PennDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiatives Jonathan Heilman Roy Gothie Angela Watson
Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy Study
Policy Study Purpose Strengthen existing bike ped policy Recognize limited funding Identify policy implementation methods Anticipate pivot to implementation
Policy Study Methodology Issues Problem Statements Analyze Problems Policy Objectives Identify Options Evaluate and Prioritize Options Draft and Finalize Policy
Policy Objectives 1. Establish goals, performance measures and evaluation methods 2. Specify methodology to identify and prioritize bike/ped improvements
Policy Objectives 3. Establish a statewide planning and programming approach 4. Establish a criteria-based process for incorporating bike/ped improvements.
Policy Objectives 5. Define funding approach
Core Policy Statement PennDOT shall make accommodations for bicycling and walking a routine and integral element of planning, project development, design, construction, operations, and maintenance.
Funding Limitations Federal and state sources can be used for bike and ped facilities These sources are limited Cost savings are prioritized Identify budget and funding early
Supporting Policy Elements Internal and external coordination Regional Bike Ped Plans Statewide Bike Ped Master Plan Integration into Project Development Design Guidance Training and Awareness
Implementation Approach Two-Phased Approach Phase 1 Pilot Projects Phase 2 Full Implementation Performance Measures and Targets Policy Exemptions Roles and Responsibilities
Implementation Success Leadership support and involvement Implementation Task Force Success factors Strong communications Funding plan
Recommendations Determine funding approach Establish performance measures Create training program Evaluate policy and report
Regional planning Compile regional plans Update checklist Update publications Recommendations
Recommendations Promote funding options Evaluate staffing needs Track unit costs Promote education/enforcement Benchmark/best practices
Final Report tinyurl.com/tacbikeped talkpatransportation.com/tac.html
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Current Plan: 2007 Master Plan The updated Plan will outline a vision and framework for improving conditions for walking and bicycling across PA
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Establish and Update Goals and Performance Measures Provide Guidance on developing local and regional bicycle and pedestrian plans
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Develop a discussion of health, diversity, and access issues Generate projections of current and future needs for infrastructure
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Review Crash History Peer State Analysis for best practices in funding, design guidance and policy
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Time Line Begin update in summer 2017 Complete in fall 2018
Design Manual 2 Updates
Design Manual 2 Updates Being advanced ahead of the Master Plan update Complete re-write of Chapter 16 to reflect current state of practice Removal of BOP and replace with maintenance agreement
Design Manual 2 Updates Final Draft for review in Early 2017 An iterative process as needed Treatments move from experimental to interim @ FHWA
PA Bike Route Y Improvements
The Pennsylvania Route 6 Bicycle Master Plan Covers the first 150 miles of the 427 mile Route 6 corridor and the 30 mile segment of Route 6N
The Pennsylvania Route 6 Bicycle Master Plan Sets the foundation for an integrated approach to enhance BicyclePA Route Y Supports the recently-enacted Corridor Management Plan for the U.S. Route 6 Heritage Corridor
The Pennsylvania Route 6 Bicycle Master Plan Provides: Detailed Corridor Improvements Cost Estimates Sensible investment in bicycle infrastructure supportive of economic development
Bicycle and Pedestrian Training for Designers and Project Managers
Bicycle and Pedestrian Training Target Audience: state or local engineers Decision makers Transportation Planners Elected Officials
Interagency Initiative for Walkable Communities
Walkable Communities Multi-agency effort DOH, DCNR, DOT Leverages staff / resources to develop healthier communities by supporting education, enforcement and engineering solutions. Department of Health s Walkable Communities Program provides funding to communities to perform walkability audits
Walkable Communities A September collaborative workshop included an hour long roundtable discussion with 5 Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries
Walkable Communities 50 staff members representing sectors including: state agencies public health managers transportation planners non-profits and Organizations representing townships, boroughs and municipalities
Walkable Communities Ongoing Activities Regular inter-agency meetings Developing a list of joint outcomes
PennDOT Connects Initiative
PennDOT Connects Better communities & mobility through collaboration
PennDOT Connects Collaboration provides the opportunity for details unique to communities to be identified and discussed for each project in planning, prior to developing project scopes and cost estimates.
PennDOT Connects Safety issues/concerns Bicycle/pedestrian accommodations Transit/multi-modal considerations Stormwater Management Presence of/impacts from (current/future) freightgenerating land uses Utility issues Transportation operations considerations Planned development Long Range Transportation Plans Regional planning studies, e.g. corridor studies, resource management studies, watershed studies, etc.
PennDOT Connects Consistency with current community comprehensive or other plans Consistency with current and/or proposed zoning Other proposed transportation improvements Impacts on the natural, cultural, or social environment Right-of-way considerations Anticipated public opinion Community or cultural events in the candidate project area Maintenance Agreement requirements
PennDOT Connects Partnerships that invest in sustainable transportation Early community input ensures crucial elements included at the outset of project scoping. Identifying those elements later results in project delays and higher project costs.
PennDOT Connects Leveraging resources to improve communities Consider community needs at the beginning of the planning process to ensure the best allocation of our resources.
PennDOT Connects Lead & innovate for a more livable PA Creative solutions to sustain and expand mobility throughout the Commonwealth PennDOT staff will strive to plan projects that improve economic competitiveness, access to work, and overall quality of life.
Moving Forward
Moving Forward Complete BOP Pilot initiative Bicycle/Pedestrian Policy Committee Statewide Bike/Ped Master Plan PennDOT Connects Bike/Ped data collection needs & measures of effectiveness
For More Information Roy Gothie, Statewide Bike/Ped Coordinator rgothie@pa.gov 717-783-3991 Angela Watson, AICP, Office of Multimodal Planning Director angelwatso@pa.gov 717-705-1318 Jonathan Heilman, Gannett Fleming jheilman@gfnet.com 717-514-8721