D V R P C NEWS THE NEWSLETTER OF DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION DVRPC ADOPTS PLAN FOR REGION’S FUTURE he DVRPC Board adopted the Destination 2030 Long Range Plan, its vision for the future, at its T June, 2005 Board meeting. DVRPC’s designation as the Metropolitan need to reduce congestion as the most The diversity of communities in the Planning Organization (MPO) for the important transportation issue in our Delaware Valley are represented by the region and the requirements of the region at the present time. The most Core Cities of Philadelphia, Camden, Transportation Equity Act for the 21st important environmental issue for the Trenton and Chester; Developed Century (TEA-21) have given the future was open-space preservation, cited Communities including the inner ring Commission an expanded and stronger by 36% of respondents. Other survey older suburbs and scattered boroughs; role in planning to link transportation, questions dealt with housing issues and Growing Suburbs that now represent the land use, and the environment.The managing future development of the face of suburban sprawl; and Rural Areas, Long Range Plan ties together those region. where farming and agriculture still provide three components, and also addresses a unique character and quality of life. For bicycle/pedestrian needs, aviation issues, each of these areas, specific policies of goods movement, and intelligent trans- “The Year 2030 Plan presents redevelopment and renewal, stabilization portation operations. an integrated land use and and revitalization, growth management In preparation for the update of the and urban design, and land preservation transportation vision for the Long Range Plan, DVRPC contracted and limited development guide the with The Ivy Group to develop and imple- Delaware Valley.” ment a telephone survey of the residents (story cont. on page 2) of the nine-county, two-state region. The Year 2030 Plan presents an integrat- The survey solicited public opinion ed land use and transportation vision for IN THE SUMMER 2005 ISSUE: regarding land use, transportation and the Delaware Valley. By the year 2030, ▼ AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP KICKS OFF environmental issues that affect the regional forecasts predict almost 700,000 10TH OZONE SEASON 3 region. DVRPC found that some results new people and almost 500,000 new jobs. ▼ COMMUTER BENEFIT PROGRAM HITS $100 MILLION DOLLAR MARK 3 compare favorably to the results from the If current land use development trends year 2000 Census, such as 74% of the 675 continue, this future growth would con- ▼ COMMISSION SELECTS HOME TOWN STREETS 4 AND SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECTS respondents drive alone to their place of sume an additional 250,000 acres of land. employment, 9% take the train or bus, ▼ DVRPC TO STUDY POTENTIAL NORTHEAST However, by directing a small amount of CORRIDOR AIR SERVICE DEMAND AT SMALL 10% walk, bike, or work at home, and 6% new growth as infill to existing communi- COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS 4 drive with others. A majority of the survey ties and modestly increasing the net ▼ DVRPC FUNDS OVER $1.1 BILLION IN questions dealt with transportation issues, density of new development, all of the TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS 5 such as funding and improvements to the forecasted growth could be accommodated ▼ DVRPC BOARD ELECTS OFFICERS FOR FY 2006 6 system. 42% of all respondents cited the in just 110,000 acres. 1 •PLAN FOR REGION’S FUTURE… (cont. from pg. 1) • operations of our highway and transit The Destination 2030 Long Range Plan transportation investments of the plan. “ facilities by incorporating Intelligent The Destination 2030 Long Range Plan assumes that over $57 billion, split Transportation System (ITS) elements. assumes that over $57 billion, split almost almost evenly between highway DVRPC opened a public comment evenly between highway and transit and transit projects, will be available period from May 2 to June 2, 2005, to projects, will be available for transporta- for transportation projects provide citizens with an opportunity to tion projects over the life of the Plan. over the life of the Plan.” comment on the Plan, as well as on the The Destination 2030 Plan adopts a FY 2006 TIP for New Jersey, and on “Fix It First” policy that allocates the change, reconstructing and/or widening Air Quality Conformity. Information majority of anticipated funding to rebuild- several portions of US 202, and separate was mailed to well over 3,000 groups ing the region’s transportation infrastruc- projects to add missing movements and and individuals and copies of all ture. