PROJECT: 25-23-070 - Data Coordination and Analysis
| Responsible Agency: | Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission |
|---|---|
| Program Coordinator: | Michael Ruane |
| Project Manager(s): | Christopher Pollard, Ilil Feiglin |
| Supports LRP Goals: |
Goals:
To ensure regional partners and stakeholders have access to timely data resources and products that facilitate more efficient use of resources through effective data-driven decision-making on regional policies and investments.
Description:
This program includes new and ongoing data coordination activities. Within DVRPC, staff will provide oversight and guidance to enterprise-level data management efforts, including DVRPC’s Data Center; coordinate with and improve communication between departments about enterprise datasets and related data-sharing activities; and create a shared platform to advance an efficient and effective data culture. Staff will provide advanced data analytics support to DVRPC program areas to elevate data-informed planning activities.
To further the effectiveness of regional planning activities, DVRPC staff will work with partners to develop a project needs and recommendations information system. This information system will store key findings from planning projects in a spatially aware data system to provide a more robust understanding of system needs and implementation opportunities.
DVRPC staff will strengthen relationships with its planning partners, such as the state DOTs, transit agencies, and member counties, to streamline data-sharing workflows and improve general information and knowledge sharing about agency datasets. DVRPC is an affiliate member of Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Data Centers, which aim to promote Census Bureau datasets and activities. Along with Census products like the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP), this program also includes reviewing and assessing other public and private data sources.
This program also supports the activities of DVRPC’s Information Resources Exchange Group (IREG). IREG provides a forum to discuss the creation, use, and exchange of planning-related information in the region and promotes knowledge sharing in the methods and technology for data analysis, synthesis, and presentation. For more information on DVRPC’s IREG Committee, see http://www.dvrpc.org/Committees/IREG/.
Completion of this work may require the purchase of equipment or services.
Tasks:
- Oversee and administer the DVRPC Data Catalog and identify opportunities to leverage the platform for other data-sharing tools and resources.
- Lead the development of a project needs and recommendation information system to store and share vital information on planning project findings.
- Coordinate and communicate with member governments, transit agencies, state and federal agencies, and other traditional partners while seeking new partnerships to maintain and improve communication and information sharing about agency data.
- Foster data-sharing strategies by developing memoranda of understanding with appropriate agencies and exploring shared data/tool purchases.
- As appropriate, oversee and administer the existing IREG and participate in other ad-hoc committees of DVRPC member governments to facilitate the coordination of data acquisition, processing, and distribution.
- Participate as affiliates of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania State Data Centers.
- Disseminate Census-related data and information through DVRPC internal and external resources.
- Develop and oversee agency-wide data coordination activities and adherence towards a formal data management framework and data life cycle practices.
- Create and enforce data standards and practice guidelines.
- Identify data gaps and needs on an ongoing basis.
- Research, evaluate, and acquire new data resources to support agency planning activities.
- Identify opportunities to improve data quality and standardize how data quality is measured.
- Coordinate data improvement, data sharing, or data tool development efforts that require interdepartmental collaboration.
- Develop, improve, and update datasets that support critical planning efforts at DVRPC, such as National Establishment Time Series (NETS), CoStar, and other regional data resources.
- Develop strategies for and manage internal Metadata Monday meetings to advance data practices.
- Improve methods and systems that enhance how DVRPC shares data through its online resources.
Products:
- DVRPC Data Center updates and improvements.
- Project Needs and Recommendations Information System.
- Regional data products and analyses reports, as necessary.
- Internal documentation of inventory and lifecycle of datasets.
- Meeting materials and records for Metadata Monday meetings.
- Meeting materials and records for the IREG committee.
- Standards, policies, and best practice resources published to Planning Innovation Resource Center.
- Additional materials as appropriate.
Beneficiaries:
State DOTs, member governments, operating agencies, the public, and DVRPC.
Project Cost and Funding:
| FY | Total | Highway PL Program | Transit PL Program | Comprehensive Planning | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $341,250 | $256,911 | $83,089 | $1,250 | |
| 2024 | $356,250 | $265,062 | $89,938 | $1,250 | |
| 2025 | $372,500 | $266,738 | $103,262 | $2,500 |