D V R P C NEWS THE NEWSLETTER OF REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION DVRPC CO-HOSTS REGIONAL SUMMIT

n December 2000, DVRPC, along with the Delaware River I Basin Commission (DRBC) and the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), was proud to host a regional summit to discuss the current DVRPC along with DRBC and DRPA hosted One Region-One River, a one-day summit devoted to the future status of and future status of the Delaware River. the Delaware River. Leaders from DVRPC, DRBC and DRPA signed the Cooperative Accord committing to work together to This historic one-day summit, called preserve the future of the River region. One Region-One River, focused on the Summit panels were designed to cover Delaware River as the tie that binds IN THE WINTER 2001 ISSUE: our region together. a variety of river related issues including: Throughout the day, representatives •Charting the Course for the 21st Century ▼ Safeguarding NJ Natural Resources 2 Current Activities and a Future Vision of the port and the private sector pro- ▼ Our Regional Report Card 3 of the River vided updates on the current and future ▼ Refocusing Our Regional Priorities 4 status of the economy, environment •Quiche or Cargo? Waterfront Development as a Key to ▼ DVRPC Adopts Regional Intelligent 5 and communities surrounding the Transportation System Plan Delaware River. Leaders from DVRPC, Community Revitalization •Ships and Shad ▼ HORIZONS 2025: Helping The Region 6 DRBC and DRPA signed an historic Travel Smarter Cooperative Accord representing a Maintaining a Vibrant Port and a ▼ Spotlight on ’s Future 7 commitment to work together to pre- Healthy Environment serve the future of the River region. Story continued on page 8.

1 SAFEGUARDING ’S NATURAL RESOURCES an’s impact on watersheds continues to make the protection and preservation M of our water resources a high priority. As the guardian of responsi- ble regional growth, DVRPC is working to ensure that efforts to safeguard the region’s watersheds are an integral part of regional planning. This summer, New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman awarded DVRPC a contract to draft a watershed preservation and improvement plan for New Jersey’s Lower Delaware River Tributaries. In carrying out this work, DVRPC is working collaboratively with citizens on watershed planning in different parts of the region. “As the guardian of responsible Dozens gather at Gloucester County College in Deptford, New Jersey to kick off planning efforts for Watershed regional growth, DVRPC is working Management Area 18. This meeting and addititonal events are only part of a larger DVRPC effort to plan for the to ensure that efforts to safeguard preservation of watershed areas throughout the Delaware Valley Region. the region’s watersheds are an of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) protecting natural resources. DVRPC is integral part of regional planning.” led discussions on the proposed approach coordinating the efforts of private and to watershed planning in Area 18. public sector groups in Area 18 to acquire A kickoff meeting, which addressed plan- Area 18, one of twenty watershed man- natural open space; restore riparian buffers ning for Watershed Management Area 18, agement areas in New Jersey, is part of and degraded stream banks; monitor water was held last September at Gloucester the Lower Delaware River Region. The quality; improve urban and suburban land County College in Deptford, NJ. Special watershed encompasses parts or all of management practices; establish stream guest Michael Rockland, Chairman of the 64 municipalities in eleven Delaware watch programs; and create better envi- American Studies Program at Rutgers River Tributaries extending from Swede ronmental education programs. The com- University and author of Snowshoeing Run in Burlington County south to pleted plan will also detail strategies for through Sewers and Looking for America on Oldmans Creek, on the Gloucester-Salem limiting non-point source pollution, such the New Jersey Turnpike, spoke on the rela- county line. as fertilizers and pesticides, fluids and tionship between nature and our urban In October and November, DVRPC residues from vehicles and streets, and environment. Featured speaker Tom Schueler, hosted watershed sub-area meetings in floatable litter. Executive Director of the Center for Pennsauken, South Harrison Township These activities are only part of a larger Watershed Protection and a nationally rec- and Washington Township. The meetings DVRPC effort to plan for the preserva- ognized authority on watershed conserva- featured an educational component on tion of watershed areas throughout the tion, highlighted state-of-the-art approach- watershed planning as well as discussions Delaware Valley Region. Recently, NJDEP es to improving water quality and the pro- in which citizens had the opportunity to Commissioner Robert Shinn awarded tection of natural resources. Staff from provide input on planning initiatives DVRPC a contract to create a plan for DVRPC and the New Jersey Department aimed at improving water quality and the Crosswicks Creek Watershed

Story continued on page 7.

