Volume 43, Issue 9
PA’s First Automated Shuttle Coming to the Philadelphia Navy Yard
Pennsylvania’s first automated vehicle (AV) shuttle, funded by DVRPC, is coming to Philadelphia this summer. The zero-emissions shuttle will provide visitors and employees with transportation services within the Philadelphia Navy Yard and to SEPTA’s NRG Station located at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue.
The project took a step forward this week when PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation, awarded Perrone Robotics, Inc. a two-phased AV shuttle and services contract. The pilot AV shuttle is funded by DVRPC’s Travel Options Program (TOP). The Travel Options Program is an ongoing regional initiative that awards funds for innovative projects to provide better access to more travel options, while meeting the goals of climate action and air quality improvement, equity, reliability, freedom of choice, and affordability.
This project will enhance Navy Yard access and also help to reduce congestion and carbon emissions for the region, while providing a real-world test for AV technology. The Navy Yard AV shuttle deployment will include a backup operator on board during the pilot. The AV shuttle is expected to commence in summer 2022. See the press release for more details.
DVRPC Fellowship Program Now Open for Applications
The DVRPC Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for talented recent college graduates from historically and currently underrepresented communities to learn about urban and regional planning by serving in various departments at the Commission over the course of a year. Now in its fifth year, the Fellowship is a paid, year-long, full-time, professional development program that will last July 2022 through June 2023.
The selected fellow will participate in the daily activities at DVRPC, complete specialized projects, and experience firsthand how regional and local plans and investments are made in the Greater Philadelphia region. Past fellows have gone on to graduate school and successful careers in planning or related fields.
To learn more about the program, our Communications Intern, David Edelman, spoke with Kendra Nelson and Amani Bey, two previous Fellows, who are both now full-time planners at DVRPC. Review the full program description; applications due by April 15, 2022.
What made you decide to apply to the Fellowship?
Amani Bey: Business students have access to rotational management programs, and this was something close to that—a way that I could get a taste for many departments. It’s like going to practical grad school, where you have your hands in a lot of different things and learn a lot.
Pick a favorite project that you worked on during your Fellowship.
Kendra Nelson: The Atlantic City Rail Line project, because I was made project manager and I wasn’t expecting to have that responsibility as a fellow in a big commission like this. With the guidance of Greg [Krykewycz], my supervisor at the time, I was able to learn a lot about the process of creating a non-academic project, from working with our steering committee to launching a virtual public engagement survey.
What did you learn from the Fellowship?
Kendra: As a fellow, you have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a full-time employee, which includes managing tasks and contributing to team discussions. It’s definitely a learning experience compared to doing discrete, individual tasks for projects that were given to me by managers, but once you get into the groove, it prepares you for a full-time position later on.
Any advice to share with future applicants?
Amani: Pay attention and soak it in! There’s more to learn about than just the projects: DVRPC has a pretty great organizational culture and there’s plenty of experience and knowledge. Choose at least one planning activity that is outside of your wheelhouse, so you can learn more about how you deal with challenges. Don’t silo yourself—the beauty of this fellowship is that you can do a little bit everywhere.
Stay in the Know: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Update
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was signed into law on November 15, 2021. The $1.2 trillion IIJA reauthorizes the nation’s surface transportation and drinking water and wastewater legislation, and includes an additional $550 billion in funding for new programs in transportation, energy transmission, resilience, broadband, and others, approximately half of which goes to the U.S. Department of Transportation over the next five years.
On February 10, 2022, the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced guidance for formula funding for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Program. Nearly $5 billion will be made available to build out a national electric vehicle charging network. A second competitive grant program designed to further increase EV charging access, including in rural and underserved communities, will be announced later this year.
As new competitive guidelines are announced, DVRPC will update the recently launched IIJA webpage. Visitors can subscribe to receive occasional emails with these announcements. They can also find the latest program fact sheets on the Federal Highway Administration website, which was updated in February.
New Signage Will Improve Truck Travel in the City of Chester
In an effort to improve truck travel, alleviate congestion, and encourage thru-moving trucks to travel further from neighborhood streets, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has completed new sign installations in the City of Chester. The signage establishes a new Business U.S. 13 and redesignates U.S. 13 using Route 291 through the city. The recommendations came from a 2018 DVRPC Truck Wayfinding Study.
The new designation is intended to reduce the number of trucks, particularly trucks delivering to the industrial waterfront, traveling through the residential and commercial areas on 9th Street by encouraging drivers to follow the new primary truck network using U.S. 13/Route 291. See the PennDOT press release for more details about the project.
March 9: Discussion on Housing, Health, and Equity
Join us on March 9, 2022 for a discussion on housing, health, and equity. DVRPC staff will present mortgage trends throughout Greater Philadelphia. A recent study found racial, ethnic, and geographic mortgage lending disparities that exist within our region. We will also hear from a panel of local leaders and experts working to improve access to safe and affordable housing.
This is a joint meeting of the Healthy Communities Task Force and the Regional Community and Economic Development Forum. View the full agenda and register.
TCDI Grant Program Application Portal is Now Open
DVRPC is now accepting applications from eligible entities in the five-county Pennsylvania area for the FY 2023 Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) grant program. The deadline for applications is April 27, 2022.
TCDI is a competitive grant opportunity for local governments, transportation management associations (TMAs), and transit agencies to support smart growth initiatives that implement the Connections 2050 Plan for Greater Philadelphia. A total of $1.2 million is available. Unlike in years past, a local match is no longer required.
On February 14th, DVRPC held an information webinar for interested applicants. The PowerPoint slides, Zoom recording, and FAQs from the session are available at www.dvrpc.org/TCDI.
The New Jersey TCDI program will be available in 2023.
Connections 2050 Plan Documents Available Online
The final Connections 2050 Long-Range Plan documents are now online at www.dvrpc.org/plan. The Connections 2050 Policy Manual summarizes the vision, goals, strategies, and financial plan. The Connections 2050 Process and Analysis Manual provides a more detailed look at the Plan’s outreach, background information, and financial plan.
Also available on the website are comments received during the public comment period and DVRPC’s responses, as well as regional indicators and scenario planning analyses that informed the Plan. Connections 2050 establishes a vision for the growth and development of the region, and serves as a blueprint for prioritizing transportation investments over the next 28 years. Learn more at www.dvrpc.org/plan.
New Tool to Cultivate Homegrown Economies
The Cultivating a Homegrown Economy Municipal Implementation Tool (MIT) brochure discusses a societal shift toward greater support for homegrown economies, as evidenced by an increase in consumer prioritization of local goods and services over the past two decades. This MIT defines relevant terms; identifies key attributes and benefits of, and challenges to, the homegrown economy; provides specific strategies; and highlights a successful and resilient local economy in New Hope Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
This brochure is one in a series of MITs available to local governments and planning partners to assist in implementing the region’s Long-Range Plan, Connections 2050.
If you need any DVRPC product as a hard copy or in another language or format, fill out a translation request through our product search or contact DVRPC’s Office of Communications & Engagement at public_affairs@dvrpc.org.
Upcoming Online LTAP Classes
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 online classes:
Grant Management for Federal-Aid Projects (NJ-LTAP)
March 10, 2022 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Local Road Safety Plans
March 25, 2022 (8:00 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.