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey provide a direct connection for I-295 in materials were available for review at Departments of Transportation have the vicinity of the NJ 42 Freeway. On the numerous libraries throughout the adopted a similar stance. The Long Range transit side, major initiatives include the Delaware Valley, as well as DVRPC’s Plan also identifies over 100 major, Schuylkill Valley Metro/R6 Extension, library and on the DVRPC website regionally-significant highway and transit Route 100 Spur to King of Prussia, (www.dvrpc.org). projects. Major highway projects include new rail lines to Quakertown and Public meetings were held at the the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-95 inter- Gloucester County, and a Bus Rapid American College of Physicians Transit service to Building in Philadelphia, the Four serve the US 1 Seasons Banquet Hall in Norristown, HOW DO YOU COMMUTE TO WORK? corridor in central PA, and at the Vogelson Branch — 80 New Jersey. 70 Camden County Library in Voorhees, 60 Additionally over NJ. Individual and organizational 50 half a billion dollars comments played a role 40 has been allocated to in the final version of the Plan that was Percent 30 Regional Census improve the adopted by DVRPC’s Board. 20 10 0 Drive Alone Drive With Take Bus or Walk, Bike or Other Train Work at Home VISIT DVRPC AT ITS NEW LOCATION! WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE DO YOU FEEL IS MOST DVRPC recently moved into new offices at the ABOVE_In preparation for the IMPORTANT TO THE REGION’S FUTURE? American College of Physicians (ACP) Building at update of the Long Range Plan, 40 6th and Race Streets in historic Philadelphia. The DVRPC implemented a survey 35 Camden new offices were officially opened on May 9, 2005. soliciting public opinion. Survey 30 results compare favorably to 25 DVRPC now occupies the entire 8th floor of the ACP the results from the year 2000 20 building and a portion of the seventh. Census, such as 74% of the Percent 15 Philadelphia 675 respondents drive alone 10 The DVRPC staff looks forward to welcoming to their place of employment. 5 Clean/Reuse all planning partners to the new offices, 0 Improve Improve Air RIGHT_The most important Open Space/ Quality Contaminated Water Quality Sites and greatly appreciates your patience during environmental issue for the Farmland this period of transition. future is open space Preservation preservation, cited by 36% of respondents. 2 AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP KICKS OFF 10TH OZONE SEASON The Air Quality Partnership also fore- t’s summer and once again we can “The Air Quality Partnership’s Ozone look forward to hot weather, hazy casts for particle pollution, tiny drops of Action Season provides summertime days, and the persistent problem liquid or small particles that float in the of poor air quality. However, the ground-level ozone forecasts and encourages air. Particle pollution is most common I voluntary actions to reduce pollution.” Air Quality Partnership is on top of the during winter months and comes from problem with its Air Quality Action a variety of sources such as cars, wood Program. A project of DVRPC, the Air the U.S. Department of Health and Human stoves, factories, construction sites, forest Quality Partnership is a coalition of Services, Thomas Jefferson University, the fires, and waste incinerators. business, government and environmental Asthma Allergy Foundation of America, Other outreach plans for the upcoming groups, from Delaware, New Jersey and SEPTA, Clean Air Council, and the U.S. year include sponsorship of the Camden Pennsylvania, that work collaboratively EPA, recognized regional initiatives to Riversharks and Trenton Thunder minor to inform the public of ways in which to improve air quality. league baseball teams; information booths improve the region’s air quality. The Air Quality Partnership’s Ozone at community and regional events; and a The region’s 10th Ozone Action season Action Season, which runs from May- focus on increasing member involvement. kicked off in May 2005 with an event at September, provides summertime ground- For more information about ozone, the Shops at Liberty Place, hosted by the level ozone forecasts and encourages particle pollution and the Air Quality Air Quality Partnership and the U.S. voluntary actions to reduce pollution. Partnership, visit www.airqualitypartnership.org. Environmental Protection Agency. The Currently, the Delaware Valley does not event, which also celebrated Asthma meet the federal air quality standards for Awareness Month, offered educational ground-level ozone. In the summer, sun- information about air quality and asthma, light and high temperatures “bake” pollu- and other giveaways to the public. tants emitted by motor vehicles, power Representatives from several groups plants, industrial manufacturing and other including the American Lung Association, sources to form high levels of ground-level the City of Philadelphia Health Department, ozone, commonly known as smog. COMMUTER BENEFIT PROGRAM HITS $100 MILLION DOLLAR MARK on transit. It saves employers and com- “The $100 million mark is significant muters money because the program takes for several reasons, not the least of which fter more than a decade of advantage of federal legislation that is that this money goes right back into our promoting the benefits of allows tax-free dollars to pay for transit transit systems, attracting new riders and using public transit, the fares.