2 OUR REGIONAL REPORT CARD DVRPC Releases Regional Indicators hether we’re gearing up for a revision to the region’s long-range plan Summary Of Regional Indicators Progress W or weighing the environ- + = positive regional trend; – = negative regional trend; +/– = mixed regional trend mental impacts of corridor improvements PROGRESS and development, evaluation of our past, TREND PHYSICAL FORM present and future is essential to DVRPC’s +/– Growth Patterns: continues to lose population as suburbs grow planning efforts. – Land Development: Rate of land development far exceeds rate of population growth In order to track progress toward the – Farmland Preservation: Farmland declines despite preservation effort goals of the Year 2020 Long-Range Plan +/– Parks and Recreational Open Space: Protected open space increases, but more is needed + Commercial Land Use: Office occupancy rates increase across the region and refocus for Horizons, the Year 2025 Plan, DVRPC has released a report called TRAFFIC CONGESTION Regional Indicators: Measuring Our Progress – Auto Usage: Traffic grows around the region to 2025 which analyzes the current condi- +/– Public Transit Usage: Transit ridership holds steady in recent years following previous losses – Vehicles: Vehicle growth far exceeds population growth tions and progress in eight focus areas– physical form, traffic congestion, environ- ENVIRONMENT ment, air quality, economic development, – Waste Generation: Per capita solid waste increases in New Jersey, remains steady in PA freight movement, mobility and housing. + Recycling: Recycling rate improves throughout region A total of 26 regional indicators were + Water Quality: Delaware River water quality generally exceeds standards + Water Withdrawal: Water usage declines in region selected that reflect the trends or condi- +/– Energy Consumption: Energy usage in PA and NJ less than national average, but increasing tions within these eight issue areas. Of at a faster rate the 26 indicators, eleven show an improv- ing trend, six represent a declining trend AIR QUALITY and nine demonstrate mixed results. +/– Ozone Pollution: Air quality improves, but still falls below standards – Drive Alone: Use of single occupant vehicles increases in all counties The findings, which follow, represent a synopsis of the issues explored in Regional ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Indicators: Measuring Our Progress to 2025. + Employment Growth: Employment grows in all counties except Philadelphia The report provides an in-depth look at + Income Growth: Regional income exceeds national average, grows at similar rate + Unemployment Rate: Unemployment rate declines in all counties since 1995 the full list of indicators, a complete analy- sis of the results and a background that FREIGHT MOVEMENT will help identify the assets and challenges +/– Port: General cargo increases since 1990, bulk cargo declines slightly facing the region. The sound use of these + Air: Air cargo nearly doubles since 1990 findings along with the collaboration of +/– Truck: Truck traffic increases throughout region government officials and concerned citi- MOBILITY zens will bring the Delaware Valley one + Safety: Automobile crashes decline significantly since 1988, increase slightly since 1995 step closer to the vision set forth in our + Road Condition: Roadway conditions improve since 1990 long range plan. With careful planning, +/– Reliability of Public Transit: On time performance of public transit varies among systems tomorrow’s Delaware Valley can be a HOUSING sustainable region that boasts a strong + Housing Affordability: Earnings increases exceed rate of housing cost increases economy, utilizes a seamless transportation +/– Housing Prices: Regional average housing price now less than national average system and preserves the region’s precious natural environment.

3 REFOCUSING OUR REGIONAL PRIORITIES

ew initiatives from a Fall 2000 economic development, inter-municipal 100 community groups throughout the visioning workshop have cooperation and open space. region, posted the draft Planning Work brought DVRPC’s FY 2002 Workshop participants broke into six Program on the DVRPC web page for NPlanning Work Program groups for in-depth discussions of the high- public comment, and reviewed the docu- into sharper focus, lending more impor- lighted issues. Attendees were charged not ment with all DVRPC committees. The tance to certain projects that tackle issues only with exploring the issues, but brain- approved Work Program represents a col- of regional significance. The FY 2002 laborative effort that seeks to address issues Planning Work Program was adopted at facing the region while furthering long the January 2001 Board Meeting. The range plans for orderly growth. According document, which is available for review to Senior Regional Planner Ben Ginsberg, at www.dvrpc.org. , outlines all of the fed- “The most important thing people should erally funded planning projects slated for know about the Work Program is that it is the nine-county region from July 1, 2001 diverse. It includes projects in a host of to June 30, 2002. The listing includes planning areas including transit, open DVRPC projects, as well as projects space, bicycle and pedestrian issues, corri- planned by member governments and dor planning, traffic counting, modeling transit organizations. and freight planning.”

