Volume 45, Issue 7
Register for the E-Micromobility Summit on February 8
Join us for the DVRPC E-Micromobility Summit on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other e-micromobility devices has surged in recent years, with more and more being used on trails, in bike lanes, and mixing with cars and trucks on roads. E-micromobilty is expected to continue to grow and can serve as a complementary option to other transportation modes, acting as a first-and-last-mile connection to transit for some and providing access to destinations not currently served by conventional transportation alternatives.
The summit will explore evolving trends and address relevant questions about the safe integration of these electrified modes, equity, and accessibility. Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights from national and regional experts who will share their perspectives on e-micromobility design considerations, systems management, affordability, and ease of access.
To kick off the summit, there will be a presentation on e-micromobility basics and design considerations by Jean Crowther of Alta Planning & Design. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session with regional experts. See the full agenda and register for the event.
FY25 PA TCDI Funding Round Opens January 11
On January 2, 2024, DVRPC released the Program Guidelines for the FY2025 Pennsylvania round of its Transportation & Community Development Initiative (TCDI) grant program. The application portal will be open from January 11 through March 27, 2024.
TCDI is a grant opportunity that funds local planning initiatives that advance the goals of the region’s long-range plan, Connections 2050, and enhance the multimodal transportation network. Up to $1.2 million may be available this round.
All eligible applicants in the five-county Pennsylvania area of the DVRPC region are encouraged to attend an informational webinar on January 10, 2024. Register to attend the webinar. Direct any questions or concerns to Spencer K. Gober, Associate Manager, Office of Community and Economic Development, at sgober@dvrpc.org.
The New Jersey TCDI program will be available in 2025.
Doylestown Demonstration Leads to Permanent Bike Lanes
A temporary demonstration on Doyle Street in Doylestown Borough has led to a permanent bike lane after receiving strong community support. For ten days during September 2023, the demonstration bike lanes provided safe passage from the newly constructed Broad Commons Park and Doylestown Borough Hall down Doyle Street to Harvey Avenue. The temporary bike lanes ran on both sides of Doyle Street and were delineated with cones and paint for the event.
At the conclusion of the demonstration, TMA Bucks surveyed the community in partnership with Doylestown Borough to collect feedback on the project. Ninety-four percent of participants in the post-survey said they were in favor of making the bike lanes permanent, and 88% of respondents said the bike lanes added value and were a good fit in the community.
“While we expected the bike lanes to be positively received, especially when we saw the finished product, the overwhelming nature of the positive response was really something,” said Doylestown Borough manager John Davis. “Not only did it confirm the permanence of the lanes on Doyle Street, it created momentum for additional bike lanes throughout the Borough!”
The Bucks County Pop-Up Bike/Pedestrian Lane Project received funds from DVRPC’s Travel Options Program (TOP). TOP funds innovative projects that support the goals, outcomes, and strategies established in A New Route to Better Travel for All: The Regional TDM Plan. Learn more about the demonstration project by watching a short video.
Public Comment Period for Draft Fiscal Year 2025 Work Program Closing Soon
DVRPC opened a 30+ day public comment period on December 6, 2023, for the Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Unified Planning Work Program. This document outlines all of the federally funded planning projects slated for the nine-county region from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The Work Program is developed annually by DVRPC with its planning partners to reflect the region’s short-range planning needs. DVRPC will accept comments until January 8, 2024, at 5:00 PM local time. The Board will review the public comments received and consider adoption of the FY25 Work Program at their meeting on January 25.
Electronic copies of DVRPC’s Draft Work Program are available on DVRPC’s website: www.dvrpc.org/WorkProgram. Hardcopies of DVRPC’s Draft Work Program are available at DVRPC’s offices in Philadelphia, PA, in a number of regional libraries, and upon request by emailing public_affairs@dvrpc.org. The document can be translated into an alternative format or languages, if requested.
Comments must be submitted in writing. Comments can be emailed to public_affairs@dvrpc.org or mailed to:
Work Program Comments
c/o DVRPC Office of Communications & Engagement
ACP Building, 8th Floor 190 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1520
Comments for these documents must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 8, 2024. Comments received via mail must be postmarked by January 8, 2024.
Join Us for the Chester County Solar Adopters Conference
Are you a business manager or owner, sustainability manager, or facility manager? Are you interested in energy price stability, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and other long-term benefits? Do you want to know if solar is right for your business? DVRPC is excited to serve as a co-host for the Chester County Solar Adopters Conference on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at the Nth Innovation Center in Coatesville, PA. This free half-day event is designed to provide all the information a business needs to start an on-site solar project. Attendees will learn about the state of solar in Pennsylvania and Chester County; hear what federal and utility incentives are available; and find out how they can get support from local governments and the electric utility. Additionally, attendees can get a complimentary assessment for on-site solar, RFP and property assessed finance (C-PACE) guidance, and more.
This event is sponsored by PECO and co-hosted by the Chester County Environmental and Energy Advisory Board, Chester County Economic Development Council, Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern PA, PA Solar Energy Industries Association, Exton Chamber of Commerce, Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, and DVRPC. Learn more and register.
New Products and Publications
Moorestown Environmental Resource Inventory - This Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) identifies and describes the natural and community resources of Moorestown Township in Burlington County, New Jersey. An ERI is a tool for environmental committees, open space committees, planning boards, zoning boards, and others to identify and address local priority environmental challenges and opportunities.
Sidewalk and Street Tree Screening Tool - This tool uses data on extreme heat vulnerability, equity, tree canopy coverage, and sidewalk density to identify locations in the Greater Philadelphia region where sidewalk repair and street tree planting would have the greatest impact.
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 open to any municipality.
Upcoming classes:
Winter Maintenance Planning
Chester County (London Grove Township Building)
January 15, 2024 (8:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Traffic Control Coordinator Refresher
Virtual
January 16, 2024 (8:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Drainage: The Key to Roads that Last
Chester County (London Grove Township Building)
February 6, 2024 (8:00 am - 3:00 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.
Staff Profile: Kelsey McElduff, Principal Transportation Engineer, Office of Mobility Analysis and Design
What did you want to be growing up? What is your fantasy career? I initially wanted to be an architect but switched to engineering in my first year of college. In my fantasy, I own a bakery.
What was your first job? I worked at an arcade called Fun Central when I was 13, mostly hosting birthday parties.
What did you study in college? Civil / transportation engineering
How did you end up at DVRPC? I was working in Philly for a consulting firm and looking for jobs in the public sector.
What are your responsibilities? What has changed over time? I manage transportation projects for the Office of Mobility Analysis and Design. More recently I’ve been teaching my coworkers how to use traffic modeling software.
What is your favorite part of working at DVRPC? The people 💓
What 3 words best describe you? Honest, loyal, fun
Who is someone you’d like to meet? Who would you like to drive across the country with? I’d like to meet an alien. I’d drive across the country with my sister but I’m not sure either of us would like it.
What is your favorite leisure activity? Listening to/watching true crime podcasts/documentaries and painting my nails
What is your recent obsession? “Blend” playlists with my friends on Spotify
What is the last book you read? What is the best music you’ve heard recently? I read A Little Life and then had to read Remarkably Bright Creatures to recover emotionally. Nicki Minaj went crazy with Pink Friday 2. Also the boygenius cover of “The Parting Glass” 😢
What is the most meaningful item in your house? My vintage Wise Potato Chips owl sign or Norman Rockwell print
What are you looking forward to the most in the next year? Hopefully participating in my first amateur fight 🤞