PROJECT: 25-52-010 - Regional Transit Planning Program
| Responsible Agency: | Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission |
|---|---|
| Program Coordinator: | Amy Bernknopf |
| Project Manager(s): | Cassidy Boulan |
| Supports LRP Goals: |
Goals:
Perform transit planning work on behalf of DVRPC’s member governments that reflects and advances industry best practices. Support the integrated consideration of transit access and mobility with smart land use planning and an emphasis on inclusion. Leverage the technical capabilities of DVRPC to develop and share planning tools that make good-practice planning and analysis more accessible to local partners and the public.
Description:
The Regional Transit Planning Program funds a coordinated program of transit planning projects requested annually by DVRPC's member governments, including evaluations of proposed services or facilities, corridor level transit analysis, evaluations of enhancements to transit access, studies to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity with transit, and examinations of the relationship between land use and transit for specific sites or corridors. To the degree appropriate for a given task or project, work will be approached in an integrated way, drawing on staff expertise across DVRPC offices or partner agencies to best meet the needs of the planning partner. Work tasks may range from data/quantitative analysis to concept-level facility, service design and visualization, and project wrap-up. In addition, DVRPC will act as a convener and coordinator to share ideas, education, and training with our partners. Some of these activities may also require DVRPC to purchase equipment and/or services to meet program goals.
This program also supports data collection, processing, and sharing activities wherever possible. This data collection and analysis may include information about transit stations and their surrounding land use, ridership, parking, and related data. Surveys conducted in coordination with DVRPC’s Office of Travel Monitoring, Office of Modeling and Analysis, and our planning partners may support specific planning studies as well as transportation modeling efforts and the evaluation of transit alternatives in the region. Central to this program is the development of data-driven tools to inform investment decisions and local decision making by making technical concepts more accessible to nontechnical audiences.
Federal and state guidance puts an emphasis on the regional coordination of investments made to improve transportation access by disadvantaged populations. This may include projects formerly funded under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, which may now be funded under the FTA Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program or state level New Jersey JARC program, and the FTA Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) program. The Regional Transit Planning Program supports DVRPC participation in project development and prioritization for Coordinated Human Services Transportation Planning (CHSTP) programs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as regional analysis and Coordinated Plan updates, including the Equity Through Access (ETA) program.
During FY2025, this program area will support an effort to update SEPTA's Bus Stop Design Guidelines. Funds may also be used to support the Workforce to Warehouses Shuttle Study project (25-63-025) and the Pottstown Station Concept Plan (25-52-140).
Tasks:
- Update the SEPTA Bus Stop Design Guidelines with a focus on defining and developing new sections and updating existing sections to reflect recent planning studies, including Bus Revolution and the Micromobility Playbook.
- Coordinate with SEPTA to assess upcoming discretionary program rounds to identify opportunities for SEPTA to sponsor and oversee the advancement of stop/station access improvement projects off SEPTA property, and advance efforts as appropriate to help more transit access projects to get funded and delivered.
- Identify and share best practices in the region on research and practical experience with regional partners, as appropriate.
- Provide technical and coordination support for transit agencies as they endure and recover from the drop in ridership throughout the Coronavirus global pandemic.
- Provide continuing support to SEPTA and other local partners on issues related to SEPTA’s trolley modernization program for the City of Philadelphia and Delaware County.
- Provide ongoing DVRPC participation in and project support for City of Philadelphia-SEPTA "Connect"/Transit Priority committee efforts, including participation in collaborative committees.
- Provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) review for potential transit facilities and connections for PennDOT projects through the PennDOT Connects program.
- Review, assess, generate, and apply innovative or state-of-the-art planning practices. Develop new means of analyzing data to meet the changing requirements of integrated transit, bicycle/pedestrian, and land use planning.
- Ensure that appropriate technical resources (such as new software) are available for staff use as new best practices develop.
- Work with state and regional planning partners (PennDOT, SEPTA, PATCO, and NJ TRANSIT) to participate in regional CHSTP project development, prioritization, and selection rounds as appropriate.
- This program also supports specific tasks as requested by DVRPC member governments and planning partners.
Products:
- Updated report for SEPTA's Bus Stop Design Guidelines.
- Member government and planning partner outreach and coordination in identifying, scoping, and conducting new studies in support of partner goals.
- Coordination with planning partners to provide specific expertise in support of planning efforts, including Alternatives Analyses, and other evaluation or project support.
- Planning/policy documents, technical reports, white papers, and/or memorandums with findings and recommendations.
- Data from survey and other data collection efforts in support of agency projects.
- As-needed meetings and communications with member governments to coordinate transit projects and initiatives throughout the region.
Beneficiaries:
Member governments, regional TMAs, SEPTA, PATCO, NJ TRANSIT, and the transit-riding public.
Project Cost and Funding:
| FY | Total | Highway PL Program | Transit PL Program | Comprehensive Planning | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $419,250 | $285,000 | $44,250 | $90,000 | |
| 2024 | $433,750 | $315,000 | $28,750 | $90,000 | |
| 2025 | $450,000 | $325,000 | $35,000 | $90,000 |
FY2025 Other Funding Details:
PennDOT PL FTA Supplemental