At the visioning workshop, DVRPC Executive Director John Coscia, solicits input from Board members and encourages participation. storming an expanded role for DVRPC to play in addressing the challenges presented by each issue. Based on the issues explored, the Board focused on three new initiatives Tom TenEyck (PennDot) and Ted Dahlburg (DVRPC) Workshop facilitator, Fran Snyder, helps Board members generate discussion of highlighted issues. to be undertaken by DVRPC in the new stay focused when prioritizing & exploring regional issues. Work Program: a municipal outreach and At the workshop, DVRPC Commissioners education program aimed at curbing The $14,687,639 budget for the FY 2002 were asked to reestablish planning priori- sprawl; a regional forum for first generation Work Program shows an increase of ties for the region. Board members had the communities; and developing the first $819,928 over the FY 2001 budget. Meant opportunity to review six areas of special phase of a comprehensive regional eco- to serve as a flexible document, the Work concern including, in order of importance: nomic development strategy. Program can and often is amended to suburban sprawl, older suburbs and bor- In an effort to be as inclusive as possible, respond to the changing needs of our oughs, infrastructure priorities, regional DVRPC solicited input from more than diverse region.

4 DVRPC Adopts Regional Intelligent Transportation System Plan

VRPC is working hard to pro- vide residents and visitors with a seamless and safe travel envi- D ronment. In continuing this work, the commission has embarked on a three year project designed to fine tune the region’s transportation management systems and improve how we share travel information throughout the region. DVRPC’s Board has programmed fund- ing for Philadelphia Regional Integrated Multi-modal Information Sharing (PRIMIS) in the FY 01-04 TIP, and also Achieving this vision depends on our added the first phase of PRIMIS to the ability to capitalize on the efficiency offered FY 01 Work Program. The Regional by technology. Computers, cellular tech- Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) nology and the Internet have fundamental- Coordinating Council has also been estab- ly changed the office and now they are lished as a formal DVRPC committee. changing the way transportation systems are managed. Intelligent Transportation “The program is designed to Systems use an array of technologies to provide the region’s ITS stakeholders monitor travel conditions and transmit information. Some examples of ITS with avenues for sharing information include: variable message signs; highway on travel conditions and with tools for advisory radio; closed circuit television coordinating the deployment of ITS cameras; and emergency traffic signal pre- For those who want additional ITS information we suggest you request throughout the Delaware Valley.” emptors. Currently, most agencies using ITS work independently with little or no DVRPC’s more detailed technical reports: PRIMIS was developed in cooperation coordination. Increasing the use of tech- Ꮧ Define Agency Interface with the Freeway with the Delaware Valley ITS Technical nology for interagency coordination is part Network (issued January, 1999) Task Force. The program is designed to of the PRIMIS concept. Ꮧ Coordination White Paper provide the region’s ITS stakeholders with Initially, the program will center on (issued November, 2000) Ꮧ avenues for sharing information on travel fostering interagency cooperation among Prototype Freeway Corridor Incident Management Report: I-76/I476 Crossroads conditions and with tools for coordinating ITS stakeholders. As agency coordination (issued December, 2000) the deployment of ITS throughout the increases, work will begin to increase the Ꮧ Overview of Institutional Coordination of Delaware Valley. The Task Force examined number of local transportation facilities ITS in the Delaware Valley ITS coordination in other parts of the and organizations covered by the I-95 (Spring, 2001) country and infused strengths from these Information Exchange Network. As the Ꮧ Regional ITS Architecture programs into the plan for PRIMIS. Once effort evolves, computers will make infor- (Spring, 2001) implemented, the Delaware Valley system mation sharing among agencies easier, Ꮧ ITS Policies for the Delaware Valley will serve as an information hub that will and the public will benefit from up-to-the- (Spring, 2001) enable agencies to relay accurate and time- minute information that allows them to Reports are available through DVRPC’s ly travel updates to the public. tailor their commuting plans. Information Services Center at 215-238-2828.

