drop-In
Virtual
August 3, 2023 (11:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Federal-aid Responsible Charge
Burlington County
August 8, 2023 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Visit Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation to see the 2023 schedule of LTAP courses in New Jersey and PennDOT's LTAP website to view courses in Pennsylvania. For any questions, contact Najah Jackson at njackson@dvrpc.org or 215-238-2836.
Get to Know Our 2023 Summer Interns!
This summer, ten interns worked alongside DVRPC staff across the Commission’s different departments. Our Communications Intern, Amy Solano, interviewed them about their interests, their experiences at DVRPC, and more.
Stay tuned to our Instagram, where we will be featuring our interns throughout the month of August.
Which school are you currently or were you most recently enrolled in?
- Grace Krueger (she/her) - Environmental Planning Intern, Office of Climate and the Environment: Temple University. I studied Environmental Studies and also pursued a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Alexa Ringer (she/her) - Congestion Management Intern, Congestion Management Program: University of Pennsylvania - City & Regional Planning focusing on Land Use & Environmental Planning.
- Ryan Schager (he/him) - Accounting Intern, Accounting Department: I am currently a rising sophomore studying Economics with a dual concentration in Business Analytics and Finance at The Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania.
- Kate Pellegrini (she/her) - Data Analyst in Travel Modeling/Organizational Consultant in Transportation Systems Management and Operations: Southern New Hampshire University: M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
- Amy Solano (she/they) - Communications Intern, Office of Communications and Engagement: Communication, concentrating in Data and Network Science, at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Morgan Griffiths (he/him) - Transportation Planning Intern in the Office of Transit, Bike, and Pedestrian Planning: I just graduated from the Master of City Planning program at the University of Pennsylvania, where I focused mostly on housing, community development, and transportation planning.
- Colleen Kazokas (she/they) - Healthy Communities Planning Intern in the Office of Climate and Environment/Public Outreach Intern in the Office of Communications and Engagement: Drexel University, Master's in Public Health in Epidemiology
- Russell Livolsi (he/him) - Transportation Planning Intern, Office of Mobility Analysis and Design: I’m currently working towards my Master of Science in City and Regional Planning at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture. I just graduated in May 2023 from Temple with a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and an Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems.
- Lahy Amman (he/him) - Environmental Planning Intern, Office of Climate and the Environment: I will be starting Master’s in City Planning at the University of Pennsylvania this fall.
- Nadine Snyder (she/her) - University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute Energy Benchmarking Fellow, Office of Sustainable Energy: University of California, Santa Barbara Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, Masters of Environmental Studies and Management.
What has been your favorite project or experience as a DVRPC intern?
- Grace: My favorite and main project has been updating the Regional Trails Inventory data and map. It's allowed me to become more familiar with ArcGIS Pro and the region that DVRPC serves.
- Alexa: Everyone is incredibly friendly. I'm grateful for the opportunities to learn more about what other departments are working on and how they all influence one another. I'm specifically glad to have helped with the engagement for the Trenton Bike Plan, which was a really fun experience.
- Kate: I have enjoyed attending the Presentation Extravaganzas and meeting colleagues across all departments.
- Russell: My favorite experience as a DVRPC intern is definitely the people. I get to work with so many awesome people in the Office of Mobility Analysis and Design, as well as the rest of the Multimodal Transportation Department and everyone else at DVRPC. I really enjoy that I get to actively and meaningfully contribute to projects and am not just stuck with grunt-work that nobody wants to do.
- Lahy: Especially coming out of the pandemic remote work world, I’m enjoying the regular social events in the office, from happy hours to the summer mini golf tournament. It’s nice to have this more laid-back in-person time with colleagues, as opposed to only seeing people on work-related Zoom meetings.
- Morgan: This past June, I was able to attend a workshop in Trenton in which various stakeholders, including city and county officials, people from New Jersey Transit, and community members came together to brainstorm design solutions to bus/bike conflicts at transit stops and intersections. I think it was one of my first times seeing DVRPC's role as a regional convener in action, and it was really cool to see stakeholders from around New Jersey who might not normally talk come together to discuss street design.
Why did you apply for an internship at DVRPC?
- Grace: I heard about DVRPC through their Air Quality Initiative(s) and admired that the commission was aware of and seeking to protect the Greater Philly area from pollution. I was also looking to gain professional experience before I graduated from college. I wanted to work/intern somewhere that was prioritizing climate change mitigation/adaptation efforts and helping communities. DVRPC was an obvious choice!
