FY2025 Work Program

Promote more efficient and cost-effective use of the existing transportation network and services through enhanced coordination and integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) strategies in order to create more reliable traffic flow, improved safety, reduced congestion, less wasted fuel, cleaner air, and more efficient use of resources including facilities and funding.

Federal metropolitan planning regulations require MPO's to incorporate transportation operations into their transportation planning and coordination processes. DVRPC addresses that requirement through the conduct of two long-standing related initiatives. The Transportation Operations Program Area and the Transportation Systems Management and Operations Program (25-52-170) highlight key activities undertaken by these programs. The Transportation Operations Program incorporates Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) strategies to help proactively manage the transportation system by addressing recurring and non-recurring congestion which results in trip reliability, emissions reductions, improved safety, and efficiency.

This year's work program is divided into several major components: Traffic Incident Management (TIM), Transportation Operations Task Force (TOTF), and TSMO education and technical assistance.

DVRPC implements Traffic Incident Management (TIM) by providing a series of focused, best-practice education/training and resource-sharing Traffic Incident Management sessions for incident emergency responders comprised of relevant transportation departments including Pennsylvania and New Jersey Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Police, City of Philadelphia, local law enforcement, local fire departments, emergency medical services, county 911 communications, public works departments, towing and recovery companies, hazardous materials clean-up contractors, and other appropriate regional agencies. These sessions termed Incident Management Task Forces (IMTF) are held for 8 different groups that were established based on high traffic corridors in the region. In addition to the eight Incident Management Task Forces, DVRPC supports other efforts in the region as needed, and serves as the regional clearinghouse for regional incident management activities. IMTFs implement the planned and coordinated multi-disciplinary process to detect, respond to, and clear traffic incidents so that emergency responder safety issues are addressed, traffic flow is restored as quickly and efficiently as possible thereby reducing the duration and impacts of traffic incidents and non-recurring congestion, incident management responses are improved, and interagency coordination is fostered. Typical activities include incident after action reviews, specialized training on the detection, response, and recovery of traffic incidents, and a feedback-loop for relevant construction projects and ITS deployment.

In Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia IMTF includes working with Philadelphia agencies and PennDOT to improve the operations of expressways in the city, with a major emphasis on the reconstruction of I-95. DVRPC also continues to manage the IMTF's in Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County and Montgomery County (with special outreach as needed for the I-76 Integrated Corridor Management and I-476 Travel Management Projects). In New Jersey, DVRPC continues to manage the NJ SAFR (Southern Area First Responders) IMTF, which covers Gloucester and Camden Counties, and the Burlington and Mercer County IMTFs. Additionally, DVRPC participates in other incident management programs including both statewide Pennsylvania and New Jersey efforts, and IMTFs initiated by other agencies.

As a result of ongoing discussion within various IMTF’s about the challenges responders face dealing with EV vehicle fires, DVRPC established an Electrical Vehicle Task Force. The task force is a coalition of first responders and other related parties dedicated to improving outcomes of EV-related incidents on roadways. The goal of the EV Task force is to act as a conduit for information-sharing and resource management of existing national and local best practices and EV trainings.

DVRPC's Transportation Operations Task Force (TOTF) is the focal point of educating regional partners and practitioners, coordinating transportation operations activities in the region, providing highway and transit operators and emergency responders an opportunity to share best local practice and interact with each other. The Task Force is a forum for agencies to share information on various TSMO and ITS deployments and incident management programs, develop a consensus on regional ITS issues and respond to federal initiatives. As a technical-level group, it may often guide DVRPC's Transportation Operations coordination activities that in turn support the Task Force members.

This work program supports the components described above. Some of these activities may require DVRPC to purchase equipment and/or services.

Member governments and agencies, including PennDOT, NJDOT, transit agencies, County Planning Agencies, and citizens served by a more efficient and reliable transportation network.