5 HORIZONS 2025: HELPING THE REGION TRAVEL SMARTER s DVRPC prepares Horizons by the geographic areas they affect: Core Report # 4: the Preliminary Cities; First Generation Suburbs; Growing Year 2025 Transportation Suburbs; Rural Areas; and Regional. The A Plan for the Delaware Valley, Report also details the differences between we recognize the progress our region’s clearly defined projects, conceptual pro- transportation system has made in recent jects and studies. years. But we also see the progress we have yet to make. We envision a Delaware We envision a Delaware Valley where travel is safer for walkers, “ bicyclists, drivers and transit users. We see Valley where travel is safer a region in which environmental impact for walkers, bicyclists, drivers receives as much consideration as the and transit users. We see a impact of commuting time in transporta- tion projects. We look toward a time when region in which environmental a variety of travel options provides greater impact receives as much mobility to those who are unable to drive. consideration as the impact We plan for a transportation system that encourages economic development, main- of commuting time in tains its infrastructure and uses incident transportation projects.” management and technology to mitigate congestion and delays. Our vision is a Last fall, DVRPC performed an initial transportation system that capitalizes on review of the draft Plan with committees the existing network of streets, highways, and asked for suggestions. Before the Plan trails and rail lines. We see all of this and is presented to the Board, DVRPC staff more in the Delaware Valley’s future. Our will conduct a conformity analysis to assess Preliminary Transportation Plan for the whether the emissions associated with Year 2025 is the first step in making this each project fit within the constraints for vision a reality. the region. DVRPC will also evaluate the The Plan features an outline of the projects to ensure they fit within the finan- vision for 2025, a listing of policy initia- cial constraints of the region. tives, and proposed projects and studies We envision the DVRPC Board releas- with corresponding maps. The projects list- ing the Preliminary Land Use and ed in the Plan come from various sources Transportation Plans to the public in and include major projects from the cur- March with a 30-day public comment peri- rent TIP that will not be completed before od to follow. Public meetings will be held the Plan’s adoption. The Plan features pro- in March to allow the Board to adopt an jects for corridor enhancement and service Interim Plan in April – a necessary step to improvement, but also lists an “other” cat- meet federal mandates. In the fall of 2001, egory for projects that are not easily classi- a full round of public workshops will re- fied, such as replacement in kind and examine land use and transportation issues transportation management programs. For and a final plan for the Year 2025 will then ease of reference, the report lists projects be adopted.