- Colleen: I was interested in how the built environment could be used as a tool for improving health outcomes. I also wanted to explore how my epidemiology and public health skills could be applied in an untraditional sector.
- Lahy: As someone who’s relatively new both to the planning space and the region, the multitude of different types of planning projects that DVRPC does was definitely appealing, as was the ability to work on projects that touch communities across the Delaware Valley.
- Ryan: I was looking to gain hands-on experience to strengthen my financial and data analytical skills alongside a vibrant team.
- Nadine: I applied for an internship at DVRPC because I wanted to intern at a local/regional organization, and I thought assisting developing the energy benchmarking program would give me valuable skills I could apply to my future career.
What is your dream job and why?
- Alexa: I would love to help with land preservation on a regional level! Protecting our farmland and open spaces from urban sprawl is critical so we can continue to have local access to food, nearby places to recreate, and livable, compact urban centers.
- Amy: I am really interested in digital culture, online communication, and how data are utilized to inform decision making. My dream job would allow me to somehow use these interests to inform my work, keeping me caught up with the world and giving me the tools to interrogate data, which is useful no matter the field.
- Ryan: I aspire to go into the finance industry, with potential routes in investment banking or commercial banking. I have a passion for financial analysis and working with numbers.
- Colleen: My dream job would be to serve as a chief medical officer on a starship a la Star Trek. If we have to be professional, I will say outbreak investigator for zoonotic diseases (diseases that come from animals).
What do you like to do for fun?
- Amy: I love playing soccer (football), cooking, watching nature documentaries, and listening to music.
- Russell: I enjoy going on runs, though I notice that I’m getting lazier as I get older. I also enjoy watching NASCAR. Seriously, I could watch those cars go in circles all day long. I also enjoy face-palming and sighing in disgust as our Philadelphia Flyers try to imitate a professional NHL team.
- Alexa: I love to go backpacking and on bike rides.
- Lahy: Hike, bike, watch shows/movies (looking forward to the new season of The Witcher), eat, and drink. Definitely want to explore more of Philly‘s food scene.
What is your favorite place in the Greater Philadelphia region?
- Grace: I absolutely love the Schuylkill Center's grounds. It's basically a huge forest with streams and ponds northwest of Philadelphia. I had the opportunity to teach there during the summer of 2022 and became familiar with their grounds and mission. The Wissahickon is a close second.
- Kate: Linvilla Orchards is a great place to enjoy fall festivities, the Magic Gardens is the best place to take out-of-towners, and Longwood Gardens is absolutely beautiful year-round!
- Morgan: I'd say either Wissahickon Valley Park or Morris Arboretum - both are really beautiful green spaces in Northwest Philly. I also really love sitting by the fountain in Passyunk Square in South Philly.
- Nadine: My favorite place in the Greater Philadelphia region is South Street. I love all the mosaics and thrift shops!
If you could implement any one plan in the region tomorrow, what would it be?
- Ryan: I would like to move forward with strong environmental considerations and enhanced accessibility.
- Colleen: Free public transportation for all.
- Kate: Filling potholes!
- Amy: More bus-only lanes or other ways to minimize buses caught in traffic.
- Morgan: It's not really a plan, as much as just funding. If I could wave a magic wand or something like that, I'd make sure that SEPTA has the appropriate funding necessary to maintain (maybe even grow!) its current operating and capital budgets for years to come.
What advice would you give future DVRPC interns?
- Grace: Be bold. This is your time to learn, make mistakes, and ask stupid questions. Be respectful of peoples' time and energy. Log all of the work/tasks that you do at DVRPC. This makes it easier when it comes time to edit your resume for future opportunities. Engage with the social committee, go to happy hours. Most importantly, say "hello" and introduce yourself to each new face you see in the office. The world always needs more friendly people.
- Ryan: I would definitely encourage everyone to be comfortable asking questions! You will be working with an incredibly knowledgeable and approachable team, and it is a great time to learn about anything you are curious about.
- Morgan: I'd say take opportunities to volunteer for in person and community engagement events when they come around. I feel like I've learned so much through volunteering at these events, and they've given me an opportunity to get to know more DVRPC staff members who work outside of my office.
- Kate: Attend every meeting you can, because everyone is so passionate about what they do and eager to engage you in their current projects.
If you’re interested in becoming an intern at DVRPC, our fall internship opportunities will be posted soon at www.dvrpc.org/humanresources.