6 ••NJ NATURAL RESOURCES (cont. from page 2) •• Spotlight on Central Management Area 20. The planning area runs along the Delaware River from just south of Trenton in Mercer County Jersey’s Future to Burlington City in Burlington County VRPC recently sponsored a improvement and potential development and moves inland to incorporate parts of planning charrette for The centers for their sub-area. After the break Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Smaller Central Jersey Transportation out sessions, each group presented its find- watershed areas within Area 20 include Forum. The Forum, comprised ings for further discussions and gained con- Duck Creek, Crosswicks Creek, Blacks D Creek, Crafts Creek and Assiscunk Creek. of numerous regional stakeholders, strives sensus on one overall compatible transit to develop a consensus for appropriate network for the region. In total, the Crosswicks Creek watershed planning strategies which will address It is anticipated that the model results includes all or parts of 16 municipalities identified critical transportation issues fac- may be ready for public presentation at a in Mercer, Monmouth, Burlington, and ing Central Jersey. The specific goal of this Forum meeting this Spring. Ocean counties. The Regional Planning charrette was to obtain input for preparing Partnership of Central New Jersey will a “smart growth” transit/land use scenario collaborate with DVRPC by preparing a for testing by the transportation model. vision and strategies for Monmouth The results of the testing will provide an County communities and by assisting approximation of the effect of increased with land use impact analysis for the opportunities for walking, bicycling, and entire watershed. DVRPC expects to public transit on vehicle trip reduction. begin work on Area 20 in early 2001. Before a model can be tested, several input variables have to be determined. By con- ducting the charrette, regional stakehold- ers were given the opportunity to partici- pate in deciding which variables and how much they were included in the process. During break-out sessions, attendees identified potential transit services and development centers for testing by the model. The participants divided into three groups organized by geographic sub-area. Each group had several maps for reference Information At in guiding their discussion. Based upon the Charrette participants gather in Princeton to assess … discussions, each group identified transit transportation priorities in Central Jersey. Your Fingertips nder a grant from the William U Penn Foundation, DVRPC is Did You Know? The term charrette originates from the French word assisting area conservation organizations for “little cart”. At the Ecole de Beaux School of architecture, students were given a fixed time to expand their knowledge and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). limit to complete projects. As the instructor rolled the “charrette” down the isle between DVRPC recently offered free training the drafting tables, students would work to the last possible moment, placing their presentations sessions in the use of the ArcView 3.2 on the cart as it rolled past. GIS software. The Commission has also This practice of designing with a sense of urgency and short deadlines has been translated developed an online mapping application into the current planning practice called the Charrette. Within the intensive Charrette schedule which allows access and use of GIS map- there is no time for procrastination. Planning, development and social issues are presented, ping via the Internet with no special soft- ware required. To test drive this new thoroughly contemplated and resolved during this efficient and cost effective forum. application, log on to www.dvrpc.org and click Online Mapping.

7 •DE River Regional Summit (cont. from page 1) • Panel discussion and subsequent Q &A revealed information such as shorter itineraries for excursion ferries, proposed mine reclamation to dispose of dredged spoils, and plans for a riverfront family entertainment center. U.S. Representative Robert Borski (D-3rd PA) provided one of the high- lights of the day in his keynote address aptly titled, The Delaware-Our Shared Legacy. He acknowledged that the first time the Delaware River was developed, mistakes were made. Industry, located ABOVE_ Summit attendees participate in a discussion on Waterfront Development and Community Revitalization. along the waterfront polluted the river BELOW_ DRBC Executive Director Carol Collier (left) and DRPA Chairman Manuel Stamatakis (right) moderate panel and then was abandoned. Congressman discussions at the regional summit. Borski said the Clean Water Act has played a major role in helping the river rebound. He lamented the fact that Philadelphia has lost the most population of all major cities in the U.S., but he sees the waterfront as one of the crucial ways to keep people in the city and bring them back. For a more details about this historic conference, you may request a copy of One Region–One River conference highlights from Barry Seymour at 215-238-2831.

DVRPC NEWS PUBLISHED BY THE DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION VOLUME 22, NO. 1

DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION PHONE: 215-592-1800 THE BOURSE BUILDING FAX: 215-592-9125 111 SOUTH INDEPENDENCE MALL EAST WEBSITE: www.dvrpc.org PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106-2515

DVRPC NEWS BUCKS Published by Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission MERCER Commonwealth of State of New Jersey MONTGOMERY Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation New Jersey Dept. of Transportation Pennsylvania Governor’s Policy Office New Jersey Dept. of Community Affairs Bucks County Burlington County Chester County Camden County Delaware County Gloucester County PHILA BURLINGTON Montgomery County Mercer County CHESTER ★ City of Chester City of Camden CAMDEN City of Philadelphia City of Trenton DELAWARE

GLOUCESTER 2000-2001 BOARD OFFICERS Timothy J. Carson, Esq., Chairman Charles H. Martin, Secretary Jerald Cureton, Vice Chairman James Weinstein, Treasurer John J. Coscia, Executive Director

DVRPC News is funded through grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Since its establishment in 1965, DVRPC has been instrumental in ensuring the orderly departments of transportation, and DVRPC’s member governments. growth of the bi-state region. As the federally-funded metropolitan planning organization, DVRPC also provides data and consulting services to public and private sector organizations, Candace B. Snyder, Editor Design: Marketing Design Inc. and fosters cooperation among all levels of government. Shown above is the nine-county Joy Jensen and Gabriella Eitingon, CoEditors Delaware Valley region.

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